“I see.” Winston didn’t like Maynard either.
“Who were you watching on the terrace?”
“No one.” The last person he wanted to tell was Trentworth when he would surely tell Eliza.
“Wait.” His friend’s eyes narrowed as he seemed to search his memory. “Wasn’t that Miss Davies among the group?”
Winston hesitated whether to answer. He didn’t want to lie and felt as if he needed to speak to someone about it. But could he trust Trentworth not to tell Eliza?
“Damn, Linford. What are you about?” His friend shook his head. “You’re playing with fire. Not only could you hurt Miss Davies but your sister as well. Have you considered that?”
“Of course, I have.” Yet here he was, standing in the dark outside a ballroom until he decided if he dared enter just so he might see her again.
It seemed he didn’t know himself anymore. This was not something his former self would’ve done.
“And?” Trentworth pressed, the quiet question unanswerable.
“And I—”Think I’m falling for her. He bit back the words before he could utter them as doing so would be a monumentalmistake. Yet the truth tilted his world, sending it spinning. Panic took hold, along with a sprinkle of joy.
No. That couldn’t be. He wasn’t for her and thinking otherwise truly would be a mistake.
For everyone, but most especially Millicent. She deserved better than him. He already knew marrying him would be a curse of sorts, given his numerous flaws, and he didn’t wish that on her. Not sweet, lovely Millicent.
“I’m leaving,” Winston announced. Better that he go before temptation led him astray.
“Wait—” Trentworth began with a hand on Winston’s arm.
“I’ll see you at the club tomorrow.” Perhaps by then, he’d have his thoughts—and his emotions—in order. With that, he strode down the dark path that led to the rear of the garden and the gate through which he’d entered.
The faint sound of laughter carried through the night air and halted his steps. He listened closely, certain it was Millicent. The joyful noise made his heart heavy.
Yes, she was definitely better off without him. There would be little humor in her future if he gave in to his feelings for her.
Chapter Eleven
Winston felt much morehis normal self when he strode into his club the following afternoon. He’d let the moonlight and Millicent get the better of him last evening. While he was willing to admit how much he wanted her, there was no rush. No need to take risks with which he wasn’t comfortable or those that might jeopardize her reputation.
He wasnotfalling in love with her. Unfortunately, the lie was becoming less and less believable.
Even if he eventually decided he was willing to risk marrying her at some future point in time, there still wasn’t any hurry. If necessary, he would advise Dunthorpe to set his sights elsewhere, which would leave Millicent free for Winston.
In another two or three years, perhaps he would manage to purge the remnants of his father that lingered within him, and he would be fit to marry. Millicent was older than debutantes but that didn’t mean she was near to being on the shelf. That she chaperoned her younger cousin was part of being a member of a large family, not a reflection on her status.
Surely, time was on his side.
The idea eased the tension in his shoulders, and he was in fine spirits when he located Trentworth alone at a table in the corner of the bustling club. The duke was sprawled in a chair with his legs stretched before him, his expression unreadable.
Winston placed a hand on the back of an empty chair as he glanced around, surprised by his friend’s choice of tables as he usually enjoyed speaking with friends. “In need of privacy?”
Trentworth scowled. “It seemed like a wise notion for the conversation we are going to have.”
“Oh, come now.” Winston pulled out the chair and sank into it, ignoring his nerves as he waved for a server to take their order. “No need for such theatrics. All is well.”
“Is it?” His friend lifted a brow, expression doubtful. “From the way you departed last evening, I have difficulty believing it. Keeping the situation from Eliza hasn’t been easy.”
“Last night was an overreaction on my part.” He paused as they both placed an order for whiskey and then watched the server depart. “There is no reason for concern.”
“Does that mean you have decided to keep your distance from the lady in question?”