One Sinful Night

by Kaitlin O’Riley

  Gregory continued to stare at him. “And just what do you think of our little cousin?”

  Aidan shrugged. “She seems pleasant enough.”

  “Aidan, surely it cannot have escaped your notice that Vivienne is a rare and stunning beauty.” George prompted him, “Admit it.”

  Reluctant to acknowledge that fact aloud, Aidan merely nodded his head. Yes, Vivienne was incredibly beautiful. But he also knew that beauty was only skin deep, for she had taught him the hard way to beware of what lay beneath.

  “She’ll be a sensation this Season. George and I will have our hands full watching over her.”

  Again Aidan silently agreed. Every man worth his salt would be after her. No doubt Vivienne would land herself a wealthy nobleman and be married before the Season was out.

  “It will be good for her to have a little fun, poor girl,” Gregory said his tone full of concern. “It seems as though things were a bit rough for her back home.”

  “What do you mean?” Aidan’s brow furrowed in confusion at that news. “How was it rough for her?”

  “You should know, Aidan. You were there in Galway, weren’t you?” George asked looking at him intently.

  “Well, it was ten years ago and I hardly knew her,” he stated warily. He realized with a touch of irony that that statement was closer to the truth than he first thought. As it turned out, he did not know Vivienne Montgomery at all.

  Gregory continued the story, “Vivienne won’t say a word about any of it, but mother has gathered that her life in Ireland was not the easiest. Vivienne’s father didn’t take the best care of her. While she was raised by her maternal grandmother, he was away at sea most of the time and not great about sending funds, if you know what I mean, especially the last year or two. Mother feels terrible that she was unaware of how dire Vivienne’s circumstances actually were. After Uncle John died at sea—”

  “Vivienne’s father died?” Aidan interrupted in disbelief. He had not been aware of that fact. Knowing how much Vivienne adored her father, he knew she must have been utterly devastated by that loss.

  George picked up where Gregory left off. “Yes, last year. And her situation went from bad to worse after he died, leaving her no money or anything, and all the while she cared for her invalid grandmother by herself. My parents finally went to Ireland to collect Vivienne after the grandmother died. They found her living in a run-down little place, with barely anything to eat. Mother was appalled, but Vivvy had been too proud to ask for help all that time.”

  Aidan was stunned. He had never given a thought to what life was like for Vivienne after he left Ireland. He had always assumed she had married that brawny farmer, Nicky Foster. And was shocked to discover that she hadn’t. What had happened to her after he left? Why had no one taken care of her?

  Gregory let out a low whistle. “Can you imagine a rare beauty like her simply wasting away in the wilds of Ireland? It’s criminal.”

  “The city of Galway is hardly the wilds,” Aidan said softly. Thinking about what Vivienne had endured made him distinctly uncomfortable. “Why didn’t she marry? She must have had offers…” Perhaps that caustic remark he tossed at her last night was closer to the truth than he realized.

  “I don’t know, but I suppose she refused them.” George went on to explain, “So the whole family has spent the last few months polishing her up a bit, not that she needed much, truth be told.”

  “Yes, we fattened her up, got her some new clothes, worked on her accent, taught her to dance, and instructed her in proper manners and all that,” Gregory said. “But she’s so bright that she learned everything in record time.”

  “You’d think she was born to be in society,” George exclaimed with pride. “She’s a great girl.”

  “Speaking of which, we should catch up with her and Harlow,” Gregory stated. “Are you coming with us, Aidan?”

  Aidan declined their offer and watched the twins leave, pondering the new information he had learned about Vivienne. Surely her situation at home in Ireland was not as dire as they depicted it? It certainly had not been that bad when he last saw her. Perhaps the twins had overly dramatized Vivienne’s plight in their compassionate devotion to her. Gregory and George were obviously besotted with their lovely cousin and only saw her finer qualities. In their eyes, the girl could do no wrong, and it was not Aidan’s place to destroy their pretty illusions.

  They would discover Vivienne’s true character in due time.

  “And here is the rose garden where we are to meet my cousins,” Vivienne pointed out after they had walked the lengths of the expansive wildflower garden and the herb garden. “They can tell you more about these gardens than I can. I only arrived at Bingham Hall the day before yesterday myself, so I have not seen much more than you have. I’m a very poor guide, I’m afraid.”

  Vivienne smiled at Jackson Harlow as they walked arm in arm through the lush and fragrant grounds of Bingham Hall. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, bathing everything in its soft golden rays, and the air was fresh with the early scent of spring.

  “I think you have been a most enchanting guide, Miss Montgomery, and I can honestly say that I haven’t much of an interest in gardens myself. I don’t care for them, except as a lovely setting for walking with a beautiful lady.”

  “I wonder what could be keeping Gregory and George?” she asked helplessly.

  Vivienne found Jackson Harlow to be quite charming and exceedingly handsome. His blond hair glistened gold in the sunlight and he had the most intriguing dimples on either side of his mouth when he smiled, as he was doing now. Vivienne noticed her heart beating a little faster than usual. It had been quite some time since she had been alone with someone who made her pulse quicken.

  Ten years in fact.

  “Shall we rest on that bench and wait for them there?” he asked and, without waiting for an answer, escorted her to a white marble bench flanked by tall, green-leafed topiaries in white marble pots. Once they were seated, he said, “Ah, yes, this is better. I suspect that your cousins will be along soon enough. So tell me, Miss Montgomery, what brings you to England?”

  “My Aunt Gwen invited me to live with them,” she explained.

  “And what of your family?”

  “My mother died when I was an infant. And my father is…missing.” Vivienne fiddled nervously with the lace edging of her bell-shaped sleeve. Now was her chance. She had nothing to lose by asking him.

  “Missing?” he asked in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “He was lost at sea.”

  “How terrible for you.” His brows furrowed in concern and he touched her lightly on the arm in comfort.

  “Yes, it is. Yet, I was wondering…When I heard that your last name was Harlow, I wondered if you were at all connected with Harlow Shipping International? In London?” She turned to look up at him, for he was very tall, even sitting beside her. She also noticed that he smelled very nice. Of something clean and spicy.

  His handsome face broke into a wide grin. “How funny you should ask. That is my family’s company.”

  The skin on the back of Vivienne’s neck tingled. “Then you are related to Miles Harlow?”

  “He is my brother. Harlow Shipping was our father’s company. Now my older brother Miles and I manage the business, and our brother Davis is a sea captain. What prompted you to ask about us?” Jackson asked.

  “My father was a captain on one of your family’s ships.”

  Again, Jackson’s face clouded. “Oh, I see. It was from one of our ships that he disappeared, wasn’t it?”

  Vivienne could hardly breathe. Her main purpose in coming to England in the first place was to go to London to learn more about her father’s disappearance, and here the information just fell into her lap! Her good fortune astounded her. This man was quite possibly the only link to learning the truth about her father. She took a deep breath to steady herself.

  “Yes. My father is Captain John Montgomery. His ship was the Sea S
tar.”

  “Ah, the Sea Star. Yes, I recall that ship being lost in a fierce storm off the coast of Africa. They never did find a trace of it. I confess I do not remember all the details for it was many months ago. I am terribly sorry. I had no idea your father was Captain Montgomery for I did not connect your name, as you did with mine. This is quite a coincidence. But you have my deepest condolences.”

  “Then you think there is no hope either? That he is not alive, perhaps stranded on an uncharted island somewhere?” Her Irish brogue became more pronounced in her urgency to make him believe her. “Since the ship has not been found, then could it not be safe somewhere?”

  Jackson took her hand in his. It felt warm and strong, and his touch comforted her instantly. “My dear Miss Montgomery, it would be my fondest wish that your father is still alive. I would hate to raise false hopes, but stranger things have come to pass.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, looking into his light brown eyes.

  He was so goldenly handsome it unsettled her. He possessed a classically sculpted face with a broad brow and a strong jawline. His aquiline nose was straight and his lips full and sensual. His skin had a tanned glow, as if he spent a great deal of time outdoors. There was something wild and untamed about him, as if he could barely contain himself, that left her a little breathless.

  “You are very kind, Mister Harlow. It’s just that no one in my family shares my belief that my father could be lost and still alive somewhere. No one will even discuss the possibility with me. They think I’m foolish to keep believing that he might return someday.” She paused for a moment. “Do you think you could—”

  “I could contact my brothers to find out what they might know about your father and his ship?” He finished her question for her.

  She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully. “It is terribly presumptuous of me to ask, but could you please? I would be forever in your debt.”

  “Next week I will enquire into the matter of the Sea Star. I shall talk to Miles and look over the records we have in my office in London and I shall write to Davis to see if he knows anything. Let’s not talk of debts, Miss Montgomery. I would never take advantage of you in that way. This is the very least I could do for you after the tragic misfortune you have suffered while your father was employed by my family.” The genuine look of sincerity on his face warmed her and filled her with a glimmer of hope.

  “Thank you, Mister Harlow.” Vivienne felt almost dizzy with her success. He really wanted to help her find out what happened to her father!

  “You are most welcome, but…I shall ask a small favor from you in return.” He smiled at her, a smile that made her stomach flip-flop in a way she had not felt since she was seventeen.

  “That only seems fair,” she consented with a helpless grin. “What is your favor?” Was she was actually flirting? It had been so long since she had flirted with anyone, she felt giddy.

  His golden eyes warmed her. “May I have the honor of a dance with you at the ball Saturday night?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I am so pleased to have met you, Miss Montgomery. I think this week at Bingham Hall will prove to be a most enjoyable visit after all.”

  “I can only agree with you, Mister Harlow.”

  “Shall we go in search of your cousins?”

  “There is no need. Here they are now.” Vivienne waved happily as Gregory and George approached them. She had not felt so lighthearted in years.

  Chapter 5

  The Countess

  Lady Susana Kavanaugh, the Countess of Whitlock, frowned in displeasure as she watched Vivienne Montgomery. She chatted and laughed with Helene Winston, the Cardwell twins, the Atwood sisters, and others of the younger set in the grand parlor after supper that evening. Where Aidan had gone off to, Susana did not know, but it irritated her that he was not there paying court to Helene as he should be.

  After last night’s revelry at the ball, everyone was enjoying a quiet, leisurely evening at Bingham Hall. All the guests wanted to be well rested for the outdoor activities planned for the next morning. While the younger people flirted with each other, the others immersed themselves in quiet pursuits; discussing politics, reading, playing chess, doing puzzles, or playing cards.

  Stealing glances at Vivienne between the cards she held in her hand, Susana Kavanaugh grew angrier. It took all her strength not to leave the room in utter disgust, but she would not dare risk social ruin by offending the powerful Duchess of Bingham. Jane Havilland was a force to be reckoned with in Society and it would not do to get on her bad side. So Susana continued to play cards with Lady Gwendolyn Cardwell, Lady Downey, and Glenda Cardwell, while the Duchess of Bingham, and Lady Helene’s mother, the Countess of Hartshorne, chatted and watched.

  “How lovely of your niece to pay you a visit, Gwendolyn,” Susana said with false sweetness.

  “Yes, Vivienne is a credit to the family,” Gwen agreed pleasantly.

  “She’s the daughter of my brother’s wife’s brother,” Lady Bingham chimed in merrily. “I simply adore saying that.”

  “Vivienne’s not just visiting. She’s living with us now. Until we can marry her off. Which according to my brothers, won’t be long,” Glenda uttered in a doleful voice, obviously unhappy with the current state of affairs in her household. The plain and plump creature made her discard with a sulky toss of her dull, brown hair.

  Susana watched Glenda Cardwell with a keen eye, intrigued by why she did not associate with girls her own age. Especially her cousin Vivienne.

  What terrible luck that Vivienne Montgomery turned out to be related, however loosely, to the Duchess of Bingham! After another furtive glance at Vivienne, Susana grudgingly admitted to herself that the girl cleaned up nicely. One would not recognize her as the dirty, untamed little girl from Galway. Vivienne was beautiful and Susana could understand to a certain extent why Aidan found her attractive, if in a somewhat common, earthy way. But she was completely unsuitable for her son. Aidan needed a proper English lady, not some awful peasant from Ireland.

  Her hatred of all things Irish began even before she was forced to marry Aidan’s father all those years ago. Lord Joseph Kavanaugh. She had detested him on sight, but her parents sold her into that marriage without any regard for her feelings on the matter and shipped her off to Ireland. Ireland, that Godforsaken, blight-ridden nightmare of a country!

  At sixteen Susana was ripped from her family, friends, and all that she loved. Yes, Joseph Kavanaugh was titled and owned property and a manor house, if one could call a drafty, damp, rambling, run-down limestone mess with nothing comfortable or stylish to recommend it a proper manor house. Susana did her best to repair the place and make it more respectable, but Joseph was tightfisted with funds and happy with the place just as it was. An unpretentious man who liked his life uncomplicated, Joseph enjoyed his liquor too much and was more than content with his thoroughbred racehorses. His simple mind could not comprehend how his wife could want for anything more in life and her constant misery irritated him.

  And miserable she certainly was.

  Susana submitted to his husbandly demands until she produced a son and heir, at which point she considered herself finished with Joseph and focused all her attention on her adorable baby boy. She hired the best English tutors for her son, determined to raise a proper English gentleman even if they were only in Galway. And what an exceptional child Aidan was! Handsome and bright, ambitious and charming. Traits he obviously inherited from her side of the family and not the Kavanaughs, heaven knew!

  Good fortune finally smiled on her when her husband broke his neck and died from a fall from one of his racehorses when Aidan was eighteen. Dropping dead was the one and only favor he ever granted her in all their marriage. Then all the money was hers, to do with as she wished. Regrettably, she could not sell the Irish property since it was entailed to Aidan, but she immediately made plans to return to England and buy a fine, new house of her own.

  Howeve
r, the greatest stroke of luck of all occurred at the end of the summer that Joseph obligingly broke his neck. They received word that Joseph’s uncle, the Earl of Whitlock, died along with his wife and only son in a tragic fire at an inn outside London. That sudden and strange twist of fate made Aidan the new Earl of Whitlock. It was a most unexpected but fantastic change of events. Aidan inherited the title, the lands, and the considerable fortune of the earldom. Finally, Susana could leave Ireland and return to London in high style. And as the mother of an earl, no less!

  That miracle couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time either. For she needed to get Aidan as far away from the enticing Vivienne Montgomery as quickly as she could. It proved to be a difficult situation because Aidan was determined to marry the girl, in spite of the fact that Vivienne Montgomery would, undoubtedly, ruin his life. But Susana managed to turn the tables and finally allow Aidan to see Vivienne’s true character revealed in the light of day.

  Everything had worked out to her advantage and she and Aidan made a splendid new life for themselves in England, taking up residence in their grand country estate, Whitlock Hall, and their elegant new townhouse in London.

  If only she had managed to secure his marriage to Helene Winston before they came to Bingham Hall, everything would be perfectly settled. Instead Vivienne Montgomery’s presence threatened her plans for Aidan once again. The looks her son cast in that girl’s direction during supper worried her. No, it did not bode well for anyone that the Irish witch had returned. Something had to be done.

  As the card game drew to a close, Susana laid down her winning hand with a triumphant look.

  “You win again! That’s twice today you’ve beaten me, Susana!” Lady Downey cried in exasperation.

  Susana glanced up to see Vivienne Montgomery, the very object of her thoughts, standing next to their card table. Lady Helene had joined them as well.