9. Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
H atchards was the oldest bookshop in London, and Millie could hardly believe Winston had suggested they meet there. To her knowledge, he didn’t share her or his sister’s love of books, so his idea to come together at one of her favorite places warmed her heart.
She had arrived early at the shop in Piccadilly to peruse the collection and took time to study the display in the window while her maid waited nearby. Glossy black paint on the door and gold lettering on the window lent an elegance to the place, but the books were what drew her eye.
Heaven knew she wouldn’t be able to look over the selection once Winston arrived. He was more than a distraction. Her mind seemed to stop working when he was near, although she liked to think she’d held her own at the ball the previous evening.
She’d discovered a side to herself she hadn’t guessed was there. Flirting had rarely been something she was tempted to partake in. The few times she’d tried to do so in the past had left her feeling inept and embarrassed. But with Winston, everything was different, including her.
Their dance had been far too short as far as she was concerned, and the remainder of the ball had felt like a long, drawn-out affair without him at her side. She’d known they couldn’t spend much time together, lest they risk drawing attention, but that hadn’t made it easier.
Watching over her cousin was challenging given the girl’s bold behavior, though Millie couldn’t deny wishing she had some of that same confidence.
Then again, she seemed to when she was with Winston.
She shook off thoughts of him to look more closely at the books displayed in the window, certain she had enough funds to indulge in one. She usually borrowed books from the lending library, but she adored having her own—ones she could reread at her leisure whenever the mood struck.
“Which one will it be?”
The masculine voice near her shoulder had her gasping in surprise as she turned to face Winston. “You’re early.”
“As are you. Something we have in common.”
She liked that more than she should. The quiet elegance of his dark brown wool suit with its short frock coat, matching waistcoat, and straight trousers had her sighing in appreciation.
“Why did you suggest we meet here?” she whispered, returning her focus to the display in the window in case anyone watched.
“Because I know you like books.”
Her heart melted at his words. Though it would be hard for him not to know that since she was in a book club with his sister, she still appreciated the gesture. Dare she hope it meant he often thought of her?
“Shall we go in and have a closer look?” he asked with the lift of his brow.
Why was it that even that small gesture—now achingly familiar—endeared him to her even more? That he asked rather than led her to the door also touched her.
“Certainly.” She hoped she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt. With a glance at her maid, Alice, who tried to hide her smile, Millie led the way toward the shop door, which Winston held for them both.
“Shall I wait here, miss?” Alice asked, eyes sparkling with excitement as she hesitated by the door. The maid was enjoying the secretiveness of Millie’s recent endeavors and encouraged her in every way possible, something Millie appreciated as she needed all the help she could get.
“Yes. Thank you, Alice.” Millie’s cheeks heated, but she ignored the feeling, feigning interest in the nearest book.
Winston didn’t seem to notice, thank goodness. “Farming? Are you interested in new techniques?” he asked as he tapped the book at which she’d been staring.
“Oh.” Her cheeks burned. “I didn’t realize what the subject matter was.”
“Hmm.” He lifted the slim tome and opened it. “Perhaps this is one I should read.”
“I suppose as marquess, you often study such things.”
“Should, yes, though I tend to avoid tasks that include the words ‘should’ or ‘must’ if you understand my meaning.”
“Why?” She watched him, noting how he looked like a young boy who’d been told to finish a mathematical lesson, a task he clearly didn’t want to do.
He shut the book with a thud, earning him a glare from a nearby clerk. “I leave such things to my steward. He’s far more adept at it than me.” He smirked, but Millie saw something else in the depths of his eyes. Could it be hurt?
“I don’t think that’s true.” When he sent her a questioning look, she shrugged. “You are an intelligent person. I have no doubt you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.”
“Intelligent?” He moved to another table of books. “What makes you say that?”
“Eliza says so for one, but I’ve seen evidence of it myself. You have an excellent memory for cards as I’ve watched you play. You stay abreast of current affairs based on your conversations with others. And you are a good listener proven by how well you remember what others tell you.”
He blinked as if flummoxed by her list.
“Should I go on?” she asked.
Winston cleared his throat. “No need.” He almost looked embarrassed, which she found adorable.
“If you chose to take more of an interest in your estate, I have no doubt you would improve it significantly.” She slowly moved along the rows of books.
“I can only imagine what my steward would say to that.”
“Perhaps it’s time for a new one. A good steward should welcome your involvement and ideas.”
“How do you know such things?” he asked with a curious look.
“My uncle has a steward, and I’ve heard many of his conversations with my father on the matter. It seems to me that no one person can know everything.” She gestured toward the farming book he’d left behind. “New developments are made frequently, even in farming and estate management. Just because something has always been done one way doesn’t mean it is the best way.”
He smiled slowly, a light of what might have been admiration shining in his eyes. “How did you come to be so smart?”
She scoffed. “I am also a good listener.”
“You are being far too modest, although I do admire your listening abilities. So few people bother these days.”
“Another quality we have in common,” she said with a smile and a lingering look before she turned away to continue down the aisle, moving around another customer.
Millie drew a quick breath, hardly able to believe her boldness—or Winston’s response to it. She couldn’t have hoped for more than the interest gleaming in his green eyes.
She paused to look at another book, and he joined her. They discussed the merits of one book after another, and she realized he liked to read more than he admitted.
A pleasurable half hour passed. Winston spoke briefly with another customer he knew but quickly returned to her side as if determined to spend as much time as possible with her. Looking at books had always been enjoyable, but today, it was doubly so.
“Have you read Captain Shaw’s mystery?” Millie asked as they neared the back of the shop where the tall shelves lent an intimacy to the space. No one else had ventured down that particular aisle, allowing them a small measure of privacy.
“I have. Quite clever.”
“Agreed. Tibby is so proud of him.” She smiled at the thought.
“She should be. He should be, as well. He’s an excellent writer.” He pulled a book from a shelf. “Have you read this one?”
Millie stepped closer to look at the book he held, the subtle scent of his cologne catching her notice. Bergamot again. Her knees weakened when she brushed against his arm. “I don’t believe so. Have you?”
She looked up to find him watching her, awareness glittering in his eyes. He shifted to face her, his back to the entrance to the aisle, blocking her from view, and leaned nearer. As if it were the most natural thing to do, she lifted her mouth toward his.
He bent his head and captured her lips. She reached to hold his arm to steady herself, her world tilting as the kiss deepened. Before she could fully appreciate the moment, he drew back, glancing to the side as if he’d heard something.
The action served to remind her of where they were. The moment alone was more than she had hoped for. Another kiss was a dream come true. How could she not have realized how greedy she was, wanting even more time—and kisses—with him?
Winston’s smile eased her angst, and she managed to return it. “I would like more of those,” he whispered.
“As would I.” She held his gaze, wanting him to see her sincerity. She hoped he could see how well-suited they were for one another. That perhaps he might be tempted to rethink his plan to remain unmarried for the coming years.
He returned the book to its place with slow movements. “Maybe we can find another mutually agreeable meeting place.” He glanced around before turning back to her. “A more...private one.”
“I think I would like that.” She faced the books again in case anyone watched. “But my intentions haven’t changed, just to be clear.”
She bit her lip, hoping that didn’t change his mind even though she wanted to remind him of her expectations. If he only knew how often Viscount Dunthorpe’s name was mentioned by her parents. Yet how could she tell them to halt potential plans with the man without offering a reason?
Winston’s interest pleased her more than she could say, but she also knew it could end at any moment. He wasn’t known for longevity in relationships. His interest in activities tended to shift like the wind.
The idea that she, who so rarely caught a man’s eye, might be the one to suddenly anchor him seemed incredibly unlikely. Chances were she was a passing fancy, and he would soon seek amusement elsewhere. The trick was to make certain he didn’t break her heart if that happened. Or should she say when ?
The thought had her heaving a sigh.
“Understood.” He gave a single nod. “We must take care and guard your reputation.”
“Hmm.” The words were hardly reassuring.
“I will send another message soon,” he said, his voice quiet. Then he turned to lead the way toward the front of the shop, pausing a few times to look at other books. He stepped to the side when he reached the end of the row to allow her to precede him.
“Millie?”
Millie looked over to see Eliza standing at the front counter.
“Oh. H-Hello, Eliza.” Her face heated with embarrassment as she managed a greeting.
“And Winston.” Eliza’s gaze darted between Millie and her brother, clearly uncertain what to think. “How...surprising to see you...both here.”
Millie’s heart leapt to her throat, thoughts racing as to what explanation she could possibly give. She glanced at Winston, hoping he might say something that sounded plausible.
“Eliza. Here for a new book?” he asked as he drew closer to his sister. “I happened to run into Miss Davies only a few minutes ago. No surprise that she is also looking for one.”
Millie nearly lifted her eyes to the ceiling at his unhelpful response, which would surely make Eliza even more suspicious. She feared his sister would see through his casual demeanor when he had to be as dismayed to see Eliza as Millie was.
“Yes, I wanted something new to read.” Her hands were empty, so perhaps she had only just arrived.
“Did you already read our latest pick for the literary league?” Millie asked, forcing herself to relax. Eliza would find it odd if she hurried out the door before conversing.
“I did, and I enjoyed it more than I expected. Did you?”
“Yes. I liked it as well. I thought to see what other books the author has written.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Eliza agreed, then turned to her brother. “The question is, what are you doing here?”
Winston had eased away while they spoke and turned back to face his sister. “I wanted a book.” He shrugged when Eliza cast him a doubtful look. “I read on occasion, just not as much as you.”
“Do you?” Eliza’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you with a book in your hands.”
“For your information, I prefer to read at night before bed.”
The image of him doing just that filled Millie’s mind and caused her cheeks to heat. She could too easily imagine them side by side in bed, reading before they went to sleep. The sharp pang of longing that struck her took her by surprise. Fearing Eliza would see more in her expression than she wanted, Millie picked up the nearest book to feign interest in it, relieved it was a mystery and not another farming book that would reveal her ploy.
The siblings continued their friendly banter that soon had Millie smiling, especially since they were ignoring her. She was more comfortable in the role of observer.
“Come now, how many books have you actually read in the past year?” Eliza prodded as if determined to uncover Winston in a lie.
“Four or five, I suppose.” Winston lifted one shoulder in a careless shrug. “I don’t count them like you do.”
“I don’t—” Eliza began, only to laugh when both Millie and Winston sent her questioning looks. “Well, perhaps I do keep a list. I suppose it’s a way of tracking my progress. Do you count them, Millie?”
“I confess to keeping a list of them, as well.”
“A list? You, too?” Winston chuckled as he sent Millie a warm look. “I should’ve guessed.”
Used to such teasing given the numerous cousins she had, Millie grinned. “I keep them on numerous subjects as a matter of fact. I like to stay organized.”
Perhaps she shouldn’t have admitted that as it made her sound boring. Tendencies to do things like write lists proved how unlikely she was to inspire love in a rogue like Winston. No doubt he preferred ladies who were adventurous and exciting. She couldn’t claim either of those qualities.
Unable to think of anything intelligent to say, Millie held her silence, wishing she could take back the words and the embarrassment they made her feel.
As if sensing her upset, Eliza eased closer. “Did you already find a book?” She glanced down the aisle from which they had emerged. “I don’t know that I’ve looked there before.”
Nor had Millie, and she certainly couldn’t claim to have done so today when she couldn’t recall a single book she’d seen.
“Rather dry, dusty tomes in that row from what we saw,” Winston answered. “You never know until you look, I suppose.”
“I believe I will wait to make a purchase.” Millie glanced at those displayed on a nearby table. “I don’t seem to be able to decide on one.”
To her surprise, Winston picked up the farming book they had first looked at upon entering the store. “I have. Then I am off to my club.” He nodded to them both. “I hope you ladies have a nice day.” He strolled to the front counter and handed the clerk the book.
“I should be going as well.” Millie caught Alice’s eye who remained by the door then looked back at her friend. “It was lovely to see you, Eliza.”
“And you.”
“Goodbye, Eliza.” Winston had already put the book on his account and carried it with him as he also moved toward the door. “That was a close one, eh?” he murmured to Millie.
“Too close.” She only hoped Eliza didn’t think anything of seeing them together.
“With luck, she won’t think further about it.” He held the door for her then dipped his head, his charming smile tugging at her heart. “I look forward to our next rendezvous.”
Suddenly, all the subterfuge, from the secret messages to the clandestine meetings, was worthwhile and quite an adventure—one she would never forget. “As do I.”