“Miss Davies already has a suitor,” Winston added. “There’s no need for me to become involved.” As if he wasn’t already neck deep.
Garland cleared his throat, catching Winston’s attention. “I don’t believe we mentioned which lady we suspected had caught your affection.”
Montfort squeezed Winston’s shoulder. “But thank you for confirming our suspicions.” He laughed as irritation stole through Winston. “Your secret is safe with us.”
Secret? Somehow he suspected it wouldn’t remain so for long. His friends would share the moment with their wives and soon the whole literary league would hear about it, including Millicent. That would be a mistake for them both.
He cleared his throat. “I would ask that you not mention anything to your lovely wives. As you might guess, matters are far from settled between us.” Especially since he had yet to decide if she was only an infatuation or something more.
“All is not smooth sailing?” Montfort asked with a lifted brow.
“Not precisely.” Winston had no idea how the situation might end at this point. “There are...difficulties.”
“Understandable.” Garland nodded. “The path to happiness is rarely easy.”
“But a challenging one makes you appreciate the result more.” Montfort rocked back on his heels as his gaze rested on his wife. “Some are more challenging than others.”
“You can’t be suggesting yours was more so than mine,” Garland said with an astounded look.
Winston heaved a sigh as the two men continued to argue as to who had it worse. Luckily, Dunthorpe departed, lifting a weight from his shoulders.
To his surprise, Millicent glanced at him as if sensing his regard. Her sweet smile as their eyes met caused his heart tosomersault, a terribly uncomfortable feeling when it felt as if it might roll from his chest to land at her feet.
If he wasn’t careful, soon his heart might be hers. He shrugged away the worry, telling himself that couldn’t be further from the truth. Before he could convince himself, Millicent and Lady Montfort moved to join them.
“Good evening,” Lady Montfort said with a nod to the men as she took her husband’s offered arm.
Millicent nodded in greeting as well. “A lovely ball, isn’t it?”
“Sure.” Winston forced himself to look away before he took her by the hand to find a secluded corner. “Though it looks much like the last one.”
He knew he was being contrary and rude—like his father had often been, but he had to do something to release the tightness in his chest.
“Enjoyment is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose,” he continued, looking back toward the group in time to catch the questioning look Lady Montfort sent Millicent.
“I don’t know.” Millicent lifted a brow as she met his gaze. “Time with friends is always a pleasure as far as I am concerned.” She waited, as if daring him to disagree.
To his surprise, he found his unsettled mood calming, whether it was because of the way she challenged what he’d said or her presence, he didn’t know. For now, he allowed the feeling to wash over him and bring much-needed peace to blanket him. He remained silent as the conversation continued without him.
It didn’t take long to realize he simply had to dance with her even if it caused gossip, since he’d done so on other occasions as well.
“May I have the honor of a dance?” he asked quietly.
A smile lit her eyes before curling her lips. “I would like that.”
“If you’ll excuse us,” he said to the group and offered his arm which Millicent took, her touch soothing an ache deep inside him despite the layers of clothing that separated them.
She said nothing as they moved to the edge of the dance floor to wait for the music to end. It was almost as if she understood his thoughts were in turmoil and didn’t want to add to them.
“Has Dunthorpe declared himself?” he found himself asking.
“Not yet, although he sent flowers. My mother was beside herself with excitement.”
His heart sank at the news. The viscount was moving quickly and might make an offer soon. Winston couldn’t bear the thought of Millicent marrying him.
Or was it that he couldn’t bear her not being his?
The other couples cleared the floor, and Winston led her onto it. But the pleasure of dancing with her was dampened by the news of Dunthorpe’s actions. Had he already lost her to the viscount?