Page 51 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
It wasn’t until he reached the safety of his room, he realised he’d completely forgotten to question Millie about the blades. Or Philippa. Or St George.
‘Fucking hell.’
12
Ivy crumpled into a wingback chair sitting next to the cheerfully crackling fire in Millie’s bedchamber. She covered her face with her hands. ‘Oh, Lord. I’m so sorry, Millie. When I came in and saw him under your skirts… I mean, what on earth was he even…’ Her voice trailed off.
Millie’s face heated. ‘He was, that is, it was quite… I can’t really…’
Ivy waved her hand in front of her face. ‘No. Don’t tell me. I don’t really wish to know.’
Millie knelt on the floor at her friend’s feet, leaning against Ivy’s legs. She grasped Ivy’s hands and pulled them away from her face, holding them in her own. Her dress would be crushed and likely wrinkle, but she didn’t care. ‘Ivy, you were only trying to protect me. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s me. And honestly, I think Lord Drake was impressed with your courage and loyalty.’
Ivy’s lip trembled. ‘I think something is wrong with me, Millie. I think I’m broken in some horrible way.’ Tears tracked down her face.
Alarm tightened Millie’s throat. Her stomach clenched. ‘Broken? What do you mean? It’s okay to tell me, Ivy. I won’t say a word. It shall stay just between us, here in this room.’
Millie had long wondered about Ivy and Lord Cavendale. Ivy’s father always seemed kind. But there was something beneath his smile, the way his gaze would sometimes linger, the glint of something hungry setting her on edge.
‘When father died, I was so relieved.’ A sob wrenched free from Ivy. She pressed one hand against her mouth as Millie squeezed the other. For a time, they sat like that. Ivy quaking with emotion, Millie stalwart and steady by her side even as her body still echoed from the mystifying glory Drake had created with his teeth, tongue, and lips. Not to mention his clever fingers.
‘It’s okay, Ivy. You don’t need to say any more. Your father was a bastard. A sick, cruel horror of a man. I’m glad he’s dead as well. I only wish I could have done it myself.’ Rage immolated the lingering pleasure pulsing through Millie’s veins. She wrapped Ivy in her strong arms. ‘I’m so sorry, Ivy. So very sorry.’ For what, she still wasn’t sure. But it didn’t matter. Not all hurts needed to be shared in order to give and receive comfort.
Ivy shuddered again. ‘I can’t imagine doing what you were just… I don’twantto, Millie. I’d rather die.’
‘Then you’ll never have to. I promise.’ Inspiration struck Millie. ‘I will speak to Lady Philippa. With Hannah gone, I’m sure she’d open her house to you. Her view on marriage is just as dim as yours. She’d never expect you to tie yourself to a man.’
Ivy took another shaky breath. ‘That is far too much to ask of anyone not obligated by bloodlines. No. My aunt has kindly taken me in. I’m quite comfortable there. She is aware of my desire to stay single, and we are looking into positions as a governess.’
Millie pulled back. She had no idea Ivy’s situation was so dire. ‘Ivy, is that what you want?’
Ivy laughed, a dry, coughing sound. ‘Do you want to be marrying the Earl of Tetly?’
Millie’s mouth opened, but she had no answer. Did she want to marry Drake? A week ago, she would have vehemently said no. But now… things were much more complex.
Ivy mistook her silence. ‘Exactly. Sometimes, we do things because we must. But will I hate being a governess? No. I don’t think so. It will grant me independence, and I shall be free of ever having to marry. But there is one thing I wanted to ask.’
Millie blinked. ‘Of course. Anything.’
‘While I don’t expect an offer of lodging, I wanted to know if Lady Philippa would work with me… before I take a position.’
Millie had told Ivy of her time with Philippa. The duchess swore Millie to secrecy, but Ivy was her best friend. Best friends didn’t keep secrets. And Millie didn’t feel like she had betrayed Philippa. Ivy was an extension of herself. Telling Ivy about her training with Philippa was the same as writing in a journal or talking to herself in the privacy of her own room.
‘I’m sure she would… Are you wanting to join the investigation?’
‘Dear Lord, no. I couldn’t possibly be so daring as you or Hannah. No, I just want to know I can protect myself. If I am to live in a stranger’s house with a family I don’t know, I want reassurance I can keep myself safe.’ She tangled her fingers together, focusing on them instead of looking at Millie.
A governess was vulnerable to the whims of her employer’s wishes. While never discussed openly, it was no secret these women were easily taken advantage of, much like female servants. It was a silent plague only afflicting the women in society. Therefore, the atrocities were accepted by men as unfortunate but minor issues best left in the shadows.Accountability for such crimes would put far too many of their brethren at risk. Better to leave things as they were and let the women endure. Boys would be boys, after all, and what were men but grown boys?
Another wave of anger washed through Millie. ‘Of course she will help. I’ll speak to her about it, and she can organise something with you before you leave. But Ivy, you aren’t broken. He didn’t break you.’
Ivy shrugged, wiping her cheek with a shaking hand. ‘Can we speak of other things? Please?’
Millie wanted to say more, but it was clear Ivy had shared as much as she could. Instead, she nodded and stood, shaking out her skirts. ‘Of course. You’ll never guess who Patricia invited to this mess of a wedding.’
They spent the next three-quarters of an hour catching up on all the happenings at Alder House. When Millie and Ivy descended to dinner, Ivy’s eyes were clear, her shoulders back, her face serene. But Millie ached for her friend’s hidden pain and vowed to redouble her efforts in discovering Franklin’s plans. She couldn’t save Ivy from her past, but she could prevent such crimes from happening to other young women just as innocent and just as worthy of protection. Because even if Franklin was only a grown boy, he was committing the crimes of a man, and she would hold him accountable.
Patricia must have arranged the seating for dinner. Millie was placed next to Victoria. On her other side was Lord Bradford, an old family friend with the most extravagant moustache Millie had ever seen. She wondered how the man managed the soup course without dripping like a walrus. Glancing down the tableat her betrothed, she narrowed her gaze. Nora was seated to his left and kept leaning over to whisper things to him. Her dress was cut so low, Drake would get quite the view if he chose to look down. Which he did not. Indeed, he spent most of the dinner staring at Millie.
