face looked puffy. “My apologies, Lady Vivian. I didn’t intend to startle you.”
“Mr. Collier.” She swiped her forehead with the back of her hand “I-I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Nor would I expect you to.” His grin widened as he extracted a handkerchief from his pocket and approached her. “You have a smudge on your face.”
“Oh!” She reached out to accept his offering, but he didn’t hand over the handkerchief. Instead, he stood too close and touched the cloth to her forehead.
“Allow me to assist, Lady Vivian.” His nearness made her fidgety inside, and she stepped away from him.
“Thank you, sir. I am certain the smudge is gone now.”
“My pleasure, my lady.” He tucked the handkerchief back into his waistcoat. “May I inquire into what you are doing in the garden?”
A relevant inquiry, she supposed. Nevertheless, as foolishness rarely sufficed as a reasonable excuse in her experience, she was at a loss.
“There was a weed.” She looked down at her dirty hands. “I saw a weed.”
He must think her a ridiculous young woman. And his opinion might not trouble her under different circumstances, but everything she did now reflected on Luke.
“How interesting,” Mr. Collier muttered. “Do you enjoy gardening?”
Vivi’s gaze snapped to his.
He smiled in return. “My grandmother has an aptitude for growing plants.”
“I enjoy being outside.”
“Riverton Manor boasts impressive flower gardens. Perhaps you would like to visit sometime.” He took another step toward her, and her heart began drumming in her ears.
She tried to ease away from him without her efforts appearing obvious. “Riverton sounds lovely, sir.”
His eyelids drooped lazily as he allowed his gaze to roam over her. “I would consider it an honor if you paid us a visit. Grandmother enjoys having guests. She keeps a decent town house in Mayfair, as well. Of course, she is too frail to travel now, so I stay there during the Season to ensure it is well cared for in her absence. You should see the interior. It is something to behold.”
Vivi stood up straighter. “I’m uncertain what you take me for, sir, but I do not call upon unmarried gentlemen, whether at their town houses or otherwise. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall be going.”
When she tried to sweep past him, he captured her arm. “Forgive me, Lady Vivian. I didn’t mean to imply anything untoward.”
Mr. Collier may appear harmless with his ready smiles, but she had seen him deep in his cups last night. She was also aware of the company he kept. A man like him could ruin her within the blink of his bloodshot eyes.
Her gaze landed on his hand holding her, and he released her. Shrugging sheepishly, he stepped back. “I have done it again, haven’t I? I am hopeless around ladies. I never know the correct thing to say, and I unfailingly make a cake of myself.”
His embarrassment stirred her sympathy. She knew all about feeling lost when it came to interacting with the opposite gender. “We may have more in common than you know, Mr. Collier.”
“Oh?” His thin brows arched up. “How so?”
“I, too, often find myself looking like a fool.”
He laughed. It was a nice sound, like he had practiced until he’d honed the perfect expression of merriment. “I look like a fool, do I?”
Her stomach pitched. “No, I didn’t mean—”
His smile widened. “Please, give it no more thought. I appreciate your attempts to make me feel less awkward. You are a kind young woman.”
“Thank you, sir.” She looked beyond his shoulder toward the path leading back to the stable yard. “I hope you won’t take offense, but I would like to avoid being discovered alone in your company.”
“None taken.” Mr. Collier stepped aside, another chuckle rumbling from his chest.
She scooted past him and hurried to put distance between them. She glanced back once more to reassure herself he wasn’t following before she turned the corner and barreled into a hard chest; her face smashed into a dusty cravat.
“Oh!” She stumbled backward, but strong fingers closed around her shoulders and saved her from tumbling to the ground.
A slight crease appeared on Luke’s forehead. “Here you are. Your maid is worried sick. I wish you wouldn’t wander off alone. What if someone else had come upon you?”
She tossed another quick look over her shoulder, fearful Mr. Collier would come around the corner any moment, and Luke would know she hadn’t been alone.
“Forgive me. It won’t happen again.” She linked arms and tried to drag him in the opposite direction, which was not an