Lessons in Seduction (Greentree Sisters 1)

She soon realized she had foolishly underestimated them.

The Beattys weren’t birds, they were terriers. Determined and pugnacious little women who, once they had decided upon a course of action, followed it through to the very end.

The idea for a home for abandoned children had long been their goal, as it had been Vivianna’s. If Vivianna had supplied the passion for the project, then the Beatty sisters had supplied the sheer grit and determination to secure a building where the children could be housed.

Greta and Susan Beatty really were an indomitable pair, and Vivianna had never thought to see them defeated by anything or anyone.

Until now.

Seated across from them in their small and shabby parlor—“I hope you don’t mind, Miss Greentree, but it’s easier to heat than the drawing room”—she wondered if she was witness to the unthinkable.

“We believed the lease would be perfectly secure.” Miss Susan clasped and unclasped her hands. “Lord Montegomery’s man of business explained that the one year was all he could offer us—that the estate had belonged to Lord Montegomery’s brother and there was a delay with the transfer of the property. He assured us that Candlewood was not part of the entail and that after one year the lease could be extended, or we could buy it. We were told that Lord Montegomery wanted nothing more to do with it, and that he certainly had no intention of ever living here. Everything was settled…we thought. And then, as the end of our lease drew near and we went to make arrangements to extend it, we learned…” She shook her head, unable to continue.

Miss Greta took up the story. “How could we know he would change his mind? A gentleman should abide by his word, should he not, Miss Greentree?”

“Perhaps he is not a gentleman,” Vivianna replied.

“But such an old, distinguished family!” Miss Susan exclaimed. “I believe they are very proud, too. Several times the reigning monarch has offered the Montegomery of the day a peerage, only to be turned down. Their family motto states: ‘It is enough to be a Montegomery.’ They finally accepted the title of baron from King George, the lowest grade of peerage, but nothing more.”

Miss Greta was frowning at her. Miss Susan returned to the point.

“We wrote to Lord Montegomery to ask if he would reconsider our lease, but his reply was brusque to say the least. He suggested an alternative place, a former lodging house in Bethnal Green. But how can we accept such an offer? Candlewood is everything we promised we would give our orphans; if we moved them to Bethnal Green it would feel like a betrayal. Of our principles and the children!”

The more practical Miss Greta added, “We planned to repair the roof and the drains, and to expand into the rooms that are presently unoccupied. So much potential, Miss Greentree! We had such hopes!”

“Candlewood is perfect and now it is to be demolished and smaller houses built in its place.” Miss Susan blinked back tears. “He stands to make a lot of money, evidently, and that is all that matters to him. But what about our orphans, Miss Greentree?”

“We have written several times, imploring him to change his mind, but the only reply we had was to tell us we have nine weeks to evacuate Candlewood. It is almost as if, for him, we have ceased to exist.”

“Oh, he knows you exist,” Vivianna assured them with a smug little smile. “At least, he does

now. And don’t worry, my friends, I will do everything in my power to see that he changes his mind.”

The two sisters leaned forward, their bright eyes fastened upon her. “You are very good, Miss Greentree,” Miss Greta said, while Miss Susan nodded wildly. “To come all this way to help us. The orphans do appreciate it. We appreciate it.”

Vivianna responded in what she hoped was a confident manner, but inside her head her thoughts were chaotic. Earlier, when she had arrived at Candlewood, the Beattys had lined the orphans up before her in the hall, and the children had given her three cheers.

The sisters knew all the children’s names and so did Vivianna—she had been kept informed by their many letters. The children were not strangers to her; she felt as if she recognized and loved them all. Perhaps that sense of familiarity was what made the difference in these matters. Perhaps if Oliver were to meet them, if he were to see them, even a man with a heart as hard and uncaring as his would be swayed…

“Miss Greentree?” Miss Greta was watching her expectantly over the fruitcake, and Vivianna realized she had missed part of the conversation.

“More tea?” Miss Susan was holding the teapot aloft in one hand and the milk jug in the other.

“Thank you.”

“I was telling you a little about the history of Candlewood,” Miss Greta said. “It may help you, when you tackle Lord Montegomery, to know the family story.”

“What is the family story?”

Miss Greta settled herself to explain. “Candlewood was built by Lord Montegomery’s grandfather. A folly, in hindsight. It was supposed to be a monument to the family, but instead it ruined him. He squandered most of his wealth on it, and even then he did not have enough to finish it. The Montegomery family has a house in London, as well as an estate in Derbyshire, so they have no use for Candlewood. They have always considered it inconvenient and uncomfortable. However, Anthony Montegomery, the elder brother, was very fond of Candlewood and often stayed here, especially overnight when he was on his way to Derbyshire. The house and grounds were left to him by his grandfather, but unfortunately there was never enough money for the upkeep, it was literally crumbling away. And now Anthony is dead, too, and the house belongs to Oliver Montegomery.”

Had Oliver mentioned a brother? Vivianna did not think so. “I did not realize Lord Montegomery had a brother.”

Miss Susan gave a sad smile. “Yes, and his is a strange and unfortunate story. He spoke briefly of his brother when he was last here.”

“Oliver…that is, Lord Montegomery was here?” Vivianna raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I did not realize you had met him in person. I thought you conducted the matter of the lease through his man of business and by correspondence.”

“At the time we first leased Candlewood we had not met him, no, but since then he has been here twice, or is it three times?”