It seemed she suppressed a smile. “Whatever do you mean?”
“The promise you exacted from me on your birthday. Then, bringing Millie to Château Follet. My God, bringing Millie to Château Follet! What were you thinking?”
His aunt was not intimidated. “Take care of your tone, Andre.”
“Your actions merit more than a stern tone, and do not suppose just because you are my aunt that I will refrain from—”
She beamed. “My, my! You care for your cousin much more than I thought possible.”
He frowned.
“That you would risk affronting me in order to protect her concerns,” Katherine explained.
“You put me in such a position.”
“You could have elected to go about your own affairs.”
“Have you forgotten the rogues and rakes that abound here?”
“I adore the greatest one of them all, and perhaps you have forgotten that I married one!”
“Richard was a rarity. And it was foolish of you to have staked Millie’s reputation on my having a conscience.”
“First of all, Millie and Château Follet are perfectly suited to each other.”
“How long have you been cognizant of her past?”
“For quite some time. Saw it with my own eyes. Poor creature was absolutely mortified,” Katherine continued, “but it was truly the best thing to have happened for her. And as you would not rescind her dowry, I thought she should make the most of her last days as a bachelorette.”
“By taking her to Château Follet!”
“Did she not enjoy herself? That would be my greatest regret.”
“Not that she might have destroyed her reputation? That would be a sure way to expel Haversham.”
“There is little chance that Millie will be discovered.”
“You risk too much, my lady.”
“I commend your concerns on behalf of your cousin. Marguerite told me you were quite insufferable last night in your attempts to whisk Millie to safety. I knew there was good to be found in you. But you were not successful in your attempts.”
“Because I could find no woman of reason.”
“That is not impediment enough for you.”
“Marguerite refused my request for her carriage.”
“But you did not press her a second time?”
“She threatened to throw me out! As long as Millie was kept safe, it was just as well that we did not attempt to travel at night.”
“And did you? Keep her safe?”
He shook his head. Women, once fixed upon an item, could be as relentless as the bite of a ferret. “I forbid you to bring Millie back to Château Follet,” he said.
“I vow I will not aid and abet in adultery. But as she had already forsaken her virginity, my only hope was to provide her one night of delight, where her desires could be met in a way that a lifetime of nights with Haversham will not.”
He bristled in discomfort.
“I hope you did not destroy her one opportunity?” Katherine tried again, but she received no satisfaction.
If Millie elected to confide in Katherine, that was her prerogative, but he would not divulge the events of last night.
“Millie is having breakfast but should be ready shortly thereafter,” he said.
“Are you staying the remainder of the weekend?”
“Why should I not?”
“You could escort us to Bath.”
“You know I have no fondness for Bath.”
“No, but I thought…”
“I think you overestimate the good in me.”
She sighed. “I suppose. Can you fault me for trying? I am fond of you, goodness knows why, and of dear Millie. She is a singular young woman, is she not? And much more than meets the eye.”
His anger placated by his aunt’s assurances that she would not be bringing Millie back to Château Follet, he became mildly amused at her efforts at matchmaking.
“She is that,” he acknowledged, ignoring her frown, for she had clearly hoped for more of a response. He made a bow and took his leave, promising himself that, in the future, he would be a lot more careful in granting birthday wishes.
Chapter Seventeen
"IT EXCEEDED ALL expectation," Mildred said after she had embraced Lady Katherine. Having completed her dress, she was finishing the last of her packing that Bhadra had begun last night. “It was a night I shall not forget.”
Lady Katherine took a seat. "I am thrilled to hear it. But tell me, if you will, who has made it so memorable for you?"
Mildred blushed. "You would not believe it, my lady, and I would not hesitate to tell you save that…he may wish to preserve his anonymity."
"You mean Andre?"
Mildred's eyes widened. "He told you?"
Lady Katherine straightened, but there was no vexation in her voice. "He scolded me, is what he did. He admonished me for bringing you here in the first place, then explained that he had to keep you safe from the other rogues and rakes. I gathered then that he must have been in your company for most of the night. And as you have revealed that it was an unforgettable night, well, my conclusion was an easy one to draw."
Mildred eyed Lady Katherine carefully, looking for signs of disapproval, but found instead a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Did you know that he was going to be here?"
Lady Katherine drew in a breath. "In truth, I did. What he would do, I knew not. But I suspected he would not allow his cousin to fall in harm’s way."
"You would be the only person to hazard such a thing! I don't think anyone would have bet upon Alastair having a conscience."
Lady Katherine smiled. "Surprised you, didn't he? Well, I did see to the boy’s upbringing. I didn't do the best of jobs at it, but I don't think I was a total failure either."
Mildred did not know whether she ought to be sick to her stomach. Though she and Alastair were cousins, she was still much beneath his station. Would Lady Katherine truly condone a venereal relationship between them?
"I knew you would find your heart's desire at Château Follet,” her ladyship continued, “and I hoped it would be Alastair who provided it to you."
"Truly?"
"Are you appalled, my dear?”
"Not appalled but surprised."
“Are you so certain you would not have wagered upon his decency?”
“He wanted, at first, to act honorably.” Mildred sank onto the bed. “Till I browbeat him into feeling sorry for me.”
“Dear Millie, Andre does what Andre wants.”
“But I was quite insufferable! And a little inebriated. I cannot recall all that I had said. You would have been proud of his resistance. My behavior must have been monstrously intolerable and wore him down.”
Lady Katherine was quiet for a moment before responding, “Well, he deserved all of it. Had he been agreeable and granted your wish on the matter of the dowry, none of this would have come to pass.”
Now it was Mildred’s turn at silence. Now that last night had come to pass, she did not regret his rejection of her request. Would she trade all that had happened last night for freedom from an unwanted engagement?
She shook her head. It was madness that such a question should even find pause before an answer!
“What is it, child?” her ladyship inquired. “You appear pensive. What troubles you?”
“My cousin is convinced that I will come to regret what has happened.”
“Will you?”
Mildred shook her head. “Only if it irrevocably harms our kinship, but I do not see how, lest he suffers from regret and shame.”
“I cannot see those sentiments attaching themselves to Andre.”
“I shall not see us differently and shall continue to have the same regard as I have always shown my cousin.”
Only now she knew him intimately. She had seen him naked, had held his most private member in her mouth, had joined her body to his in congress.
“Well, it will be a little different,” Lady Ka
therine said.
Mildred grew warm. “Yes. I—I think I had consumed one too many glasses of port or I would never have considered—not with Alastair.”
“He may be a rogue, but he is a handsome one.”
“Without the port, I would not have had the courage! And it did not occur to me till last night to see him in that…that way.”
“No?”
“I think not, though…”
She wondered if she would ever forget how the look of ardor had sent such thrills through her, how she had lost herself in his kiss, and how she had bared her soul—her deepest desires—to him.
“And now that you have, you have fallen a little in love with him,” Lady Katherine pronounced.
Mildred shook her head. “He is my cousin.”
“Any woman who submits herself to Andre falls in love with him. You would not be mortal if you did not, my dear.”
“Perhaps a little then,” Mildred conceded.
“Goodness knows if I were not his aunt and were a few years younger, I should like nothing more than to have that man ravish me.”
“Lady Katherine!” Mildred gasped.
Her ladyship chuckled. Mildred smiled.
“Thank you, my lady,” Mildred said. “Thank you for the most marvelous adventure I will know.”
“Do not make such a sweeping proclamation yet. Who knows? Perhaps you can entice Haversham to pay a visit to Château Follet?”
The suggestion struck Mildred as ludicrous, but then, Alastair must have had a similar impression of her, and she had astonished him a great deal. Perhaps she should not be so quick to judge her fiancé?
Mildred smiled. “Perhaps.”
* * * * *
After taking lunch with Madame Follet, Mildred and Lady Katherine readied themselves for the continuation of their travels. Their carriage had been sent for, and as they received their coat and gloves, Mildred heard her alias called.
“Miss Abbey!”
She turned to see Lord Devon. Lady Katherine was engaged in speaking with Madame Follet, and Mildred decided not to interrupt them with introductions.
“Lord Devon,” she greeted.
“It is a shame you have to leave already,” he said. He lowered his voice. “I searched for you last evening.”
“Your pardon. I had had every intention of returning—I did return to the assembly room, only to find it empty.”
“I had given up hope that you would return and was fairly convinced that you had chosen other company.”
Before Mildred could respond, a voice intervened. “She did.”
They both looked in the direction of Alastair. Devon frowned as her cousin approached them.
That would not be quite true, Mildred thought to say.
“My loss then,” Devon said. He bowed to Mildred. “I hope you enjoyed your visit to Château Follet—enough to visit a second time.”
Alastair looked as if he would very much like to give Devon the boot, but the Viscount withdrew.
“I still do not understand why you dislike such an amiable fellow,” she said to Alastair but was glad to see him before she left. “Have you come to admonish or warn me one last time?”
He drew in a long breath. “I came to tell you that I have reconsidered your request.”
“My request?” For a moment, she thought she had asked him for more of what had occurred last night.
“Concerning your dowry. I have decided to add the condition that I must approve any engagement, as well as any settlements, for the dowry to qualify.”
She stared at him. Did he jest? No, he was not the sort of man given to jesting. When she was fairly certain that she had heard correctly, she said, “My lord…thank you, but I am engaged already.”
“I fear any misunderstanding was my error. I had not made my condition known to your father but will make it now. Have your father bring Mr. Haversham, whom I met but briefly, to meet with me once more.”
“And you will…?”
“I have a better understanding of the sort of man who would make Miss Abbott a suitable husband.”
She had the urge to embrace her cousin. “Thank you! Thank you, Alastair!”
He bowed.
“Well, Andre!” Lady Katherine declared. “Are you riding with us to Bath?”
“Only to see you safely to your destination, m’lady, as you have no other escort.”
“Fabulous! We will wait for your horse to be sent for.”
Alastair bowed again and went to make arrangements with his valet.
“Mon dieu! He is not quite the scoundrel in your presence,” Madame Follet remarked first to Lady Katherine, then to Mildred, “Nor yours, mademoiselle.”
All his more tender moments flashed before Mildred.
“It is lovely to see how our sex can inspire the better parts in men,” Madame Follet added.
“I can claim no credit,” Mildred replied, looking at Lady Katherine. “I think his aunt must have all to do with it.”
“I?” Lady Katherine responded. “I merely acquainted you with the wonders of Château Follet. The rest was up to you.”
They did not have to wait long for Alastair. Soon Mildred and Lady Katherine were ensconced in the carriage, with Alastair astride his horse beside the vehicle.
Mildred looked out the window at Château Follet. It was a place that held great significance for Lady Katherine, for she had met her husband here, and for Mildred, it would occupy a special place in her heart and mind as well. Within its walls, she had been taken to such heights as she could not have imagined.
As the carriage pulled away, Mildred considered that perhaps Lady Katherine would prove correct. Perhaps this was not to be her last adventure.
More reading awaits…
Mildred’s journey continues in
TEMPTING A MARQUESS FOR CHRISTMAS
(available November 2017)
The Marquess of Alastair has doubled the dowry he is providing Miss Abbott because the sooner she is married, the sooner she is out of his care — and his fantasies.
To Mildred Abbott’s dismay, her dowry is now attracting numerous unwanted suitors, and she has no interest in marrying. What she wants is an encore of her night at the Château Follet, where Alastair once fulfilled her desires.
When just such an opportunity unexpectedly arises, Alastair concedes to her proposition on one condition: that she never again return to Château Follet.
But when their families get together for Christmas and Mildred is confronted with her true feelings for Alastair, will the debauchery of Château Follet prove too great a temptation?
TEMPTING A MARQUESS FOR CHRISTMAS
A Super Steamy Regency Romance
By Georgette Brown
Chapter One
MILDRED ABBOTT WINCED as her mother emitted a wail of despair. She had no wish to cause her mother pain, but in this, her relief exceeded her guilt.
"You must speak to Haversham again," Mrs. Abbott insisted.
But Mr. Abbott had settled into his favorite armchair before the hearth, and having done so, was unlikely to rise for some time.
"He has decided to depart for Scotland tomorrow."
"All the more reason to speak to him before it is too late," his wife said, her voice high and shrill with desperation.
Mr. Abbott shook his head. "It would do no good. It is not Haversham who must change his mind. It is Alastair."
Mildred drew in a deep breath. Her cousin had done it. Though he had initially refused to intervene in the matter of her engagement, in the end he had brought about the result she had hoped for. She had erred in accepting Mr. Haversham's proposal, and only the Marquess of Alastair had the position and the influence to alter the arrangement without too much consequence falling upon the formerly engaged couple.
"Surely something can be done," Mrs. Abbott persisted. "Haversham was partial to our Millie. I know it."
"Apparently not enough to acquiesce to the marriage settlements required by Alastair."
<
br /> Mrs. Abbott wrung her hands. "I know not why the Marquess has decided to concern himself in this matter when he has never concerned himself with us before. Why now?"
"I suppose it is my fault for having approached him with a request for Millie's dowry."
"Nevertheless, he is not the one who need marry Haversham!"
Millie suppressed a smile at the idea of her cousin marrying Haversham. The two men could not be more unalike. The latter was an obsequious dandy who had modest connections, the former was an arrogant and, many deemed, cold-hearted man of quality.
Mr. Abbott reached for his newspaper. "Well, as he is the one providing Millie's dowry, he has a right to interfere."
Mrs. Abbott gave another wail. "Now who will have Millie? It is not as if she has a queue of men wishing to court her!"
Mildred took no offense at this, for it was true. Though there was much she could yet do to improve her appearance, she knew her beauty to be middling. She had neither soft tresses, long lashes nor the slender figure desired by most. She had other qualities that would serve a husband well, but there was a part of her that few would find acceptable.
Beneath her facade of sense and goodness, churned a dark and prurient nature. She had been much ashamed of this part of her until Alastair's aunt, Lady Katherine, had come across her in a compromising way. In agony that she might have ruined her family, Mildred had been greatly astonished when Lady Katherine had comforted her and, later, encouraged her.
It had been an immense relief to Mildred to find that she was not alone in her lustful proclivities, and that these were shared by a woman whom she respected and admired.
“Now Millie will never marry!” Mrs. Abbott lamented as she sank to the sofa.
Mildred took a seat beside her mother and passed her a handkerchief to dab her eyes. Spinsterhood was not a prospect that daunted Mildred, save for the grief that her parents might experience. She was their only child, and as they had but the most modest of means despite their connection to Andre d’Aubigne, Marquess of Alastair, their only hope of seeing their daughter provided for was through marriage. For this reason, Mildred had accepted Haversham’s hand.
Tempting A Marquess (A Steamy Regency Romance Book 4) Page 10