A Dash of Scandal(28)
“Thank you. And remember to call me Lynette. We are friends now, and there should be no formalities with us.”
“All right. Please sit down.”
Millicent motioned for Lady Lynette to take one of the twin burgundy-colored settees that were placed in the center of the cozy room. Matching gilded armchairs flanked each end of the settees, and a satinwood pedestal table with alabaster inlays stood between the settees. Burgundy and green-striped velvet drapery panels had been pulled back from the windows and daylight lit the parlor with brightness.
Lady Lynette was an imposing young lady, tall and robust. Her sapphire-blue walking dress spread out over the small settee as she sat down on the edge. Her matching bonnet had a wide ribbon sash tied under her chin that covered most of the birthmark that spilled over her cheek. Millicent noticed that Lady Lynette’s face was really quite lovely when the dark red birthmark was covered.
Millicent took a deep breath, smiled, and sat in the settee opposite the other woman.
“How is Lady Beatrice feeling?” Lady Lynette asked.
“A little better each day, but I’m afraid she’s not up to visitors.”
“That’s quite all right. I understand. Please tell her I asked for her.”
“I shall be happy to. I’m sure she’ll be disappointed she wasn’t able to see you.”
“I saw you dancing with Lord Dunraven last night.”
Millicent suddenly became wary. Was there any way Lady Lynette could have seen Lord Dunraven sneak into the garden? Millicent remained calm and said, “Yes, that’s right.”
“I talked with my mother about it at breakfast this morning.”
That was rather presumptuous, but Millicent decided not to take her to task—just yet. She would wait and see where the conversation was going. She answered, “Is that so?”
“Yes. I explained you had been recently introduced to me and that you were here only for the Season. Since you are new in Town, my mother and I felt I should take it upon myself to come and warn you about Lord Dunraven.”
“Warn me?” Millicent asked but felt sure she knew what Lady Lynette would say, and she was a little perturbed at how quickly the subject changed from pleasantries to what must have been the real reason for her visit.
Lady Lynette rolled her eyes upward and smiled. “To be sure he’s the most charming of the Terrible Threesome, and most young ladies think the most handsome, too. But if you came to Town looking to make a match you would do well to forget about Lord Dunraven and concentrate on someone else.”
“It was only one dance, Lynette. And he was not the only gentleman I danced with.”
“I know, but he is the only one that you danced with who is unattainable. Over the years so many young ladies have lost their hearts to him only to be disappointed. I think you should take more interest in Sir Charles Wright or Viscount Tolby. Both are handsome and either would suit. Lord Dunraven’s interest in any young lady is not to be taken seriously. I could tell you stories about him that would—but you don’t want to hear things about him, I’m sure.”
Oh, but I do.
She saw this as her opportunity to find out more about the dashing rogue who was so daring as to go so quickly from merely caressing her hand and blowing kisses to sneaking into the garden, pulling her down, on the grass beside him and kissing her on the lips.
“Oh, no bad things, but I would like to know a little more about him. I keep hearing about these earls who are called the Terrible Threesome. What exactly has Lord Dunraven done that makes him such a scoundrel?”
“I thought you’d never give me permission to tell. Now that I’m older, most of the friends I have are married and are not into hearing the gossip about the bachelors.” Lady Lynette smiled waggishly and moved closer to the edge of her seat but held her tongue as Glenda came in with the tea.
Millicent had to smile at how young Lady Lynette suddenly looked. She probably hadn’t reached thirty yet and right now she looked more like seventeen. No doubt she would relish telling every word of gossip she knew. Her eyes fairly sparkled with enjoyment and her strong facial features turned playful.
As soon as Glenda left the room Lady Lynette said, “Everyone in Town thought Lord Dunraven would marry as soon as he finished his education because he had already inherited the title. All the young ladies and hopeful widows set their caps for him that first year he was eligible. But no, word got out quickly that he would see all three of his sisters wed before he took a wife. Naturally he was then considered unattainable.”