Page 60 of The Secret Suitor

Dash it, he should have answered another way. He could not have predicted she would rebuff each of his attempts to gently put distance between them.

Lady Dalmeer blessedly chose that moment to signal the end of dinner, and the women rose to follow her out. Wesley had risen as well to bow to his seatmates, but once that was finished, he rested his hand on the back of his chair and searched the women for an emerald green silk gown that flowed like a river. Millie caught his eye as she walked past, and he smiled softly, playing their kiss over in his mind as he looked at her.

“I shall find you when it is time to begin charades,” Miss Stroud said tightly.

Wesley’s attention snapped back to her. He had not even realized she was still standing beside him. Did she witness his exchange with Millie?

He swallowed, nodding. “Of course.”

Miss Stroud strode out, her chin high. When should he abandon the realm of politeness? Had he already provided her with consistent false hope? He sighed as the doors were closed and scrubbed a hand over his face. This was all uncharted territory for Wesley.

He located Charles and rounded the table to take the seat beside him. “How is Helena feeling?”

“Only slightly better, but it was important to her to enjoy the party with her sister, so she is doing her best to wear a brave face.”

“She looked lovely this evening.”

“I do think she has more color in her cheeks, but I am not sure if that is natural or the work of her maid.”

Wesley chuckled. “It must be a relief to know her illness is within the bounds of what is found typical.”

“I have heard that from Dr. Goring at home and the village doctor here, so I feel more confident in it. This is the first time either Helena or I have experienced a pregnancy, so we were unprepared for the difficulty.” Charles accepted a glass of port from the butler and took a sip.

“Can I ask you a rather personal question?”

Charles raised his eyebrows. “Yes, but that does not mean I shall answer it.”

Wesley nodded. “When you realized you loved Helena, what did you do?”

He blinked, as though he had expected something else. “I asked her to marry me.”

“How did you know she would agree?”

“I didn’t.” Charles sipped his drink, then set the glass on the table. “I wanted nothing more than to be her husband. I wanted to wake up every day with her. Our marriage was not an arrangement. I fell for her, and when we were married, that love only grew.”

Wesley picked up his newly filled glass and swirled the red liquid inside, then took a small sip. Every word Charles spoke was a confirmation of his thoughts. But he expected if he asked Millie to marry him that evening, she would merely panic, despite how she felt about him.

“Are you considering proposing?” Charles asked.

Wesley leaned back in his chair. “I must first obtain her father’s blessing, and he is not present.”

“Am I not sufficient?”

“Are you?” Wesley asked, certain they were of the same mind. He did not know how he felt about being so transparent, but since Charles had seen through him, there was no sense in pretending otherwise.

“I doubt my father-in-law anticipated Millie would obtain a proposal, or he would have made the effort to accompany us, despite my mother-in-law falling ill. But he would surely approve. They know you well.”

Wesley’s chest tightened. “How did you know I was speaking about Millie?”

Charles tilted his head. “You have been obvious, I’m afraid. The both of you.”

Both? At that, Wesley’s heartbeat increased, thudding hard. “You think Millie has been obvious as well?”

Charles laughed. “Of course she has. I have seldom seen her out of your company, and when the two of you are separated, you are constantly looking at one another. My focus may have been on my wife this last week and a half, but even a simpleton could plainly see how things stand between you.”

Wesley nodded, draining the rest of his glass. He was not certain whether Charles’s words were a confirmation or a concern, but regardless, they gave him hope. Now he only needed to make sure Miss Stroud saw what was evidently so clear to everyone else.

There had been no escaping Miss Stroud’s attention during charades. She had settled far too close to Wesley on the sofa, pinning him against the arm and leaving him nowhere to turn but toward her. Her arm had pressed against his each time they were meant to discuss clues for the game, and by the time charades had finished, Wesley was fairly certain everyone in the room assumed there was something between Miss Stroud and himself.