A Dash of Scandal(27)

He reached up and caressed her cheek with his fingertips and asked, “Have I lost my technique?”

“No, sir, you are very adept.”

She was almost sitting on top of him. He held her but with no forcing pressure. She could easily rise, scream, or even box his ears, but she remained where she was without moving.

He raised his lips to hers again for another gentle kiss. Her stomach quivered. His lips were warm and moist as he gently taught her how to return the kiss. It would be so easy to give herself up to his touch and simply enjoy this man, but she couldn’t. She must take control of him and herself and not allow this to continue.

She pushed against his chest and the kiss ended. “You have proven your point, Lord Dunraven. You are a rake of the highest order.”

“Should I consider that a compliment or insult?”

“You should consider it the truth. Now, I really must go before someone sees us.”

“May I call on you tomorrow?”

She rose from the ground and looked down at him. “I can’t allow that, sir. Please turn your attentions to someone else. Now, leave the way you came while I watch for you.”

He grinned and blew her a kiss.

The back door opened and Hamlet rushed out. He stood on the top step and barked a couple of times before he came running down the steps at top speed toward Millicent. Her heart jumped to her throat.

“Hurry, Lord Dunraven. Hamlet knows you are here,” Millicent whispered to him but he was already disappearing through a small opening he had made in the bottom of the shrub. It closed back together as soon as he was gone.

Hamlet headed straight for the hedge where Lord Dunraven had disappeared. He sniffed around the ground and barked.

Millicent looked back to the rear door saw that it was her own maid, Glenda, standing in the doorway. Millicent flinched. She wondered how long Glenda had been standing there. Could she have seen Lord Dunraven from where she stood? Would she say anything to her aunt if she had seen him or would she consider it none of her concern and remain quiet?

A small young lady with large dark eyes and sallow skin, Glenda was the quietest person Millicent had ever known. She could enter a room without anyone ever knowing she was there.

“Miss, are you all right?” she called.

“Yes, Glenda,” Millicent answered and without looking back toward Hamlet, she started walking toward her maid.

“You have a visitor.”

“No, no, I don’t have a visitor,” she fibbed, trying not to sound or act nervous, but wasn’t so sure she managed it. “I don’t know what Hamlet is barking at. Maybe a rabbit or a cat.”

She could strangle Lord Dunraven for putting her in this awkward position.

Glenda walked down the steps to meet Millicent. She presented Millicent a card on a silver tray. “No, miss, I mean you have had a visitor call on you. A young lady.”

“Oh, yes. I see. Thank you.” Millicent tried to calm her breathing as she picked up the card and read. “Lady Lynette Knightington.” She looked up at the maid. “Is the lady still here or did she just leave her card?”

“She’s in the front parlor, miss, but says not to bother you if she’s called at an inopportune time.”

Millicent wiped her lips with the back of her hand, remembering Lord Dunraven’s kiss, wishing she had more time to ponder why he was pursuing her.

She would think about him later.

This pleasant day had certainly turned into an exciting one. Should she greet the young lady who had been so friendly the night before or should she tell Glenda to say she was unavailable?

Millicent threw down the card on the tray. Angels above, her aunt couldn’t expect her to attend two and three parties each evening and not develop at least one friendship.

“Tell her I’ll be right there, then ask the housekeeper to speak to the cook about a fresh pot of tea and sandwiches.”

“Yes, miss.”

“Lady Lynette, how kind of you to call,” Millicent said a few moments later as she entered the front parlor. Her off-white day dress swept the floor, and her steps were soundless in her comfortable satin slippers.

Lady Lynette turned from the fireplace, where she was looking at the painting of a much younger Lady Beatrice that hung above the mantel. She smiled graciously at Millicent. “I’m so happy you were available to see me on short notice. I promise not to stay long.”

“Nonsense. Stay as long as you like. I’m having some tea brought in for us.”