Page 92 of A Lady's Lesson in Scandal
There were still so many unknowns. And there always would be surprises, compromises, give and take. With two people as stubborn as Drake and Millie, the course of true love was bound to have a fair number of bumps, twists, and turns. But she wanted to travel that road with him.
‘If the choice is mine, Major General Beaufort Drake, Earl of Tetly, then I choose you. Now and forever.’ She leaned forward, pressing a kiss to his delicious mouth. ‘And my only regret is knowing Patricia will get her Yuletide marriage after all.’
Millie stood in front of the looking glass, her riot of flaming curls piled into an artful cascade, drawing attention to her elegant neck and sharp cheekbones. Her wedding dress was a confection of creamy silk, nearly matching her skin and showing off her curves to devastating effect.
She pinched her cheeks and pressed her lips together.
‘I don’t think Drake will manage to wait long enough for you to walk down the aisle. I’d wager my favourite dagger onhim sprinting past the pews, sweeping you into his arms, and dragging you right back here.’ Hannah came next to Millie, sliding an arm around her waist. A waist cinched so tight, Millie wasn’t sure she could take a full breath.
‘You look like an angel.’ Ivy came on the other side, tilting her head to the left as she watched Millie’s reflection.
Millie scrunched her nose. ‘Careful, I’m not sure the angels will stand for such blasphemy.’
‘Who wants an angel when devils are so much more fun?’ Hannah winked and nudged Millie with her hip.
Philippa strode into the room. Her silk and lace gown was a shade lighter than blackcurrant. ‘You look well, Millicent. Ready to sacrifice yourself on the altar of societal stupidity.’
Millie gave Hannah and Ivy a long look before turning. ‘Thank you, Philippa. You look ready to attend a funeral.’
‘Exactly.’ Philippa thwacked her jewel-encrusted fan against her leg. ‘I do wish you ladies would stop succumbing to Cupid and his ridiculous arrows.’ She turned to Ivy. ‘Perhaps I have some hope with you, Miss Cavendale.’
Ivy’s cheeks flushed pink, and she ducked her head. ‘I’m in no danger of falling in love, Lady Winterbourne. I can assure you of that. But while I appreciate you being willing to work with me, I could never accomplish the missions you, Hannah, and Millie complete. I just want to learn how to keep myself safe, Your Grace.’
Philippa’s sharp blue eyes lingered on Ivy. ‘And so you shall, Miss Cavendale.’
‘Miss Millicent, I have your veil.’ Penny came in, a gauzy length flowing behind her like a cape. There was a crown of white roses attached to the top.
‘Penny, it’s gorgeous!’
Philippa swung around to raise a brow at Penny. ‘Always ready with what’s needed. A wonderful trait to have in so many situations.’
Penny returned Philippa’s steady gaze. ‘Thank you, Your Grace.’ She turned to Millie. ‘Come and sit, miss.’
Millie sat at her vanity and Penny fitted the crown on her head, fluffing the veil.
The moment was perfect. Until Patricia arrived.
She sailed into the room in a turquoise gown with peacock feathers sewn into the skirt. A few of the gaudy feathers fluttered around her perfectly curled ringlets.
‘Dear God.’ Philippa thwacked her fan again. ‘How many poor birds were massacred for that monstrosity of a dress?’
Patricia narrowed her green gaze at Philippa. ‘I would like to speak with my daughter.’ She turned her glare on Ivy, then Hannah, then Penny. ‘Alone.’
Ivy walked over to Millie, her hand resting on Millie’s shoulder. Hannah put one hand on her hip, the other slipped into her pocket. Penny stayed perfectly still.
‘Fine. Stay if you like. But I imagine Your Grace will wish you’d left when I reveal her most horrifying secret.’ Patricia hissed Philippa’s title like it were a curse before pursing her lips in a sour pucker.
Millie stood and turned to face her stepmother. ‘Don’t, Patricia. I beg you. Stop this madness now.’
Patricia’s tinkling laughter cut through the air like a thousand pieces of shattered glass. ‘Don’t what? Share your secret with your closest friends? Surely such an intimate group of women already know your sins, Millicent.’
Philippa tapped a finger against her blood-red lips. ‘You seem a woman intimately acquainted with sin, madame. Hold us in suspense no longer. Share your secret. But I warn you, those who threaten me do so at great personal risk.’
Patricia blinked quickly and swallowed hard. A bead of sweat trickled down her perfectly powdered cheek. ‘Not even the Duchess of Dorsett can survive the scandal my words will unleash. The beau monde will tear you to shreds when theStar of Venusreveals you to be a sapphist! Don’t play innocent with me, Lady Winterbourne. I know your proclivities. Your sinful choice to fornicate with other women – including my stepdaughter – will ensure your destruction.’ Patricia’s wild gaze flew around the room. ‘What do you think now of your precious duchess?’
Hannah burst into laughter. ‘My opinion of Philippa hasn’t changed. However, I now believe you are stark raving mad, madame.’
‘I won’t be the one sentenced to an asylum. Trust me on that. The House of Lords won’t stand for such deviant behaviour from one of their own.’ Patricia pointed her bony finger at Philippa. ‘If you want my lips to remain sealed, you’ll pay. Large sums. To me.’ She turned to Millie. ‘As will you, dear daughter, unless you want your husband’s name to be dragged through the mud. Imagine what they’ll say about the Earl of Tetly being cuckolded by a woman. A duchess, no less. I doubt Queen Victoria will maintain a friendship with such a wicked wanton.’ Patricia wheeled back to Philippa. ‘You’ll lose everything. Everything!’ she screamed.
