A Lady's Escape

by A. S. Fenichel

  “Nevertheless, you ladies must give the appearance of such goodness that you will never be the target. Miss Pinehurst failed and must pay the price.” Her Grace was relentless.

  Unable to speak a civil word against such ridicule for a girl who might have been caught alone with a boy of little note, Millie inhaled and excused herself.

  Jacques stayed at her side, saying, “You know, Miss Edgebrook, I am an admirer of your uncle.”

  Taken aback, Millie wasn’t sure if he was serious or teasing. “Is that so? Why is that?”

  His dark eyebrows lifted. “You must know he’s quite brilliant.”

  “That does not stop people from pointing fingers at him for his eccentricities. And thus, keeping most people at a distance.”

  Waving off the comment, Jacques frowned. “I don’t care what your English aristocrats think. They are mostly narrow-minded and bigoted. I recognize that your uncle has flashes of brilliance, despite what society might think.”

  “Yet your closest friend is among that society you scoff at.” Shock did not begin to describe Millie’s feelings. It was the first time she had heard anything positive about her beloved Uncle Francis. Whispers and chuckles were the norm, but Jacques appeared genuinely impressed with him.

  “Preston is different. He is unaffected by his title and position.”

  Then Preston was in front of them. “I see you have met my oldest friend.” He met her gaze, and his eyes blazed with an intensity she didn’t understand.

  “Miss Edgebrook tried her best to educate the Duchess of Flintmore, but I’m afraid it is a lost cause.” Jacques laughed.

  The men gazed at each other for a long moment before Preston grinned. “This is my first time meeting Her Grace, but she does seem cut from a strict cloth. I would not waste your observations on that one, Miss Edgebrook.”

  “My observations?”

  “Yes. You have a way of seeing through the exterior to the heart of things.” He stared into her eyes as if she should understand something important.

  “That is kind of you to say, Your Grace.” She had no idea what he meant, though she did have a way of seeing that two people would be a good match. That must have been his meaning. A boost to her confidence for her assignment.

  There was another exchange of glances between the men before Preston shook his head. “Miss Edgebrook, would you allow me to introduce you to the Duke and Duchess of Kerburgh.”

  The famous Elinor, whom Preston had proposed to, yet walked away from when she clearly loved another. How could Millie resist? “I would be delighted.”

  Excusing themselves from Jacques, who winked at Millie causing a deep frown from Preston, they walked to the fireplace, where Elinor and Michael were enjoying a conversation with Preston’s mother.

  Preston’s eyes crinkled with a broad smile. “Elinor, Michael, I would like you to meet Miss Millicent Edgebrook. Miss Edgebrook, the Duke and Duchess of Kerburgh.”

  Millie made a curtsy. “It is a great honor to make your acquaintance.”

  Michael bowed over her hand. “The pleasure is ours. We have heard much about you.”

  She turned to Preston.

  Stepping forward, Elinor brushed her pale blond hair away from her cheek. “He’s teasing, but it is true we have heard about you, though not entirely from Preston.”

  The idea that these high-ranking nobles knew anything more than Preston might have mentioned was farfetched. “I’m afraid you have me at a loss, Your Grace.”

  She lowered her voice. “We are particular friends of the Viscount of Devonrose, and his wife gushed about you on our last meeting.”

  Trying not to show her shock, Millie drew a slow breath. “I’m flattered her ladyship would give me any particular notice. We only spoke for a few minutes.”

  Michael said, “You made an excellent impression, Miss Edgebrook. We were all visiting with Thomas and Dory Wheel yesterday, and Phoebe seemed sure you would do great things.”

  Elinor cocked her head. “Is your position at the society a secret?”

  “No. I don’t see why it should be.” It actually made things easier to lie as little as possible. Saying she was an old friend of the Knowles family did not preclude her from also being an Everton Lady. “I am flattered beyond words that the viscountess took notice of me.”

  After a few moments of quiet discussion about the Everton Domestic Society, Millie leaned in toward Preston. “You might take this time before dinner to get to know Lady Beatrix better. She appears to be sitting alone by the window.”

  He looked around at Bea, who indeed was all alone with a glass of champagne in her hand. “If you will excuse me.” He nodded and crossed to the window where he bowed and sat.

  Smiling shyly, Bea put the full glass of bubbly on the small round table between them.

  Those dragons were back in Millie’s stomach as she watched their quiet conversation.

  Elinor broke in to her distraction. “I’m fascinated by what you do, Miss Edgebrook. I think it wonderful for a young woman to have an occupation of such import.”

  “Thank you. It feels good to be useful.” She pulled her gaze away from Preston and turned toward Elinor and Michael. “I have heard a lot about you too, Your Grace. I understand you have quite a large family.”

  “You must call me Elinor.” Her smile spread at the mention of her children. “Michael and I have seven children now. We are blessed to have adopted six of them. And if truth be told, we shall have one more in the spring.” She smoothed her hand over her abdomen.

  Caught between delight and horror over the idea of eight children, Millie clapped and then held her excitement to a whisper. “Congratulations. You must be a saint, both of you must be saints.”

  Michael’s laugh was too loud and too genuine for a proper duke. Millicent liked him the moment she met him. “I am certainly no saint, but my Elinor is. Her halo shines brightest. However, I adore the children. They give our life meaning and add a level of excitement I never expected to find after leaving the military.”

  Filed away in the back of Millie’s mind, she remembered that Michael had been knighted and then elevated to duke after heroic deeds while a soldier. She couldn’t quite remember the details, but he was a war hero. “I imagine life with seven children is nearly as exhausting as war.”

  He rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

  Elinor elbowed him in the ribs.

  Laughing, he jerked away. “I have never been happier in my life.” He kissed Elinor’s cheek.

  She blushed a soft pink.

  Millie felt a pang of jealousy for what these two shared. She would never have a man adore her, or children complicating her life. Still, her plans were exciting on their own. One makes choices, and there is happiness to be enjoyed with each one. Not every life must be the same. Hers would be novel, but spectacular.

  * * * *

  Preston had to admit that Lady Beatrix became more interesting after knowing her practical thoughts about marriage. On the outside she blushed and flirted, but inside she calculated. It was a fascinating disparity. He would see the matchmaking project through to the end. He hoped for a much different outcome than predicted. He only needed more time. “I had hoped to get a chance to know you better, Lady Beatrix.”

  “It would seem the perfect time, Your Grace.”

  “Is the champagne not to your liking?” He’d always hated the chairs by the window. They were low and, for his height, not at all comfortable. His knees were bent awkwardly, and he leaned forward.

  Her smile was bright and open. “I don’t really care for it, but it seems the thing to do at these parties, so I always take a glass but never drink it.”

  Her admission was adorable. She complied with what was expected of her yet didn’t follow through. Preston was learning that Beatrix Jacoby was a complicated woman and not to be overloo
ked. “Do you have a great many things you do just for the sake of appearances, Lady Beatrix?”

  “Perhaps more than I should,” she said with a shrug. “I do enjoy painting though. I try to take up my brushes every day. I’m no great talent, but I do enjoy it.”

  “What do you paint; china or canvas?” Many young ladies favored painting tiny flowers on teacups.

  “Canvas, and I prefer landscapes when possible. Though, I admit I have decorated my fair share of china.”

  “Dinner is served,” Simpson said from the doorway.

  Assisting Beatrix up from the chair, Preston bowed over her hand. “I hope we can continue our conversation another time, Lady Beatrix.”

  “Of course, Your Grace.”

  Putting aside the new information about Beatrix, he escorted Mother into the dining room. Once he’d held his mother’s chair, he rounded the table and sat at the far end with Lady Helena to his right and Elinor to his left.

  Millicent was at the other end of the table next to Jacques, and for the first time in almost thirty years, he wanted to beat his dearest friend to a pulp. Jacques leaned in and whispered in Millicent’s ear, and she laughed.

  Lady Helena cleared her throat. “You have assembled quite an interesting dinner party, Your Grace.” Curly blond hair and blue eyes made Helena pretty in a popular way. Her teeth were straight and her nose narrow. Her cheeks had a lovely natural blush, but her expression was bland.

  Preston looked down the table as the first course was placed before his guests. “I do have a variety of friends, my lady, and they do not all come from the ballrooms of London.” Jacques’s attention to Millicent had made Preston cross. He took a deep breath.

  “It is a lively gathering, not at all dull as many of these parties tend to be. How did you become acquainted with Miss Edgebrook, for example?” Taking up her fork, she poked at the dove on her plate.

  “Miss Edgebrook has been a friend of our family for many years. Her uncle is busy with his experiments, and my mother and I have been happy to have her company at several events.”

  “I spoke to her in the parlor. She seems intelligent and quite nice.”

  Elinor said, “She is a lovely girl. I cannot say enough nice things about her. I wish I had known her all my life. I should consider myself lucky to have such a friend.”

  Nodding, Michael added, “I found her knowledgeable on a great many subjects. Lovely woman.”

  With each course, Millicent appeared to find great entertainment with both Jacques and Miles Hallsmith, who sat across the table. His mother laughed heartily at whatever Miles said, and Millicent blushed the most delightful color. Suddenly, Preston longed to touch her cheek. He wanted to be the one to make her laugh and blush. Jealousy had never been an emotion he bothered with, but at the moment, two of his closest friends were courting danger.

  Elinor touched his sleeve. “Are you all right, Your Grace?”

  The use of his title was strictly for the benefit of the others at the table. Elinor always called him by his Christian name. “I’m fine. I was just curious about what is so funny at the other end of the table. My mother seems to be heartily enjoying herself.”

  By the time the final course was cleared away, Preston’s knuckles ached from clenching his fists. He invited the men to join him for brandy in his study, while cake and tea would be served in the parlor.

  The cool night allowed for the French doors to be opened out to a small veranda. Jacques took his brandy outside, and Preston followed him out. “Is it my imagination, or are you flirting with Miss Edgebrook?”

  His long hair pulled back in a queue, Jacques turned with just a hint of a smile. “You are courting every other single woman in the house, if I’m not mistaken.”

  “And you must flirt with someone?” The knot of jealousy would not release inside Preston. He had to forcibly relax his fists.

  Jacques’s expression flared with mischief. “But of course. I am French, after all.”

  It was impossible not to laugh with him.

  “Besides, I find Miss Edgebrook to be good company.” Jacques drank what remained of his brandy.

  Preston couldn’t argue with that. She was good to spend time with, smart and insightful. Still, he hated that Jacques was benefiting while he was spending time with the other ladies. “Just make certain you remain a gentleman.”

  All the humor went out of Jacques’s face. “I am shocked that you feel the need to issue such a warning. I would never do anything to compromise Miss Edgebrook. If I have any romantic intentions toward the lady, I will always do the right thing. She is no one to be toyed with.”

  It was idiotic on Preston’s part to think anything else of a man he’d known since birth. Obviously, his attraction to Millicent was affecting his judgment. “Forgive me. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  The laughter was back in Jacques’s eyes. “Really? If you would like me to tell you, just ask, my friend.”

  Pretending to ignore the comment, Preston said, “I think it must be time to join the ladies.”

  Jacques slapped him on the back. “You are in deep trouble, Pres.”

  A deep groan filled Preston. “I know, I know.”

  In the parlor, Wilhelmina was playing the pianoforte and singing. Her talent was particularly exquisite. He couldn’t help watching the way her fingers flew across the keys. He didn’t know the piece she played, but the emotion behind it couldn’t be denied.

  Everyone in the room looked at Miss Tatham with rapt attention. Preston kept to the back of the room, and his gaze shifted to where Millicent sat in a corner away from the rest of the party. Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and she bit her bottom lip. His pulse tripped, and he wished running across the room and comforting her was a possibility. It took a force of will to keep his place. He’d never wanted to comfort another person more than he longed to hold Millicent.

  As if she sensed his gaze, she turned and blushed before lowering her eyes.

  The music ended, and everyone applauded.

  Elinor rushed forward to congratulate Wilhelmina. “You play so well, Miss Tatham. I had no idea.”

  “From you, I take that as the highest compliment. I know Mrs. Dorothea Wheel is a particular friend of yours. I cannot even tell you how much I admire her.”

  Elinor’s smile was contagious. “Dory would be delighted to hear you play and talk music with you. If she were not still recovering from her first child’s arrival, she would likely be here tonight.”

  A hint of disappointment flashed in Wilhelmina’s face but was gone an instant later. “Perhaps next time. I would be honored to meet her.”

  When Preston turned back, Millicent was gone. Unable to search the house for her, he focused on his other guests. He’d thrown this dinner party to get to know the three women on Millicent’s list. His Everton Lady wouldn’t be pleased if he didn’t follow through.

  As the crowd backed away from the instrument and began to make small groups for conversation, Miss Tatham closed the cover over the keys and, with doe eyes, looked at him. “I hope you enjoyed the music, Your Grace.”

  “You are very talented. Would you like to walk out on the veranda with me, Miss Tatham?” The doors were not open as they had been in the study but after a nod, Preston escorted her from the room.

  “I have a bad habit, Your Grace.” She said as soon as they were alone.

  “Oh, what is that?”

  “I almost always say exactly what I’m thinking.” She hesitated and shrugged.

  She was either mischievous or incorrigible; Preston couldn’t help his curiosity. “And you feel that I will not like whatever it is you wish to say? I assure you, Miss Tatham, I will not be offended.”

  “Did you invite all the women here tonight to decide if you liked any of us enough to court?” She stared him in the eyes without a bit of apology.

&
nbsp; “You are very perceptive, Miss Tatham, but not every woman.”

  “Just the unmarried ones?” She waved her hand, stopping him from replying. “I suppose I’m in good company, and I understand your caution. What of Miss Edgebrook?”

  “What about her?” The hair on the back of his neck stood up.

  Her breasts lifted with a long intake of breath. “Please don’t think me a snob. I like Miss Edgebrook. She is a clever and thoughtful woman, but she doesn’t seem to fit the model you are looking for. At least if I base that model on Lady Beatrix, Lady Helena and myself.”

  He couldn’t argue with her reasoning. Hating the truth of her assessment didn’t make it less true. “Miss Edgebrook is a family friend.”

  Clearly, she sensed that the subject was closed. “It has been a delightful evening, Your Grace. I hope you will invite me to your next dinner party regardless of whom you choose to court.”

  “It will be my pleasure.” He liked Wilhelmina. She was lovely and smart and perhaps his first opinion had been a mistake. Millicent could have been correct that the girl was just nervous.

  Her smile brightened. “Tell me, Your Grace, did you spend much time here when you were young? It is a lovely garden.”

  Stepping to the stone railing, he looked out into the moonlit garden. “My father had little love for London. When I was young, we stayed mostly at our country home, and then of course, I was at school. We used this house for a few weeks a year, when he could not avoid his seat in the House of Lords.”

  “Yet you are here in London quite a lot.”

  His goal of getting to know her had turned around on him, and she was the one interviewing him. It was fair play, he supposed. “I love both places and so split my time. When possible, I travel abroad, and when practical I hide in the country. Do you enjoy the country or prefer the city?”

  Tugging a browning leaf from the shrub next to the rail, she rubbed it between her fingers. “I am a city girl at heart. I don’t mind the country, but there are not enough people to dine with or theater to attend. I miss those things when father demands we go to Holland for the summer. I love to see my grandmother, but I prefer London.”