But what to do?
“Go.” The whispered word from Winston as he released his hold on her had her opening her eyes, feeling bereft. Cold rushed in where he had been pressed against her only a moment before, and she shivered with a mix of fear and longing.
He stepped back into the shadows and disappeared from sight, though she could still feel his presence and smell his cologne.
She took another quick breath in an attempt to calm herself, then slowly turned and walked toward the pool of light that spilled onto the slate stones of the terrace from the window.
Her entire body trembled as she wondered if this was it—the moment of ruin she’d feared. She clenched her fists, hiding them in the folds of her skirts, trying desperately to think of some way to explain herself. But how?
“There you are.” Prudence smiled as Millie drew closer. “I thought I saw you step out and wanted to ensure all was well.”
“What on earth are you doing out here?” Millie’s mother asked as she glanced behind Millie, peering into the shadows as if she suspected something wasn’t right.
“I just needed a breath of fresh air. It is so stuffy in there.” Millie returned Prudence’s hug, hoping her cousin didn’t feel her shaking.
“We only just arrived.” Her mother frowned, studying Millie with a puzzled look.
“I know.” Millie shook her head, forcing a smile. “I just needed a moment to compose myself, I suppose.”
“You must take care, Millie,” her mother admonished. “Catherine will soon arrive for you to chaperone. What sort of poor example is your behavior for her?”
“Our cousin should be responsible for her own behavior,” Prue said quietly. “Or else she’ll find herself in a situation from which no one can save her.”
“True.” Millie’s chest tightened at how fitting the advice was for herself, as well. Ruination would disappoint everyone, including her, and cause a rift with Winston from which they might never recover.
Her mother glanced around the shadowed patio once again before looking back at Millie. “I can’t imagine what you were thinking to come out here by yourself. You risked your reputation. Without that, what do you have?”
The words caused Millie to shiver. What had she been thinking? Since when had she become the type of woman who would take such a risk when the consequences were so great?
A heaviness settled over her. Who was she trying to fool that continuing this dangerous game with Winston would make him want to marry her? It would only end in heartache—for her.
Winston cursed under his breath as he waited in the shadows, closely watching as Millicent spoke with her mother and cousin, hoping they hadn’t seen him. He couldn’t quite hear the conversation. From what little he could tell, the newcomers seemed to be questioning Millicent.
Alarm filled him as the discussion continued. Millicent’s back was to him, so he couldn’t see her reaction to what was being said. But he heard enough of her voice to detect a tremble in her tone, and he tended to think she would confess the truth if pressed. She wasn’t the type of lady to lie.
He refused to allow her to be ruined. Should he step forward and declare his intentions?
His pulse thrummed, his heart nearly threatening to beat out of his chest. He had to do something to aid her. He started forward only to watch the trio move toward the door, suggesting they believed whatever excuse she’d given.
Winston blew out a quiet breath, his knees weak. The moment had been too close for comfort. If Millicent’s cousin hadn’t called her name, they might have been caught. The situation could have been disastrous, and he would be calling on her father to discuss marriage come morning. The thought of doing so was enough to have him breaking out in a cold sweat.
He had dodged a bullet, though the weight in his stomach told a different story. One he refused to entertain. Clearly, he was taking too many risks in order to spend time with her, yet he was unable to resist her. Even now, the memory of her in his arms sent longing coursing through him.
It wasn’t merely the physical aspect of being with her but the pleasure of her company as well. She made him laugh. She brought him joy. He appreciated that more than he would’ve guessed.
With a long sigh, he started to turn away only to hear a masculine voice join the ladies. He spun back to see Dunthorpe in the window’s soft glow as the viscount held the door for them.
Blast the man! Winston didn’t like the way Dunthorpe so often sought Millicent’s company when he couldn’t even decide whether he liked her or not. Given her charm and beauty, he felt certain Dunthorpe would soon decide he was in love with her or some such nonsense. Then what?
Winston scowled as he watched them, noting how the viscount stood too close to her. She drew back a step as if in agreement, easing Winston’s upset. That simple gesture tugged at him, and he rubbed a hand over his chest at the strange sensation there.
“What has you lurking among the hedges, Linford?”
Winston nearly jumped out of his skin at the quiet question, even if it came from a familiar voice. He took Trentworth’s arm to guide him around the corner of the house where they were less likely to be heard.
“Are you trying to scare me half to death, Your Grace?” Winston emphasized his friend’s title to make it clear how displeased he was.
Trentworth chuckled. “If you intend to linger in the dark to eavesdrop, you should be prepared for such an outcome.” He gestured toward a nearby garden door. “I stepped out to avoid a conversation with Viscount Maynard and thought to enter the ballroom through the terrace when I saw you.”