A Woman Made for Pleasure (15 page)
“Perhaps,” Millie answered, his comment not truly registering. But she knew that was not it. No, women did not motivate Lord Marston; power did.
Chase looked at her slender white neck and fought his desire to lean down and taste its softness. He needed to leave. If he stayed, he was going to find himself compromising her in a way he would kill any other man for doing.
He clenched both fists. How could this particular woman affect him so? He had known many ladies, both beautiful and desirable, but never had he had to fight to maintain his self-control around them.
But Mildred Aldon was complex.
Her determination and spirit both captivated and frustrated him. She was beautiful, graceful, and charming. She could play the role of the model duchess to perfection.
But he knew the real Millie.
The one who was infuriatingly stubborn, crafty, and willing to use devious means to achieve whatever goal she set for herself. He also knew her heart. The unswerving loyalty and infinite love she had for her friends. And for the past three weeks, he had repeatedly wondered what it would be like to have all that devotion and passion directed at him.
He shook his head to clear his mind, reminding himself for the umpteenth time that now was not the time for anyone to enter his life in a permanent way—especially not Mildred Aldon.
Millie would not be satisfied to live a life separate from his. She would demand a partnership in every sense of the word. Unlike most females, who preferred to have their husbands completely removed from their daily activities, Mildred would want to be involved in the kinds of decisions other women avoided. And on a subconscious level, Chase knew that was why his attraction to her was so much stronger than what he had felt for any other woman.
They had an instant connection, for reasons that could not and need not be explained. Remembering how passionately she had responded when he’d taken her into his arms, he knew that she wanted him as well.
Even now as she looked at him, her violet-blue eyes were luminous with desire. He was almost afraid to breathe knowing her elusive, womanly scent would arouse him even further.
Chase raked his hands through his hair and grappled with his honor. He wanted her more than ever. Millie was a woman he could trust with his heart and soul. She could fill the cold void he had lived with for so long. Her energy and spirit and warmth were what he had longed for, and now that he had found them, he was forced to push all of them aside.
He took a deep breath to clear his mind. His life was too dangerous to manage an independent wife with unlimited curiosity and opinions of her own. Millie and he would have to wait.
“I have to go. I will see you Saturday.”
And then he was gone, leaving Millie mystified. Twice this afternoon she had been with men whose moods altered in the blink of an eye.
“And they say women are unpredictable,” she muttered to herself.
Chapter 7
Alstar’s ball was the last stop on Saturday night’s tour of “must attend” Mayfair parties. “Unbelievable how this pushy crowd of ruffles will be touted as a successful crush,” Millie murmured to herself as she stared at the throngs of people pretending to enjoy each other’s company. Anyone who was anyone had arrived at Alstar’s unusually early rather than risk being missed and losing their standing in Society. Mother Wentworth, as usual, had sensed the
haut ton’s
delicate mood and had timed the Three’s arrival perfectly. And though they would have liked to deny it, Millie, Aimee, and Jennelle were quite the attraction.
haut ton’s
delicate mood and had timed the Three’s arrival perfectly. And though they would have liked to deny it, Millie, Aimee, and Jennelle were quite the attraction.
All three of them looked exquisite in their newest creations. Millie had met with Madame Sasha the day before and had no idea what to expect based on her fitting. When the unusual creation was delivered in the morning, the three of them had been awed.
“Millie, your modiste is a rare find. If Madame Sasha ever would allow us to make her name public, she would be swarmed with new clients. Look at this—she even made you a special chemise,” Aimee said, staring at the undergarment the color of black pearls.
Though secretly agreeing with her friend’s assessment, Millie reminded herself of the torture she’d had to endure to get the luscious garment that now lay on her bed. “Ha! Your modiste never makes you stand still for hours, only to poke, prod, and curse at you in Russian.”
Surprise lit Aimee’s face. “Do you honestly think she is cursing?”
Millie’s mouth curved with envy. “Yes, I do. I wish I could curse in a language no one understood. Then I could say whatever I felt like in any company.”
“It would be a convenient skill,” Jennelle murmured, fondling the soft silver folds.
“I do not care what you say, Millie. This gown is worth whatever torture you went through,” Aimee said wistfully.
While the dress still maintained the preferred Empire look, it was wispy, soft, and utterly feminine. The gown’s underlayer was made of a very light-colored dusty blue-gray silk. Over it was a watered gauze material. Pleated along the bustline and sleeves, the delicate fabric formed distinct vertical ridges cleverly tucked into a wide, silver-embroidered trim with sporadically placed gemstones. Fixed to the back was a slightly darker shade of delicate, diaphanous tulle. Both the tulle and the gauze fell straight to the floor with a slight train that sparkled with clear jewels. Madame Sasha had included a headband trimmed in the same silver pattern as the dress, with similar, but smaller, gemstones.
By the time Millie had dressed, no additional adornment was needed. The gown emphasized her light skin, dark hair, and unusual eyes. Unfortunately, the striking combination made it much more difficult for Millie to remain unnoticed. As soon as she arrived at each event, she found herself constantly inventing excuses to extricate herself from the company of unwanted admirers.
Even Jennelle could no longer shoo the men away with her odd discussions of other countries and cultures. Her new fondness for Society meetings had introduced her to several unattached gentlemen who found it difficult to meet women who understood their passions. Thankfully, though, these passions were mostly reserved for their topics, not for her.
Aimee and Millie were glad Jennelle had finally found people in Society whose fascination for odd trivia matched her own. However, Jennelle’s merriment meant they had to rely on each another for rescues from men who were just a little too persistent.
Chase escorted the Three just as he promised, but quickly mingled with the crowd after they arrived, at which point Millie’s torture commenced. She was surrounded by men who appeared charming enough, but every time she compared them to Chase, they seemed more like boys and less like men.
Chase was a man unlike any other. He moved effortlessly through the mayhem with self-confidence unmatched by any gentleman in the room. Even at a distance, his presence was both compelling and so very disturbing. He exuded strength and masculinity, and every woman was aware of his appeal.
His dark coat was perfectly tailored and cut to subtly accentuate his large frame. He had chosen an unadorned white silk waistcoat rather than one with the heavily embroidered design most of the noblemen fancied.
She also preferred the simple configuration of his snowy white neckcloth. Too many of London’s dandies wore their collars so high they covered their ears. Many actually weaved in whalebone stiffeners to hold the heavily starched cloth away from their necks. As a result, they could no longer turn their heads but had to rotate their entire bodies, making them appear absurd and foolish.
The ends of Chase’s cravat were brought forward and tied in a single, simple large knot. Rather than choking on layers of fabric in hopes of following some silly rule of fashion, Chase confined his cravat to circling his neck only once. Instead of hiding his stubborn and arrogant facial features, the shorter collar accentuated them.
Though Millie hated to admit it, even to herself, Chase had been at the forefront of her mind all evening. She constantly found herself glancing around searching for him. And each time she located his whereabouts, she wished she had not. For in those rare moments when Selena Hall was not clutching his arm, she was hovering nearby. Only Chase’s reserved, rugged face kept Millie sane. Not once did she witness any sign of pleasure soften the granitelike rigidity of his appearance. And while his detachment was keeping Millie from making a fool of herself, she knew Chase was unusually skilled at compartmentalizing and hiding his feelings. Selena was undeniably stunning tonight. It would take an exceptional man to be in her company and not be affected by her beauty—and Miss Hall knew it.
When the Three had first spied Selena making a grand entrance, Aimee had caught Millie’s look of disgust. “Be mindful of others, Millie. One would think you were jealous right now.”
Millie’s mouth twisted wryly. “Do not try to fool me, Aimee Wentworth. I know you detest Miss Hall clinging to your brother as much as I do.”
Jennelle had laughed. “Aimee might detest it, but I doubt whether anyone could match the antipathy you hold toward the woman. What is the matter with you? I thought Charles was most unpopular in your eyes, since Vauxhall. I was under the impression that you were pleased with his decision to live elsewhere.”
“I was . . . am. Despite his enjoyment at seeing me miserable, I cannot understand why he would pretend to take pleasure in
her
company.”
her
company.”
Jennelle’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you so sure he is pretending?”
Millie had bit her bottom lip, realizing her folly. “Mother Wentworth believes he is, so he must be. Regardless of his interference in our affairs, I do not wish him to be permanently attached to a manipulative temptress. Even an intelligent man can get caught in the clutches of a scheming vixen.”
They had stood silently and watched the gorgeous woman slither among the crowd. Aesthetically speaking, Selena was beyond compare in her rose and gold gown that perfectly highlighted her pink lips and the rouge in her cheeks.
Her low-cut dress was stunning and heavily ornate. Selena was one of only a select few who could wear fashion’s elaborate gowns without drowning in their flashy trimmings. The dress was a golden silk, heavily embroidered with copper flowers. A long, rose velvet train flowed behind her, requiring others to watch their step lest they tread on the expensive fabric. In addition to the dress, Selena wore large pearl earrings, which matched the set around her neck. Her hair was piled high on her head in layers of intricate yellow curls, all encased in a formidable feathered tiara matching the embroidery of her gown.
Jennelle had let out a low, barely audible whistle. “Quite dramatic, especially for an unmarried woman trying to appear chaste.”
“Indeed,” Millie had replied under her breath.
The rest of the evening Millie continued her covert surveillance of Selena Hall as she danced, conversed, and laughed appropriately with the numerous faceless men vying for her attention.
Tonight was the first time Chase had seen Millie since that heart-racing afternoon. After saving her from Lord Marston’s untoward plans, Chase had decided to stay completely away from Hembree Grove and focus on contacting Brumby.
While his desire for Millie had not lessened, Chase believed he had regained enough of his self-control to be a true chaperone to her this evening. But when Chase saw her descend the staircase on the way to the carriage, he knew he had been wrong.
She had appeared petite and delicate, not at all like the passionate woman he had embraced only days before. As she moved gracefully down each step, the soft folds of the underlayer of her gown had clung to her curves, revealing slender, straight legs and a narrow waist. He smothered a groan as she walked toward him to curtsy. When she rose and tipped her head back, exposing the milky skin, he almost ordered her back upstairs to prevent any other man from appreciating her beauty.
Only after they arrived at the ball did he realize that Millie was not wearing the amulet and was secretly relieved. He reminded himself that all who would recognize the item had done so already, but no one would miss it tonight. Millie was perfection and had no need of additional jewelry.
Putting distance between them, Chase tried to focus on his mission. But the sight of other men ogling Millie when she was unaware made him continually look for her and ensure himself of her well-being.
Spying a well-known lecherous lord trying to steal an unauthorized caress, Chase moved swiftly to Millie’s rescue. As he approached, Chase issued the man a scathing look that sent him scampering away. Reaching her side, Chase expected to see warmth, eagerness, or possibly anticipation shimmering in her eyes. Instead, Millie’s expression revealed annoyance—with him. He decided to take a light, playful approach.
“I see you are studying people again.”
Millie tilted her head in a nod to acknowledge his presence but refused to look in his direction. “It is a common pastime, I assure you. It is amazing the things you notice if you are observant enough. For example, I noticed after a certain conversation you brightened a bit. Though I found it to be a tad odd that you appeared to be happier in the company of a graying, rather plump gentleman than in the arms of the alluring Miss Selena Hall. Either you are an unprofessed actor or you are up to something, Charlie.” Her voice was clipped, more than she intended for it to be. Yet, after hours of quashing fits of rising jealousy, it was also to be expected.
Chase’s dark eyebrows slanted into an almost imperceptible frown. He could have sworn he had been discreet and inconspicuous when he had met Lord Brumby. In fact, he knew he had been. He had consciously kept his face impassive and his stance relaxed the moment Brumby confirmed that he was indeed Darlouney’s second contact.
Chase calculated the impact of Millie’s unnerving and dangerous ability to discern his reactions to supposedly casual meetings. After her detection of Sir Edward in disguise, he should have anticipated Millie would recognize and comprehend which of his meetings involved ulterior motives, and which did not.
Millie had been correct. While not ideal, his long-awaited conversation with Lord Brumby had gone well. And while Brumby did not feel comfortable speaking tonight, he had promised to meet the next morning. Gathering together the remaining members of the secret group and analyzing what they knew, Chase hoped they would soon be able to discern the traitor’s identity and bring him to justice. Then he could concentrate on more pleasing aspects of his homecoming. Before long, he might even be able to plan his future and consider the idea of a life with a spunky female who looked devastatingly attractive when she had a mind to.
Misinterpreting Chase’s prolonged silence as apprehension, Millie fought to remain calm as he lingered beside her. “Charlie, do be at ease. I am quite positive I am the only one who noticed your conversation to be something more than a mere greeting. However, if you are looking for someone to never notice a thing beyond her own self-important world, I believe your simpering Miss Hall would be an ideal candidate.”
So, Millie was jealous—and feisty. Both moods Chase knew and liked well. “Why, my impish sprite, your beauty can hide your true nature from others, but not from me.”
“Meaning?” Millie inquired, her scowl matching her crisp tones.
Despite the brittleness in Millie’s voice warning him to retreat, Chase decided to tell her the truth. “Meaning, you are magnificent tonight, Millie. I do not believe I have ever seen anyone lovelier. But I know you, and while the world might be seeing a paragon of virtue and a shining example of grace and manners, I know you are a fraud.”
She whirled around to face him, glaring at him with burning, reproachful eyes. “A fraud?” she hissed. “How dare you, Charlie Wentworth! How dare
you
call
me
a fraud after all your covert meetings this evening.”
you
call
me
a fraud after all your covert meetings this evening.”
Chase briefly skimmed the crowd around them to confirm no one had overheard her. “Calm down. You are attracting attention.”
Millie’s dark lavender eyes were blazing with fury. Drawn in by their threatening beauty, Chase had to suppress an impulse to pull her toward him and kiss her into submission. “I only meant I know you would rather be anywhere than here right now.” Holding her gaze so she would see his sincerity, he added, “As would I.”
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