Yet, what if...
This could be her chance. She would know one way or the other if there was any point trying future bold moves if she took this one leap. She could go forward with the other option for her future and put this—whatever it was—to rest. If her friends noticed her interest in Winston, she could state that she’d tried a bold move without success.
And she wouldn’t have to live with regret.
“Hmm.” She tilted her head to the side as if giving the matter her full consideration. “There might be...something I would like.” Nerves caused her heart to race as she mimicked him and looked at his mouth, trying to imagine the feel of it pressed against hers.
Longing, sharp and bright, speared through her, and it was all she could do to keep her balance on the stairs.
“Oh?” His voice was little more than a whisper and caused her to shiver. “What might that be?” His eyes darkened as his gaze raked over her face.
She licked her lips, uncertain if she could bring herself to say it. When his brow lifted at the movement, a burst of courage took hold.
“A kiss.” Dear heavens. Had he even heard her? She should’ve said it louder, but she wasn’tthatbrave.
When he showed no reaction, her heart sank. Clearly her attempt had failed. Either he hadn’t heard her or wasn’t interested. What had she been thinking to attempt a seduction of sorts? She had misread him, seeing interest only because that was her deepest desire.
Heat stung her cheeks, and she tore her gaze away to gather the shreds of her dignity. How on earth was she going to make it through dinner after this?
She glanced at the top of the stairs, which appeared a great distance away based on her trembling legs. “W-we should—”
“When?” He interrupted before she could finish the thought.
“There you are.” Eliza smiled at them from the landing. “I was wondering what was keeping you both, and here you are.”
Fearing Eliza guessed the situation, Millie ignored him and hurried up the stairs to greet her friend. “Yes, here we are. I hope we’re not late.”
“Not at all.” Eliza hugged her, her welcoming smile suggesting she didn’t see anything amiss. “I’m so pleased you could come.”
“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Winston took the stairs two at a time to join them.
Millie kept her focus on Eliza, certain that if she looked at him, her embarrassment would only increase. “What a lovely gown.”
Eliza glanced down to smooth the green silk embroidered with tiny white flowers. “Thank you. It’s one of my favorites.”
“Yes, lovely,” Winston agreed.
Millie risked a glance at him to see him staring at her.
As if he referred toherrather than his sister’s gown.
What was wrong with her this evening? She was imagining things that were impossible. Bookish Millie was not capable of seducing rogues.
“Come and greet everyone.” Eliza led the way into the drawing room where a dozen others conversed in small groups.
Millie hadn’t taken more than a few steps when she felt the brief warmth of a hand along her back before it was gone. Then Winston walked by her as he exchanged a greeting with his brother-in-law and longtime friend, the Duke of Trentworth.
“Millie, so good to see you,” Harriet said as she offered a welcoming smile.
Millie attempted to gather her thoughts and emotions and find some semblance of control. A glass of sherry was pressed into her hand as she greeted friends, and she gratefully took a sip.
Only then did Winston’s reply sink in...when.
She touched a finger to her pounding heart as her gaze sought him across the room to find him watching her.
Then he sent her a questioning look as if to repeat the one he’d asked that she had yet to answer. ‘When’ shifted to ‘how soon.’
It took effort for Winston to keep his focus on the conversation going on around him rather than the lady across the room.