“Aidan is your best friend,” she cautioned.
“Yes, but he is all wrong for Helene. I’d be doing Helene a favor by taking her away from Aidan. He doesn’t love her or even want to marry her, truth be told. I know for a fact that he’s in love with someone else.”
Surprised by his admission, Vivienne felt her pulse quicken. “You do?”
“Yes, and I think you know who I’m talking about, Vivvy.”
She shook her head with a rueful little laugh. “Oh, you’re quite wrong on that score, Gregory. Aidan is not in love with me. He may have been once, but not anymore.”
“So there was something between you all those years ago, wasn’t there?”
“Yes,” she admitted reluctantly. Thank goodness he had no idea what happened yesterday afternoon! Grateful for the cover of her exotic peacock mask, she felt what she and Aidan did in the portrait gallery was written all over her face and Gregory could see it.
“Do you mind if I ask what happened when you were in Ireland?”
“It’s a rather complicated story.” Vivienne let out a resigned sigh. “We were friends since we were little children and fell in love as we got older, but in the end, I suppose Aidan simply didn’t have enough faith in me.”
“Yet he still has feelings for you. Anyone with eyes can see that. When you and Aidan sang that pretty Irish song together, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the two of you are in love with each other.”
Shaking her head, she murmured anxiously, “Don’t say that, Gregory.”
“Why, not? It’s true.”
“Even if you believe that, I promise you that nothing good will come of it. Aidan despises me.” She needed to put Aidan Kavanaugh out of her thoughts and she certainly did not need her cousin filling her head with fantasies that could never come to pass.
“And you…?”
“And I…I know better now.” Vivienne stepped forward to return to the ballroom.
Gregory put his hand on her arm in a gesture of comfort, stopping her. “I think you are wrong about that, Vivienne. Things have a way of working out the way they were meant to be, and they just might work out for the both of us.”
She gave Gregory a look of thankfulness and was about to add that she thought his situation would work out more easily than her own, when they were suddenly interrupted by Aunt Gwen and Uncle Gilbert.
“Hullo there, you two!” Aunt Gwen called, waving her hand gaily as they joined them on the portico. She and her husband looked charming in their coordinated black-and-white harlequin ensembles and matching masques. Lord and Lady Cardwell were a married couple who clearly still adored each other.
With his florid face and reddish beard, Uncle Gilbert boomed in his usual raucous way, “Vivienne, my dear, you are the belle of the ball! I’ve had more compliments about you this evening than I know what to do with.”
“Thank you, Uncle Gilbert,” murmured Vivienne, now used to his effusive blustering. The affection she felt for her aunt and uncle had grown quickly in the weeks she had been with them. They could never take the place of her father or Aggie, but she loved them and was grateful to be a part of their warm and loving family.
Aunt Gwen, a thoughtful and gentle woman, nodded her head enthusiastically. “It’s true. And the Season doesn’t officially begin until next week. I declare, Vivienne, your uncle has had quite a few inquiries about you from some very eligible gentlemen.”
They were thrilled at her popularity, which they believed guaranteed a successful debut in London next week, but tonight Vivienne could not have cared less. Her family simply wanted to see her safely married to an English lord before the year was out. Yet marriage seemed so unlikely to her at this point. There had only been one man she had ever wanted to marry. And he wanted absolutely nothing to do with her now.
“Has anyone caught your eye?” Aunt Gwen asked with a mischievous smile. There were moments when Aunt Gwen smiled that way that Vivienne thought she looked so much like her father. A painful ache at missing her father tugged at her heart. She wondered what it would be like to have him there at the ball, watching over her and proudly accepting offers from gentlemen to court her.
Vivienne shook herself and stated blandly, “No, no one has caught my eye yet.”
“She’s very discriminating in her tastes,” Gregory pointed out. “Give her more time, Mother. She’s hardly met anyone yet. Wait until she gets to London at least and has had a good look around.”
As Aunt Gwen and Uncle Gilbert chattered away about Vivienne’s likely prospects in town, Jackson Harlow stepped out onto the portico and was greeted heartily by the Cardwells.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Miss Montgomery. I do believe you owe me this dance,” Jackson Harlow said, his masked eyes on Vivienne.
“Go on and dance, Vivienne,” Uncle Gilbert said with a benevolent grin.
After they excused themselves, she followed Jackson back into the noisy and crowded ballroom. The orchestra played a familiar tune.
“You are looking particularly lovely tonight,” he said gallantly taking her arm in his. “Your gown is stunning. But then, you would shine in anything.”
She blushed at his flamboyant accolade and murmured, “Thank you.”
It was the first time she had seen Jackson since the boating accident on the lake, and he seemed none the worse for wear. In fact, he appeared in good spirits and looked dashingly handsome in his black suit and mask, the dark color contrasting sharply with his blond brilliance. The golden brown of his eyes gleamed behind the elegant mask, making him appear somewhat roguish and he moved with a panther-like grace.
She said to him, “I trust you are completely mended from our ill-fated boat trip.”
“Yes, I’m fine now, nothing but a nasty gash on the head and my injured pride. But I thank God it was only I who was hurt. I sincerely apologize for acting so irresponsibly with both Lady Helene’s and your safety in my hands. I would never have forgiven myself if either of you ladies were harmed, especially due to my own recklessness.”
“Your apology is not necessary, and you must not fault yourself, Mister Harlow. Helene and I both were excited at the prospect of racing and eager to win. No one had any idea we would overturn in such a manner.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate your graciousness.”
“Your mask hides your injury perfectly, Mister Harlow. One would never notice.”
“And you are the loveliest lady in attendance this evening, Miss Montgomery,” he said with a charming smile.
“You are making me blush with your extravagant compliments!” she exclaimed laughingly.
“That was not my intention, although I must say the color becomes you.”
Vivienne laughed and shook her head at his flirtatiousness as the music for the next dance began. Jackson took her in his arms and she felt her pulse race slightly at the contact. He was a good dancer and they marked the steps to the quadrille quite well together. Afterward he escorted her to the refreshment area and handed her a glass of champagne in a crystal glass.
“We shall all return to London shortly. Are you looking forward to it, Miss Montgomery?”
“Yes, if only to have you find out about my father. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” Vivienne asked and sipped some of the sparkling wine. Champagne had a distinct taste and she was becoming more accustomed to it. Gregory and George would be so proud of her.
“How could I forget a request of yours? Looking into the disappearance of the Sea Star is my first priority Monday morning. It is my honor to assist you in any way possible.”
“You have no idea how much that means to me.”
“I can only imagine how much it means to you and all I can hope is to bring you a measure of peace. This morning I dispatched a letter to our office, requesting that the files on the Sea Star be readied for me. I shall leave no stone unturned in finding evidence of what really happened to your father, Miss Montgomery. You have my word on that.”
&n
bsp; She thanked him profusely.
“And I hope I’m not too presumptuous in believing that you will allow me to call upon you when we return to London. I’ve already asked and been given permission by your uncle to court you, but I would prefer your consent.”
Glancing up, her heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of Aidan across the room. He stood out from everyone and in spite of the black mask he wore, she would have known him just by the way he carried himself. Helene Winston, who looked lovely in a pale yellow gown that matched the color of her hair, stood beside him. They truly were an elegant-looking couple. Vivienne suddenly fought an overwhelming urge to cry.
Then Aidan’s dark green eyes met hers, and even through his black mask the blatant look of disapproval he shot in her direction left her feeling sick inside, yet angered her at the same time. She didn’t need him in her life and she deserved to be with a man who truly wanted her and treated her like a lady. She would show him.
She forced her gaze back to Jackson Harlow. He was about as different looking from Aidan as one could find. He grinned encouragingly at her. Jackson would be a good husband, she supposed. At least she liked him and felt comfortable with him and, unlike Aidan, Jackson Harlow regarded her as a respectable and trustworthy woman.
“I would be honored to have you call upon me, Mister Harlow.”
“Nothing would make me happier, Miss Montgomery.”
The gleam in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. She recognized that look of desire, but she did not know if she desired him in return. There was not a doubt that she desired Aidan and the thought of being intimate with Jackson Harlow left her feeling hollow, especially after yesterday. In an effort to block Aidan Kavanaugh from her mind she smiled brightly at Jackson and sipped her champagne.
Although the Earl of Whitlock made concerted efforts to ignore Vivienne Montgomery, he found himself helplessly looking for her in the crush of masked guests in the ballroom, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. When he did finally see her, he was overwhelmed with feelings of desire for her. She wore a peacock feather mask that framed her face exquisitely and lent a bit of drama to her features and was clothed in a deep sapphire blue gown shot with silver that matched her eyes perfectly. A gown cut daringly low, showing too much décolletage. She was a walking temptation.
Unable to shake off the memories of what happened between them in the portrait gallery and acutely aware of her presence in the ballroom, Aidan’s eyes followed her all evening attracted by her graceful movements. He watched as she laughed raucously with the Cardwell twins, conversed with her aunt and uncle, and waltzed with the likes of Harry Gardner, Wesley Lawrence, and Peter Templeton. Oh, they were nice men, all of them. He could not fault her on that account, as much as it tried his patience to see them fawn over her. It was typical of Vivienne to have all the men after her.
After all, it was what she excelled at.
Wasn’t it?
However, when he saw her dancing with Jackson Harlow, he could stand no more. The sight of Harlow’s scheming hands on Vivienne’s body, that beautiful body Aidan had made love to only yesterday, made him insane. To see Vivienne’s pretty smiles and laughter in response to Harlow’s blatant overtures only increased his torment. He wanted to punch someone, namely Harlow.
Vivienne could not become involved with Jackson Harlow. She simply could not. He wouldn’t allow it. He shouldn’t care what happened to her, but unfortunately he did. He felt responsible for her welfare, especially after yesterday. The girl had no idea the type of man she was flirting with. Harlow certainly did not entertain honorable intentions toward her. He would ruin her and destroy her spirit.
Only this morning he had received a dispatch from Daniel Grayson that he had finally found a witness that linked Harlow to his warehouse fire. And that witness was willing to talk to them. Aidan planned to attend to that first thing Monday morning when he returned from London.
There had been bad blood between Aidan and Harlow since Kavanaugh Enterprises won a substantial contract over Harlow Shipping International. Aidan definitely had not imagined the mysterious string of “bad luck” that plagued his company since that incident. He and Grayson suspected that Harlow and his double-crossing brothers were the responsible parties, for their company had a reputation for dirty dealing, but they had a difficult time coming up with some solid proof against the Harlow family. But at last it seemed they finally had it.
Any man who would have a warehouse burned to the ground, risking the lives of the people inside just to promote his own financial and business success, had no scruples. Besides he had heard unsavory tales about Harlow’s many affairs with married women. Aidan ought to at least warn Vivienne away from Harlow. She deserved that much from him, especially after he behaved so badly with her. He could not allow Vivienne to fall into the hands of a man like that.
Vivienne.
He had been shocked by the undeniable passion that ignited between them. Crazy and reckless. Completely irresponsible. Aidan knew better than to behave that way. Vivienne at the very least deserved an apology from him for accosting her in a closet. He had treated her like a wharfside doxy. But wasn’t that what she was? Oh, she denied it of course, but he didn’t believe her…With his own eyes he had seen her with another man when she was promised to him.
She was not to be trusted.
Ever again.
Yet he could not take his eyes off her. He could not help thinking about her. He wanted to talk to her, confide in her again. He could not help wanting to be near her, to touch her, to kiss her. To make love to her again.
Instead Aidan had danced his obligatory dance with Helene Winston, afterward escorting her to the dining room, and he suddenly knew what was wrong. Everything he did with Helene seemed obligatory. Where with Vivienne he felt wild and reckless. He felt free. And at the same time he felt at home when he was with Vivienne. But this time he could not trust her again.
Could he?
His stomach knotted and his jaw clenched thinking about Vivienne. The Duke of Bingham’s bar beckoned to him as a way to drown his feelings for her, to obliterate them with alcohol, but he did not want to go down that hell-bound path as his father had.
“Are you feeling well, Aidan?” Helene asked, obviously concerned about him, her pretty face drawn and worried. “You don’t seem to be yourself this evening.”
“I’m just preoccupied with some business matters,” he responded noncommittally and gave her a false smile.
As she stood looking up at him with questioning eyes, Aidan felt remorse over his behavior. Helene did not deserve this careless treatment from him. She was a lovely woman and should be with a man who had true feelings for her. He’d seen her dancing with Gregory Cardwell earlier and she seemed to enjoy herself. There was a dreamy expression on her face that he had never seen before.
Perhaps there was a chance she felt the same obligatory feelings toward Aidan and would actually prefer to be with someone like Cardwell.
The more he thought about it, he realized it was quite possible that Gregory had feelings for Helene. Recalling the way Gregory rescued Helene in the lake the other day, Aidan was amazed he had not recognized it sooner. Yes, Gregory would make Helene happy in a way that Aidan never could.
Whereas Aidan needed to find a woman who could make him forget about Vivienne Montgomery. There had to be someone who could make him stop thinking about her, and unfortunately he knew it was not Helene. But as a gentleman, he also knew he had to set her free.
“Helene, may I speak with you privately?” he asked her.
“Of course, Aidan,” she responded, her delicate brows raising slightly at his unusual request.
She followed him from the crowded ballroom and they stepped inconspicuously into an empty drawing room. He left the door partially open for propriety’s sake, and faced her, removing his black mask. A few flickering lamps burned in the quiet room. Helene removed her mask as well, looking pretty in her pale yellow ensemble, but he could not hel
p but notice how she lacked Vivienne’s vivid coloring.
“I’m sorry, Helene…” Aidan began somewhat awkwardly. “I know there has been an ‘understanding’ between our families for some time that you and I would eventually marry. I would just like to apologize to you, for I have not been the most caring or considerate suitor to you.”
Helene merely nodded her head in acceptance of his words.
“In fact, I have been a terrible suitor—”
“Oh, no, Aidan, don’t say that,” she protested politely.
“Let’s be honest, shall we? I respect you too much and consider you too lovely and too special a woman to waste your time on me…You deserve much better than I can give you, Helene, and I don’t wish for you to feel obligated to me by our families’ wishes.”
She was silent, her hands pressed together tightly.
“What I’m saying is—”
“I understand perfectly what you are saying, Aidan,” she interrupted him with a soft voice. “That I am free to choose another.” Her clear hazel eyes met his. He saw the strength and determination within her and that surprised him. “And so are you…”
He responded gently, nodding his head. “Eventually, perhaps.”
She asked, “Does this have anything to do with Miss Montgomery?”
“In some respects, yes.”
A small sigh escaped her. “Thank you for being honest with me. And to be perfectly honest with you as well, I must say that I feel relieved that we have ended this arrangement.”
“Thank you, Helene.” He sighed in relief at her calm acceptance of the situation. He had half feared hysterics from her. “I shall speak to your parents now and inform them that we have both decided that we do not suit. I am not deserving of your kindness, but, for what it’s worth, you shall always have a very indebted friend in me.”
She smiled ruefully and extended her hand to him. “And you in me.”
He took her hand and kissed it tenderly.
Giving him one last bittersweet glance, Helene retied the ribbons of her mask. “Good night, Aidan.” She turned gracefully and left the room, and Aidan felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
One Sinful Night Page 15
