A Dash of Scandal(54)
“I’m sure it won’t be long now. I don’t know how the viscount and his lady stay out so late night after night. It’s no wonder his lordship sleeps on the drive home.” Millicent purposely looked down at the dog. “Good morning, Hamlet. How are you today?” Hamlet barked once. Millicent lifted an eyebrow. Maybe she was winning him over.
“They sleep until it is time to get up and get dressed for the next party. That’s how they do it. It’s not too bad a life. Remember, this hectic schedule only lasts for the Season. They should attend more luncheons and take more rides in the park, but they do what they can, I suppose.”
“I wasn’t complaining about them. They are very attentive to me.”
“Good. Now, before we begin, I have something for you to read,” her aunt said. “A letter for you.”
She saw the sheet of vellum in her aunt’s hand. “For me?” Millicent’s spirits lifted. “Is it from my mother?”
Millicent reached for the letter. She truly felt terrible that she had neglected writing to her mother while she’d been in London, but there had been so little time. She was quite happy with the lace she had picked out for her mother after Lord Dunraven had left her in the shop, and she would see that it was sent to her tomorrow.
“No, but this might make you almost as happy as hearing from your mother. Read it out loud.”
Millicent took the sheet and moved closer to the brightly lit bedside lamp. Why would anyone other than her mother write to her?
“Dear Lord Truefitt,” she read aloud. She stopped and looked up. “This is not for me.”
“But of course it is. My dear Millicent, you are now Lord Truefitt.”
Hearing those words spoken stunned Millicent. She was Lord Truefitt?
Yes, until her aunt returned to the parties. Millicent must talk to her aunt about Lord Dunraven. There was no putting it off any longer.
“Go ahead,” her aunt insisted. “Read it.”
Dear Lord Truefitt:
It has come to my attention that we have had numerous comments about your addition of quotes from Shakespeare at the beginning of your column each day. All good comments, I might add. Our readership is growing. We believe the success of your column is one of the reasons our circulation has increased. Congratulations on a splendid job. We hope you will continue your quotes from Shakespeare.
Yours very truly,
Thomas Greenbrier
Millicent looked up from the paper, feeling slightly starry-eyed. “It’s a success.”
“That is what he is saying, yes.” Her aunt laughed low in her throat. “I must admit I had my doubts when you first started helping me, but according to Emery and Phillips everyone on the street is talking about our column.”
Millicent didn’t like hearing the column referred to as hers. “But why?”
“From what I hear some people are squabbling over which play the quote comes from or what character has said it and other people are making a game out it. Sales are up on books of Shakespeare’s works. There’s talk that White’s will soon make it available to wager a bet on which work of Shakespeare you will write from next.” Her aunt’s smile beamed across her face. “It’s smashing, dear girl. The attention you have brought to Lord Truefitt’s column is simply smashing!”
Millicent couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had overheard a few people mention the quotes, but paid it no mind. “I don’t understand. How can this be so popular that it’s talked about by everyone?”
“You have mixed the most beloved author of all time with what the ton loves most—gossip! And it has worked beautifully.” Aunt Beatrice laughed again. “You are all the rage.”
All the rage?
No, she was speechless! What would happen if her mother found out?—or Lord Dunraven?
Millicent forced those thoughts away and politely said what she knew her aunt wanted to hear. “Not me, Aunt Beatrice. You. Remember this is your column and you will return to it soon. If you are pleased, Aunt, then I am pleased and we will continue to give your readers what they want.”
“It was a brilliant idea, dearie. To think that all these years I have enjoyed Shakespeare’s works divinely but never thought to use his words in my own writings. That was most clever of you.”
“Thank you for letting me read this. You brought me here to help you, and I’m glad I have.” Millicent handed the letter to her aunt. Hamlet rose to sniff it briefly, but quickly settled back down.