After the hem length was decided upon, the pair departed.
“Do you have time to do some other shopping?” Tibby asked as she checked her pin watch. “There are a few other items I would like to purchase.”
“Of course.”
They started down the busy walkway, taking their time to enjoy the sunshine.
“I can see you’re distracted,” Tibby began. “Are you considering my suggestion?”
“I am.” She closed her eyes briefly. “It takes more courage than I realized to do this.”
“It does. Even though Michael and I had been friends since childhood, I felt as if I didn’t know him at all when he returned to England after serving in the military.”
“And you didn’t want to risk your friendship by telling him how you felt.”
“Exactly.” Tibby held her gaze for a long moment. “I suppose everyone’s situation has had its share of difficulty. TheFor Better or Worseagenda hasn’t come easily to anyone.”
“True.” Millie nodded, her mind made up. “I am going to try again. I don’t know the details as of yet, but having Viscount Dunthorpe call is enough to push me forward.”
Tibby smiled and looped her arm through Millie’s. “I am glad. I wouldn’t want you to regret leaving the situation to fate.”
“Nor do I.” Fate wasn’t always kind. Now she need only decide how, when, and where to meet Winston so they might have moretime together. She hoped he agreed. Her attempt to secretly seduce him into falling in love with her wasn’t over.
Winston opened the message, curious who had sent it, only to have his entire body still at the feminine script that looked rather familiar.
Meet me at the lending library on Fleet Street tomorrow at two o’clock?
M
He chuckled as he considered the blank paper sitting on his desk. He’d been trying to think of a place to meet Millicent, and she’d beaten him to it.
Damn if that didn’t please him. Her boldness only made him like her more. Few unattached ladies would take such action, and he was flattered she had done so, especially after they’d nearly been caught.
Though he’d told himself there was no hurry to further their relationship, he continued to worry about what Dunthorpe was up to and the association between the viscount’s father and Mr. Davies.
Dunthorpe seemed to be one step ahead of him, and Winston didn’t like it. But neither was he prepared to do as Trentworth suggested and court Millicent. How could he when he wasn’t ready to marry anyone in the near future?
He couldn’t call on her and advise her parents that he might want to wed her in a few years. Yet neither could he let her go. Certainly not to Dunthorpe, who didn’t deserve her. The viscount didn’t appreciate Millicent. She was a breath of fresh air. A ray of sunshine, both pleasant to look upon and bask in, and she always managed to make him feel better.
Winston might not know how he wanted to proceed, or even if he did, but he wanted to see her again. The lending library was an interesting choice as it wouldn’t provide much privacy, but no one would think twice if she were discovered there. On the other hand, they might be suspicious of his presence.
He glanced at the book on his desk, one he’d found on estate management tucked among the shelves in his study. Millicent was to thank for his renewed interest in his holdings, not that he had admitted it to anyone as of yet, especially his steward.
But he was thinking about it. Perhaps he might find another worthwhile book at the lending library. Several ideas had been swirling through his mind regarding the estate, but he needed more information before he acted.
With a smile, he penned a reply. Tomorrow afternoon couldn’t come quickly enough.
Millie left a grinning Alice by the door of the lending library and continued inside, the maid’s excitement about the meeting helping to bolster her confidence.
The fact that Winston had agreed to meet her also helped. Her mother hadn’t batted an eye when Millie told her she was going to the lending library.
With a glance around, she found Winston already seated at one of the long tables with a book open before him, much to her surprise. He appeared engrossed in whatever he read, his brow furrowed with concentration.
She took a moment to admire him, thinking again how handsome he was. His thick, dark hair with a slight wave fell over his forehead, and those long lashes of his lent him a sultry look. A flutter of anticipation unfurled within her and had her moving forward. She had brought a book to look at in case hewas delayed and took a chair on the same side of the table, leaving an empty one between them.
“Good afternoon,” she murmured as she sat and placed the book on the table.
“Millicent.” His green eyes warmed as his gaze met hers. “How good to see you.”