Nightingale Sisters by Donna Douglas

Author:Donna Douglas [Douglas, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance, Historical, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9780099569428
Publisher: Random House
Published: 2013-05-15T10:55:33+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Five

‘SEB!’ MILLIE BROKE away from William and rushed into her fiancé’s arms, full of excitement. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I wanted to see you on my birthday. And I knew you were working, so I thought I’d come for a quick visit.’ His gaze was fixed on William as he spoke.

‘What a wonderful surprise! You can’t imagine how pleased I am to see you.’ Millie hugged him fiercely.

‘Are you really?’

‘Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?’ She pulled away from him, still smiling. ‘You know William, don’t you?’

‘Indeed we have met.’ William held out his hand in greeting. ‘Nice to meet you again. Happy birthday, by the way.’

‘Thanks.’ Seb seemed rather cool as he shook hands.

‘I’d better be on my way,’ William said. ‘I’m supposed to be meeting some friends at the Café de Paris.’

‘Gosh, that sounds like fun.’

‘Why don’t you join us? If you have no other plans, that is?’

Millie turned to Seb, her weariness forgotten. ‘Shall we? I’m off duty now and it would be marvellous to spend some time with you on your birthday.’

He looked at his watch. ‘Don’t you have to be in bed for lights out in an hour?’

‘Since when has that ever stopped me?’ Mille grinned.

‘I think what your fiancé is hinting is that he’d rather be alone with you,’ William suggested tactfully.

‘Nonsense, he loves the Café de Paris. You do, don’t you, Seb?’ Millie seized his hand. ‘Please? I could do with having a good time, after the beastly day I’ve had. Oh, do let’s! It will be fun.’

Seb’s smile was tight. ‘Why not?’

The Café de Paris was like an opulent sultan’s palace, resplendent in gilt and red velvet, with its double sweeping staircases and sensuously curved balcony. It was hot and crowded with people all drinking, eating, dancing and generally enjoying themselves.

Millie breathed in the overheated air, scented with cigars, alcohol and French perfume. She could feel the atmosphere, charged with excitement, tingling through her veins as the maître d’ showed them to their table.

‘Isn’t it wonderful?’ She smiled over her shoulder at Seb, but her words were lost amidst the sounds of laughter, music and clinking glasses.

William’s new girlfriend was waiting for them with another group of people. She was as tall as him, and dressed dramatically in flowing black silk evening pyjamas. She had made no effort with her hair, letting it fall in wild waves around her face. In one hand she held a glass, and in the other a long cigarette holder.

‘She looks as if she’s ready for bed,’ Seb whispered close to Millie’s ear.

William introduced her as Philippa Wilde. ‘But everyone calls me Phil,’ she added. Her voice was as firm and full of confidence as her handshake.

Her brows rose a fraction when William introduced Millie and Seb. ‘So you’re the famous Millie, are you? I’m pleased to meet you at last.’ Her bronze eyes assessed her. Millie didn’t understand why, and she wasn’t sure she liked it.

They sat down and ordered cocktails. They drank and chatted for a while, their voices battling over the sound of the music and laughter around them.

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