The Mischievous Bride (13 page)

“I like this one! No, I think I like this one!”

Milli turned her head at the sound of a familiar squeal of delight. Gabby was at the end of the shop, jumping up and down. She held a blue hat with silver ribbons and was placing it on Marcus’s head. He was sitting in a wing chair and looked rather worn out.

“I daresay, Miss Millicent, too many ladies in here. They are starting to stare.” Hughmont pulled at his cravat, as if he were having trouble breathing. “Do you mind if I wait outside?”

Milli frowned. The whole purpose of this outing was to make Marcus jealous. But she wasn’t heartless. She could not subject Lord Hughmont to his worst nightmare. Who would have thought? The man adored acting at their monthly meetings. He adored women too. Not only that, he boxed. He fenced. He rode. He was a gentleman of sports. The very idea that he was afraid of being immersed in a sea of ribbons confused her. Many men came in here with females on their arm.

“Milli! There’s Milli!”

Milli’s face lit with pleasure when Gabby called her name.

Beside her, Lord Hughmont mumbled. “Ain’t my thing to be inside a shop like this. Rather be playing cards at White’s.”

Milli tapped his hand like a mother comforting a child. “I see Gabby. Do you mind if I spend a few minutes with her? I promise, after that, we can buy that book at the shop down the street.”

His blue eyes narrowed. “It’s not as if we were man and wife, Miss Millicent. I do have a say in how I go about.”

Milli flinched, a bit shocked at the way his personality changed so easily. “If you’d rather wait outside, I completely understand. I can see this place makes you uncomfortable. I won’t have you shaking in your boots because I dragged you in here under false pretenses.”

His eyes traveled over the group of ladies watching their exchange. He gave a tug to the bottom of his waistcoat and stood tall. His eyes suddenly caught sight of Lord Marcus and their gazes locked. Hughmont’s face hardened. “I will allow five minutes, Miss Millicent. And only five minutes.”

Milli let out the breath she had been holding. “Thank you.”

Goodness, she thought. Sometimes men could be rather bothersome.

She glanced toward the door where her abigail was waiting and nodded to her, then walked toward Gabby and Marcus. She was surprised when Lord Hughmont decided to follow her instead of waiting outside.

“Good afternoon,” she said with a smile. Marcus stood, greeting her with a curt hello. Gabby gave her a hug, and the gentleman exchanged a terse greeting. 

“Uncle Marcus is going to let me have the blue and the pink one!” Gabby went on. “I decided not to get the purple one because it made me look too purple. But I’m not sure . . . hmmm, what do you think?”

Milli laughed, feeling Marcus’s eyes upon her. “I think they are all quite adorable.”

Lord Hughmont pulled out his pocket watch, then glanced at Milli. Her eyes widened. He was timing her! Of all things!

“Do you want to try on a bonnet?” Gabby said, pulling at her hand. “They have lots of pretty ones. I like the one with the big ribbons and all the white lace. And the flowers are very pretty too.”

Milli heard Lord Hughmont groan.

She chewed her bottom lip, instantly regretting her decision to come here. The tension between the Marcus and Hughmont was as taut as a violin bow ready to snap.

She swallowed at the contempt in Marcus’s pale eyes. This was not the exact feeling she had wanted to invoke. She was hoping he would pay attention to her in a good way.

“Which ones do you like?” Gabby asked impatiently.

Milli shifted a soft gaze to Gabby. “Well, I’ve . . . I’ve come to buy a, uh, hat for Lizzie.”

But from the corner of her eye, Milli watched as Lord Hughmont regarded Marcus with a belligerent stare. The two men studied each other as if they were both recalling last night. Of course, Marcus probably thought the man had kissed her too. She had said as much, had she not?

Her stomach started to churn. Goodness, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. She was making such a mess out of everything. Even after all the unpleasant words Marcus had said to her, she still wanted him to want her. But she certainly didn’t wish Lord Hughmont hurt.

“The bonnet is for her sister’s birthday,” Lord Hughmont replied, lifting a challenging brow Marcus’s way.

Marcus’s silver eyes gleamed with mischief as he glanced at Milli. “Elizabeth’s birthday is four months away. Or do you have another sister I did not know about?”

“I do not,” she snapped, looking over the bonnets with Gabby.

For a minute or two there was complete silence from the men. Milli felt their gazes burning into her backside as she fingered through the different colors on the hat stand. Gabby seemed to be satisfied watching her.

She hadn’t thought this through at all. It was the story of her life.

She shrugged and turned to the men, giving them a bland smile. “I thought perhaps I might find the bonnet Lizzie wanted. But it doesn’t look like it is here anymore.”

Lord Hughmont clasped her arm in a possessive manner. “Very well then. It’s time we leave. Your five minutes are up,
Milli
.” He nodded to Lord Marcus whose lips had compressed into a hard line.

Milli stared at the strong arm attached to hers. Her eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. She was surprised by Lord Hughmont’s hold on her and also surprised by his use of her name.

It took about two seconds for her to gather herself. Defiance welled inside her chest. She gave Lord Hughmont a bold stare. The man might try his high-handedness on other females, but not her.

“I am not finished,” she stated curtly. “I thought to buy another bonnet for myself.”

Milli tugged, but Lord Hughmont’s clasp was firm. Gabby stared on in mute horror. 

“I suggest you take your hand off the lady’s arm.” The warning in Marcus’s words sent a cold chill through Milli.

Lord Hughmont shot Marcus a challenging glare. “The lady is here of her own free will, Clearbrook. This is not the duke’s home anymore.”

Gabby’s eyes widened, and she hid behind Marcus’s muscular legs. “Are you going to call him out, Uncle Marcus? He’s being mean.” The little girl spoke before Milli even had a chance.

Marcus dropped his gaze to Gabby and his face softened “No, poppet, I am not going to call him out.” His words were gentle and calming, making Milli want to bop Lord Hughmont in the nose for scaring the child.

Gabby frowned. “Oh.”

For once, Milli was at a lost for words. She jerked from Lord Hughmont’s grip and grabbed a bonnet to her left, some horrid pink concoction. “I’ll take this.” She walked to the counter and handed it to the shop girl, leaving the men staring at one another.

Gabby trailed along after her. “I think Uncle Marcus is really mad,” the girl said, tugging on Milli’s skirt. “That is how my papa talks before he starts yelling.”

Milli tried to smile as the shop girl placed the bonnet in a round hatbox. She paid the lady and waited while a string was tied around her purchase. “Do you have your hats, Gabby?”

The girl’s eyes were round with concern. “I left them back there, but I think Lord Hughpont is mad too. I don’t like him. I think I should have Nigel chase him around the park. That will scare him.”

Hughpont? Milli blinked and took hold of Gabby’s hand. She didn’t know what she wanted to happen, but she did know she didn’t want Marcus mad at her again. She loved him, for goodness sakes. She was a bowl full of jelly where he was concerned.

 “Gentlemen are not comfortable in girl places, Gabby dear. Sometimes they can be rather difficult when it comes to shopping. They get bored very easily, and their anger may get the best of them.”

Gabby rubbed her nose and looked back at the men. “Oh.”

Milli noticed that the men were still glaring at each other. Her heart raced as she grabbed her hatbox. “Do you want to bring your hats over here?”

Gabby shifted her wary gaze back to Milli and let out a tired sigh. “I don’t know which one to pick. It’s so comp...compicated.”

Milli chuckled. “You can always come back with your mama."

“No, Mama won’t let me buy two. Only Uncle Marcus will get two hats for me.”

“Then why don’t you let Uncle Marcus buy the two you picked out?

Gabby put a finger to her dimpled chin. “Hmmm, I think I will take the pink one and the blue one.”

“Well, then, let’s tell Uncle Marcus what you finally decided.”

Gabby curled her finger, motioning Milli to come down to her level.

 “Uncle Marcus looks madder than Papa did when some man kissed Mama’s hand the other day when we were coming out of church.”

Milli’s cheeks turned warm as she took in Marcus’s rock solid stance. The man appeared more mad then jealous. But it wasn’t as if Lord Hughmont had hurt her. Yet he had been possessive, and she didn’t like that at all. She would have to tell the younger man a thing or two, but not in front of Gabby . . . or Marcus.

She put on her best smile and walked toward the men. Madame had made her way toward Marcus too. It seemed the owner had already softened the situation because Marcus was having Gabby’s bonnets wrapped up and sent to the Elbourne townhouse.

Marcus knelt down to talk to Gabby. “Why don’t you wait with Milli’s maid? She’s by the door. You can tell her all about your pretty hats.”

“Oh,” Gabby exclaimed said, clapping her hands. “Maybe she will help me with my hair when I get back! We can play dress up. Would you like to play too?”

Marcus sighed, tapping her nose. “Not today, poppet.”

As Gabby made her way toward the door, Marcus stood and turned to Milli, snatching the box out of her hands. “Are you ready to go?”

Milli didn’t like the furious look in his eyes. “I, um . . .” She turned toward Lord Hughmont. “Are you ready?”

Hughmont looked flustered. “Forgive me, Miss Millicent. I was rather forceful a few minutes ago. Don’t like shops, you know. They bother me. I do silly things. If I upset you or Gabrielle, I am sorry.”

Milli’s laugh was forced. “I should have had you wait outside.”

Marcus stepped between the two. “We’ll be seeing you, Hughmont. I think you’ve done enough damage for the day, don’t you think?” His voice held an icy edge that made Milli’s eyes widened in shock.

“Marcus—” The warning in his piercing gaze making her step back a bit.

“You will be returning with me,” Marcus commanded, lifting a commanding brow. “Is that clear?”

She detected the disapproval on Lord Hughmont’s face and frowned. “I don’t think—”

Hughmont cleared his throat. “The lady prefers my company. “

Marcus swung a menacing glare toward the younger man. “You, sir, are lucky I did not call you out. For if I did, you would be dead by noon tomorrow.”

The words were as cold as steel, sending another wave of guilt through Milli. She should never have brought Lord Hughmont in here. It was all her fault.

Hughmont puffed out his chest like a peacock spreading its feathers. “Duels are illegal, but if you prefer—”

“Now, listen here.” Milli came between them.

But she clamped her mouth shut the second she took in Marcus’s furious expression. Her knees felt a bit wobbly. He didn’t look like a man who was ready to listen to reason.

“For goodness sakes, he didn’t hurt me,” she said in a calm manner, almost smiling. Anything to reduce the man’s anger, she thought wildly.

But Marcus’s silver eyes took on a dangerous glint. “Get in my carriage. It’s waiting outside. Take Gabby with you.”

Milli’s confidence dwindled. She could see he was not going to back down. She looked at Lord Hughmont and gave him an apologetic smile. Yet her lips were trembling with remorse. “I’m sorry we won’t be able to make it to the book shop.”

Lord Hughmont’s mouth pinched. “I will visit you with book in hand tomorrow.” And with those last words, he glared at Marcus and marched out of the shop.

Milli turned to Marcus, her heart thumping in her ears. “I have never been so embarrassed in my entire life. He was only helping me pick out a bonnet for Lizzie. And for your information, I made him come in here. Just so you know, it was not his idea.”

“Obviously. But if you were trying to make me jealous with that peagoose, you failed.”

She reddened. “Ha, jealous? Why would I want to make you jealous?”

He leaned toward her, making her squirm. “Because you think you love me, that’s why?”

“Y-you must be insane.”

“Insane or not, you need someone to watch over you, and it’s not going to be Lord Hughmont. If that man lays a finger on you again—”

“Who made you my guardian? Did you inform Stephen of the change?”

“Stephen would agree with me. You need a husband, and the sooner the better. Get your list of appropriate suitors. Stephen and I will go over it next week. But you can deuced well keep Hughmont off the list!”

“List?” she snapped in a low voice, narrowing her eyes, hoping no one was listening. “That’s barbaric.”

Marcus shrugged. “We did it with Emily. We can do the same with you.”

“You are a barbarian,” she hissed, taking care that no one was listening to their conversation.

Fury smoldered in her blood at the very thought of a list of suitors for her hand. She strode toward the door, telling her maid to take Gabby to Marcus’s carriage. Outside, she took a deep breath, feeling the cool wind nipping at her warm cheeks.

She stood on the walk, trying to gather her swirling emotions. The door behind her jingled. She was sure it was Marcus as his heels clapped hard against the walk. Not looking back, she lifted her chin and strode toward his carriage.

She stepped inside the vehicle and sat beside Gabby and the maid. Blood rushed to her head in an embarrassing heat. How dare he treat her so shabbily.

She wished she could ride home to Lizzie’s townhouse, avoiding Marcus altogether. But Jane needed her.   

“Lord Marcus, how nice to see you.”

Milli peeked out the carriage to see Marcus’s demeanor instantly change at the sound of the female voice. His eyes softened as he flashed a brilliant smile toward the lady. “Miss Canton, you have made my day brighter by your appearance.”

When he kissed the lady’s gloved hand, Milli felt her heart crack.