His gaze then rested on Vivienne. He had not seen her since that infamous night in her bedroom. She sat calmly across the table from him. But of course she would be calm. Aidan wouldn’t have expected anything less of her. He had to admit that she looked extraordinarily lovely. Wearing a gown of a deep lavender, the simple but tasteful cut of the dress showed off her figure to perfection and the color brought out the startling blue of her eyes. An involuntary rush of desire had flooded him at the sight of her and he steeled himself against it. He wondered what Vivienne was thinking as she sat with an unreadable expression on her face. More than likely she despised him for coming to her room uninvited that night. Lord knew, he despised himself for his unmitigated stupidity.
“Before we begin supper, I would like to say one thing,” Lord Cardwell continued with a grand hand gesture, his auburn beard bobbing as he spoke. “I realize this is not a set of circumstances that any of us would have chosen, but the die has been cast, so to speak. We must make the best of a rather awkward situation. Our two families will be joined by marriage as of Saturday.” Gilbert’s broad round face smiled benevolently. “Two fine families united by fate.”
“Here, here,” Lady Cardwell chimed in sweetly.
Susana cleared her throat loudly, and began coughing as if choking on something she could not bear to swallow. Heads turned to stare at her as she then sipped water from the glass in front of her, ostensibly to calm her cough. Aidan watched Vivienne lower her eyes at the incident and he cringed in embarrassment. His mother’s blatant disapproval of his marriage to Vivienne had been made quite clear to the Cardwells.
“I agree,” Aidan made a point to say, nodding his assent to Lord Cardwell’s statement. Aidan cast a stern glance in his mother’s direction. Though she was biting her tongue, her hard eyes betrayed her seething anger and bitter disappointment at this sudden turn of events. At first she had refused to attend the dinner, but she feared offending the Duchess of Bingham too much to turn down an invitation from the duchess’s brother. Aidan almost wanted to laugh at her impotent rage at his marrying Vivienne and not Helene Winston. The only saving grace in the entire sordid ordeal was that he had honestly broken things off with Helene and spoken to her parents about it before he was found with Vivienne later that night. For that bit of good foresight on his part he would be eternally thankful.
As supper was served, Aidan realized he had no reservations about marrying into the Cardwell family. They were warm, friendly, and infinitely likeable, and he had known them all for years. Gilbert and Gwen Cardwell were kind and decent people. George and Gregory were more like brothers than friends to him and, although he rarely saw them, their older brother Gerald and his wife, who had come to town for the wedding on Saturday, were wonderful as well. Aidan could even tolerate their petulant sister Glenda, where most people could not. No, the Cardwell family had much to recommend them. Coming from the perspective of an only child, Aidan welcomed being part of the large and boisterous Cardwell family.
On the other hand, marrying Vivienne was an entirely different matter. He did not thrill at the prospect of being her husband. Although they might enjoy each other in the bedroom, he could never trust her. There were too many years of resentment and hurt feelings to overcome. And he was still reeling from the shocking news that he received from Grayson regarding Vivienne’s whereabouts that afternoon.
Aidan managed to sit through supper without having to speak to Vivienne directly. Luckily the Cardwells were an animated group and the conversation never lagged. They even managed to snare his dour mother into cracking a smile at one point. Even so, Aidan was grateful when supper had concluded and the men were invited into the library for cigars.
As Gilbert, George, and Gerald Cardwell sat drinking brandy and discussing the latest political news, Aidan and Gregory ventured outside to smoke on the patio. Between the twins, he had always been a little closer to Gregory than George. Perhaps because he met Gregory first.
“I know you don’t see it this way, but I, for one, am very happy that you are marrying Vivienne,” Gregory began in his usual blithe manner, leaning against the balustrade overlooking the Cardwell’s rose garden.
“This is not something I wish to discuss,” Aidan said wearily, exhaling on his cigar. “But since we’re on the subject, I happen to be in need of a best man on Saturday.”
Gregory laughed good-naturedly. “Happy to oblige, if that’s what you were asking me.”
Aidan nodded his head, with a rueful grin. “That’s what I was asking.”
“I’d be honored to be your best man.” Gregory’s voice lowered and his ruddy face turned thoughtful. “You know that Vivienne is a very special woman.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Aidan muttered bitterly.
“Oh, but you see, I do.” Gregory smiled with a gleeful gleam in his eyes. “I had a lovely little chat with Vivienne this afternoon. I finally know all about Galway and what happened between the two of you ten years ago.” At Aidan’s hard look, Gregory continued in a serious tone, quite unlike his usual self, “You’re absolutely wrong about her.”
Again that vivid image sprang unbidden into Aidan’s head. Vivienne and Nicky Foster, arms entwined. It hadn’t faded in the least over time. “I know what I saw, Greg. I saw her with him with my own eyes.”
“Looks can be deceiving.”
“Not that time.”
“Give her a second chance. You loved her enough once to want to marry her,” Gregory persisted. “And she still loves you.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“She didn’t have to,” Gregory stated. “I can tell by looking at her face when you walk in the room.”
“Then tell me, what was she doing at Jackson Harlow’s office this afternoon?” Aidan countered with mounting skepticism. Then he added sarcastically, “Looking to book passage on a ship before Saturday?”
“How did you know she was there?” Gregory asked in surprise, his eyes narrowed.
“I just do,” Aidan retorted. He was still surprised by Grayson’s report that his man Jones followed Jimmy Travers to Harlow’s office and saw Vivienne there. “And you can’t tell me there’s anything platonic in that relationship. Harlow is obviously after her. I’m marrying her on Saturday and today she’s visiting another man, unchaperoned.”
“She was not unchaperoned,” Gregory defended her. “I was with her. And she only went there to find out what happened to her father. He was sailing on one of their ships when he disappeared. She thinks there might have been some other cause involved, perhaps even foul play. Harlow is just helping her investigate the matter.”
Gregory’s words gave him pause, but Aidan still snorted, “Oh, I bet he’s helping her.”
“If you think Vivienne is so faithless,” Gregory challenged him, “then call off the wedding.”
“Your father caught me in bed with her. He’s obtained a special license. I can hardly back out now.”
“You certainly could if you really thought she was two-timing you again. Only this time with Harlow,” Gregory persisted.
Aidan was silent. Although he didn’t like the idea of Vivienne visiting Harlow for any reason, if he were completely honest with himself, there was a part of him that deep down really did not believe she was two-timing him with Harlow. Gregory’s reason was very believable. If Vivienne thought there was a chance her father was still alive or that his cause of death was suspicious and that there was actually something she could do to change the situation, it would be just like her to go charging off with a man like Harlow, believing he could help her. He felt a pang of regret that he could not help her find the truth about her father himself.
Still, he had seen the looks Harlow cast at Vivienne. And he had not imagined the looks Vivienne had returned to Harlow either. The man was consumed with lust for her and his interest was not merely to help Vivienne find out what happened to her father. Vivienne, just like that idiot Travers, had no idea what type of man she was really dealing
with. Harlow’s charm blinded her. Aidan supposed he was worried for her more than anything else. He knew better than to trust Harlow to be decent or chivalrous.
Aidan inhaled deeply on his cigar, blowing the smoke out slowly. “No, I can’t back out now.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m really happy you’re marrying my cousin,” Gregory stated with satisfaction. “In the end, I think it is going to work out well between the two of you.”
“You’re just relieved I’m not marrying Helene,” Aidan quipped dryly.
“About that…” Gregory began hesitantly, with a sheepish look on his freckled face. “I…uh…I was wondering how you would feel if—”
“If you proposed to Helene?” Aidan finished his question. He had been expecting this from his friend and truly had no issue with Gregory and Helene being together.
“How did you know?” Gregory gaped in surprise.
“I’m not blind,” Aidan said affably. “I think she preferred you to me all along, my friend.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said quietly, yet he could not contain his happiness. “I wasn’t sure what you would think of me with Helene.”
“I’m fine with it. I ended things amicably with her the night of the masked ball. You have my blessings if that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
“Then you have them,” Aidan said with a grin. He could not think of two more deserving souls than Gregory and Helene. “Be happy with her.”
“Thank you, Aidan,” Gregory uttered earnestly.
“Hello,” a familiar feminine voice interrupted them. He and Gregory turned to see Vivienne before them, looking lovely in her lavender gown.
“Vivvy, we were just talking about you,” Gregory called to her as she stepped closer to them, and they both extinguished their cigars.
“Were you, now?” she questioned skeptically. “I can only imagine what that conversation entailed.”
Aidan remained silent. Whenever Vivienne came near him, it seemed he lost the ability to think coherently. He nodded to her in greeting. She merely nodded back.
“Was I interrupting?” she asked them hesitantly after a moment. “Shall I leave you?”
“Please stay. We were just discussing the wedding,” Gregory explained in his jovial manner. “Aidan asked me to be his best man on Saturday.”
“That’s wonderful,” she replied, avoiding looking in Aidan’s direction.
“Who have you asked to attend you?” Gregory inquired.
“Aunt Gwen,” she paused and then explained, “I asked Glenda first but she said no, and I’m not yet close enough to any other girls here in London…” Her voice trailed off.
“I’m sure my mother is thrilled to do it,” Gregory answered with a grin.
Vivienne nodded. “I think she is.”
“I shall go and refresh my drink. I’m sure the two of you would like a moment of privacy. You must have some things to discuss before your wedding,” Gregory began, knowing that to be the farthest thing from the truth. “If you will excuse me…” Then he fled the scene before either Aidan or Vivienne could utter a protest.
They stood uncomfortably together on the patio. In three days they would be man and wife, and now he could barely think of a civil word to say to her. An awkward silence ensued as Aidan stared at Vivienne. She looked enticing in the flickering light from the gas lamps illuminating the patio. Desire ran rampant through him, in spite of the anger that consumed him, and his body reacted physically to her presence. He wanted to touch her, to smell her hair, to kiss her, to pull her into his arms. He wanted to lift her skirts and have her.
“You don’t have to marry me, Aidan.” Her voice was low.
Startled by her remark, he responded instinctively, “Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t. That night was my fault just as much as yours.”
“I came to your room in the middle of the night, Vivienne. I take full responsibility and accept the consequences.”
“I don’t wish to marry someone who sees me only as the consequence of his actions. As a terrible sentence he must endure.”
“You have no choice in the matter now. I’m marrying you on Saturday.”
She looked up at him, her expression dark and accusing. “So you can punish me for the rest of my life?”
“What do you mean?” he asked incredulously. He was the one who would be tortured forever by that day in Galway, not her.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. You will make me miserable, make us miserable. You will never trust me or believe in me again. You will hold Nicky Foster over my head and torment us both with what you think happened. You can never forget what you think you saw, and because of that, you will never give us a chance. We can never be at peace together. Are you ready for that?”
Aidan felt a twinge of remorse, but could not help but agree with her silently. Yet he managed to say through clenched teeth, “It will be fine.”
She shook her head and said softly, “This marriage is a mistake. I know my family is making you do this, but you really don’t have to marry me.”
“I’m afraid that I do. I’ve given my word to your uncle.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you gave your word to me ten years ago yet that didn’t stop you from breaking it then.”
“That was different and you know it,” Aidan retorted hotly. Again, she had struck a nerve with him. Ever since they were children she had always been able to do that to him. She always made him think and look at the other side of issues. But he didn’t want to do that now. He was too angry with her. For the past. The present. For everything.
“No. I don’t know,” she demanded. “Explain the difference.”
They did not speak for a moment. He had no response to that. The rational part of him acknowledged that she made a good point, but he was not going to admit that to her. Stunned and angered that she was attempting to get out of the marriage to him, he stood his ground. “I won’t discuss that with you now.”
“When will we discuss ‘that,’ Aidan, if not now?” she protested.
He stood firm. “There is nothing to discuss.”
“You would think that,” she said derisively. “We shouldn’t marry each other. I can manage on my own.”
“I doubt that,” he scoffed at her. “Why were you visiting Jackson Harlow’s office today?”
“That is none of your business,” she snapped cuttingly.
By the startled expression on her face it was apparent she was surprised that he knew where she’d been. If he were not mistaken, there was some guilt in those sapphire eyes of hers. “It’s absolutely my business when you are involved with a ruthless and dangerous man.”
“Jackson Harlow is a fine gentleman,” she defended him vehemently. “He’s simply helping me with an important matter.”
“Your father?” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“I see Gregory’s been talking to you.”
“Yes. But now you listen to me, Vivienne, and listen to me well.” He stepped closer to her and put his hand beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him like a child. If she were going to act like a careless, spoiled little girl, he was going to treat her like one. Her eyes widened and a defiant expression came over her exquisite features.
“Harlow is not interested in helping you, Vivienne. At least not in the way you think he is. He is set on ruining me and he’ll ruin you to get to me. I told you once before. This is the last time I will say it again, and I expect you to obey me.” He paused, then said very slowly and clearly, so she would not misunderstand nor misinterpret his meaning, “Stay…away…from…Jackson…Harlow.”
She placed her hand over his hand in an effort to release her chin, and he reeled from the contact of her warm fingers on his.
“And I told you that you have no right to tell me what to do,” she said between clenched teeth. She pulled away from his grasp triumphantly.
“I do as of Saturday when we marry.”
�
�But we’re not married yet, are we, Aidan?” she replied archly and gave him a withering glance before she turned to stalk away from him.
“Damn it, Vivienne!” he called after her, furious. Without thinking Aidan grabbed her with both hands and spun her around to face him. Her eyes glistened angrily and she struggled to break free once again. “You don’t understand, do you?!” he cried.
“That you can tell me how to live my life? No, I don’t understand, then. Nor will I ever! I can speak to anyone I want, whenever I want. You cannot tell me what to do!”
“When I’m your husband, you’ll do as I say.” He didn’t know what he was saying. He had never been the kind of man who expected obedience in a wife.
She laughed at that, a mocking laugh, her eyes glittering fiercely as she struggled against his hold on her. “That’s what you think!”
How dare she taunt him that way? She was going to be his wife and she still thought she could visit another man. A man who was obviously infatuated with her. Not bloody likely! And she hadn’t a clue, a single clue, who she was dealing with. Aidan was not entirely sure what Harlow was up to with her, but he was positive it was nothing good. Harlow was not the altruistic type to do something for nothing. If he actually were helping Vivienne discover what happened to her father, he expected some payment in return. He wanted something from her desperately. Aidan wondered if Harlow were using Vivienne to provoke him. If Harlow harmed her in any way…
Aidan wanted to shake her, make her understand how dangerous Harlow was.
Instead he pulled her against his chest and his lips crashed down upon hers. Instantly she stopped fighting him. Her rigid body softened and her soft, sweet mouth sought his. He wrapped his arms around her and her small hands clasped behind his neck. Their kiss deepened and he lost all sense of time and space, feeling only Vivienne in his arms once again. He breathed her in. Her softness. Her sweetness. The floral scent of her overwhelmed him. Their tongues intermingled and a little sigh escaped her.
One Sinful Night Page 23
