A Secret Seduction (The Mayfair Literary League #8)

16. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

M illie groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead as she wondered for the hundredth time what she’d been thinking. She should’ve accepted Winston’s invitation to step out on the terrace with him the previous evening. That had been her opportunity for another bold move, yet she’d been too frightened to take it, worried about not only what her mother might think but Dunthorpe as well.

She’d acted more like a wallflower than a woman bent on seducing a gentleman. Time was running out. If she wanted Winston, she needed to throw caution to the wind and be not just bold but...

She frowned, not certain what word best described it. Brash, perhaps? Or brazen? Those words were not normally part of her vocabulary. Regardless, action was required. Something that would make Winston realize he couldn’t live without her.

The thought had her pausing the pacing of her bedroom to glance in the mirror. Was such a thing possible or was she chasing after a dream that could never be? Who was she to try to convince him to love her when she wasn’t entirely sure she was worthy of the kind of love she yearned for?

With a heavy sigh, she straightened, determined not to allow dark thoughts to sway her. Winston was attracted to her and that was all that mattered. As her mother had suggested, she should use the momentum currently on her side.

Given Dunthorpe’s increasing persistence, she had to act now or be prepared to live with regret.

Gathering her resolve, she strode to her desk to pen a message. Every moment of the next few days counted. She still didn’t intend to risk ruin, but there had to be other ways to deepen his interest.

What she did know was that it was imperative they spend more time together, especially since she’d refused his request the previous evening. He might think her interest had waned when that couldn’t be further from the truth.

She’d mention the musicale at Lord and Lady Singleton’s that evening to him with the hope he’d attend. It would provide a chance for them to be together, and if she were clever, perhaps they could manage a few moments alone. The event would be a small gathering, making it unlikely that Dunthorpe would be in attendance. Millie would ask Prue to accompany her and hope Mother wouldn’t want to join them.

A smaller crowd made time alone together more challenging, but ‘brazen’ Millie would find a way to make it happen. She only hoped Winston cooperated with her plan.

Winston listened as Mr. Jenkins, his steward, droned on and on about a decrease in profits and the reasons for it. He forced himself to pay attention for once to see if he could make sense of the man’s report, something he had Millicent to thank for. Usually, he simply nodded, signed whatever needed signing, and took his leave.

“So you see, my lord, we can’t expect better results given the situation. Crop prices keep dropping.”

“And you anticipate this trend to continue?” Winston asked.

The steward’s bushy gray eyebrows lifted at the question, probably because Winston rarely asked any.

“It’s impossible to predict the future, but yes, I do.”

“Perhaps we should consider alternative crops to wheat so we’re not solely competing with American imports.”

Jenkins frowned, the brows forming an intimidating line above his eyes. He looked less than pleased by the suggestion. “Such as?”

“Potatoes and other root vegetables. I’d like to do something unique, as well. Perhaps saffron or lentils.”

The steward chuckled. “I don’t think that would be wise.”

Irritation simmered under Winston’s skin and had him drawing a calming breath. In truth, he’d studied the options at length in several books and recent news articles. He agreed with Jenkins in that he didn’t expect wheat prices to increase. It had proven impossible to compete with the Americans on wheat or corn, but there were other crops that could be profitable.

Winston cleared his throat. “Why is that?”

“It simply isn’t done. No one else is raising such crops with any measure of success.” The man shook his head, a condescending smile on his face. “Might I suggest you leave such matters to me, my lord? You may remember me mentioning that your father didn’t have a head for business either.”

Uncertainty rolled through Winston, smothering the irritation, and stealing his confidence. “Yes, you have. On several occasions, in fact.” Defeat weighed on him. Reading a few books didn’t make him an expert by any means. Why did he bother to try?

Jenkins pushed back from his desk as if to signal the meeting was at end. “We will need to tighten down on expenses and perhaps increase rents. That should be enough to weather the storm.”

“How will the tenants pay more rent if they’re making less from the land?” Winston might not know much, but that sounded illogical even to him.

“Leave it to me. I will explain it to them in a way they can understand.” Jenkins stood, his tall frame and sturdy build lending weight to his reassurance.

Winston remained doubtful about the suggestion. However, doubt in himself and his abilities would not relinquish its grip so easily. Not after all these years.

“Very well.” Winston stood as well. “Keep me apprised.” As he walked out of the steward’s office, he couldn’t help feeling he’d made a terrible mistake. The man’s plan seemed fraught with challenges that would only increase as years passed. Now was the time for action.

But what if he was wrong?

His upset hadn’t eased by the time he returned home until the butler handed him a message. The neat, feminine script had his upset lifting.

He read the message and quickly penned a reply. Never had he looked forward to a musicale until now.

Lord and Lady Singleton’s red brick mansion in Marylebone was small compared to some, but elegant nonetheless. The white-shuttered windows of the main level glowed with welcome, candles lit in each one.

A liveried footman held the door for guests who streamed inside where they were greeted warmly by the hosts.

“Their home is lovely,” Prue whispered to Millie as she glanced around at the black and white tiled entrance floor with white columns and a curving staircase that led to the upper floors.

“Isn’t it? Lady Singleton is equally as lovely. She’s always so kind.” Nerves danced in Millie’s stomach as she searched the other guests for Winston’s tall form. “Thank you for accompanying me.”

“The pleasure is mine. It is nice to attend an event where we can relax and enjoy ourselves without worry over who is watching.”

Millie smothered a sigh, unable to agree when she was very worried about who might be observing her behavior this evening. She didn’t intend to behave but, with luck, no one would witness it.

She had attended several events, including musicales, at the Singleton residence and was familiar with the layout. A small sitting room located near the large music room would prove perfect for a few minutes alone with Winston if she could manage it.

After leaving their cloaks with a footman and speaking again briefly with their hosts, Millie and Prue went upstairs to the music room where chairs were placed in neat rows, and a piano, violin, and flute stood at the top of the room, awaiting the performers.

“Are the daughters talented?” Prue asked.

“They are. Both Violet and Astrid not only play well but have wonderful singing voices. Their cousin, Rose, normally joins them, and she is gifted, too.”

“Excellent.” Prue nodded. “Then we truly should be in for a nice evening.”

Millie didn’t answer for she saw Winston visiting on the other side of the room with another gentleman. Her heart leapt at the sight of him even though it shouldn’t come as a surprise, since he’d sent a message agreeing to attend.

However, her nerves continued as she pondered her options for time alone with Winston. In truth, she could only think of one—to slip into the sitting room after asking Winston to meet her there. It would have to wait until after the musicale, when everyone was visiting, but not too long after, when guests would be preparing to leave.

While Prue might guess what Millie was up to, she wouldn’t be pleased if Millie was gone long.

“Is that new?” Prue asked as she studied Millie’s gown.

“Oh, this?” Millie felt her face flush as she patted the rather daring neckline with a gloved hand. “Alice and I made a few adjustments.”

Her maid had suggested removing the lace and trim that lined the neck to make the gown look more provocative. Millie felt half-naked, but the neckline was modest compared to what some ladies wore. Would Winston even notice her attempt to be brazen?

“Clever. Much cheaper than buying a new gown.” Prue’s narrowed eyes, which lingered on the neckline, made Millie wonder if she thought it too much.

However, that was water under the bridge at the moment, since Millie was here. Luckily, her mother wasn’t. One advantage to Prue being betrothed was that it allowed her to serve as a chaperone of sorts.

Her cousin smiled as she followed Millie’s gaze to where Winston stood. “Ah. Is the marquess the reason we are here this evening?”

“One of them.” No purpose would be served in lying. Not yet anyway.

“Excellent.” Prue looped her arm through Millie’s. “You know I will aid you however I can.” She bit her lip. “But do take care, Millie. Risks should be seriously weighed.”

Millie nodded. She was trying to do just that, but neither would she allow Dunthorpe to be her future while she had a choice.

“Where shall we sit?” Prue asked.

They found seats midway and settled into them. Unfortunately, Winston had yet to glance her way. She told herself it didn’t matter, that he would see her soon enough. Still, it worried her when she seemed to know the moment he stepped into a room even if her back was to him.

A quarter of an hour passed while other guests arrived, and the performers took their places. Winston approached them at last, smiling in greeting before taking a seat behind them. However, the rows of chairs were too far apart to be able to easily converse.

“Good evening, ladies.” He leaned close as the musicians warmed up.

“Good evening.” Millie and Prue answered in unison.

Shivers ran along Millie’s skin when she looked at him over her shoulder, their gazes holding for a long moment. The glitter of appreciation in his as they dropped to the bare skin she displayed made her fiercely glad she’d modified the gown.

“Viscount Winstead isn’t joining you?” Winston asked Prue.

“Unfortunately, he had another engagement, but I shall give him your regards.”

“Please do.” Before he could say more the instruments silenced, signaling the performance would soon begin.

The music was delightful, but Millie couldn’t keep her thoughts from straying to the man behind her. Awareness and nerves vibrated through her until she felt as if she were drawn as taught as a violin string.

Time passed slowly, giving her too much time to think. Doubt returned as to whether taking bold, brazen action would make Winston realize he couldn’t live without her.

A brief intermission allowed her to turn to speak with him, only to find him conversing with another lady who sat nearby. Frustrated, Millie settled for speaking with Prue until the performance resumed a few minutes later.

The lack of a chance to talk to Winston made her even more determined to do so when the musicale ended. The challenge would be in sharing her plan without anyone overhearing, including Prue.

Finally, they applauded the performers after the last piece. Millie didn’t waste a moment and leaned toward Prue to advise her she was stepping away to the retiring room. Prue nodded and turned to speak with an acquaintance.

With one step accomplished, she turned to Winston and managed to catch his attention. She glanced to the door then back at him with a lift of her brow, hoping that was enough to make her meaning clear.

His nod suggested he understood, and she shifted her attention elsewhere as she took her leave, aware someone could be watching.

She lingered in the hallway near the sitting room, hoping Winston would emerge from the music room in time to see her destination. She wouldn’t be the only one seeking the retiring room and waited with frazzled nerves.

Sure enough, he stepped out, quickly spotting her. Millie continued into the sitting room, relieved she hadn’t encountered anyone else and hoped Winston wouldn’t either.

A single lamp lit the space in a soft, yellow glow. The furnishings were simple with only a trio of paisley-covered chairs and two low tables arranged in the center of the room.

Before she could draw a breath to calm her nerves, Winston joined her, closing the door behind him. “Rather a risky meeting, don’t you think?” he asked, eyes sparkling in the low light.

“It is.” Her heart pounded with that truth. “But I wanted to see you.”

His grin gave her hope he felt the same. “Spending time with you is my fondest wish.” He drew near but didn’t reach for her, much to her disappointment. “Did you enjoy the performance?”

She didn’t want to waste a moment speaking about such inconsequential things, but she wasn’t willing to share what was on her mind so nodded. “And you?”

“I appreciated the view before me more than the music.”

Millie smiled as tingles ran along her skin, especially when his gaze briefly dropped to her neckline. “Oh?” She brushed a hand along the front of his jacket, removing an imaginary piece of lint just so she had an excuse to touch him.

He took her hand, raising it to his lips. Then he lifted it to kiss the skin above the elbow-length glove she wore.

Her mouth went dry. The moment—especially her reaction—made her realize she was in over her head. If the simple gesture had her legs trembling and desire washing through her, how could she hope to keep her wits about her?

“I feel as if every moment we have together is precious,” she whispered. And dwindling far too quickly.

“So it is.” He released her hand to reach for her waist and pull her against him before kissing her.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, eager to show how much she desired him. Given how his kisses made her feel, dare she hope hers had the same effect? That they helped him see how wonderful a marriage could be between them?

His mouth was firm and demanding, his tongue pressing against the seam of her lips. She opened for him, the intimacy making her feel wanton as the kiss deepened and their tongues tangled.

Winston moaned as he pressed a trail of kisses down her neck. His hands lifted from her waist to just below the swell of her breasts. He massaged there, his thumbs coming perilously close to her nipples until her breasts felt heavy with need. When he kissed the sensitive skin above her neckline, she gasped and arched in his arms. Her world tilted as passion took a firmer hold.

She loved how tightly he held her, as if he wouldn’t allow anything to happen to her, as if he desired her as much as she did him. His lips returned to hers, and she ran her fingers along his neck and shoulders, wanting the moment to last forever.

At last, he eased back to look into her eyes, a question in their depths as if he wondered what she was about. “We can’t remain here long.”

“No.” No matter how much she wished otherwise.

Winston frowned, almost looking pained as he slowly released her as if reluctant to do so. Good. That gave her another spark of hope. “I appreciate your message and look forward to the next time we can be together.”

Her own smile faltered at the reminder of how few might remain, but she nodded. Desperation filled her. “I-I hope we can continue to d-deepen our relationship.” Heat rushed into her cheeks at her bold words, but what choice did she have when the clock on her future was ticking?

“Deepen?” He quirked a brow at the suggestive word. “Indeed. But for now, we must part. Perhaps you should leave first.”

“Very well.” Unable to resist, she lifted onto her toes and kissed him before turning to the door. She stepped into the hallway only to see Lady Singleton nearby.

“Miss Davies? Is all well?” The lady frowned at Millie as she looked between her and the door.

“Oh. Yes.” Millie’s stomach dipped, her mind going blank. “I forgot where the retiring room was.”

“Just over there.” Lady Singleton frowned but gestured in the opposite direction.

“Thank you. The musicale was lovely. Your daughters are so talented.”

The compliment seemed to have the desired result of distracting the older woman, and Millie drew a steadying breath. She had no intention of being ruined but realized she was playing with fire—and her reputation—with every attempt at her secret seduction.

“I’m pleased you enjoyed it,” Lady Singleton said. “They like playing for others.”

Millie smiled and entered the retiring room, hoping Winston had heard the exchange and would remain in the sitting room.

A few minutes later, she returned to the music room where Prue sent her a concerned look.

“Is all well? I was beginning to worry about you.”

“Yes. I’m fine.” Prue’s gaze shifted to behind Millie, and Millie’s stomach knotted.

“Oh. I see.” The concern on her cousin’s face had Millie clenching a fist.

Before she could think better of it, Millie looked to see Winston enter the room with Lady Singleton at his side, his expression one of remorse.

Oh, dear . Millie’s face flushed as alarm filled her.

“Millie. What have you done?” Prue whispered, reaching a hand to grip her arm.

“N-nothing.” But she couldn’t meet her cousin’s gaze. Her focus returned to Winston, then to their hostess again, whose glare had Millie looking away.

Perhaps her brazen move had been a mistake. She could only hope no one else noticed her and Winston’s absence. Again, she glanced at Lady Singleton to see her speaking with Winston, then starting toward Millie. The lady smiled and nodded at other guests but wasn’t deterred from her goal.

“We are going to have a discussion after this, dear cousin,” Prue muttered as she forced a smile.

Fear tightened Millie’s stomach, and she was grateful Prue didn’t abandon her.

“Ladies.” Lady Singleton nodded to each of them. “It has come to my attention that a...situation has arisen, and I would like an explanation.” Her blue-eyed gaze held on Millie. “If something untoward occurred, tell me now, and I will move forward as is appropriate.”

Millie’s heart threatened to beat from her chest. This was her chance. One word—a nod even—and Winston would be hers for the rest of her life.

There would be no need to worry about Dunthorpe. Her parents would be upset, but they’d soon forgive her. After all, she would be marrying a marquess, the first of their daughters to gain a title.

Her entire body trembled at the thought of marrying Winston. This was what she wanted. What she’d hoped for these last few weeks. Her gaze shifted to Winston, who remained by the door, watching her, his expression unreadable.

The truth struck her like a lightning bolt—she loved him with all her heart. With every fiber of her being. They could be so happy together.

No. She couldn’t do it. Wouldn’t do it.

Tears threatened at the realization because she knew this was her last chance. Time was not on her side. If Winston truly wanted to marry her, this moment would’ve prodded him into action. It should have been a nudge on his shoulder to move forward.

Instead, he stood near the door, waiting to see what events unfolded. In truth, it was so like him not to take action but rather accept whatever hand fate dealt him.

The ache in her chest made it difficult to breathe, yet she lifted her chin and attempted a smile at Winston, then shifted her gaze to Lady Singleton.

“Not at all. Nothing occurred.” She shook her head, glancing at Prue, praying she would support her. “I was only absent from the music room a few minutes.” She touched Lady Singleton’s arm. “Thank you for your concern, but all is well. There is no cause for alarm.”

The woman frowned. “If you’re certain...”

“I am.” Millie looked to Prue, begging her to confirm her statement.

“Yes.” Prue’s smile was tight. “She wasn’t gone long. If Millie says nothing happened, then nothing did.”

“You are sure all is well?” Lady Singleton’s persistence only made her heart hurt more.

“Absolutely.” Only nothing felt right in Millie’s heart. And when she stole another glance at Winston, he was gone.