Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1323: There was no perfect time

An hour later...

"You're early," Mildred remarked as soon as she sat across from Haines at the same table where they had their first date. "I thought I was already early. No, I am early, but you're earlier."

Haines smiled at her. "It's good to see you too, Mildred."

"Haha." A soft chuckle escaped her as she leaned back. At the same time, the server arrived with hot tea. "You already knew what I like. Did I mention I like this particular tea?"

"You finished it very fast last time."

"I didn't want it to grow cold. It's best to drink it hot."

"And I agree. That's why I told them to serve it once you arrived. Thankfully, they did."

"What a gentleman." Mildred laughed again as she reached for her tea.

As they both took a sip, silence settled between them, as though they were waiting for the other to ask the questions lingering in their minds.

"I haven't told anybody yet," Mildred remarked, placing her tea down - giving him an answer instead of a question. "I know that's what's on your mind. The answer is no, I haven't come clean yet."

"Still couldn't muster the courage to do it?"

"At some point, I thought of just blurting it out." She waved a hand dismissively. "But every time I muster the courage to do so, I end up biting my tongue. The Old Madam is either too happy for me to ruin it, or too lonely for me to make it worse. I do not have the heart to do either."

"There was not a perfect time."

"And if you're waiting for one, there won't be," Haines said casually. "But who am I to talk?"

Mildred chuckled. "I suppose I'm holding you back from seeing anyone else. After all, we did promise that I'd tell the Old Madam why I won't date, while you'd open your heart and give yourself a chance."

"Don't feel bad," Haines said with a lighthearted tone. "It'd be even more pressuring if you did, and I couldn't—not yet."

"Still hung up on that first love?"

about her anymore. She was the reason I couldn't

She tilted her head. "Because

rocked his head side to side.

brow. "Or an 'appropriate' gender preference?

the young? Only for those society deemed

they held each other's gaze. Haines was surprised—he hadn't expected her to say that so suddenly.

hadn't

with a subtle smile. "Love is

understanding. "After all, that's what I

silence. Neither of them had planned

uncomfortable?" she asked kindly. "If so, I apologize." "Not at all. There's no need to

"But you went quiet."

trailed off, struggling to phrase his thoughts without sounding rude. After her remarks, he couldn't help

just as it

shallow sigh, Haines decided to shift the conversation. "There's this young

brow, intrigued. "A young woman.

"Half my age."

the

the same age as

as my eldest nephew."

find

her

known her since she was

once maybe more-w net

was

Charles and Penny

then... a horrible case

"Oh."

to the Bennets," Haines clarified

her