“Who knows where that might lead?” he added, risking another glance at her, allowing a hint of his desire to show.
“Millie?” The feminine tone had him turning to see a younger lady approach. “Can we get a glass of lemonade?”
Winston frowned at the interruption. How could the lady not see they were conversing?
“I-I suppose.” Millicent blinked as if to clear her mind. He would’ve rather she didn’t have time to consider his remark, fearing she’d decide against continuing their liaison. “I am chaperoning my cousin, Miss Catherine Harris, this evening,” she explained before formally introducing them.
Chaperoning? He glared at the young lady as she curtsied. Did Millicent’s family think her a spinster? That rather than enjoy herself at a ball, she should make certain her younger relatives behaved?
Preposterous. With effort, he held back his opinion.
He studied Miss Harris more closely. She was pretty enough with blonde hair and blue eyes. However, those eyes shined with a defiance that suggested she would push the bounds of good behavior whenever possible. If he were to guess, Millicent had her work cut out for her.
“I see. Well then, may I have the honor of a dance?” he asked Millicent. That seemed to be the only way they could continue their conversation.
A flash of disappointment tightened her lips. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t leave Catherine alone.”
Winston turned to where Millicent’s mother visited with friends a few feet away. Why couldn’t Mrs. Davies watch over the girl? He looked back only to catch sight of Dunthorpe approaching and nearly smothered a groan. The situation was growing more complicated by the minute.
But perhaps there was a way to use the man’s arrival to his advantage.
“Dunthorpe,” Winston greeted him before he could utter a word. “You’re just in time. Have you met Miss Catherine Harris?”
The viscount’s eyes went wide with surprise as he glanced between the three of them before holding on Miss Harris. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
Winston waited while a reluctant Millicent completed the introductions. The moment she’d finished, Winston clapped a hand on the viscount’s shoulder. “Care to dance with Miss Harris?”
Though he knew such things were simply not done, he didn’t care.
A ruddiness filled Dunthorpe’s cheeks that suggested embarrassment, but Winston didn’t care about that either. “I-I would be pleased to if the lady is agreeable.”
Millicent stared at Winston with dismay, making it clear he’d made a terriblefaux pau.
He smiled in response, happy to have found a way to have a few minutes with Millicent.
“How kind.” Miss Harris’s bright smile as she took Dunthorpe’s offered arm had Winston nodding.
“Shall we?” Winston asked Millicent, tucking her hand beneath his elbow.
“That was rather high-handed of you,” she murmured as they followed the other couple to the dance floor.
“I thought it clever to solve the problem that kept us from dancing.”
Millicent glanced around the ballroom before looking back at him, eyes narrowed with suspicion. “There isn’t another wager, is there?”
“No. Definitely not. Why would you ask?”
“Your behavior is concerning.”
“Because I want to dance with you?”
“Yes, among other things. We’ve even drawn your sister’s attention.”
Winston followed her gaze to see Eliza across the room, head tilted to the side while she watched them as if perplexed. He sighed, her curious expression dampening his mood. He didn’t want her to get the wrong impression.
“No need to worry,” Winston said, wondering if he was trying to reassure Millicent or himself.
Millie didn’t know what to make of Winston or his actions. He had made his intentions clear at the garden party but so had she. That he hadn’t chosen to avoid her was surprising. That he wanted another kiss even more so.