Page 34 of The Secret Suitor

“Do not worry on my account,” Millie said, shaking her head. “You needn’t return unless you wish to join the party. It has been a long day, and you ought to rest.”

“Millie is among friends,” Nell reminded Helena.

A look passed between the sisters. “Perhaps you ought to locate Oliver if you find yourself in need?” Helena suggested.

Millie nodded. “I will.”

As soon as Helena and Charles were gone, Wesley put his attention on his food. It was a feat of patience, listening to Mr. Kendrick drone on about the hour he had spent with the horses that morning as he attempted to determine the depth of Millie’s interest in riding. He spoke at length of the stables and his opinion on Bellthorne’s horses. Millie glanced up at Wesley, her brown eyes snagging his and holding briefly before they returned to Mr. Kendrick.

What had she meant to convey? She could certainly ride. Wesley had witnessed her do so on many occasions.

But did she adore the sport as deeply as some women? No.

“That must have been a nice way to spend your morning,” Millie finally said.

“I dare say, you were far more entertained at the village fete,” Mr. Kendrick announced. “It was too cold to remain in the stables for long. I spent the larger part of the day evaluating the contents of Lord Dalmeer’s library.”

“Is the earl well read?” Millie asked.

Mr. Kendrick chewed a bite of his roll. “I was told the majority of the books have been there for some time. His father, perhaps, did most of the accumulation. I do not know the earl well, myself.”

Wesley could ask Nell whether Lord Dalmeer enjoyed reading, for she had been spending more time with him lately than anyone else—a detail that increasingly worried Wesley. Not that he found Lord Dalmeer to be lacking in any way—as a suitor he was certainly above reproach—but when Wesley had taken on the responsibility of watching over his sister at this house party, it had not occurred to him she might actually be courted.

He only hoped he was doing justice to his brotherly duty.

Millie must have had a similar thought, because she looked to Nell, then returned her attention to her meal.

“Is there any entertainment planned for this evening?” Millie asked, likely hoping to change the subject.

Nell shook her head. “I believe I read on the notice of events that there was no particular plan for tonight.”

“Indeed, we are able to do whatever we wish,” Mr. Kendrick confirmed.

Before the man could invite Millie to spend the evening with him, though, Wesley put down his fork and commanded her attention. “We could explore the library.” He looked at Nell to include her in the suggestion. “I am interested to see the selection for myself.”

Millie finished her slice of ham. “That would be agreeable. But you would not wish to return to the place where you spent the majority of the day, Mr. Kendrick, would you? Shall we consider other options?”

“I would not mind in the slightest.” He gave Millie a smile that made Wesley want to squeeze his roll in his fist. Did none of them mind that Mr. Kendrick was at least twelve years older than Millie? Did that mean nothing? Compared to him, she was a veritable child. “I am seldom happier than when I am surrounded by books.”

“Very well. Nell?” Millie asked. “Would you care to join us in the library?”

“I would love to.”

“Until we do, though,” Mr. Kendrick said, settling into his seat, his plate empty, “I would like to hear about your favorite authors, Miss Hollis.”

Millie sipped from her goblet. “I am more interested in poets, I’m afraid.”

A slow smile spread over Mr. Kendrick’s face, growing so wide, Wesley wanted to splash his wine in the man’s open mouth.

Blast. What had gotten into him? He was feeling so violent when it came to his food and Mr. Kendrick this evening. Perhaps a brisk walk in the fresh air would do him well. Or a splash of cold water on his own face.

Mr. Kendrick cleared his throat as though preparing for an announcement. “As luck would have it, Miss Hollis, I love poetry as well.”

Of course he did. Wesley watched a gleam of interest enter Millie’s face, and he could practically hear her thoughts spin with possibilities about Mr. Kendrick and the notes she had found. Her last note had included a poem, had it not?

Wesley’s mind spun as well, but in increasing irritation.

Evidently, he strongly disliked Mr. Kendrick. A funny thing, that. Up until yesterday, he had taken no issue with the man whatsoever.