Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Millie realized she’d made a grave mistake half an hour into her walk.

When the first few snowflakes fell, she twirled with happiness. Shrubs and trees lined the road that led to the Carlisle estate, and when snow began to dust their branches, she was awestruck by the silent beauty of the scene. She’d always enjoyed winter, but today was the first time she’d been out for a walk while snow slowly drifted down, covering the world in a blanket of white.

Before she realized what was happening, that light dusting of snow grew deeper and she was beginning to find it difficult to walk. The snow had even managed to find its way into her practical walking boots.

The only thing that kept her doggedly moving forward was the knowledge she’d passed the halfway point to the neighboring estate five minutes ago. She was now closer to her friend’s home than her own.

She concentrated on placing one foot in front of the other, doing her best to ignore the cold that was beginning to seep into her bones. Each step she took meant she was one step closer to finally being warm again.

When she made that final turn and the Carlisle estate came into view, she sent up a small prayer of thanks that she hadn’t decided to turn around. As it was, she depleted the last of her meager energy reserves making it to the front door. Raising the ornate iron knocker was almost impossible, and when it fell against the metal plate, she sagged against the doorframe.

A violent shudder went through her. Only a few more seconds and she’d be warm again.

When the door opened, she’d never been happier to see a butler. If she didn’t think the older man would have her committed to Bedlam, she would have thrown herself against him and wept with relief.

His gaze swept over her, and she didn’t have to say a word before he was ushering her into the house. In the end, she didn’t need to throw herself at the man because he wound an arm around her waist. She sagged against him as he helped her into the drawing room.

She wanted to apologize for the mess she was making with her wet boots, and a small corner of her mind fixated on the fact that she should be removing her cloak and hat. But the kindly butler didn’t seem to mind. She was shivering, and her chattering teeth rendered her incapable of thanking him.

He settled her into the wingback chair that was nearest the fireplace and then set about stoking the fire himself.

“Th-thank you,” she finally managed as she settled into the chair. She could feel that the house was warm, but she was still cold. “I’m s-sorry for being a b-burden. Is…” She broke off when a shudder wracked her body. “Is Sarah h-home?”

Instead of answering, the man went to a corner of the room and opened a cabinet. When he returned, he had a small blanket. He helped her to tuck it around herself and then turned to leave the room.

She closed her eyes, relief causing her to feel lightheaded. Everything was going to be fine now. Sarah would arrange for tea and the fire would eventually work its magic. She was going to be warm again… eventually.

“Miss Tyndale?”

She frowned. That voice didn’t belong to Sarah, and it didn’t have the slight wobble she normally heard in the butler’s voice. In fact, if she didn’t know better…

Her eyelids were heavy, and it took more effort than it should have to open them and turn her head to look at the man who’d addressed her.

Viscount Carlisle stood just inside the drawing room door. Tall, dark, and brooding.

She was too miserable to care that she probably looked horrible. Sarah’s older brother never paid her much attention, and right now she was very grateful for that fact. No doubt he was just surprised to see her and would turn around and leave soon.

“I’m... I’m here to visit w-with Sarah. It started sn-snowing.”

Another violent shiver went through her, and she had the alarming thought that she was never going to be warm again. Surely she’d been there long enough that she shouldn’t still be cold.

“Sarah isn’t here. She and Mother went to visit family for Christmas…”

His voice trailed off, and he started to frown. Why was this man so handsome even when he was angry?

“I’m sorry...”

A wave of dizziness streaked through her. She wanted nothing more than to close her eyes again, perhaps take a little nap here in this armchair. Maybe when she woke up, she’d finally be warm again.

The viscount’s scowl deepened, and he seemed to be approaching at an alarming rate. He was saying something, but she couldn’t make out what it was.

Her last thought before darkness took hold was to hope that he didn’t think her impolite for ignoring him. She would be mortified if Sarah’s brother discovered she had developed an inconvenient fondness for him and went out of her way to hide that fact. But that didn’t mean she wanted him to think she disliked him.