What a disaster!
She needed a moment to compose herself and determine what to do. She rounded a corner of the hallway with the hope of finding some privacy and pressed a gloved hand to her mouth, swallowing against the lump lodged in her throat. Should she have a message delivered to her mother, saying she’d suddenly taken ill? That was all she could think to do. And in all honesty, it wasn’t far from the truth. She felt terrible. Her stomach hurt, her heart ached, and she wanted to cry.
“Millicent?”
Winston? Oh, no. She couldn’t see him. Not now, when she was so hurt and embarrassed. Of course he didn’t find her attractive. What had she been thinking to flirt with him? To think he’d respond to her sad attempt to make a bold move? Her cheeks stung at the thought. She couldn’t let him find her.
The corridor was dark, and she eased farther into the shadows. It wasn’t as if he would search for her. He wouldn’t want to see her any more than she wanted to see him.
A few more steps revealed an open door that led to a small sitting room. She peeked in, relieved to find it empty. Surely Lady Thompson wouldn’t mind if she used it to gather her composure and determine a plan to escape.
And hope never to see Winston again.
The thought had her taking a shuddering breath as she stepped inside. She didn’t want to cry when it would only leave her face blotchy and all who saw her would know something was amiss. Her mother would be appalled if she made a spectacle of herself. Millie shut the door behind her, nearly groaning when it clicked far too loudly.
She listened for a long moment, knees weak with relief when she realized he wasn’t coming after her.
Even as his hurtful words circled in her head once again, the door opened, causing her to cry out in surprise.
“Millicent.” Winston’s eyes had never looked larger or more intense as he closed the door behind him. His gaze swept over her from head to toe, tempting her to hide behind the nearby wingback chair.
But that would never do when she’d done nothing wrong other than act a fool. She reached deep for anger, but the ethereal bit was difficult to find, too covered by hurt.
“I have nothing to say to you,” she bit out, chin lifted in defiance despite her trembling voice. “Please leave.”
“You misunderstood.” He continued forward, worry in his eyes, hands stretched toward her.
“I did not. I heard you quite clearly.” Every. Single. Word. No, she mustn’t think of them, or she would be in tears.
“I was lying.”
She scoffed. “Surely you don’t expect me to believe that.”
“It’s true.” He turned aside then back again as if in search of an explanation. “That damned Dunthorpe has his eye on you.”
“Excuse me?” What did that have to do with anything?
“You are one of three ladies he’s considering as a potential wife.” He took her gloved hands in his and held tight despite her attempt to pull away. “I know it was underhanded of me, but I don’t want him near you.”
“I don’t believe you.” She couldn’t.
“It’s true, Millicent. He doesn’t deserve you. If he can’t see your admirable traits for himself, then he should look elsewhere.”
Admirable traits? Those were hardly the sweet words of desire she hoped for. She narrowed her eyes, trying to understand evenas her heart skipped a beat. But no, she still didn’t understand. More importantly, she was incredibly hurt, her heart aching.
However, she wouldn’t admit to that. All she could do was shake her head and tug at her hands again.
“You must believe me. I couldn’t resist pushing him away.” His gaze held hers as he moved even closer until the heat of his body seeped into hers. “I am sorry.”
The heartfelt words were helpful, but she didn’t believe he thought her admirable in any way. “I appreciate your apology, but I must go. Or perhaps you should.”
“Not yet. Please, Millicent.” His gaze swept over her face.
“Why do you call me that?” she whispered, body trembling.
He frowned. “Because it’s your name.”
“Everyone calls me Millie.” Did he do so to keep a formal distance between them? She managed to tug one hand free from his grasp and stepped back, only to press against the wall. How she wished he’d leave her in peace before she succumbed to his presence.