saying exactly what a lady wants to hear, my lord. You must have had a wonderful teacher.”
“Experience was my teacher. But am I right about you?”
“Decidedly so. I’ve turned down offers because I didn’t love the gentlemen who asked me to marry them.”
He threw a glance her way. “More than one, I see?”
“Hmm,” she answered without acknowledging she had turned down three offers.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
They rode in silence for a few moments, listening only to the sounds of the busy streets, the creaks of carriage wheels, and the snorts of the horses.
Chandler said, “You don’t have to mention names, but tell me about your family.”
He wasn’t going to let it go, and she wasn’t going to give in. She found it impossible to resist his kisses, but on this subject she must remain firm. She would not jeopardize her aunt’s livelihood.
“It’s respectable.”
“I can see that no matter how hard I press you that’s all I’m going to get out of you?”
“Because of what I’m doing anonymity is essential. I honor it and I ask that you do, too.”
“All right. I’ll accept that, for now, but I don’t know for how long.”
His last two words were more muttered than spoken, and suddenly Millicent wondered if she should consider them a warning.
***
Chandler guided the horse through the west gate and onto the lane that led toward the Serpentine. Their curricle fell in line behind a fancy closed carriage that was driven by a liveried driver and drawn by a matching set of bays. The grassy areas of the park were packed with distinctively dressed gentlemen and elegantly fashioned ladies. Those wishing to see and be seen strolled the vast grounds while others rode horseback or drove carriages.
Chandler came to the park only because the ladies enjoyed it. Yet again he had the feeling that he’d much rather be riding in the countryside of one of his estates than the bustling Hyde Park.
The traffic was much too thick for his liking as he queued with the other carriages, so he said, “Let’s park over there and take a walk. All right with you?”
“I’d love it,” she answered.
As soon as the groom had hold of the horses, Chandler jumped down from the curricle and reached for Millicent. He saw uncertainty in her eyes. He wondered if she was worrying about how he’d behave, or that one day he wouldn’t take no for an answer when he asked about her family. And he’d given her plenty of reason to wonder. He wouldn’t take no for an answer much longer.
He wanted to encircle her small waist with his hands and lift her down but restrained himself and merely took her hand to steady her on the step. He couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, he’d enjoyed being with a woman as much as he looked forward to being with Millicent.
She was seductive, playful, intelligent, and loyal to a fault. There was an alluring grace in every move she made, a promise in every smile she gave him.
When she placed her hand in the crook of his arm, he held her a bit too close, but he couldn’t stop himself. He wanted to do so much more. He settled for a leisurely ramble, moving away from where most of the crowds had gathered to make sure they were noticed.
Who was she? Why did she spy for the gossips? That plagued him. No one could ever make him believe she was not a highborn, gentle-bred young woman. Yet, for some reason, she was at Lord Truefitt’s mercy.
Could he let that go on any longer?
“You’re very quiet,” Millicent said.
“I was just thinking about what you are doing for Truefitt.”
“That could be ominous.”
“Does it always work the way it has for you?”
An easy, natural smile curved her lips. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You told me you were not spying for Truefitt for the money, nor because he was forcing you, so the way I see it, there can only be one other reason you would consent.”
“And what would that be?”
“Your family can’t afford a Season for you, so Lord Truefitt found someone to sponsor you, someone who had actually met your mother so that you will be properly chaperoned. He takes care of all the expenses for your Season in exchange for the gossip you provide him to write his column.”
“It seems you have it well thought out.”
“I can see where it would be profitable for both of you. He obtains the gossip he needs and