like Mr. Collier?”
“She has been ordered to stay there until I can decide what should become of her.” He hadn’t felt right about imprisoning a family member and one-time confidant, but he couldn’t look upon her without disgust.
“What do you want to do with her?” Vivian asked. “I hope you won’t be too harsh with her.”
“She conspired to ruin you and take you away from me. How can I be anything but harsh?”
“You said yourself she fancies herself in love with you. What she did is unforgivable, but I can understand her desperation. Mr. Collier is the true culprit, filling her head with lies and empty promises. Perhaps I would have believed him too if the situation were reversed.”
“But you would never conspire to hurt another person.”
She dropped her gaze. “No, I wouldn’t. I simply ask that you give careful consideration before you decide her fate. People make mistakes.”
He kissed her forehead. “You are too tenderhearted, my love. I promise the punishment will fit the crime. Nothing more and nothing less.”
“What will you do with Mr. Collier?”
If Luke made Collier’s transgression public, the man would have accomplished his aim to some degree. He wouldn’t allow the blackguard to taint Vivian’s reputation. The bastard had sought his revenge where it would most hurt Luke. Damn the consequences to Vivian. And Luke had been stupid enough to reveal his weakness to Collier. It would be easiest to take him into the woods and put a ball in him, but murder wasn’t the answer even if Luke’s rage called for blood.
“Lord Brookhaven has offered to take him back to London, but Collier’s days of mingling with the ton are over. Without the viscount’s support, he has no access to society, and Brookhaven has assured me he has already dissolved their friendship. If I find he has lied, I will challenge them both.”
Vivian nibbled her bottom lip. “What about Owen? You won’t say anything to Lady Stanwood, will you?”
“I see no reason to bring the countess into family matters. From all accounts, the man is blameless.”
This seemed to put her concerns to rest, and she laid her head against his shoulder. “Thank you for believing me. If my brother had placed more faith in me, Owen wouldn’t have been driven from his home.”
“Your brother believed you, Vivian. But sometimes a man must make decisions to protect those he loves. I would have done the same thing if my sister were in a similar predicament. And he defended your actions to my father.”
She sat up with a soft gasp, her cheeks flaming. “Your father knew?”
“He did not put any more credence into the rumors than I do. The only thing I would have done differently is deal with Mrs. Honeywell from the start. If Ashden failed you, it was in that respect.”
“But he did attend to Mrs. Honeywell.”
“He could have performed the task better. Rewarding her wagging tongue with invitations to join your brother and sister-in-law in Town was foolish.”
“What would you have done?”
“It doesn’t matter. She will give us no more trouble.” He wrapped his fingers around the back of her neck and urged her forward for a kiss.
When they broke contact, she wrinkled her nose. “You do realize in most circumstances you will not be able to divert my attention that easily, but I care nothing for Mrs. Honeywell so I will let it go.”
“I will take your warning to heart.”
Luke escorted Vivian to her bedchamber and left her in the care of her maid then made his way to the chamber where Collier was being kept. He didn’t trust himself alone with the bastard. He tested the door to confirm it remained locked then found his way to the master’s chamber.
He hadn’t decided what to do with Johanna yet, but perhaps his mother would have some guidance on the morrow. One thing he knew with certainty: she was no longer welcome in his home. She had already proven untrustworthy. He wouldn’t be fooled twice.
***
“Lady Vivian, wake up.” A hand at her shoulder shook her violently. “She is here, Your Grace,” Winnie bellowed.
Where else would she be but in her bed in the dead of night? Vivi rolled over to find her maid leaning over her. Long shadows blocked out one side of her face, her other bathed in dim light from the candle she held aloft. “Winnie? What the devil are you doing waking me at this hour?”
Heavy footsteps crossed the room and Luke appeared at her bedside still in his nightshirt.