A Dash of Scandal (7 page)

Hamlet headed straight for the hedge where Lord Dunraven had disappeared. He sniffed around the ground and barked.

Millicent looked back to the rear door saw that it was her own maid, Glenda, standing in the doorway. Millicent flinched. She wondered how long Glenda had been standing there. Could she have seen Lord Dunraven from where she stood? Would she say anything to her aunt if she had seen him or would she consider it none of her concern and remain quiet?

A small young lady with large dark eyes and sallow skin, Glenda was the quietest person Millicent had ever known. She could enter a room without anyone ever knowing she was there.

“Miss, are you all right?” she called.

“Yes, Glenda,” Millicent answered and without looking back toward Hamlet, she started walking toward her maid.

“You have a visitor.”

“No, no, I don't have a visitor,” she fibbed, trying not to sound or act nervous, but wasn't so sure she managed it. “I don't know what Hamlet is barking at. Maybe a rabbit or a cat.”

She could strangle Lord Dunraven for putting her in this awkward position.

Glenda walked down the steps to meet Millicent. She presented Millicent a card on a silver tray. “No, miss, I mean you have had a visitor call on you. A young lady.”

“Oh, yes. I see. Thank you.” Millicent tried to calm her breathing as she picked up the card and read. “Lady Lynette Knightington.” She looked up at the maid. “Is the lady still here or did she just leave her card?”

“She's in the front parlor, miss, but says not to bother you if she's called at an inopportune time.”

Millicent wiped her lips with the back of her hand, remembering Lord Dunraven's kiss, wishing she had more time to ponder why he was pursuing her.

She would think about him later.

This pleasant day had certainly turned into an exciting one. Should she greet the young lady who had been so friendly the night before or should she tell Glenda to say she was unavailable?

Millicent threw down the card on the tray. Angels above, her aunt couldn't expect her to attend two and three parties each evening and not develop at least one friendship.

“Tell her I'll be right there, then ask the housekeeper to speak to the cook about a fresh pot of tea and sandwiches.”

“Yes, miss.”

“Lady Lynette, how kind of you to call,” Millicent said a few moments later as she entered the front parlor. Her off-white day dress swept the floor, and her steps were soundless in her comfortable satin slippers.

Lady Lynette turned from the fireplace, where she was looking at the painting of a much younger Lady Beatrice that hung above the mantel. She smiled graciously at Millicent. “I'm so happy you were available to see me on short notice. I promise not to stay long.”

“Nonsense. Stay as long as you like. I'm having some tea brought in for us.”

“Thank you. And remember to call me Lynette. We are friends now, and there should be no formalities with us.”

“All right. Please sit down.”

Millicent motioned for Lady Lynette to take one of the twin burgundy-colored settees that were placed in the center of the cozy room. Matching gilded armchairs flanked each end of the settees, and a satinwood pedestal table with alabaster inlays stood between the settees. Burgundy and green-striped velvet drapery panels had been pulled back from the windows and daylight lit the parlor with brightness.

Lady Lynette was an imposing young lady, tall and robust. Her sapphire-blue walking dress spread out over the small settee as she sat down on the edge. Her matching bonnet had a wide ribbon sash tied under her chin that covered most of the birthmark that spilled over her cheek. Millicent noticed that Lady Lynette's face was really quite lovely when the dark red birthmark was covered.

Millicent took a deep breath, smiled, and sat in the settee opposite the other woman.

“How is Lady Beatrice feeling?” Lady Lynette asked.

“A little better each day, but I'm afraid she's not up to visitors.”

“That's quite all right. I understand. Please tell her I asked for her.”

“I shall be happy to. I'm sure she'll be disappointed she wasn't able to see you.”

“I saw you dancing with Lord Dunraven last night.”

Millicent suddenly became wary. Was there any way Lady Lynette could have seen Lord Dunraven sneak into the garden? Millicent remained calm and said, “Yes, that's right.”

“I talked with my mother about it at breakfast this morning.”

That was rather presumptuous, but Millicent decided not to take her to task—just yet. She would wait and see where the conversation was going. She answered, “Is that so?”

“Yes. I explained you had been recently introduced to me and that you were here only for the Season. Since you are new in Town, my mother and I felt I should take it upon myself to come and warn you about Lord Dunraven.”

“Warn me?” Millicent asked but felt sure she knew what Lady Lynette would say, and she was a little perturbed at how quickly the subject changed from pleasantries to what must have been the real reason for her visit.

Lady Lynette rolled her eyes upward and smiled. “To be sure he's the most charming of the Terrible Threesome, and most young ladies think the most handsome, too. But if you came to Town looking to make a match you would do well to forget about Lord Dunraven and concentrate on someone else.”

“It was only one dance, Lynette. And he was not the only gentleman I danced with.”

“I know, but he is the only one that you danced with who is unattainable. Over the years so many young ladies have lost their hearts to him only to be disappointed. I think you should take more interest in Sir Charles Wright or Viscount Tolby. Both are handsome and either would suit. Lord Dunraven's interest in any young lady is not to be taken seriously. I could tell you stories about him that would—but you don't want to hear things about him, I'm sure.”

Oh, but I do.

She saw this as her opportunity to find out more about the dashing rogue who was so daring as to go so quickly from merely caressing her hand and blowing kisses to sneaking into the garden, pulling her down, on the grass beside him and kissing her on the lips.

“Oh, no bad things, but I would like to know a little more about him. I keep hearing about these earls who are called the Terrible Threesome. What exactly has Lord Dunraven done that makes him such a scoundrel?”

“I thought you'd never give me permission to tell. Now that I'm older, most of the friends I have are married and are not into hearing the gossip about the bachelors.” Lady Lynette smiled waggishly and moved closer to the edge of her seat but held her tongue as Glenda came in with the tea.

Millicent had to smile at how young Lady Lynette suddenly looked. She probably hadn't reached thirty yet and right now she looked more like seventeen. No doubt she would relish telling every word of gossip she knew. Her eyes fairly sparkled with enjoyment and her strong facial features turned playful.

As soon as Glenda left the room Lady Lynette said, “Everyone in Town thought Lord Dunraven would marry as soon as he finished his education because he had already inherited the title. All the young ladies and hopeful widows set their caps for him that first year he was eligible. But no, word got out quickly that he would see all three of his sisters wed before he took a wife. Naturally he was then considered unattainable.”

“And that made him all the more sought after?” Millicent asked, while she poured tea for.

“Indeed. It's been that way for at least ten years—for all the Terrible Threesome.”

Millicent said, “Cream or sugar?”

“Plenty of both. Lord Dunraven dances, charms, and calls on many of the ladies each Season. And from what I've overheard, he has certainly stolen more than his share of kisses. He's never offered for the hand of any lady. I don't believe he's ever called on a lady more than three times in a Season.”

“Why is that?”

“One never knows for sure because Lord Dunraven hasn't spoken about it to anyone as far as I know, but I would assume it's because he doesn't want any fathers forcing his hand about his intentions.”

“Yes, I suppose he'd be serious if he called on the same lady more than three times.”

“Everyone assumes he prefers to spend his time with his friends racing fast horses during the day, gaming in the evenings, and gambling into early morning hours. Mama says that some gentlemen never settle down and take wives.”

“Well, that doesn't sound so bad,” Millicent answered as she handed Lynette a blue cup with a pink flower painted on it.

Lady Lynette accepted with her gloved hand as she leaned forward and whispered, “You won't tell anyone what I've told you?”

“No,” Millicent assured her.

“Good. I don't usually talk so much, but then I don't usually have anyone other than Mama who wants to listen to me.”

“You can feel free to call on me when you want to talk. I'm enjoying hearing about Lord Dunraven—and other members of the ton,” she added quickly.

“One time I overheard a young gentleman say that Lord Dunraven was keeping four mistresses in Town. All at the same time.”

Millicent's eyes widened. “My goodness. That many?”

“Astonishing, isn't it?”

“I would think so. That does sound like four too many.”

“And sometimes he would see all four of them in one evening, and I've heard more than one at a time,” Lady Lynette added in a softer whisper.

Shocked, Millicent lowered her cup back to the saucer. Did she dare believe that of Lord Dunraven or was it mere gossip? Four women in one evening and more than one at one time? If only part of what Lady Lynette said was true then his reputation was well deserved. But… he had indicated that everything that was said about him wasn't true.

“I'm sure I don't know what to say to that except, perhaps I've heard enough about Lord Dunraven and his mistresses.”

Lady Lynette paid no mind to Millicent's subtle suggestion they move on to another topic of conversation and added, “He's noted for stealing kisses at any opportunity and then not offering for the lady's hand.”

Lady Lynette said the words as if it were the most dreadful thing that could happen to a young lady. Millicent had been kissed a couple of times on the cheek, and she had wondered what was the harm in a kiss or two, but not anymore. Those kisses had been most uninspiring. But Lord Dunraven's kisses this afternoon had left her head spinning and her lungs breathless.

“On the few occasions he calls on a lady, he always brings the same gift without fail,” Lady Lynette continued.

It was clear she was not ready to change the subject, so Millicent said, “Really? What would that be?”

“Apricot tarts. His chef is said to make the most delicious tarts in all of London.” She bent closer to Millicent. “If he brings you any, you will save one for me, won't you? I've always wanted to taste them.”

Millicent faltered for a moment, but quickly said, “Of course, but truly, Lynette, I gave Lord Dunraven no encouragement whatsoever. I do not expect him or any other gentleman to call on me.”

“He might. He danced with you.”

“And so have many other gentlemen. Let me assure you Lady Heathecoute set up the dance between Lord Dunraven and me. He was but a reluctant participant. You have no cause to worry about him putting me under a magic spell.”

“If he doesn't, you will be the first. Just last year Lord Truefitt suggested in his column that Lord Dunraven was seeing Lady Lambsbeth. It turns out he was seeing her in secret while her husband was in France.”

Millicent gasped. “A married woman?”

She nodded once. “I'm sure by now you know that Lord Dunraven is quite hard to turn down.”

Oh, yes, I know.

“Lord Lambsbeth heard about it when he arrived in Town. He marched into White's, drew his sword against Lord Dunraven, demanding a duel.”

“What happened?”

She sipped her tea again before saying, “Lord Lambsbeth's friends grabbed his arm and forced him to put away his sword. Everyone knew he was much too old to challenge such a young man. I heard he and his wife immediately went back to Paris without further incident. There are always rumors about Lord Dunraven's mistresses, stealing kisses in gardens, but nothing has ever upset him like the time he was linked to Lady Lambsbeth in the gossip columns.”

“It's no wonder. Seeing a married woman. It could have cost him his life.” This was more proof that Millicent had been right in being so cautious where Lord Dunraven was concerned.

“Every year there is always a young lady who decides she can snare one of the earls. This year it is Miss Bardwell.”

“Yes,” Millicent said. “I've met her.”

“She tricked all three of them into dancing with her last evening. She does seem to be more forward than previous young ladies, and her father allows her wild behavior. And poor Miss Donaldson is heartsick. She fears her father wants her to marry an older bachelor who is determinedly courting her, and she is not at all delighted with his attentions.”

“How do you know all this?” Millicent asked, surprised and curious as to why Lady Lynette knew so much about what was going on in Society.

“I've told you. I listen to what is being said around me. I'm usually very careful not to repeat what I've heard, but for some reason you are so very easy to talk to. I hope you don't mind that I've sought you out to talk to.”

“No, of course not.”

“Perhaps I've confided in you because you told me you will only be here for the Season. It would be a shame for you to set your heart for a gentleman who is beyond your reach.”

“You're quite right,” Millicent agreed, but inside she knew she had enjoyed Lord Dunraven's attention, even if he had done the same thing to a hundred young ladies before her and even though he was risking her reputation.