A Dash of Scandal(22)
“Probably that it’s too late to make a difference. The damage has been done.”
Millicent was close to being in a dither. The lazy stroll his fingers made on her hand was making her crazy with need to return the sensuous touch. She was supposed to be too sensible to fall for his persuasive machinations, but she was finding herself quite susceptible to him.
She had to do something to break the spell he’d cast on her. No matter how special his touch made her feel, she had to remember that with this man she was just another young lady in his arms and therefore he felt free to trifle with her. He was a rogue’s rogue.
“Do you caress the hands of every lady you dance with?” she asked.
His blue eyes darkened. “With all that you’ve heard about me, I’m surprised you have to ask.”
“I wanted to know if you would tell the truth or fill my head with the silly notion that I’m the first.”
“You are far too clever for me to tell you anything silly.”
Another thing to like about him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now, would you please stop? I find your brashness very disconcerting.” But pleasing.
“I thought I was being quite restrained, when what I really want to do is pull you into my arms and kiss you.”
A stunned gasp rushed past her lips. “You forget yourself, sir.”
“No, but there are times like these when I’d very much like to.”
He guided her into a twirl under his arm and brought her to face him again without missing a step. There was a gleam of amusement in his eyes, though he was discreet enough not to show it in his polite smile.
“You have that affect on me, Miss Blair. But I will change the subject so as not to further offend your sensibilities. So where does your mother reside?”
Millicent took a deep breath before saying, “In the country. So tell me, if what is written about you is not true, what is?”
“That’s a rather broad question for a lady who only gives the narrowest of answers.”
Millicent stared directly into his intriguing blue eyes, sparkling with immense pleasure. For the first time since beginning their dance, she couldn’t help giving him a genuine smile as she said, “Surely a lady is not supposed to tell everything during a first dance, my lord.”
“Careful, Miss Blair, you are about to ruin your reputation.”
Undaunted, she asked, “How so?”
“I believe that remark was the first thing you have said to me that could be considered flirtatious.”
“Then I must be more careful. Flirting with you is the furthest thing from my mind.”
“I fear the lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
Millicent’s eyes widened in surprise as a warm feeling flooded her. “You’ve studied Shakespeare?”
“Studied? No, I’ve simply read some of his work.”
“He was a very clever man with words.”
“Is that a hint of how I might find my way past your head to your heart, Miss Blair?”
Millicent tingled and tensed at the same time. He was so bold. He was so charming she easily forgot who he was and eagerly engaged him in pleasant conversation.
“Certainly not.”
“I should like to call on you tomorrow afternoon, Miss Blair.”
“That wouldn’t be convenient, Lord Dunraven.”
“The next afternoon, perhaps?”
Lord Dunraven lifted his arm and led her into a slow twirl as the dance ended, far too quickly yet not fast enough. He gently squeezed her fingers again, let go of her hand and bowed.
Millicent curtsied on weak knees. He kept her constantly on her wits. “I’m sorry. I fear my afternoons are full.”
Chandler extended his arm for her, and Millicent graciously accepted. “I do believe you are rejecting my advances, Miss Blair.”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing, sir.”
Quietly they walked back to the perimeter of the room where Lady Heathecoute was waiting for her. Millicent’s heart beat faster than it ever had, and the speed had nothing to do with the dancing. Lord Dunraven’s touch sent her heart rate spiraling out of control, and her common sense took leave.
As they neared the viscountess, Lord Dunraven turned to Millicent and softly said, “If clever words won’t win your heart, Miss Blair, then I shall have to keep looking until I find what will.”