need to find something besides these silly parties to amuse ourselves.”
“Exactly! We need a new adventure,” Millie exhorted as she quickly stood. The plan to keep Selena Hall away from Charlie had been somewhat successful, but not completely. Not only did it entail attending one boring function after another, it required constant vigilance. Unless the Three were willing to entertain the idea of causing bodily injury, Miss Hall was going to find ways to force herself into his company.
Jennelle began pacing as she tapped her finger against her lips. “Well, there are Society meetings.”
“And I understand there are some very interesting museums,” Aimee piped in.
Millie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Museums? Society meetings? Do I know either of you? We need excitement, adventure .”
Jennelle elbowed Aimee and whispered in her most medieval brogue, “Beware what cometh next. The sorceress plots even now and shall lead us unto temptation.”
Undaunted, Millie continued. “We could always dress in costume and venture toward Vauxhall Gardens.”
Aimee gasped. “Mother would kill you—and us.”
Millie ignored her friend’s warning. “There is also Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre. I read a circular telling of circus events such as horseback riding, clowns, and acrobats. Oh, how I have always wanted to see acrobats.”
Having been subjected to the repercussions of similar conversations, Jennelle grabbed Millie’s arm. “Millie, it just is not done. Well-bred ladies do not attend such events. Especially unmarried ones, as we three are.”
“Jennelle, when did you become such a priss? What do you care if someone thinks me boisterous and unladylike? I am no more playing at deception than any one of us is. You know you would rather be reading a book than pursuing a man. And you, Aimee, you pine away for Reece, all the while pretending to be available and interested.”
“Enough,” Aimee said forcefully. “Everyone is right. These parties are boring. We all want adventure, yet we all know we cannot pursue the things that inspire us. Jennelle, I know how frustrating it has been, speaking with those who are ignorant and have no interest in expanding their minds. And as for me, I do want Reece, but, for Mother’s sake, I am trying to at least appear flexible. And despite tonight’s mumblings, you have been wonderful, Millie. The on-dit is that you are quite the original, but if anyone got a whiff of how original, we would all be doomed.”
Millie frowned, and after a brief moment nodded her head. “Perhaps you are right. There must be some acceptable adventures around us. We just need to find out where.”
Aimee and Jennelle exchanged looks. Millie’s acquiescence had come a little too easily. They would have to keep their eyes open and ensure she did not get herself—and them—into trouble.
But despite their fears regarding Millie’s growing restlessness, the remainder of the party continued as it began—eventless. At least for them.
All evening, Selena Hall had contrived ways to be near to, speak to, or literally hang upon, Chase. Millie could not understand why the woman and her scheming ways bothered her, but they did. So much so that even during the carriage ride home, she could not focus on the conversation.
Sitting across from her, Chase was also pensive and quiet. Millie wondered if his silence stemmed from the absence of Miss Hall’s company. With each encounter, the time he spent with her grew.
“Did you see Mr. Gerthing, Jennelle?” Aimee asked, completely shocked by what had happened.
“Of course I saw. Everyone did. Including Mrs. Gerthing . . . finally. It was awful.”
The buzz inside the Wentworth carriage was filled with awe and shock. Only Millie and Chase remained silent as the others discussed the one notable event of the night.
“I heard someone say Mr. Gerthing has been acting in this lewd manner for years.”
“And Mrs. Gerthing only noticed
“Exactly! We need a new adventure,” Millie exhorted as she quickly stood. The plan to keep Selena Hall away from Charlie had been somewhat successful, but not completely. Not only did it entail attending one boring function after another, it required constant vigilance. Unless the Three were willing to entertain the idea of causing bodily injury, Miss Hall was going to find ways to force herself into his company.
Jennelle began pacing as she tapped her finger against her lips. “Well, there are Society meetings.”
“And I understand there are some very interesting museums,” Aimee piped in.
Millie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Museums? Society meetings? Do I know either of you? We need excitement, adventure .”
Jennelle elbowed Aimee and whispered in her most medieval brogue, “Beware what cometh next. The sorceress plots even now and shall lead us unto temptation.”
Undaunted, Millie continued. “We could always dress in costume and venture toward Vauxhall Gardens.”
Aimee gasped. “Mother would kill you—and us.”
Millie ignored her friend’s warning. “There is also Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre. I read a circular telling of circus events such as horseback riding, clowns, and acrobats. Oh, how I have always wanted to see acrobats.”
Having been subjected to the repercussions of similar conversations, Jennelle grabbed Millie’s arm. “Millie, it just is not done. Well-bred ladies do not attend such events. Especially unmarried ones, as we three are.”
“Jennelle, when did you become such a priss? What do you care if someone thinks me boisterous and unladylike? I am no more playing at deception than any one of us is. You know you would rather be reading a book than pursuing a man. And you, Aimee, you pine away for Reece, all the while pretending to be available and interested.”
“Enough,” Aimee said forcefully. “Everyone is right. These parties are boring. We all want adventure, yet we all know we cannot pursue the things that inspire us. Jennelle, I know how frustrating it has been, speaking with those who are ignorant and have no interest in expanding their minds. And as for me, I do want Reece, but, for Mother’s sake, I am trying to at least appear flexible. And despite tonight’s mumblings, you have been wonderful, Millie. The on-dit is that you are quite the original, but if anyone got a whiff of how original, we would all be doomed.”
Millie frowned, and after a brief moment nodded her head. “Perhaps you are right. There must be some acceptable adventures around us. We just need to find out where.”
Aimee and Jennelle exchanged looks. Millie’s acquiescence had come a little too easily. They would have to keep their eyes open and ensure she did not get herself—and them—into trouble.
But despite their fears regarding Millie’s growing restlessness, the remainder of the party continued as it began—eventless. At least for them.
All evening, Selena Hall had contrived ways to be near to, speak to, or literally hang upon, Chase. Millie could not understand why the woman and her scheming ways bothered her, but they did. So much so that even during the carriage ride home, she could not focus on the conversation.
Sitting across from her, Chase was also pensive and quiet. Millie wondered if his silence stemmed from the absence of Miss Hall’s company. With each encounter, the time he spent with her grew.
“Did you see Mr. Gerthing, Jennelle?” Aimee asked, completely shocked by what had happened.
“Of course I saw. Everyone did. Including Mrs. Gerthing . . . finally. It was awful.”
The buzz inside the Wentworth carriage was filled with awe and shock. Only Millie and Chase remained silent as the others discussed the one notable event of the night.
“I heard someone say Mr. Gerthing has been acting in this lewd manner for years.”
“And Mrs. Gerthing only noticed
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