“Clever. Much cheaper than buying a new gown.” Prue’s narrowed eyes, which lingered on the neckline, made Millie wonder if she thought it too much.
However, that was water under the bridge at the moment, since Millie was here. Luckily, her mother wasn’t. One advantage to Prue being betrothed was that it allowed her to serve as a chaperone of sorts.
Her cousin smiled as she followed Millie’s gaze to where Winston stood. “Ah. Is the marquess the reason we are here this evening?”
“One of them.” No purpose would be served in lying. Not yet anyway.
“Excellent.” Prue looped her arm through Millie’s. “You know I will aid you however I can.” She bit her lip. “But do take care, Millie. Risks should be seriously weighed.”
Millie nodded. She was trying to do just that, but neither would she allow Dunthorpe to be her future while she had a choice.
“Where shall we sit?” Prue asked.
They found seats midway and settled into them. Unfortunately, Winston had yet to glance her way. She told herself it didn’t matter, that he would see her soon enough. Still, it worried her when she seemed to know the moment he stepped into a room even if her back was to him.
A quarter of an hour passed while other guests arrived, and the performers took their places. Winston approached them at last, smiling in greeting before taking a seat behind them. However, the rows of chairs were too far apart to be able to easily converse.
“Good evening, ladies.” He leaned close as the musicians warmed up.
“Good evening.” Millie and Prue answered in unison.
Shivers ran along Millie’s skin when she looked at him over her shoulder, their gazes holding for a long moment. The glitter of appreciation in his as they dropped to the bare skin she displayed made her fiercely glad she’d modified the gown.
“Viscount Winstead isn’t joining you?” Winston asked Prue.
“Unfortunately, he had another engagement, but I shall give him your regards.”
“Please do.” Before he could say more the instruments silenced, signaling the performance would soon begin.
The music was delightful, but Millie couldn’t keep her thoughts from straying to the man behind her. Awareness and nerves vibrated through her until she felt as if she were drawn as taught as a violin string.
Time passed slowly, giving her too much time to think. Doubt returned as to whether taking bold, brazen action would make Winston realize he couldn’t live without her.
A brief intermission allowed her to turn to speak with him, only to find him conversing with another lady who sat nearby. Frustrated, Millie settled for speaking with Prue until the performance resumed a few minutes later.
The lack of a chance to talk to Winston made her even more determined to do so when the musicale ended. The challenge would be in sharing her plan without anyone overhearing, including Prue.
Finally, they applauded the performers after the last piece. Millie didn’t waste a moment and leaned toward Prue to advise her she was stepping away to the retiring room. Prue nodded and turned to speak with an acquaintance.
With one step accomplished, she turned to Winston and managed to catch his attention. She glanced to the door then back at him with a lift of her brow, hoping that was enough to make her meaning clear.
His nod suggested he understood, and she shifted her attention elsewhere as she took her leave, aware someone could be watching.
She lingered in the hallway near the sitting room, hoping Winston would emerge from the music room in time to see her destination. She wouldn’t be the only one seeking the retiring room and waited with frazzled nerves.
Sure enough, he stepped out, quickly spotting her. Millie continued into the sitting room, relieved she hadn’t encountered anyone else and hoped Winston wouldn’t either.
A single lamp lit the space in a soft, yellow glow. The furnishings were simple with only a trio of paisley-covered chairs and two low tables arranged in the center of the room.
Before she could draw a breath to calm her nerves, Winston joined her, closing the door behind him. “Rather a risky meeting, don’t you think?” he asked, eyes sparkling in the low light.
“It is.” Her heart pounded with that truth. “But I wanted to see you.”
His grin gave her hope he felt the same. “Spending time with you is my fondest wish.” He drew near but didn’t reach for her, much to her disappointment. “Did you enjoy the performance?”
She didn’t want to waste a moment speaking about such inconsequential things, but she wasn’t willing to share what was on her mind so nodded. “And you?”
“I appreciated the view before me more than the music.”