A Dash of Scandal(82)

“Right you are. Earlier, I knew it wasn’t me you were looking for. You were watching Lord Dunraven, weren’t you?”

Millicent smiled. “Now that is only partly true. My eyes naturally fell upon him a few minutes ago as I was looking for you and Lady Heathecoute.” Millicent made a show of scanning the room again for her chaperone. “I know it’s about the time of evening that she said we would be leaving. I was on my way to walk past the refreshment table and the ladies’ room looking for her. Would you care to walk with me?”

“That would be nice,” Lynette said and fell in step beside Millicent. “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

Millicent stiffened. Lady Lynette asked the astonishing question as easily as she would have asked about the weather. Millicent wasn’t prepared to be that honest with her friend.

She was left with no choice but to say, “What? Who?”

“Lord Dunraven of course.”

“No, no, no. Does it show?”

Lady Lynette laughed softly. “To me, but probably not to anyone else.”

“Angels above, I hope not,” Millicent said, feeling more exposed than she would like to be. And was she really admitting that she was in love with Lord Dunraven?

“Remember, I warned you about him that first afternoon I called on you.”

They arrived at the retiring room, but the viscountess was not there so they started toward the refreshment table.

“I know, but by then it was too late. I had already met him, had already been besotted by him. You won’t mention this to anyone, will you?”

“Of course not. He’s a charmer and so engaging it’s downright sinful. I know what it is like to love someone who will never be available.”

Millicent’s attention turned from herself and focused on her friend. “Do you?”

“Oh yes. I knew there was no way he would ever consider me, but it didn’t stop me from dreaming about him.”

Millicent felt a squeeze at her heart. She should have known that the birthmark would not keep Lady Lynette from feeling love, and it shouldn’t keep a gentleman from loving her. She was a warm and delightful person.

“I’m sorry. Is there any possibility?”

“No, no. He’s already married someone else and he seems happy.” Lady Lynette smiled. “Now tell me, how can I be upset if he is happy?”

“Then I shall look at Lord Dunraven that way, too. If he is happy as a bachelor for the rest of his life, then I shall be happy for him.”

“Perhaps some other handsome gentleman will catch your fancy while you are still in Town.”

Never.

“Perhaps, Lynette. If it happens that would be wonderful, but if it doesn’t, like you, I’ll will be content with my reading, writing poetry, and my needlework. But, if there is hope for me, there is hope for you.”

Lady Lynette laughed and Millicent made a mental note that the viscountess was not at the buffet table. She turned in the direction of the large room, where the majority of the guests had spent most of the evening.

When they entered the crowded room, Lady Lynette said good-bye and Millicent’s eyes immediately searched for Chandler and the ladies on her list. Before her gaze had time to cover all the corners, nooks, and small clusters of people, Chandler came up beside her. He took hold of her hand and kissed the back of her palm as his blue gaze caressed her face.

Millicent felt the delicious tingles of his touch way down in her soul. Gloves were no barrier to what she felt where Chandler was concerned.

Oh, how I shall miss you.

“How are you this late evening, Miss Blair?”

“Well, sir, and you?”

“Better now that I’m by your side.”

Millicent wished her insides wouldn’t waken with desire at his flattery, but she had long given up on trying not to be moved by his every word.

“I’ve noticed that you have been busy dancing and talking with your friends.”

“I’m happy that you noticed I had arrived.”

“You know I’ve been waiting all evening for you to tell me what you have heard from your Runner. I fear you’ve been making me wait on purpose.”

“Tsk, tsk. Must we go straight to business?”

“Indeed. We have little time to ourselves in which we can speak privately.”

“That is your fault. Just give the word and I will be in your garden tonight waiting for you.”