In Good Company by Jen Turano Read Free Book Online Page B

blue silk and gave it another shake.
    “Why does everyone I encounter seem to have some type of mad plotting on their minds these days?”
    “You’re a lovely young lady with no prospects, Miss Longfellow. Plotting is definitely required by everyone who knows you to better your situation in life.”
    “I don’t believe Mr. Mulberry is here in order to become a future prospect for me. If I were to hazard a guess, he’s here to swallow that annoying pride of his in an attempt to secure my services as a nanny, which is far removed from a prospective anything.”
    “While that might be the case, it won’t hurt to have you looking your best.” And before Millie could voice another protest, blue silk was thrust her way as Bertha bustled into motion.

    Fifteen minutes later, not ten, Millie made her way down the stairs, feeling like a complete idiot. Not only had Bertha stuffed her into the dinner dress, she’d also tied a bow into Millie’s short curls, pinched Millie’s cheeks to give her added color, and had even suggested Millie might want to add a little . . . stuffing to the bodice area to really attract Mr. Mulberry’s notice. Pretending she hadn’t heard that less-than-helpful suggestion and knowing her cheeks were flaming, which had made the whole pinching thing unnecessary, Millie had fled from her room before Bertha could think up any other wonderful ideas.
    Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she forced feet that didn’t seem to want to move into motion and headed for the drawing room. Hovering in the doorway, she tried to steady nervesthat had taken to jingling, surveying the scene in front of her as she did so.
    Mr. Everett Mulberry was standing in the middle of the room, holding a large bundle of flowers wrapped in what seemed to be newsprint. Lucetta was standing right in front of him, chatting about what sounded like the weather, but it was immediately clear Everett wasn’t exactly listening to her. His eyes were a little glazed and he seemed somewhat dazed. Millie couldn’t really blame him for the whole dazed situation, since Lucetta was known as one of the most beautiful ladies in all of New York.
    A trace of wistfulness took Millie by surprise, brought on by the disturbing notion that there was a part of her, albeit a small part, that wished a gentleman like Everett would look at her with . . .
    A loud sneeze interrupted her thoughts, and then Everett sneezed again, right as his eyes began watering.
    “Forgive me, Miss Plum, but I haven’t been able to concentrate on a word you’ve said,” he began as he held out the bouquet of flowers. “Would it be too much of a bother to have you hold these for me until Miss Longfellow appears? I’m afraid I’m somewhat sensitive when it comes to flowers, and I’m beginning to lose the ability to breathe.”
    Lucetta, strangely enough, sent Everett an approving sort of look before she nodded in Millie’s direction. “Millie’s just arrived, so you can hand those to her.”
    Spinning around, Everett narrowed still-watering eyes on her, took a second to look her up and down, which had her feeling a little flustered, and then strode right up next to her. Without saying a single word, he thrust the flowers at her and then practically raced to the other side of the room. Whipping out a handkerchief, he wiped his eyes before he frowned.
    “Good heavens, Miss Longfellow, I must beg your pardon.By your appearance, it’s clear you’re readying yourself to go out this evening. Would it be more convenient for me to call upon you tomorrow, say . . . midmorning?”
    Millie forced a smile. “There’s no need for you to return tomorrow morning, Mr. Mulberry, since I’m, ah, not planning on going anywhere this evening.”
    “Why are you wearing a dinner dress, then?” he asked before he dissolved into a bout of sneezing, giving Millie much-needed time to consider a suitable response.
    “I, um, enjoy dressing in dinner gowns when I’m at my