A Dash of Scandal(73)

Much to Millicent’s surprise, and after a long discussion, her aunt had sanctioned her afternoon ride with the most notorious member of the Terrible Threesome. According to Aunt Beatrice, Lord Dunraven would lose interest in Millicent quickly once she became available for him to call on. And Beatrice decided the closer Millicent became with such a notable member of the ton the more gossip she would hear.

Nothing was more important than that. And of course, her aunt warned her that she must be very careful that Lord Dunraven behave as a proper gentleman at all times.

If Aunt Beatrice only knew!

Millicent had worried about Lord Dunraven looking at this afternoon outing in Hyde Park as encouragement, but she couldn’t deny the rushing thrill that raced through her chest when she placed her gloved hand in his to be helped into the carriage. And again, when his arm touched hers as he hopped onto the leather-covered cushioned seat beside her, and later his leg brushed the hem of her skirt as a groom handed him the ribbons.

She had tried hard not to be smitten by him but knew she was failing miserably. All he had to do was look at her and her stomach quivered.

Before he’d arrived, she’d vowed to conduct the outing with the utmost consideration for propriety. Many eyes would be upon them and she must be circumspect. She really had no choice in agreeing to see the earl in the polite world. And she had to somehow force him not to seek her out in secret.

Her hope had been that once he started to see her among the ton he would soon become bored with her and seek another conquest. That thought caused a catch in her breath, but given her circumstances, it was the only answer that would be right for her.

Rather than guiding the horses along at a breezy pace, Chandler allowed the grays to clip slowly through the streets of Mayfair. As soon as they left sight of her aunt’s house, in typical rake fashion, Chandler moved closer to her on the seat so that with his knees wide apart his thigh was touching her dress.

So much for thinking he might behave like a gentleman.

Millicent could have sworn she felt his body heat through her clothing. She had plenty of room to move away from him in the carriage seat, but had no inclination to do so.

She popped open her delicate parasol, which was trimmed with tiny yellow ribbons that matched her dress and pelisse, and held it with one hand over her shoulder. Chandler looked over at her, winked, and smiled that roguish grin that melted her heart and made her wish things could be different between them. If he were not a rake and if she were not a gatherer of tittle-tattle, then perhaps affection could blossom between them.

“I fear you are a rogue even in church.”

“I have been. ‘Pray you, stand farther from me.’”

Shakespeare again. Chandler delighted her.

She let her gaze stray over his strong profile and dark-lashed eyes. “Indeed, sir. And when we first met you tried to make me believe that all I had heard about you wasn’t true.”

“It wasn’t. At least, not all of it,” he amended. “But, no matter, that’s in the past now. Since meeting you, I’m trying to mend my ways.”

“Heavens above. You can’t convince me that is true.” She sighed and shook her head indulgently. “I cannot believe that you were once worse than you are now. It’s simply unbelievable.”

“Scandalous, but true. Perhaps it’s best we don’t talk about my misspent youth today.”

“I think that is probably a good idea.”

“For a change, let’s talk about you.”

No, let’s don’t.

She turned toward him. His eyes were so clear, so blue, and looking directly at her. “Me?”

He smiled faintly. “Yes.”

“That’s not a good idea.”

There was something challenging in his gaze, and he met her stare-for-stare. “I think it is. I think it’s time.”

“You already know more than most,” she hedged.

“But not enough.”

Millicent turned away from him and remained quiet. It was awful, but she couldn’t tell him the truth.

She would love to tell him everything about her so there would be no secrets between them. There was nothing about her family or childhood she would keep from him, if not for her aunt. How could she tell him anything about her life? If he knew her father’s name, it would be only a matter of time before he discovered that Lady Beatrice was her aunt.

Millicent knew of her aunt’s fear of being exposed and losing her employment. Millicent couldn’t take the chance that Chandler might follow a snippet of information that would lead him to Lord Truefitt’s door.