Page 64 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Philippa was right. Millie was a fool.
She was falling for Drake. But did he feel the same? And more importantly, did he care about her enough to trust her?
More to the point, am I foolish enough to trust him?
Her gaze flitted over the crowd, catching Drake’s heavy-lidded stare. Flames of need licked over her skin, wrapping around her thighs, her neck, her breasts. ‘Dear Lord,’ she muttered. The man enraptured her like opium seduced its addict. ‘Fortune favours the bold, but does it also favour the fool?’
She was going to find out.
15
Millie sat patiently at her vanity as Penny carefully dabbed her back with the thick, cool goop.
‘You’re healing well, miss. You might have scars, but there’s no more infection. A few more days with the salve, and I think you’ll be well on your way. I don’t think we need the bandages any more.’
‘You’re very good at this, Penny.’ Millie smiled at Penny’s reflection in the mirror.
Penny just ducked her head, her eyes staying focused on Millie’s back. The woman had secrets, it was plain to see, but getting her to trust Millie enough to share her story would be quite the task. Hopefully, in time, she would allow Millie into her world.
‘There you are, miss. All done. If you don’t mind, I promised I’d cover for one of the other maids tonight. She’s assigned to Lady Bradford.’
‘Of course, Penny. Is anything amiss?’
Penny shook her head, biting her lip. ‘It’s quite awful, miss. The staff are all buzzing about it. Her sister’s gone missing. Just a young lass, only ten and five. She was hoping to go into servicelike her sister, but no one knows where she’s gone. Her sister is terrified she ran away with some boy. She’s asked for time to be with her family and aid in the search.’
Suspicion spiked, fuelling Millie’s adrenaline. ‘That’s awful. Of course, you must go. If you need anything from me…’
‘No, miss, though that’s terribly kind. I’ll take my leave and see you in the morning.’ Penny gave an abbreviated curtsey and quickly left.
Millie pulled up her nightgown, threading each arm through the delicate lace sleeves. It was one of her favourites. The silk was a soft sage, and the lace had been dyed to match. The bodice was mostly lace, revealing as much as it hid with the silk creating a diaphanous skirt. She’d bought it years ago and never imagined she might wear it in front of a man.
Her mind worried over Penny’s information. St George had been in Bedford for three days while his wife shopped. Was it possible he could be responsible for the young girl’s absence? It seemed a long shot, but still, it was something worth speaking to Philippa about – if Philippa was still speaking with Millie after tonight.
She was going to confess her dealings to Drake. Her stunt with the darts was already a declaration, but it was time to tell him the whole truth. She would keep Philippa out of it, but it was the only way forward. One thing was as clear as the frigid night air: Millie did not want a distant marriage if there was even a chance of true partnership with her husband. She might be a fool, she might fall and shatter, but she would know for certain if Drake was worthy of her trust.
Her gaze returned to the glass. Even she had to admit, this night gown flattered her. Once Millie was old enough to visit the modiste without her father, she decided wearing sinfully decadent underthings was a pleasure every woman deserved. She spent a fair portion of her pin money on daring chemises,scandalous night-rails, and shocking corsets, knowing the only person who would ever see them was Millie herself and perhaps her maid. But she wore them because she could. They made her feel beautiful. It was her little secret pleasure.
Had she thought about Drake when she chose her eveningwear tonight?
Perhaps.
Was she thinking of him now as her skin heated and her pupils dilated?
Highly probable.
Did she desperately hope her physical appeal would help win over his trust and fill him with such passionate desire, he didn’t mind a whit if she went on secret missions for the Queen?
Undoubtably.
There was no point in dawdling. Her decision was made. Now, she just had to complete the plan she’d already put into action.
Taking a moment, Millie pinched her cheeks, pressed her lips together hard, adjusted her breasts, and nodded.
‘It’s high time I propositioned an earl.’ A million dusty moths took flight in her belly. She pressed her hand just below her clavicle and felt her pounding heart. This was no time for nerves. ‘One, two, three, go,’ she whispered, standing and quickly padding to the connecting door, her bare feet sinking into the thick Aubusson rug. Lifting her hand, she paused, exhaled, and knocked before she lost her nerve.
‘The hens are out of the chicken coop now. No putting them back,’ she whispered as her nipples tightened into hard buds, chafing against the lace.
Before she could think of all the reasons she should turn around and leap under her covers, the door swung open.
