No one saw the man in the shadows silently watching them. He quashed his rage. He would have other chances, he reminded himself. Plenty of opportunities. He was, after all, a man of means, money, and title.
Once inside the private rolling sanctuary, Cecilia sighed and removed her gloves. “Well, we departed a little earlier than I planned. No doubt, most believe we are on our way to the next crush of the evening, and therefore we will receive no undue notice. You were all a smash hit, and I am proud of each of you.”
Millie envisioned a supple, tall viper attaching its hooks into Chase. “It appears our entire party was successful. Some so much they are still being entertained and are unaware of our departure.”
Cecilia waved her hand, dismissing Millie’s telling comment. “Do not overly think on such matters. I sent a message to Charles letting him know we were leaving early and that I would send the carriage back around for him.”
“Oh no,” Aimee whispered. She looked at Jennelle and Millie. Each of them silently worried that Selena would try to fulfill her promise.
Cecilia Wentworth watched as the looks of fear filled her daughters’ faces. “Don’t let Charles concern you girls so. He will see through Selena Hall. She is more transparent than she believes.”
Aimee turned to her mother. “You know about Selena?”
Cecilia scoffed. “Well, not until tonight. But it became obvious that Charles was this year’s catch after seeing her try to corner him all night. She looked too pleased with herself when she finally did. That seemed to happen near the time you had your accident, Millie. Did you happen to see them?”
Millie tried to sound indifferent. “I believe he was laughing as he escorted her out into Lady Bassel’s garden.”
Cecilia smiled to herself. Charles and Millie would make an excellent couple. That afternoon, her son had been so adamant about Millie leaving—not Jennelle, just Millie. Now, Millie’s very strong reaction to Selena’s flirtation had Cecilia convinced it would be her adopted daughter, not Selena Hall, who would become the next Lady Chaselton.
Cecilia would have to be careful and ensure the proper distance was maintained. On the other hand, with these two stubborn, independent creatures, a certain degree of proximity was critical to success. And if two people ever needed each other, it was Charles and Millie. He would be her anchor, her steady rock. She would be his salvation, bringing life into all the dark crevices he never let anyone see. Even as a child, Millie was the one person who could unsettle her all-too-composed son.
“Oh, isn’t that nice. It is so good to hear that Charles is laughing again,” Cecilia commented blithely.
Millie clasped her hands together and looked out the carriage window. The arrogant man deserved that she-devil, she thought and then instantly retracted the words.
Cecilia continued. “So aside from Charles and the dreadful Selena, what did you think of the evening?”
All three sat in silence, unable to think of a response. They didn’t want to spin tales, but how could they relate how very dull it had been?
Looking at her charges, Cecilia wished Millie’s mother were here. She would be able to make them understand. “Come now. I know that it was ghastly, but what delightful tidbits did you discover? Please tell me you observed something in the few hours we were there.”
Blinking several times, Aimee ventured, “Mother, are you saying that you knew we were not enjoying ourselves?”
Cecilia sat back and chuckled. “Of course, I knew! Believe me, when Millie’s mother and I went to our first ball, we were just as miserable. But we learned to make our own fun. To do that, we first had to discover who the players were,” she said with a wink.
Millie sat back and grinned. “Lady Bassel wears a wig.”
Aimee shot up, looking at her with wide eyes. “She does not! Does she?”
Jennelle piped in. “She does. I saw her repositioning it in the powder room when she didn’t think anyone was watching.”
“Sir Gant wears a girdle,” Aimee added, not to be bested.
Millie bristled. “I know. I felt it when he asked me to dance with him. Doesn’t he realize that a lady would notice?”
Cecilia smiled and stated, “Probably believes that you think he is strong and athletic.” She relaxed against the cushions, listening to her prodigies relate all they had heard and seen. She was pleased they could so easily spot the people who possessed sincerity and those who played others false. Yes, tonight had gone exceedingly well.
Chapter 5
The next morning Millie decided to forgo joining the others in the dining room. She had been awake for most of the night and her patience to endure the chatty conversations that often accompanied the morning meal was limited. Unlike her nocturnal self, all of the Wentworths—Aimee, Charles, and their mother—were morning people with the strange ability to rise before nine o’clock. And though awake, without the fortitude of sleep Millie did not think she could answer any of the questions that were likely to arise—such as the status of her dancing slippers.
After what seemed to be an interminable amount of time, her stomach refused to let her wait any longer. Millie opened the doors to the dining room, hoping the morning crowd had left to continue their conversations in the salon. But as soon as she entered, her hopes of sneaking quickly in and out died.
“Millie, glad you have finally arrived, my dear,” Cecilia Wentworth said as she rose to greet her. “It seems you were a complete success last night. Already you have received three invitations from gentlemen callers.”
Cecilia subtly observed Chase’s demeanor abruptly change from partial awareness of the conversation to keen interest. The mention of Aimee’s and Jennelle’s callers had not had the same effect. Cecilia smiled to herself, feeling quite contented. Chase was definitely interested in Millie—more than he realized.
Hearing how the Daring Three had already created a stir among the ton did not come as a surprise to Chase. All three had been completely captivating. Jennelle’s auburn hair and shapeliness had fascinated the men—that is, until she revealed her intelligence or their lack of it. His sister, the classic Society beauty, also delighted those who had met her. Yet it was Millie, with her stunning dark hair and petite features, who had stood out in last night’s crowd. She had conducted herself impeccably, comporting herself as the daughter of an earl seeking to be a duchess. She had laughed and smiled and appeared to all to be having a lovely time. After a single encounter, men were entranced by her charm.
Before the Season was over, Millie would be surrounded by would-be suitors desperate to enjoy even one kiss. He knew. He was already one of them. And Chase wasn’t sure he liked the idea.
“I’m already dreadfully bored,” Aimee mumbled, looking warily around the much smaller party, which included both dancing and a musical interlude by a woman who could not sing. The three of them huddled close to one another, each afraid that at any moment some large, uncoordinated man would grab them for another dance.
“Bored? I would sincerely love to be just bored. I cannot express the pain I am suffering even at this very moment. My toes have been trampled mercilessly,” Millie moaned as she kicked off a slipper and reached down to rub her aching feet. “I told you we should have attended the theater again.”
“Millie, good Lord!” Jennelle hissed. “What if someone should see you?”
Millie rolled her eyes and continued her massage. “Hopefully they would realize that I absolutely do not want to dance again. Besides, no one can see me with the two of you standing there.”
Jennelle crossed her arms. “This is ridiculous. We have been in Town less than two weeks, and the only respite we seem to have found is in complaining. We need to find something besides these silly parties to amuse ourselves.”
“Exactly! We need a new adventure,” Millie exhorted as she quickly stood. The plan to keep Selena Hall away from Charlie had been somewhat successful, but not completely. Not only did it entail attending one boring function after another,
it required constant vigilance. Unless the Three were willing to entertain the idea of causing bodily injury, Miss Hall was going to find ways to force herself into his company.
Jennelle began pacing as she tapped her finger against her lips. “Well, there are Society meetings.”
“And I understand there are some very interesting museums,” Aimee piped in.
Millie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Museums? Society meetings? Do I know either of you? We need excitement, adventure.”
Jennelle elbowed Aimee and whispered in her most medieval brogue, “Beware what cometh next. The sorceress plots even now and shall lead us unto temptation.”
Undaunted, Millie continued. “We could always dress in costume and venture toward Vauxhall Gardens.”
Aimee gasped. “Mother would kill you—and us.”
Millie ignored her friend’s warning. “There is also Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre. I read a circular telling of circus events such as horseback riding, clowns, and acrobats. Oh, how I have always wanted to see acrobats.”
Having been subjected to the repercussions of similar conversations, Jennelle grabbed Millie’s arm. “Millie, it just is not done. Well-bred ladies do not attend such events. Especially unmarried ones, as we three are.”
“Jennelle, when did you become such a priss? What do you care if someone thinks me boisterous and unladylike? I am no more playing at deception than any one of us is. You know you would rather be reading a book than pursuing a man. And you, Aimee, you pine away for Reece, all the while pretending to be available and interested.”
“Enough,” Aimee said forcefully. “Everyone is right. These parties are boring. We all want adventure, yet we all know we cannot pursue the things that inspire us. Jennelle, I know how frustrating it has been, speaking with those who are ignorant and have no interest in expanding their minds. And as for me, I do want Reece, but, for Mother’s sake, I am trying to at least appear flexible. And despite tonight’s mumblings, you have been wonderful, Millie. The on-dit is that you are quite the original, but if anyone got a whiff of how original, we would all be doomed.”
Millie frowned, and after a brief moment nodded her head. “Perhaps you are right. There must be some acceptable adventures around us. We just need to find out where.”
Aimee and Jennelle exchanged looks. Millie’s acquiescence had come a little too easily. They would have to keep their eyes open and ensure she did not get herself—and them—into trouble.
But despite their fears regarding Millie’s growing restlessness, the remainder of the party continued as it began—eventless. At least for them.
All evening, Selena Hall had contrived ways to be near to, speak to, or literally hang upon, Chase. Millie could not understand why the woman and her scheming ways bothered her, but they did. So much so that even during the carriage ride home, she could not focus on the conversation.
Sitting across from her, Chase was also pensive and quiet. Millie wondered if his silence stemmed from the absence of Miss Hall’s company. With each encounter, the time he spent with her grew.
“Did you see Mr. Gerthing, Jennelle?” Aimee asked, completely shocked by what had happened.
“Of course I saw. Everyone did. Including Mrs. Gerthing . . . finally. It was awful.”
The buzz inside the Wentworth carriage was filled with awe and shock. Only Millie and Chase remained silent as the others discussed the one notable event of the night.
“I heard someone say Mr. Gerthing has been acting in this lewd manner for years.”
“And Mrs. Gerthing only noticed tonight?” Jennelle shook her red head in disbelief.
Aimee shrugged her shoulders. “Appears so.”
“I don’t believe it. We were there only a few hours, and all of us noticed it. Mrs. Gerthing may be a dull-witted woman, but she is not blind,” Jennelle replied, skeptical that anyone could be so imperceptive.
“Some women only see what they want to,” Cecilia offered.
Jennelle countered, “How can you miss seeing your husband squeeze women’s derrieres all evening? And I cannot believe that rumors of his appalling behavior have never met her ears.”
“I’m just glad he did not attempt such a move on me,” sighed Aimee, shaking her head.
“I, also, am thankful to have escaped. But a strange little part of me wished he had attempted his uncivilized stunt on our Millie, though,” Jennelle mused aloud.
Aimee nodded. “It certainly would have spiced up the evening.”
The sensation of possession and protectiveness suddenly surged through Chase, causing him to respond before he considered how his abrupt reaction would be perceived. “He didn’t touch you, did he?” His voice was low, demanding, and the question was directed toward Millie.
Jennelle noticed the swift change in Chase’s body and tone and silently wondered at its meaning. Aimee, however, was oblivious to her brother’s sudden reaction. “Hah, I only wish.”
Confused, Chase asked, “Why would you want someone to mistreat Millie?”
His sister smiled as if she knew some great secret. “Not just someone—Mr. Gerthing. And the reason is that he wouldn’t have gotten away with it as he did with all the others. Probably the worst thing that is going to happen to the man is that he finds himself sleeping in the parlor for the next fortnight. If Mr. Gerthing attempted such a stunt on our Millie, he would never be able to paw a woman again.”
“I see,” Chase replied skeptically.
Jennelle carefully regarded his doubting expression. “I doubt that you do. Millie?”
Millie turned to look at her friend. “Yes?” she replied, speaking for the first time since leaving the party.
“What would you have done if Mr. Gerthing had tried any of his revolting antics on you?”
Millie narrowed her eyes. Jennelle’s question had mysterious and duplicitous undertones. “I am not altogether positive how I would have responded.”
Jennelle took a quick sidelong glance at Chase and decided to press the issue. “Yes, you do. How much of the toad would you have damaged? His hand? His arm? How about his smug face? I would have loved to see that pompous expression wiped off it by one of your fancy moves.”
Millie rolled her eyes. “My, look who is being dramatic now.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. Jennelle was about to ask again when Millie put a hand up to stop her. “Enough. Yes, I most likely would have disabled his hand. And depending on what he did and where, his injury would have been permanent. Satisfied?” she asked, not expecting a reply. Feeling strangely uncomfortable discussing her skills in front of Chase, Millie moved the carriage window’s thick brocade curtain aside, hoping to find something outside to focus on.
Chase regarded her for several seconds as she stared out the small window. She had meant every word. Millie truly believed she could inflict harm on a much larger and stronger man. And while the concept seemed ludicrous, he knew it to be otherwise. “I have no doubt that you could.”
Chase’s low, serious tone compelled Millie to glance at him, and she was instantly seized by his heated gaze. The others in the carriage disappeared and she became aware of only Chase and the mysterious pull growing between them. It frightened her, but she could not look away. Then Aimee leaned forward, cutting off their intense gaze. Millie felt herself yanked out of their private realm and was back in the carriage. She immediately resumed her study of the passing buildings and fought to steady her racing pulse.
Aimee lightly tapped Chase on the knee. “You would be amazed at what she can do, Charles. Millie is quite the expert in defense. She has taken on and defeated every stable lad we have ever had. She is so good they run and hide anytime she comes near.”
Chase sat back and contemplated the delicate-looking woman who had just been declared quite dangerous. “Is that so?”
Millie dropped the brocade, sat back, and quietly stared at him. Chase knew Aimee spoke truthfully. And he knew why.
As an adult, Millie was considered petite, but
that was only after she had had two summers of highly welcomed growth spurts. Before those blessed years, she had been constantly teased and harassed by bigger and older children. That was, until Charlie came along one day and witnessed such an occasion. Outraged, he secretly worked with her one summer, teaching her ways to protect herself that did not require girth, but speed and accuracy. No longer believing herself helpless and vulnerable due to her small size, Millie had begun to seek adventures wherever she could find them.
The carriage rolled to a stop, and the footman hopped down to open the door. Chase and Millie were the last two to emerge. Before she could join the others, Chase reached out for Millie’s gloved hand. Her pulse was beating at an accelerated pace, and his lower body tightened in response. “So you continued practicing?” he whispered for her ears alone.
She looked directly at him with gentle eyes full of gratitude. “That summer you gave me the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. You gave me the ability to be me.” Millie held his gaze for several more seconds before turning to follow her friends inside.
Chase watched her disappear, still mesmerized from their silent exchange. Millie was evoking feelings he had never expected to experience upon his return to London. He had come back for one purpose. To complete his father’s mission.
Eischel had either failed to receive word he had arrived or was unable to meet. Neither boded well. Chase had only one other option: to continue with his original plans. But one misstep and the traitor would end Chase’s life. The possibility of becoming sidetracked was unacceptable.
It was also unavoidable. How could it not be, when the one woman who had reawakened his sexual desires slept just down the hall?
“Millie, would you care to concentrate? If not, I am going to find a whist partner who can exhibit more intelligence than that of a pea.”
A Woman Made for Pleasure Page 8