A Dash of Scandal(58)

Oh, dear. “Did she see you?”

“No.”

Thank goodness. Lady Lynette would question her unmercifully if she got wind of Lord Dunraven’s visit. Remembering Lady Lynette, Millicent looked at the earl’s empty hands and realized that he had not brought her apricot tarts. If what Lady Lynette had said about Lord Dunraven always bringing apricot tarts was true, and everything she had told Millicent so far had been, she couldn’t help but wonder why there were no tarts for her. And should she see that as a good sign or a bad one?

Millicent relaxed a little and turned to her maid and said, “Glenda, would you mind asking Mrs. Brown to speak to the cook about a fresh pot of tea for us and perhaps some of her delicious fig tarts?”

“Yes, miss.”

As soon as Glenda was out of sight, Millicent advanced on Lord Dunraven with purpose. She clasped her hands together in front of her plain day dress and said, “I find it most disconcerting that you have gone against my wishes and called on me after I have repeatedly asked that you not do so. I must ask you to leave at once.”

His expression remained sober, and he didn’t appear the least bit cowed by her firm accusation. If anything, his shoulders seemed to lift a little higher, too. “Something important made me decide to ignore your wishes and come. I’m not leaving right away.”

Determined to keep her aggressive attitude, Millicent said, “What could be that important, sir?”

“This.” He took a piece of newsprint out of his pocket and held it in front of her.

Millicent remained unflinched, she hoped. She couldn’t let Lord Dunraven know she didn’t have to read the piece of paper to know what it said. She had put the finishing touches on it not more than a few hours ago.

Knowing that it was crucial that she remain calm and collected she said, “An old piece of newsprint? What about it?”

“It’s Lord Truefitt’s column from The Daily Reader. You’ve heard of it?”

Keep your answers short and do not offer anything he doesn’t ask for.

“Yes.”

“Do you know what this particular column says?”

“I’m not sure which edition you are holding.”

“It’s today’s. Now, do you know?”

If the stakes weren’t so high, she would enjoy this question-and-answer game they were playing.

“I believe I do.”

“Do you have any idea how it came about that it was written?”

Millicent had to keep her wits about her and remain confident that he did not know she had anything to do with the writing of that column. She didn’t know what she was going to do, only that she couldn’t fib to him without her conscience bothering her and no doubt he would see through her attempts to blur the truth.

She worded her answer carefully, “What specifically are you referring to?”

“The fact that your name is linked with mine in the title-tattle.”

Maybe this is a good time to change the subject.

“Perhaps because we have danced together at the last two parties.”

“I dance with many young ladies at every party.”

On watery legs she walked past him and over to the window with seeming indifference. She brushed back a sheer drapery panel and looked outside to the street before turning back to him and saying, “How fortunate for you. You are quite the dashing dandy. I’m sure many ladies desire to dance with you each evening, Lord Dunraven.”

The furrow between his eyebrows deepened. Flattery was not going to work. She hadn’t expected that it would, but that maybe it would buy her a little time to figure out how to handle his questions. She watched him walk across the room with confidence born of knowing exactly what he wanted and expecting to get it. He stopped beside her at the window.

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Nevertheless, every eligible young lady and most of the widows seek your favor and attention.”

“Miss Blair, are you deliberately trying to compliment me again?”

His gaze never left her face as he challenged her, still she didn’t flinch.

“Lord Dunraven, I speak the truth. If you are flattered by it, then that is your problem or pleasure, whichever the case might be.”

“No, I think you are trying, unsuccessfully, I might add, to change the subject?”

“I didn’t realize the subject was changing.”

“Didn’t you?”