Lessons in Seduction (Greentree Sisters 1)

“Speak with me?” Her eyes narrowed. “I have been at Candlewood. Have you been lurking out here waiting for me to return?”

“Lurking?” He gave an angry laugh.

“What is so urgent that it could not have waited until tomorrow?”

There was something strange about him, something edgy and anxious.

“I want to speak with you about Lawson,” he said bluntly, not bothering to answer her question.

“Lord Lawson?” Vivianna raised her eyebrows. She had forgotten all about Lord Lawson.

He glared at her. “He’s already written to me asking to purchase Candlewood on behalf of the shelter. I have refused. Was that your doing?”

Vivianna could not hide her shock. “No, it wasn’t my doing. I had no idea…. But I must say it was very kind and generous of him. Why did you refuse? Isn’t money the same, whoever it comes from? Surely it would not matter to you who paid it as long as you could spend it on…what was the term, now? ‘Whores, brandy, and gaming.’ Wasn’t that what you told me the first time I met you?”

Oliver frowned, clearly not liking to be reminded. “I lied,” he said bluntly. “I don’t want Lawson’s money.”

“Well, I am disappointed. Lord Lawson promises to be very useful to us, and I mean to beg his continued support. I am very sorry for your brother and any guilt you might feel, if that is the real reason you want Candlewood turned to dust—and I have to say I am beginning to doubt that is the real reason, Oliver. But that is beside the point. I cannot allow you to ruin the lives of the children for—”

“Damnation, Vivianna, will you be quiet? Do you never listen? I have come to warn you that Lawson isn’t to be trusted. You think he wants to help you? He doesn’t want to help you; he wants to hurt me. He is using you because he thinks he can get at me.”

Vivianna stared at him. It made no sense to her, and yet he looked sincere. But then, Oliver was very good at looking anything he wanted to. “You are very arrogant,” she said at last. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, Oliver—”

She broke off as he stepped closer, and now he was almost touching her. The warmth of his body, the scent of sandalwood from his clothing, in fact everything about him weakened her. In another moment she would put her arms around him and kiss him. It didn’t matter what he might or might not have done; it did not matter whether or not he was an unreformable rake.

That was what made Oliver so dangerous to her.

“Are you wearing drawers?”

She blinked, wondering if she had heard him right. “Oliver!”

He shook his head, and rubbed his eyes as though he, too, were having difficulty concentrating. “I’m sorry.”

Vivianna knew she needed time alone, to think. To plan her next move. To gather her scattered thoughts.

“Will you let me talk to you?” Oliver added quietly, urging her to say yes. “Vivianna, will you please ask me inside your aunt’s house so that I can speak to you in private?”

She stepped backward. “I don’t think so. You are clearly not in your right mind.”

He rolled his eyes to the heavens. “If I am insane then you are the cause.”

“I must go, my lord, excuse me.”

Oliver glared at her a moment more, and then turned his back and walked away. Vivianna watched him disappear around the corner. Why was Oliver so determined to keep her from Lord Lawson? It was most bizarre, and yet she sensed from Oliver’s demeanor that something very serious was happening. Perhaps she should have spoken to him further.

But Vivianna was still trying to decide whether or not to take Aphrodite’s advice, to give herself one night with the rake and then walk away. Being in his company confused her. Such decisions must be made out of his influence.

Vivianna sighed. “I wish Mama were here.”

And yet, she thought at the same time, better that she was not. Vivianna had too many secrets to keep from her, and it was never easy keeping secrets from Lady Greentree.

Chapter 15

Sounds outside. Guests arriving. Servants calling, doors banging, and familiar voices speaking in excited tones. Beloved voices.

“Mama!”

Half awake, Vivianna was out of her bed and barefoot on the stairs, just as Lady Greentree and Marietta entered the house and looked up. Lady Greentree, her face pale and wan from the long journey, smiled with sheer relief.