A Dash of Scandal(44)
His words alerted her. “Skeletons? You have a vivid imagination, sir.”
A devilish grin spread across his face and she realized he was only teasing her, but Millicent had suddenly felt as if she had been caught writing her gossip.
There was no way he could know what she was doing unless—unless he had her real dance card! Could that be? No. She was reacting far too seriously about his offhanded remark because she did have a guilty conscience. How could he know anything about her or what she was doing for her aunt?
She wouldn’t say any more about the subject. Surely if he had seen her dance card, he would have to come right out and accuse her, and somehow she felt him unwilling to do that.
Millicent had learned years ago that when she didn’t know how to answer a question, or didn’t like the direction a conversation was going, it was best to change the subject. That seemed a judicious thing to do right now.
“There is no way this can be a chance meeting, Lord Dunraven.”
“Indeed, it is not.”
“Rake that you are, you followed me, didn’t you?” she asked, a bit miffed, a bit flattered, and a bit excited.
“Yes.”
“You really are a rogue of the first order.”
“Guilty.” He paused, then added, “Though only sometimes.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
“I have been known to behave properly when it matters most, Miss Blair.”
He smiled and suddenly Millicent felt as if sunlight shone on her face. How could his smile brighten her day and fill her with such pleasant feelings? Suddenly she felt wonderful. She wanted to throw her arms up in the air and twirl around as if she were five years old again.
Standing before her was an admitted rogue who knew how to charm any lady, not just her. Yet, the very sight of him made her heart beat a little faster.
Millicent tried to sound firm while keeping her voice low. She said, “Following me is unacceptable. And standing here talking to me in this shop is even worse. Have you no care for my reputation?”
“Your reputation is safe with me. You left me no choice when you refused again to let me call on you like a proper gentleman. I had to design a plan to see you. I decided to watch Lady Beatrice’s house until you came into the garden again. But when I saw you leave the house, I decided to follow you.”
“You were watching the house again? That was foolish. I could have stayed inside all day.”
“Foolish, yes, but I do have good luck.”
“Good luck, indeed. Clearly you are an expert at maneuvering yourself so that you can have a private assignation with young ladies whenever and wherever you wish.”
He gave her that warm engaging smile as he folded his arms across his chest in a very relaxed position and leaned a narrow hip against the table. “That’s true, but it is also true I have not stooped to such antics lately. I’ve not had to, and I did it years ago for the fun and the sport of it. Now I’m doing it because you are the first young lady who has refused to allow me to call on her in a proper and gentlemanly manner.”
For some reason that truthful admission gave her confidence and freedom to give him a genuine smile. “That should have been a hint that I didn’t want to see you.”
“A hint? I took it as a challenge. I thought perhaps it meant you didn’t want anyone to see us together, giving my dastardly notoriety and your unblemished reputation.”
At that remark, Millicent laughed softly, quietly but without restraint. He was so engaging, he was wrapping her up like a gift to present to himself.
“Shhh.” He put his hand to his lips. “I don’t think anyone knows I’m in here.”
Mrs. Brown and the clerk continued to huddle together but had walked farther away from Millicent to look at jars of creams, oils, or something behind the front counter.
Millicent cleared her throat and fingered the fabric again. “Nonsense,” she said, but asked, “How did you get in without them seeing you?”
“I went to the back alley and slipped in from the rear door.” He looked around the bolts of cloth. “I don’t think there is anyone else in here right now but you and I, your chaperone and the clerk.”
“Thank goodness. You could have been caught.”
“Yes.”
A shiver of excitement tingled through her. “And that means I would have been caught talking to you.”
“Yes.”
“Does that not worry you?”