Page 169 of Harpy of the Ton
Sweet Lord!Bella had revealed her heart to a woman who’d gladly betray her.
“Forgive me,” she said. “I didn’t mean it. Perhaps I should go.”
Another drunken roar rose, and Bella stiffened and glanced at the door.
“I’m no fool, your ladyship,” Millie said. “You spoke the truth.”
“No, I—”
“There’s never a truer word than that spoken in anger—or in the throes of passion. Stay, your ladyship. Perhaps I can help you.”
“I don’t want your help.”
“I offer it anyway.” The doxy’s expression softened, and she placed a hand on Bella’s arm. “I saw the fear in your eyes just now. If you wish to hide, you can stay here for the night. I’ll help you get to London if that’s where you’re headed.”
“I have money.”
“Heavens, I don’t need your money—I offer my help for your sake. And for Lawrence’s. He’d want you safe.”
Bella shook her head. “He hates me.”
“But you lived as man and wife.”
“Out of his desire for vengeance after I destroyed his belongings. H-he tricked me, Millie. He made me believe I was his wife, mother to his children—and it was out of a desire to punish me, nothing more.”
Millie let out a sigh. “I know,” she said. “It was wrong of him, and I told him so. That day I saw you in Brackens Hill, when Iwas staying at the Oak. I asked him to come and see me. Do you know what he did when he came?”
“No.”
“He rejected me. Me—the doxy who’s never wanted for a man’s attention. I’m ashamed to say that I begged, told him I’d give him a night’s pleasure and ask nothin’ in return. And he said…he said that he loved another. He said that for the first time in his life he understood the meaning of love—the need within his soul to care for and remain faithful to another, until the day he drew his last breath.” She took Bella’s hand. “He was talking about you.”
“Then he deceived you as well as I,” Bella said.
“I told him he was a misguided fool, and that was the first time he ever raised his voice to me. Then I saw it in his eyes, heard it in the depth of his voice. There’s few who can truly deceive a whore. Lawrence loves you, Bella. I’d stake my reputation as a whore on it—and my reputation is all I have.”
Bella drew in a sharp breath. “You called meBella.”
Millie smiled. “That I did. And I’ll help you get to London. But the coach won’t be stopping here for days yet.”
“Then I must go elsewhere,” Bella said. “Dunton might come looking for me at any moment.”
“Old Tom will send him away with a flea in his ear,” Millie replied. “I can hide you in my room. Tongues might wag if a woman with your accent takes a room of her own. Then I’ll see if Tom will let me take you over to Ancombe Mills in the cart tomorrow. I know the innkeeper at the Boar—he’ll keep you safe.”
“The Boar? Connie told me to go there.”
“Connie?”
“My maid,” Bella said. “I owe her my liberty.” Bella shuddered at the thought of the discovery of her escape. “I wishshe’d come with me. But I can better help her when I’ve reached London—I’ll send someone to bring her to me once I’m safe.”
A crash came from the parlor next door, followed by a stentorian voice. “Cease what you’re doing this instant!”
It was Dunton.
“Sweet heaven!” Bella cried.
“Hush!” Millie whispered, pressing her ear to the door. “Consider yourself lucky you arrived this late—half the men in the parlor will be too drunk to recognize their own faces, let alone anyone else’s. He’ll not know you’re here. But I’m leaving nothing to chance. Follow me.”
Millie led her along the hallway to a narrow staircase.
