Read Online My Earl the Spy by Audrey Harrison - Free Book Online

is enjoying now.” She was aware that her dowry would not have provided the luxuries that Mrs Connor’s dowry had.
    “You could have done something! I prefer the country air to being in the centre of town.”
    “I’m sorry about that, Mother, but let’s hope Stephen and Gerald will set-up a home in the country, and you could perhaps live with them,” Milly said jovially.
    “It is the daughter’s role to care for her parents, not the sons! You should have provided better for me!”
    As Milly could not have guaranteed that Mr Connor would have agreed with her mother’s sentiments even if they had married, she thought it prudent to remain silent on the subject.
    *
    Milly sat with Sarah, drinking tea, the atmosphere of the house completely different than the one she had visited that morning. In this home the children were free to explore and play when not in lessons or having naps. It meant that the building was constantly noisy, filled with laughter with only the occasional natural tears of childhood being heard.
    “It must have been strange to visit after all this time,” Sarah said, settling in for a chat.
    “It was, but it’s been so long now that I didn’t feel anything until she said that they hadn’t refurbished the nurseries! Those poor children!”
    Sarah smiled. “She is all about show and always has been. The children are there to be paraded when appropriate and hidden away for the rest of the time. She is always lecturing me about lack of control over my brood.”
    Milly laughed. “I know which house I’d rather live in.”
    “Did you see that dastardly man?”
    “No! You must stop that Sarah. It really doesn’t matter.”
    “I know I should be more magnanimous. You are very forgiving, and if you have forgiven him I should be able to as well, but if you’d married him you wouldn’t be constantly leaving us.” Sarah bemoaned what she saw as the loss of her dearest friend.
    “You are very sweet and a dear friend, but I honestly think that, on reflection, we wouldn’t have suited. From the little I’ve heard, he seems to be driven by money; I could never be that way. And from all accounts they are supported a lot by the parents; again, something that wouldn’t have happened if we had married.”
    “You are more generous in the circumstances than I could be.”
    “I’m being realistic. And anyway, I’m normally quite happy with my lot; well I was..,” Milly started, surprising herself as she realised what her words meant.
    “Has coming home upset you so much?” Sarah asked sadly.
    “No, it’s what I left behind that has upset my equilibrium,” Milly admitted, glad to be able to speak openly to someone about her inner turmoil.
    “Tell me more!” Sarah exclaimed with a smile and listened to Milly with rapt attention. “He sounds divine!” Sarah moaned with pleasure.
    “I just get the feeling that I would have experienced real heartache if I’d been able to stay and see more of him. It wouldn’t have had a happy ending,” Milly said perceptively.
    “But after such a short amount of time, your feelings are so strong for him; you have to admit that is terribly romantic!”
    Milly laughed. “It has shown me just how shallow my feelings for Percy Connor were. I truly believe that Percy and I were not really in love. Seeing him should have affected me more than it has; I’ve been unmoved by the experience. Leaving Lord Grinstead behind is another matter. I physically feel as if I have left a part of me in London. It is irrelevant, though; we aren’t likely to meet again unless I manage to get a position with a young girl who has yet to take part in the season in London, and that is highly unlikely.”
    “How are your enquiries going?”
    “I’ve sent off two enquiries, but both were for elderly ladies. There aren’t many advertisements for younger ladies; I expect family members are used in those instances. It’s a pity because I would still like to enjoy a little bit of