A Woman Made for Pleasure

by Michele Sinclair

  Basil could feel the tension in Millie rise. He had been warned about Lady Jersey’s theatrics and ill-bred manners. Suddenly he felt very protective of the petite beauty standing quietly beside him. Only Lady Sefton’s kindness and impeccable timing permitted him to continue with his plan for recapturing Lily Moreland’s heart. If Lady Sefton had not intervened, he would have opened his mouth and most likely been summarily kicked out of the stately home.

  “Come now, Sarah,” Lady Sefton admonished softly. “Lady Aldon is no contest for you. You must realize that most of these men attend for our attentions and not for those of our guests.”

  “I am in complete agreement,” Lady Castlereagh said, winking at Millie. She pointed to the growing crowd. “Lady Aldon, Mr. Eddington, please enjoy yourselves this evening. It looks as if you have time for a quadrille before the meal is served.”

  Basil took his cue, bowed, and quickly removed Millie and himself from further scrutiny. His thoughts immediately went to Lily, and he wished he could prepare her somehow for the inquisition.

  Millie exhaled. Basil smiled. “Well, you did it, my lady. I have been officially accepted. Would you like to celebrate our first achievement with a dance?”

  Millie flashed him a dazzling smile. “I would be delighted, Mr. Eddington.”

  Just as the dance started, Millie spied her friends arriving and knew Lily Moreland was enduring her own interrogation. The dance was almost over when Jennelle signaled her that all was well.

  “Good news, Mr. Eddington. Miss Moreland has arrived and has successfully been allowed entrance.”

  Basil instantly switched his attentions from Millie to surveying the room.

  “Calm yourself, Mr. Eddington. Remember the plan. Miss Moreland must look for you, not the other way around.”

  Basil refocused his gaze back to his partner. “My apologies, my lady. I forgot for a moment that you, too, have a lot riding on our performance.”

  Millie was just about to ask him for an explanation when the dance ended and her friends gathered near. Millie smiled. She knew she was about to be somewhat cruel, but silently assured herself that her intentions were good. “Miss Moreland! How lovely it is to see you again. Please let me introduce you to my escort for this evening. Mr. Eddington, Miss Moreland.”

  Basil inclined his head in greeting. “My lady, Miss Moreland and I are acquainted. We met earlier this Season.”

  Millie’s eyes popped open in innocence, an expression she had perfected on Charlie as a child. “Really? Miss Moreland, how did you ever let him slip through your fingers?”

  Lily stood in stunned silence for several moments, digesting the fact that Basil, despite her father’s suggestion otherwise, had been accepted by the queens of Society. “I’m not really sure I know, my lady. Mr. Eddington is a very kind gentleman.”

  Jennelle observed Basil’s plight. “Mr. Eddington, would you be so kind as to fetch me something to drink? I find myself quite parched all of a sudden.”

  Millie watched Basil leave as she continued. “Such a fetching man. Quite a nonesuch. You cannot imagine my surprise, after meeting him, to learn that no lady had captured his attentions.” She paused for emphasis. “Miss Moreland, you have known Mr. Eddington longer than I. Tell me, what is it about the man that caused you to reject him as an eligible suitor?”

  Lily began staring at her satin slippers. “I truthfully cannot say, my lady. Mr. Eddington has no faults that I am aware of.”

  Aimee, beginning to feel guilty about the ruse, jumped in. “Let me guess. It was your father. Fathers are always the ones to interfere where love might bloom. Fear of losing their daughters, I presume. Was it Mr. Moreland?”

  Lily looked up at Aimee’s kind green eyes, her own swimming with unshed tears. “Yes, it was my papa. He believes I can do much better than a merchant.”

  Millie rolled her eyes for effect. “Well, there are merchants, and there are highly successful merchants. And Mr. Eddington falls into the latter category, I assure you. And if you do not believe me, ask the patronesses. My guess is that they would also conclude he is a man without fault.”

  Aimee elbowed Millie and gave her a threatening stare. “My father also interfered with my choice, Miss Moreland. But despite Society’s rules, I am waiting for him, and if ever given the chance, I will be his forever. Despite what anyone might say, I will not marry a man I do not love.”

  Seeing the crowd move toward the supper tables, Jennelle suggested they relocate to the dining area. As dinner progressed, Basil noticed Lily become more and more agitated as she watched him converse and laugh with Millie. As soon as it was socially acceptable, Lily excused herself.

  Millie leaned over and whispered, “Go to her, Mr. Eddington. Tell of her your true feelings.”

  “What of you?”

  Aimee leaned over. “You are losing your chance, Mr. Eddington. Hurry now. We’ll stay with Millie.”

  The Three watched as Basil chased after Lily. Jennelle turned to her friend. “I think we can add this to our list of successful adventures, Millie.”

  Millie wiped a tear of happiness and nodded.

  Knowing Millie’s performance tonight was just a sham, Chase had intended to forgo Lady Castlereagh’s. Even after meeting the dashing Mr. Eddington and hearing the man praise Millie, Chase was determined to be unaffected. His resolution started to waver upon hearing his mother’s indifference to his decision not to attend. But when he received a last-minute reminder of Millie’s marriage pact, Chase found himself not only at the ball, but secretly watching her from a distance.

  Chase’s eyes roved possessively over Millie’s every move. The gown sinfully accentuated every graceful movement and each perfect curve, elongating her petite frame to rival that of a statuesque beauty. Suddenly, his father’s murder, the Rebuilders, revenge—all were secondary in importance.

  Several times, he had to retreat to the cool outside air in order to remain in control. Millie was completely unaware of the attention she was getting. He had never believed the mere sight of a beautiful woman could entice a man into marriage, but over and over again he was hearing exactly that. Men of all ages, rank, and wealth were suddenly considering Millie the most desirable woman on the marriage mart.

  With each comment, he reminded himself that none of these men had a chance with his Millie. She had vowed never to get married. Yet even as he convinced himself of her disinterest, he would observe her laughing and engaging a drooling gentleman.

  No longer trying to stay out of sight, he made it easy for her to detect his presence. But not once did she look in his direction. His desire to make known to all present that she was his, and only his, steadily intensified.

  Chase had never been a jealous person, but he suddenly felt unbearably possessive, and he knew the feeling wouldn’t go away anytime soon. He would never be content until she was his. Not just in spirit and in mind, but to the world.

  “My lady!” Millie turned to see Basil coming toward her. Behind him was a smiling, blushing Lily Moreland. “My lady, I must extend our gratitude again for making this possible. After tonight’s acceptance by the patronesses, Mrs. Moreland believes that her husband will lift his objection. Regardless of her father’s decision, though, Lily has agreed to marry me!”

  Millie beamed at the jubilant faces before her. “I am so happy for you both. So very happy. And I happily relinquish your escort responsibilities this evening to Miss Moreland.”

  Lily reached out to grasp Millie’s hand, true happiness shining in her eyes. “I must beg your forgiveness and leave to see to my mother, but I cannot appreciate my gratitude enough, Lady Aldon.”

  After watching Lily weave her way through the crowd reaching her mother, Basil returned his attention to Millie. “I would like to accept your offer, but how would you get home?”

  “Never fear, I will ride home in the Wentworth carriage, leaving you free to accompany Miss Moreland and her mother back to their residence.”

  Basil grinned with th
e sheer joy of a man in love. “I knew you would understand.”

  “Understand? It was part of the plan!”

  Basil leaned closer and whispered, “But the whole plan has not gone accordingly, has it?”

  “Mr. Eddington, I am afraid you are under the misconception that there was a secondary motive to tonight’s events. I assure you there was none.”

  Unconvinced, Basil asked, “Are you indeed sure, my lady? There is a sadness in your eyes that never leaves, despite your demeanor and smiles.”

  Millie stared at him, melancholy darkening her eyes. “Mr. Eddington, I promise you I am well. Now go back to your intended.”

  Basil was aware of the marquess’s lurking presence and decided to try one last ploy to help his new friend.

  Millie was very surprised when Basil leaned down to give her a hug and a slight peck on the cheek, whispering again his thanks for her help in securing his own happiness. To embrace in public was a highly unorthodox thing to do. They were fairly secluded from the crowd, but not completely hidden. But before Millie could react one way or the other, a fist appeared out of nowhere and Basil Eddington was looking up at her from the floor.

  Whirling around to confront his attacker, Millie was shocked to see Chase bellowing at her new friend in full fury. “Unless you want to find yourself on the fields at dawn, Mr. Eddington, I suggest you stay away from my future wife.” Chase then turned to Millie, grabbed her hand, and started toward the door.

  Basil propped himself on his elbows and used one hand to touch the blood at his lip just as Lily returned to his side. “See that, my dear? That is our debt. Repaid in full.”

  Millie, unaccustomed to being manhandled, instinctively pivoted, twisting free of Chase’s grasp. Massaging her wrist, she looked up and realized her mistake. All of Chase’s fury, which had moments ago been focused on Basil Eddington, was now staring at her.

  Refusing to show any panic, Millie glared back. “How dare you, sir!”

  Chase walked up so that only inches separated them. “How dare I? You haven’t seen daring yet, madam. We are leaving.”

  Outraged, Millie hissed, “I cannot agree more. It is past time for you to leave, my lord. However, I am not as yet inclined to do so.”

  The words were still hanging in the air when Millie felt a solid thump on her derriere before being thrown over Chase’s shoulder.

  Acting as if he could not hear or feel any of Millie’s attacks, Chase loudly announced, “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. My future wife and I have some unfinished business to discuss.”

  His cool tone infuriated Millie, and she began to pummel his back. She couldn’t see where they were going, only the astonished faces of those they passed. “Charlie, put me down!”

  “Hush, my dear. I must say good night to Mother before we take our leave.”

  Millie felt him lean over and was shocked into stillness when she heard Mother Wentworth encourage Chase’s behavior. “Do not let Aimee and Jennelle concern you, Charles. I will see them safely home. And remember, son, your father and I had a successful marriage, not by taming the other, but by acceptance.”

  Millie felt soft hands covering her own as she tried to attain her freedom through poking and pinching. She looked up to see Lady Chaselton lean over and whisper, “You might as well surrender—at least for now. I can tell you with an earnest heart that even shooting him with a pistol would not work. Good night, my dear, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to know that I am soon to have a daughter-in-law like you.”

  Before Millie could reply and beg for help, she realized Chase was leaving the room. She knew it was pointless to resist, but everything in her refused to give in. She saw Aimee practically running to keep up with Chase’s long strides. “Aimee! Help me!”

  “Millie, I’m not sure I want to. . . .” But that was all Millie heard as Mr. Willis quickly handed her cloak to Chase as they departed to the Castlereagh manor.

  Jennelle caught up to Aimee and stared at the doors through which their best friend had just been carried out. “It was a forgone conclusion that tonight’s events were going to be public, but who could have dreamed that Charles would cause the spectacle rather than save Millie from it. Nevertheless, I believe that went well. Not quite as planned, but successful nonetheless.”

  Hooking her arm with Jennelle’s, Aimee began to walk back into the main ballroom. “Oh, Jennelle, I do hope so. I don’t think you realize how mad Charles and Millie are at this moment. We may have made things worse between them.”

  “Fustian nonsense, Aimee. Charles just declared in front of all of Society that he is going to marry Millie.”

  Aimee stopped and looked at Jennelle. “But did Millie agree to marry him?”

  Jennelle exuded confidence and composure. “She will. Our Millie is proud, but she is not a noddy. Her intelligence will overrule her pride.” Resuming their walk back to the rear alcove, she added, “And even if I am wrong, I sent Charles some insurance earlier this evening. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if my note was not the true catalyst for his being here.”

  Aimee’s eyes grew large at the prospect of Jennelle instigating a plan involving subterfuge. “What did you do?”

  Jennelle grimaced. “Nothing evil. I love Millie, and believe it or not, I think Charles is the right man for her and that she is the right woman for him. And in that spirit, I sent your brother a small reminder.”

  “Jennelle, I am close to causing another scene that will make my brother’s exit tonight pale in comparison.”

  “My goodness, Aimee, you are beginning to sound more and more like Millie. It was just a simple note outlining the details of Millie’s exception to our pact.”

  Aimee covered her mouth to hide her pleasure. “Jennelle, you are fiendishly clever. Have I ever told you that?”

  “Just wait until I try my charms on you.”

  “Hah! Please do! I would give anything to have Reece announce I was his intended and carry me off. Anything.”

  Chapter 14

  Millie sat across from Chase, seething. Of all the indignities Chase had ever bestowed on her, this was the worst and by far the most humiliating.

  “Care to explain your actions, my lord?” Millie asked, wishing her clipped words had even more bite to them.

  Chase regarded her through hooded eyes for several seconds before returning his gaze out the carriage window. “Care to explain yours?” His deep voice was smooth and level, but laced with veiled accusations.

  Millie’s jaw dropped in outrage. Not wanting to lose the upper hand by exploding, she closed her lips and forced her body to relax. “My actions were above reproach until you started to wallop poor Mr. Eddington and then manhandle me.”

  Chase gave her a telling glance. “Above reproach? You call crushing your bosom against another man above reproach?”

  Millie did not like the edgy new tone in his voice. It was raw, wounded, and very possessive. “Crushing my . . . my . . . How dare you, Charlie Wentworth! It was nothing more than a light hug of gratitude. We barely touched.”

  “Any man ever demonstrates gratitude with you in such a manner again, I will kill him. Mr. Eddington has no idea how very close to death he came tonight, thinking he could treat you thus,” Chase whispered, his voice dark with solemnity.

  He again refocused his attentions outward. His driver was making excellent time, but there seemed to be an inordinate number of carriages on the streets with the sole purpose of getting between them and Hembree Grove. The sooner he distanced himself from Mildred Aldon, the better.

  Incensed, Millie exploded. “You really are a horse’s arse. Mr. Eddington is in love with Lily Moreland. If you took even two seconds to think about what you were seeing, you would have noticed her clutching his arm.” Millie leaned forward and gripped the edges of her seat to keep from toppling over. “Tell me one thing: What was the real reason behind your horrific actions? Why did you find it necessary to make me the ridicule of every article, gossip, and whisper that w
ill scuttle around Town for the rest of the Season? Did Mrs. Brinson refuse your proposal? Was that what this display was all about? Was this an attempt at retribution? Are you going to drop me off and go running back to your ladylove and threaten her with me?” Millie finished her stream of seemingly endless questions and then sat back, wishing she had kept her mouth shut. The last thing she wanted was an answer to any of them.

  Chase looked at her, dumbfounded. “Mrs. Brinson? As in Mrs. Melinda Brinson?”

  Millie could not help it. She lashed back. “Do not play coy with me. I saw you with her. She was crushing her bosom against you, and you were a more than willing participant! I also know you had planned to announce your banns this week. What happened? Did she say no? Was this a ruse to use jealousy to win back her hand?”

  Chase sat still for several minutes, assimilating Millie’s words. “I have not asked my future wife for her hand as of yet. And while I had not realized I needed to win her affections, I do now.”

  Though his reply was cool and calm, Millie was not fooled into believing his strong underlying anger had remotely diminished. She folded her arms as she heard him rap the roof and ask the driver to go to a new destination.

  “Where are we going? Are you going to introduce me to your intended? We have already met. She is lovely, kind, and everything a man would want in a wife. I wish you well.” Millie knew she was acting somewhat childish, but every insecurity she had ever experienced was bubbling to the surface.

  Chase forced himself to unclench his jaw. “Mrs. Brinson is all of which you describe, and I am sure the woman whom I have chosen to marry will make an excellent marchioness.”

  Millie slumped in defeat, taking comfort in the silence that followed. Neither spoke for the rest of the journey.

  The carriage stopped and Millie stepped out without waiting for assistance. They were in front of a town house and based on Chase’s key to the door, she assumed it had to be Reece’s—the place Chase had moved to after leaving Hembree Grove. Moments later, they were inside. The uninhabited rooms were dark and cold. Chase walked over to a large hearth and lit the logs within. He stood up and stared into the flames.