“Well, if you are, I would be grateful.” Dunthorpe heaved another sigh that seemed to come from the depths of his soul. “I need all the assistance I can get.”
“I can’t make any promises, but sure. If I’m around, I’ll offer an opinion.” With luck, Dunthorpe would forget he’d asked.
The real question was what were the chances of Millicent attending?
Chapter Five
Winston tugged on hiscravat as he entered the Hayward Ball the following evening after greeting the hosts, already questioning his decision to come. He didn’t attend many balls as they were filled with ladies determined to marry, something he had no intention of offering.
Yet here he was, hoping to see Millicent. Perhaps he’d only imagined his attraction for her, and this would all be for naught.
Even if he had felt a spark, he didn’t know why he’d bothered to attend a ball when a moment alone with her here would be next to impossible. His best hope was to convince her to meet him elsewhere in the coming days for that kiss. The sooner it was over, the better. Then he could move on.
But when and where?
The last thing he wanted was for either of them to be forced into marriage, so they had to take care. It didn’t matter how many times he told himself that no woman, let alone a wallflower, was worth such a risk.
She was ever in his thoughts, and the way she made him feel was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. He felt like a different person when he was with her and wasn’t prepared to walk away from that. Not yet. Though he had no doubt this feeling would soon fade, he intended to explore it. But nothing could change his mind about waiting as long as possible to marry, preferably five years or more. Certainly not a kiss from a wallflower.
The tension gripping him lessened when he reminded himself of that. He eased through the crowd in search of Millicent only to see an unexpected but familiar face.
“Linford.” Thomas Sinclair offered his hand with a grin. “Good to see you.”
“Sinclair. It’s been too long.” Pleasure spread through him at the greeting. They’d met at university and been friends since, though Sinclair’s path had taken him abroad, first with the Navy and then with his career.
“It has indeed.” Sinclair nodded as he glanced about the ballroom. “I never thought I would say I’d miss events like this, but I have.”
“If you remain in London long enough, I have no doubt you’ll change your mind,” Winston said dryly, gaining a laugh from the man. “How is New York City these days?”
“Growing faster than it should.” Sinclair shook his head. “But I am pleased to say it will be some time before I need to return.”
“I’m certain your new bride is happy about that.”
Sinclair grinned. “We both are.” He dipped his head to where his wife, Frances, visited with Lady Garland a short distance away. “Nothing like being away from home to make one appreciate it more.”
Sinclair was the second son of an earl and after serving in the Navy, he’d chosen a career in banking. He had spread his wingsto New York City where his uncle worked for J.P. Morgan and had learned from some of the best in the business.
“You work in London now?” Winston asked.
“I do, and I am enjoying it.”
“Two of my favorite people.” Viscount Garland joined them with a nod. “How fortunate.”
Winston raised a brow, unable to believe the man’s words when he hadn’t done anything to warrant it. “Keeping low company these days?”
Garland frowned. “How do you mean?”
“Impossible to believe I am anyone’s favorite.” He shifted, realizing what he’d said and displeased by how much it revealed. Aware of the way the other two men looked at him in confusion, he dismissed his words with a wave and what he hoped was a careless smile. “I don’t compare favorably to either of you two upstanding citizens.”
“That’s not true.” Sinclair caught his gaze, his expression serious. “You donated to the fund to put the Schmidt family back on their feet without being asked.”
The family had immigrated from Germany and fallen on hard times soon after their arrival. Their young son had been sent to America by some unsavory people and when he fell ill, he was left on the streets of New York City to fend for himself. Luckily, Sinclair had come upon him and brought him back to London.
The story, which occurred just before Christmas a year ago, had tugged at Winston’s emotions, though he would never admit as much. But the holiday brought out the best in many people, including him.
“And you invested in the bank I started, as well.” Garland shook his head as he held Winston’s gaze. “You only want people to believe you are a rogue and nothing more when that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Winston huffed a breath. “Those acts are nothing to brag of. Merely supporting my friends.”