Page 3 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
A thrill of alarm skated up Millie’s spine. ‘I’ve no idea what you mean.’ Surely Patricia wouldn’t be so bold as to accuse her of sexual deviance.
‘Sometimes, I wonder exactly what you and the Duchess of Dorsett do every week at your so-called salons.’ Patricia’s green eyes sparked with an unholy fire. She had used the belladonna drops advertised in Mrs S. D. Powers’The Ugly Girl Papers, and her pupils were so dilated, the black almost encompassed her irises. ‘She certainly can’t find your conversational skills that entertaining.’
Millie’s heart thumped painfully at her stepmother’s threat. While she was not a sapphic, she wasn’t confident about Lady Philippa’s proclivities. Not that it should matter. But Patricia could wreak havoc in the beau monde by merely hinting at homosexuality. Even someone as powerful as the duchess might be brought low by such scandalous accusations.
Millie owed Lady Philippa a great debt. Philippa wasn’t just acquainted with Queen Victoria. She was the Queen’s right-hand lady, hired to uncover villainy amongst the titled gentlemen long protected by their brethren in the House of Lords. And she believed Millie would make an excellent addition to their team.
Millie could still hardly believe it. Too tall, too chubby, too outspoken. But Philippa found her athletic, intelligent,and resourceful. She thought she was perfect for the job. She believed in Millie.
Philippa had also promised to help Millie escape her betrothal to the ancient Viscount Treadful. A feat they intended to accomplish this very evening.
Unless Patricia ruined everything with her devastating threats.
She won’t. I will not allow it.
When faced with conflict, attack was preferable to defence.
‘I hardly think you are stupid enough to offend someone as grand and powerful as the Duchess of Dorsett. Especially with such preposterous accusations.’ Millie raised her brows in a haughty expression she’d been practising in her mirror.
‘Let’s see what the House of Lords thinks. Homosexuality is illegal last time I checked.’
Millie shook her head. ‘What a ridiculous law. It shouldn’t matter who someone is attracted to. Love is love regardless of the body parts involved.’ Millie should have left the last part unsaid, but it was true. And she always spoke the truth, even when it made her life more difficult. It was a character flaw she tried and failed to correct.
‘Spoken like a true invert.’ Patricia’s lips twisted in disgust. ‘If you refuse to marry the viscount, I will have no recourse but to confess your perverseness to your father. A wicked woman engaged in immoral activity. With the Duchess of Dorsett, no less.’
‘And you would turn your own “daughter” into the authorities?’
Patricia snorted. ‘I won’t have to. IfThe Star of Venuscatches wind of the scandal, and I can assure you, it will, the bobbies will come to us.’
Patricia was addicted to scandal sheets, gasping at the latest juicy piece of gossip while she sipped her morning cup of tea.The Star of Venuswas by far the most appalling of the lot. They wouldn’t hesitate to print such licentious tripe regardless of how baseless the accusation. Publications likeThe Starrarely troubled themselves with details like facts or truth. Though Scotland Yard certainly should.
Still, the prattle of small-minded people created untold horror. News of a duchess engaged in sexual perversion would spread through the beau monde like wildfire. Even if no legal ramifications occurred, Lady Philippa’s reputation would be decimated.
‘You are despicable.’ Millie narrowed her gaze and wished she could throw her ever-improving right hook at Patricia’s powdered cheekbone.
Patricia tsked, shaking her head. ‘Really, dear, your skin turns such an unsightly shade of red when you’re in high temper. Calm yourself.’
Millie was ready to calm herself with a rousing game of ‘crush Patricia’s windpipe and watch her turn puce’.
Adjusting one of the curls bouncing near her chin, Patricia sighed. ‘You know your father won’t question me. You’ve already displayed your sexual depravity with Lord Franklin St George. Now this? Does your immorality know no bounds?’
The blood drained from Millie’s face. How did her horrid stepmother find out about Franklin St George? That had been over ten years ago. She was barely seven and ten when St George courted her. Her father wouldn’t have betrayed her trust so grievously.
Patricia widened her carmine-stained lips, flashing a perfect row of blunt, little teeth. ‘Your father keeps no secrets from me, dear. He told me all about it and the money it cost him to keep St George quiet about your indiscretion. How do you suppose it will go over when I tell your dear, devoted father about this new twist?’
‘He would never believe you.’ And once, that would have been true. But now, the words tasted bitter in Millie’s mouth.
‘Test me, dear. I dare you.’ Patricia’s green eyes flashed triumphantly. ‘At the very least, we’ll need to commit you to an asylum. Don’t worry. You’ll have your devoted duchess to keep you company in your filthy cell.’
Millie’s stomach twisted painfully. While accustomed to Patricia’s spite, she could not allow the duchess to be harmed.
I won’t be frightened. I have a plan. It will work. Itmustwork.
She and the Duchess of Dorsett had put their heads together weeks ago and created a solution to escape her stepmother’s maniacal grip. It wasn’t ideal, but it might be her best chance for freedom. Millie only needed to be bold enough to carry it out.
Tonight.
Before she lost her nerve.
