Page 14 of The Secret Suitor

His eyes met Millie’s, then dipped to the long braid trailing over her shoulder, and she immediately realized her state of undress.

“Good night,” she called, slipping into her room and closing her door. She leaned back against it, listening to the murmur of voices in the corridor, her chest heaving as though she’d run the length of the house twice over.

Chapter Five

The day before Christmas found Wesley sitting at the dining room table in the middle of the day, weaving holly around long boughs of pine to create a decoration for the mantelpiece. Did they even know what they were competing for? If Lady Dalmeer was in charge of selecting the prize, Wesley was fairly certain it wouldn’t be something he wanted.

He glanced toward Millie and her sister, who were focused on the kissing boughs. Charles leaned back in his seat, surveying the work. The man was clearly afraid of being out of arm’s reach of his ill wife. Wesley would find it less irritating if Charles helped a little more.

“How much longer do we have to finish decorating?” Millie asked. “Does anyone know when the contest ends?”

Helena strung a red ribbon through her kissing bough and tied it into a bow. “We need to be finished before dinner, so Lady Dalmeer has time to judge the rooms and select a winner.”

“I thought her servants were choosing,” Millie said.

“Her servants are decorating the drawing room, which is Lady Dalmeer’s domain. But I do not think she wants that known. I heard it from my maid.” Helena pointed to another length of red ribbon on the edge of the table. “Will you hand that to me?”

“Of course they are,” Millie muttered, reaching for the ribbon.

The door to the dining room opened, and a tall, dark-haired man strode inside. He paused, surveying the small gathering, his eyes lingering on Millie. “Well, what a lovely party I’ve happened upon.”

“Lord Finsbury,” Millie said, her cheeks pinking. “Have you met my sister?”

“I have had that pleasure, yes.” The baron bowed to the women, then Charles. “Mr. Vale.”

“Are you known to Mr. Prescott?” Millie asked, gesturing to Wesley.

“I am now,” Lord Finsbury said. “A pleasure, sir.”

Wesley dipped his head in acknowledgment before returning his attention to the greenery in front of him. He had not met the baron before, but knew him to be something of a flirt. Certainly not the sort of suitor Millie could take seriously.

The very idea of this man leaving an anonymous romantic note in her bedroom sent a wave of disgust through Wesley. Or was that jealousy? Impossible. He only had her best interests in mind. Nothing more.

“Have you come to inspect the competition?” Millie asked. “Or steal our ideas?”

Lord Finsbury leaned against the chair beside Millie, feigning a wounded expression. “There is no other reason for being in the dining room at this hour than to see your lovely face, Miss Hollis.” He glanced at Helena. “And yours, Mrs. Vale.”

Helena chuckled. “You needn’t include me, my lord. I am perfectly aware of how lovely my sister looks. That gown is most becoming, is it not?”

Good gads, could she be any more obvious? She may as well pen a sign and hang it about Millie’s neck like cattle, offering her up for purchase.

“Indeed.” Lord Finsbury’s gaze remained stalwart on Millie’s face. “Very lovely.”

A twig snapped beneath Wesley’s fingers, and he looked down to see how tightly he’d been holding the holly.

“Well, now that I have seen what an excellent job you are doing in here, I know precisely where to focus my efforts.” Lord Finsbury grinned, backing toward the door. “May the best man win.”

“Or woman,” Millie said.

“Of course.” Lord Finsbury gave a general bow to the group before letting himself from the room.

“Handsome and clever,” Helena muttered, eyes glittering.

Wesley was tempted to ask what exactly the baron had said to earn him the title of being clever, but he thought better of it.

Charles spun a stray holly leaf between his fingers. “Is that the sort of man you are hoping to secure, Millie?”

She furrowed her brow, and her slightly upturned nose wrinkled.