Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Millie composed her note, assuring her parents that she’d arrived safely at Sarah’s home, and that the snowstorm was preventing her from returning with the carriage. She didn’t mention that neither Sarah nor her mother was in residence. There was no point in worrying them needlessly.

After giving the note to a footman, she made her way to the library. She stopped just inside the doorway and took in the dark shelves that lined the walls, filled with all manner of books. The room was cozy yet elegant, but the best part was the fire that was lit on the far end of the room. She made her way to the pair of armchairs that were placed at an angle to the fireplace, stopping first at the shelf that contained the small collection of novels. She chose one at random, then settled into one of the chairs.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but she began to feel tired again. She closed her eyes, lowered the book to her lap, and basked in the feel of the warm fire heating her skin.

She started awake sometime later. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but a quick glance out the window to her left showed her that the sun had moved to this side of the house. With a sigh, she turned back to the book in her lap.

That was when she noticed that Carlisle was seated in the other armchair, and he was watching her. There was a warmth in his expression that set her heartbeat racing.

She licked her lips, and his eyes followed the movement, resting on her mouth a few seconds before he met her gaze again.

“Did…” Why was her throat so dry? “Did the groom manage to deliver my note?”

He nodded. “Your mother replied. They’re relieved that you’re safe. They passed on their well wishes to Sarah and my mother.” The seconds stretched between them, his gaze heavy on hers. Finally, he broke the tense moment. “You didn’t tell them that you were alone here with me.”

She shook her head. “I didn’t want them to worry. But when they learn about it, I’ll be ruined.” It struck her that might be the answer to her dilemma. She sat straight up in her chair, smiling. “If I’m ruined, Papa won’t force me to marry someone else.”

He raised a brow. “You prefer ruin to being wed?”

She shrugged. “Normally, no. But it’s preferable to finding myself betrothed to a stranger.”

He leaned back in his chair. “What makes you think it’s a stranger?”

“Who else would it be? I don’t know anyone who lives nearby who would ask for my hand. Which leaves Papa’s friend.” She slumped back in her chair, her gaze on the fireplace. It was too depressing to think she might soon be married to someone who was almost her father’s age. She wanted to put that thought from her mind and continue pretending that Carlisle might grow to like her well enough to offer for her.

Even if she was being ridiculous.

“What if it’s someone you already know?”

She laughed and met his gaze again. Why was he torturing her with this line of questions? “The only person I know who is even remotely close to me in age is you, and we both know you would never ask for my hand.”

This time he raised both brows. “I wouldn’t?”

“No, of course not. You’re a rake, and I’m…” Her voice trailed off. “Ordinary.”

He scowled. Ah, yes, this was the Viscount Carlisle she’d come to know recently. “Who told you I was a rake?”

She flushed, realizing too late that she’d betrayed her friend’s confidence.

“Millie, where did you hear that I was a rake?”

She sighed. “Sarah told me. Although this does seem to be a recent development. Over the past year, she’s told me countless stories of women you’ve ruined. I know my parents will be displeased to learn I’m here alone with you given your… reputation. But you needn’t worry that we’ll be forced to wed. Not if you’re already thinking of marrying someone else. I wouldn’t do that to you. And?—”

“Millie.”

He spoke with such force that she stumbled to an awkward halt. She closed her eyes, mortified. “I’m sorry.”

“Millie, look at me.”

His voice was soft now, almost tender. She opened her eyes and met his gaze. She expected to see anger but instead found… exasperation?

“I’m not a rake. I haven’t seduced or ruined anyone.”

“But…” Oh. Sarah had lied to her. Perhaps because she wanted to dissuade Millie from her foolish infatuation with her brother.

“It seems my sister has been very persuasive in her prevarications.”

A soft smile touched her lips. That was why she’d come here, after all. To get Sarah’s advice since her friend always seemed to get what she wanted.

“I apologize. This is all my fault. Sarah lied because…” Well, she wasn’t about to admit why Sarah had lied, even if it was possible Carlisle already suspected.

He was leaning forward in his chair now, pinning her with his stare. “Why do you think she lied?”

She couldn’t say the words. She just couldn’t. And so she turned the question back on him. “Why haven’t you married yet, Carlisle? I know you’re still a young man, but if you’re not out and about doing… rakish things … then what have you been waiting for? Do you not want a family of your own?”

“Honestly? I’ve been waiting for my sister’s permission to court one of her friends.”

Millie’s mouth dropped open. What? She couldn’t have heard him correctly. Her thoughts spun as she tried to call up all the women Sarah considered a friend. The two of them were the closest, but that was because they’d grown up living very close to one another. But surely Sarah had other friends. Carlisle couldn’t mean… “Who? And did she grant her permission?”

His mouth firmed in a hard line for a moment. “No.”

Her heart sank, but her thoughts were still whirling, spinning all manner of impossibilities. “What are you going to do?”

“I no longer care what she thinks.”

He rose to his feet, and she expected him to leave the room. Instead, he took a step closer and held out his hands. She took them without hesitation and allowed him to help her to her feet. The novel fell to the floor, but they both ignored it.

They stood like that for several long seconds, just staring at one another. And then he lowered his head and kissed her.