Page 16 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)

Sixteen

M illie took in her surroundings with no small amount of awe. She’d never seen such a pretty room. Flowers were festooned from one wall to the other overhead, while huge vases of flowers were placed atop white, sculpted flower stands spaced along each wall with the occasional refreshment table in between. Musicians were seated upon a dais at the far end of the room, and the dance floor was filled with guests milling about, talking. The entire scene made her forget how upset she was with Bram. But she wasn’t ready to speak to him about what was in the armoire just yet. Still, she would have to confront him at some point. But tonight, she wanted to enjoy herself.

She watched the guests wandering about, talking and laughing. “Bram, why is no one dancing?”

He glanced at the entrance to the ballroom. “Because we’re waiting for the mystery guests to arrive.”

Her face screwed up with confusion. “What?”

He smiled. “Ives told me all about it.”

“Mr. Merriweather?”

“Yes. Two of tonight’s guests will be wearing the suit and gown Ives designed.”

“Oh, I see. So, we’re waiting on them.”

“Exactly.” He scanned the guests around them.

“Are you looking for someone?” she asked.

“No,” he said quickly. “Just wondering if there are folks here I’ve seen around town.”

Millie decided to look too. “I see Mrs. Jones over there, and the other dressmaker, Mrs. Fenton at a refreshment table.”

“Of course they’d be here,” he said.

The musicians played a fanfare, and all heads turned toward the ballroom’s entrance. Bella Weaver swept in on the arm of her husband wearing a fabulous dark blue ball gown.

Millie’s breath hitched. “Will you look at that? Isn’t her gown beautiful?”

“Indeed.” He bent to her. “And so is yours.”

Mille couldn’t help her shy smile or the blush creeping into her cheeks. She responded to him, always, and couldn’t seem to help herself.

Another fanfare played and James Ruggles entered the ballroom with a young woman Millie had never seen before. She was petite like she was and wore an incredible gown of light pink. It was covered with tiny roses, had a scooped neck and short sleeves. It was a little like her own dress. “Oh, Bram. She looks like a princess!”

“That she does.” He tightened his hold on her arm. “You’re my princess.”

Millie blushed again. Blast it, why was it so hard to stay mad at him? But if he was gambling, they had to talk. She swore to herself she’d never be with someone who gambled. But Bram was handsome, clean shaven, respectable looking. She wanted to marry him before he changed his mind. But now…

“Come on, let’s see if we can get a closer look at that gown.” Bram took her by the hand and used his tall frame to get through. People parted for them and soon they were near the couple.

Women were fawning over the young woman as men scrutinized the suit James Ruggles wore. “Fantastic,” one man said. “I never would have thought a gold waistcoat would work, but it does.”

“The gown is incredible!” a woman gushed. “You must be very proud to wear it, my dear.”

The young lady wearing the gown blushed a deep red and nodded.

Millie smiled at her. “You’re beautiful.”

The woman’s blushed deepened. “Th-thank you.”

Millie looked over the gown and smiled at Bella Weaver as she came to stand beside the couple. She spied the Merriweathers nearby. Men were speaking to Ives and Mr. Springer, who stood a few feet away. From the sounds of their conversations, they were ordering suits.

Millie noticed some women making their way to Bella. Were they going to place orders for a gown?

“Magnificent,” Bram said beside her. “Aren’t you glad we came?”

She nodded as more people pressed in to get a look at the couple.

“Come, sweetie, we’d best let others get a look. Care for some punch?”

She nodded and let him lead them toward the nearest refreshment table. There were advantages to having a tall husband with broad shoulders.

As soon as they had their punch, she noticed James and his young lady had moved to the edge of the dance floor. “What’s going on?”

“They’ll dance the first dance to show off the gown, then the rest of us can join in.”

The music started, a waltz, and James began dancing with the young lady. “Who is she?” Millie asked.

“Judging from the conversations around us, she’s the daughter of the woman that greeted us outside the house. Mrs. Hinkle?”

She gazed up at him. “You learned that from eavesdropping?”

He gave her a playful eyeroll. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. It’s all anyone’s talking about.”

“I suppose…”

He drained his glass. “Finish your punch, and when the signal is given, we can dance.”

She gasped. “Now?!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”

“Oh, Bram… no…”

“Millie,” he said softly. “You’ll be fine. Besides, everyone’s eyes will be on Miss Hinkle’s gown.”

She drew in a breath. “Very well.” Millie finished her punch and set the glass down.

“That’s my girl.” Bram put his hand to the small of her back and steered her toward the edge of the dance floor. The music ended, and within moments, started again. “Ah, just as I thought,” Bram said. “Another waltz. We’ll dance along the outer part of the dance floor.”

She nodded. If she stumbled, they might be less likely to bump into someone.

Bram gave her a quick lesson yesterday, so she knew a little of the waltz, but he was going to have to lead her carefully, or she would trip.

They began, and she concentrated on the steps, following his lead as best she could. Dancing with Bram was exhilarating, and she decided she wanted to learn how to dance properly. Even if they never attended another ball as long as they lived, they could always dance when the mood took them. Just as she and Mother used to do.

She blushed at the thought and pictured Bram dancing with her around the parlor and into the dining room. It would be fun!

Millie frowned when his blasted cigar box popped into her head. How much money did he owe? Who did he owe it to? Would the men come to collect? Would Bram come home battered and bruised like Father had on several occasions?

“Millie?”

She looked at him as the music ended and they stopped.

“Millie, what’s wrong?” Bram asked.

Tears stung the backs of her eyes. How could he be like Father? So far, he’d been vastly different, but if he gambled, she knew what it could do to him over time.

“Millie, darling, you look upset…”

She shook her head. “I’ll tell you later.”

“You’ll tell me now.” He took her hand, and they left the dance floor. He guided her behind one of the decorative stands holding a huge vase of flowers. “Now, what has you looking so upset?”

She gulped. “I… well, I found…”

“Millie,” he said gently, and her heart melted. Blast the man!

“Bram, I found your cigar box of IOUs.” There, she said it.

He gaped at her. “Cigar box?”

Tears filled her eyes. “No, don’t play dumb. Not with me. Please.”

He looked at her in confusion. “Where did you find this cigar box?”

Millie told herself she’d remain calm. Then everything spilled out at once, and before she knew it, she was hurrying off to find the ladies’ lounge area.