A Woman Made for Pleasure (26 page)
Chase knew he was on the brink of taking her then and there. “God, how I want you. More than you know. More than you understand. I must stop now, Millie.”
Millie reached up and pulled his head down until their lips met once more. He drew her into his arms. They were strong and secure. He kissed her forehead, brushing his lips softly against her skin. And again, ended the kiss.
He pulled her arms from his neck and swallowed. Never had anything been so hard. “We must stop now, or I won’t be able to stop at all.”
Chase’s words slowly sank in, and Millie realized what she had allowed him to do—and he was in love with someone else! He was cradling her in his arms but intended to marry another. She found it hard to reconcile in her mind that he was like so many other men—a cad at heart. Well, she was not going to let him have all the satisfaction this coming Saturday. No, her pride would not allow that. She righted her nightdress and stepped out of his arms.
“My apologies. Teach me to wander around without at least a robe on,” Millie said, trying to sound indifferent.
Chase smiled and unknowingly licked his lips. “I doubt a robe would have prevented my kissing you.”
Millie realized she had to get out of there now, before she completely broke down. “Well, we are going to have to stop these little tutoring sessions, aren’t we? I just wanted to let you know that you will not be forced to chaperone me next Saturday to Lady Castlereagh’s ball. A handsome gentleman asked if he could be my escort for the evening. I have decided to accept.”
Despite the darkness of the room, Millie could see Chase’s expression turn dark and stone hard. The look of fury on his face was unmistakable.
Chase suddenly rounded on her, his eyes so cold they chilled her heated blood. “So, what was this? Training? Now that you have learned how to kiss and turn a man into a whimpering mess, you are going to try your luck with other gentlemen? Is this your game?”
Millie jerked her shoulders, turning her back on him as she blinked back the mist pooling in her eyes. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her reduced to tears.
“Why is it that only men can test the waters without shame? And what have I been to you? A mere dalliance to pass the time with—but see? I am not offended. So go off, meet other women, kiss and marry whom you please. Your actions are none of my affair, and
my
actions are none of yours.”
my
actions are none of yours.”
And suddenly Chase found himself staring at the closing door through which Millie had just disappeared. He had been wrong. Millie was not honest at all. She had just been using him.
He sank onto the settee and buried his face in his hands. He thought about her in his arms and knew the emotion and passion they shared was unique and real. She said that she was
going
to accept an invitation. Meaning she had not done so yet. It was as if she had made the decision as the words came out of her mouth.
going
to accept an invitation. Meaning she had not done so yet. It was as if she had made the decision as the words came out of her mouth.
He stood up.
No, something else was going on here
, Chase thought as he began to pace back and forth across the floor. He had known Mildred Aldon all her life, and she was a fiercely honest and loyal person despite that little act she had played tonight. Something had happened since the party this evening to spawn this little performance.
No, something else was going on here
, Chase thought as he began to pace back and forth across the floor. He had known Mildred Aldon all her life, and she was a fiercely honest and loyal person despite that little act she had played tonight. Something had happened since the party this evening to spawn this little performance.
And despite Millie’s promises to the contrary, he would discover what and who had caused it.
Chapter 12
Millie woke up with a start and sat straight up. Lord, what was she going to do now? She had told Chase she was going to be escorted by another man to next Saturday’s ball. Hosted by Lady Castlereagh, one of the main patronesses at Almack’s, those who were invited, attended. If they did not—especially if they were young women of marriageable age—they would be summarily blacklisted. So canceling without an impeccable excuse was not wise.
Millie had less than a week to find someone to accompany her. But how? Last week, her written responses had such a note of finality to them, she had no hope that any of the recipients would request to escort her to anything. Millie knew of only one person who could help her out of this scrape. It would be embarrassing, but nothing close to the humiliation she would endure if she arrived at Lady Castlereagh’s with no one by her side.
Millie rang the bell cord beside her dressing table and waited impatiently for Elda Mae to arrive. As soon as Millie heard the light knock she opened the door and pulled the older woman in. “Elda Mae, is Mother Wentworth awake?”
“Lady Chaselton? Why, yes, yes, my lady, she is. She is preparing right now for . . .”
Millie didn’t hear the rest of Elda Mae’s comment as she raced out of her room. Tying the ribbons on her robe, Millie ran barefoot, down the hallway to Cecilia Wentworth’s sitting room. She knocked, and at the first sound she opened the door and rushed in.
Cecilia Wentworth had just finished getting her hair in place when her adopted daughter darted into the room. “Why, Mildred! What on earth is the matter with you? You are acting half-crazed.”
“Mother Wentworth, I am in desperate need of a favor.”
Cecilia quickly assessed the chaotic brown hair and the dark, red-rimmed, luminous eyes. It was clear Millie had not slept for most of the night. Cecilia indicated to her maid to leave them for a moment.
“How can I help?” Cecilia asked and pointed to a nearby settee.
Millie bit her bottom lip and walked over to the light gray sofa. She picked up a matching velvet cushion and clutched it as she sat down, hoping the action would give her some courage. “I . . . I . . . need an escort for Lady Castlereagh’s ball.”
Cecilia’s reaction was strangely relaxed and unconcerned. “That should be no problem, my dear. I am assuming only one escort is needed, or will Aimee and Jennelle require one as well?”
Completely shocked by the casual response, Millie stared wide-eyed as she shook her head back and forth.
Deciding to ignore Millie’s obvious confusion, Cecilia continued. “Are you particular? Or will anyone do?”
Millie expected some resistance to her request, or at least a demand for an explanation. She had been prepared to fall to the ground and grovel. “I uh . . . um . . . no.” Lady Chaselton raised a single brow. “I mean, yes. He needs to be”—Millie winced, remembering her words to Chase the previous night—“handsome.”
“Well, of course he does, if your plan is going to work.”
“Plan?” Millie choked. She was not aware she had a plan. She just knew she had to have an eligible man accompany her or die of mortification.
Cecilia eyed her protégé with sympathy. The girl was transparent, but obviously too tired to realize how much. She knew her son and Millie had fallen in love. She had seen them both fight it. Up until now, she had decided to refrain from interfering, but was it considered meddling if the assistance was requested?
“Never mind. I have the perfect man for you. And do not be concerned about inconveniencing him. For I know you will be able to help him a great deal as well.”
Millie was completely thrown. Usually it was she who discombobulated others. “I . . . uh, how?”
Cecilia Wentworth swiveled around in her chair, back to her mirror. She dabbed lightly at her hair, pretending not to have heard Millie’s stammered question. “Now, I think it would be best if you both met first. Can you meet tomorrow afternoon, say two o’clock? I think a ride through Hyde Park would be good. His name is Mr. Basil Eddington.”
Millie was completely mystified. “Did you say Mr. Eddington?”
“Yes, a completely delightful young man I met at Lady Bradshaw’s tea a couple of weeks ago. You two should get along splendidly.” Cecilia turned and overtly scanned Millie as if assessing her for an assignment. “Mmm, yes. Definitely mutually advantageous. Now, if you will excuse me, dear. When you step out, can you ask Susan to come back in?”
Millie nodded blindly as she opened the door to let the maid finish with her interrupted task. Just as Millie was about to close the door, Cecilia called out, “Millie, dear!”
Millie turned back around, eyebrows pinched together. Cecilia gave her a look of sympathy. “Go get some sleep, daughter. I promise it will all work out.”
Millie nodded her head and slowly wandered back to her room. She entered and closed the door. It was rare for her to be rendered speechless, and Lady Chaselton excelled at the ability to make her so. Millie leaned against the door and stood staring at nothing.
She had an escort to Lady Castlereagh’s. Her pride would be intact. If only she had the man she wanted, as well. Millie felt like crying again and crawled back into bed. Sleep came upon her quickly.
Chase paced the floor, waiting for his mother to descend the stairs for the morning meal. His mother had always been an early riser. She would be able to clarify the nightmare that had been plaguing him for the past several hours. He knew deep in his heart Millie did not have another escort. As soon as his mother verified this fact, he would be able to rest easy.
He paused by his study door and visualized Millie standing there last night. Her diaphanous chemise had clung to her gently curving breasts like liquid silver. Just the memory made him writhe with sensual need. He needed to be sure he was the only one. That there was no one else. Unfortunately, Chase knew there were several men ready to jump at the opportunity to escort her. Many had already tried, but the Daring Three had become very skilled at dissuading men. He never realized before how reassuring that was.
Chase did not know how it had happened, but he had fallen in love. He had seen so much pain, anger, and corruption, he had forgotten how to live, how to seek and derive pleasure from the world. With Millie, he would learn how to do so once again. He didn’t know what life would be like married to Mildred Aldon, but he was sure it would not be boring. For the first time since he could remember, Chase looked forward to his future. He would find his father’s killers, announce his marriage intentions, marry the feisty woman, and live happily ever after. It was supposed to be simple, and it would be once again, as soon as his mother verified that
he
would be Millie’s escort next Saturday.
he
would be Millie’s escort next Saturday.
Cecilia Wentworth eyed her pacing son as she descended the staircase. She loved him a great deal and was pleased with his choice for a wife. Her son was a lot like his father. Composed, calm, and always levelheaded. She knew Millie and Charles would be good for each other, just as she and her husband had been a good match. Millie would bring Charles excitement and keep him from turning old early. He would be Millie’s safe anchor in life’s many storms, her trusted confidant, her biggest believer, and most of all, her hero. What Charles did not understand yet, and might not for many years, was that he needed to be a hero.
“Good morning, Charles. What keeps you at Hembree Grove? I thought you would have returned to St. James’s by now,” she said innocently as she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed toward the main dining room.
Chase quickly followed, suddenly unsure of how to proceed. “Mother.”
Cecilia entered the dining room and went to take a seat. “Are you going to dine with me? What an unexpected and delightful surprise.”
Chase had not intended to eat. He had wanted to ask one question, receive an answer, and leave before anyone else came down the stairs. While part of him wanted to speak with Millie and compel a confession out of her about Saturday, Chase knew he needed a few days to calm his sexual hunger before he saw her again. Soon, he told himself, soon he would wed Millie and these insane actions he was taking to keep his hands off of her would no longer be necessary.
“Mother, I just . . .”
She interrupted. “Do not concern yourself so. Sit down with me. No one will be up for some time.”
Chase looked unconvinced, knowing Millie’s penchant for appearing when least expected.
“I mean it, Charles. Sit. I just sent Mildred back to bed. Poor thing is so worn out over these parties, and I would like her to be fully rested when her suitor arrives tomorrow afternoon. Right now she is quite drained.”
As she expected, this got a reaction. Chase found himself suddenly needing a seat, and slid into one across from his mother. “Did I hear you say . . . ?”
“Suitor. Do not act so surprised. After all, that is the reason she is here in London. To come out, find an eligible gentleman, and get married.”
Chase felt as if the wind had just been knocked out of him. A sudden, horrible thought occurred to him. “Is this the same gentleman, by chance, escorting Millie to Lady Castlereagh’s?”
Forcing herself not to smile, Cecilia inconspicuously appraised her son. “Why, I believe he is.” She turned and accepted her usual breakfast fare—a piece of toast and hot tea.
Chase dropped his head into his hands. What was going on? Just last night Millie had been kissing him so earnestly, so completely, he knew he was the only one. How could she be so duplicitous?
Cecilia saw the emotions flicker on her son’s face and knew what he was thinking. It was time to play matchmaker. Yes, Millie was going to have her escort. And yes, her son was going to be jealous—more so than he would think likely. But an out-of-control jealousy never led to anything productive, and that was exactly where Chase was headed.
“If you would excuse me, dear. If you intend to resume lodging at Reece’s, will you still be able to escort Aimee and Jennelle Saturday to Lady Castlereagh’s?”
Chase looked up and focused on his mother’s words. “Yes, yes, I can escort you three to the event, but I might have to leave early.”
“I should not think that a problem. I will ask Millie’s escort if he can see us home. I must go meet with him this morning about tomorrow afternoon and Saturday.” She rose, took one last sip of tea, and casually left the room.
Cecilia was in the front foyer, preparing to leave, when Chase rushed forward. “Mother, did I understand you correctly?”
Lady Chaselton adjusted the sleeves of her pelisse as it was a fairly chilly morning. “Yes, dear? I am sorry, but I have several stops this morning.”
“I asked if I understood you correctly.”
“I believe so. I did speak succinctly and your hearing has always been excellent,” Cecilia said, buttoning her coat.
“Does Millie have an escort for this Saturday or not?”
“I suppose it depends on your point of view. She came in this morning asking if I knew of an available gentleman, and I agreed to help her. I am confident I can obtain one. Now I must go, love. See you Saturday.”
He knew it! Millie
didn’t
have an escort. Oh, she would have one Saturday. Millie would try to pass off the fool as the gentleman she had taunted him with, and he would let her . . . for a while. And when he was ready, he would cleverly disclose his knowledge that her escort for the evening had been arranged by his mother.
didn’t
have an escort. Oh, she would have one Saturday. Millie would try to pass off the fool as the gentleman she had taunted him with, and he would let her . . . for a while. And when he was ready, he would cleverly disclose his knowledge that her escort for the evening had been arranged by his mother.
Chase stood elated as he watched the woman who had saved his sanity enter her favorite landau. Only after the small four-wheeled carriage disappeared around the corner did Chase realize his folly. He had forgotten to ask whom his mother had selected as an escort for Millie.
The next day Millie found herself having a surprisingly good time with Basil Eddington. Affable and witty, he was a complete change from most of the jack-a-dandies infesting the large crushes she had been attending. Of average height, he had wavy reddish-brown hair, cut fashionably short, and long sideburns. His warm smile and easy manner put Millie at ease immediately upon meeting him. She quickly agreed to an afternoon ride in his new curricle.
Basil glanced once more to his side, again surprised to find himself in the company of such an unusual beauty. He looked forward and picked up the reins. “Let us be off then. I assume you have been to Hyde Park?” Basil asked as he flicked the leather straps. The two grays leading the high-perched two-seater jerked into motion.
“Ah, yes. Yes, I have,” Millie said, grabbing her bonnet and trying to figure out a way to tie it more securely so as not to lose it altogether.
“I apologize for the horses. They are a new team and are very spirited, especially after standing for so long. I promise they shall settle in in a moment,” Basil said apologetically. “Lady Chaselton told me you, too, have a love for horses and would not be unduly put out.” He tried to appear calm as he controlled the eager team. He was wearing gloves, but Millie guessed if she could actually see Basil’s knuckles, they would be white.
“Uh, no, Mr. Eddington. The horses are just fine. I just wish I had known to put on a different bonnet,” Millie responded, still attempting to secure her hat in the swift breeze. “There, nice and tight. You were saying something in regard to Hyde Park?”
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