Page 55 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
Drake tried to shake his sour mood. ‘Have you any words of wisdom for me, Bradford?’
Bradford smiled, clearly tickled to be asked his opinion. ‘Always fight naked, eh? Even when you lose, you win.’ He broke into another bout of laughter that ended in a coughing fit. Taking a deep puff of his cigar, he tipped his head back, blowing a stream of smoke toward the ceiling. ‘Trust, my boy. That’s the key to a good marriage.’
Great. Drake was doomed. He gulped another sip of whiskey as Bradford carried on, oblivious to Drake’s despondency.
‘Trust, honesty, and never underestimating your wife. Women have a habit of being right more than men would like. Something I learned the hard way, but it’s a lesson that’s saved my bacon more than once. When my Ethel tells me to listen, I do. Never once regretted it.’ He slapped Drake on the arm. ‘You’ll do just fine, my boy. You’ve a good head on your shoulders and a strong heart in that barrel of a chest.’
‘It seems to be off kilter of late.’ Even now, it thumped painfully.
‘That just means you chose the right woman. Or she chose you. I think it’s time we joined the ladies, eh? Stop them from gossiping about all our shortcomings. Course, my Ethel wouldn’t have much to say there. She loves me, though I’ve no idea why.’ Bradford stroked his moustache and waggled his thick eyebrows at Drake.
Drake guessed Ethel’s affection wasn’t based on the man’s eccentric facial hair. He joined Bradford in leading the men to the drawing room, feeling mildly better than he had prior to his discussion with Bradford.
Trust.
Honesty.
Listen to her.
Fight naked.
He could certainly follow one piece of the offered advice.
13
The Earl of Tetly’s drawing room offered a feast for the eyes. Millie wasn’t sure who Drake consulted on the decoration of this room, but the dusty-blue walls contrasted beautifully with dark wood furnishings. An Aubusson rug graced the parquet floor, and pastoral paintings decorated the walls. She tried to focus on those details instead of her stepmother.
‘I’ve always said my daughter was lucky to have such an indulgent father. And if I hadn’t put forth such efforts on her behalf, we’d never be having a wedding.’ Patricia’s shrill laughter grated over Millie’s frayed nerves.
‘I must admit, I was surprised to see an invitation from Beaufort for a wedding.’ Nora ducked her head in false modesty. ‘Certainly, there was a time when he was intent to wed, but I thought he’d given up such ideas.’
How dare you use his name as if you had a right.
Millie swallowed hard, forcing her breathing to remain calm. Nora was diabolical and found her perfect match in Patricia. Those two women joining forces did not bode well for Millie.
Nora’s dress was a rose velvet, highlighting her creamy complexion and pink lips. The neckline dipped daringly, exposing small, pert, perfect little breasts.
Ugly ropes of jealousy wrapped around Millie’s ribs, tightening with every word from Nora.
‘I often wonder how different things would be if he’d never gone to war.’ Nora’s bluebell eyes filled with tears, and Millie fought the urge not to slap the silly woman.
‘I imagine he would have grown to regret his choices and resent anyone who stopped him from following his heart. I’m sure he’d tell you going to the war made him into the brave, honourable, dedicated man he is today.’ Millie glared at Nora.
Nora’s delicate features hardened. Her tears magically dissolved in the heat of her ire. ‘I’d wager his heart remained here. With the one he proposed marriage to out of love, not duty.’
Ouch. Well played, Nora.
‘Few women have the ability to really capture a man’s heart.’ Patricia jumped in, forcing Millie to swallow her bitter response. ‘Take Lord Whittenburg, for example. He’s besotted with me. Denies me nothing. I’m the only woman who holds his affections.’ Patricia stretched her lips into a vicious smile as she glared at Millie.
Grand. They’re joining forces against me. Fine. I’ll take them both out.
‘I find men who are so beholden to their wives never had much backbone to begin with, so bending them to your will isn’t much of a feat.’ Philippa drew alongside Millie. She looked resplendent in a gown of deep purple. Her fan thwacked against her thigh to punctuate her words. ‘Far better to have mutual respect. Even if it means more friction. I admire how Major General Drake has left behind the silly infatuation of his youth to embark on a journey with someone better suited. Millicent iscertainly his equal in intelligence and moral fibre. Something I wouldn’t say of his first choice.’
Millie could have cheered in triumph. Not only had Philippa delivered a wicked blow to both Patricia and Nora, but the duchess’ dim view of men in general made her support of Drake even more meaningful.
Nora’s cheeks darkened, and her eyes darted around the room, refusing to meet Philippa’s frank stare. ‘I’m sure I wouldn’t know, Your Grace.’
Patricia took a different tack, glaring at the duchess. ‘After so long being without a man, perhaps you’ve forgotten how they can be both strong and pliant.’
