Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,80
whirled on her. “You told your brother I compromised you.”
“I did not! I told him nothing of the sort. He believed Mrs. Honeywell over me.”
Owen’s jaw hardened. “Do you swear it, Lady Vivian? Did you think we would be forced to marry if your brother thought—?”
“Heavens no! And I didn’t want to marry you anymore. I was just a girl when I said those things.” She covered her forehead with her palm and grimaced. All this time he’d thought she had lied about him? This was even worse than anything she had imagined. “How could you believe I would do anything so foolish?”
A corner of his mouth kicked up, providing a glimpse of the young man she had once known and admired. No doubt he was recalling several foolish things she had attempted in her younger years.
“Hold your tongue, Owen Randal.” She dropped her hand to her side. “So we are clear, life hasn’t been easy on me either.”
His brow arched slightly, but he said nothing.
“I speak the truth. Once Mrs. Honeywell told everyone in the village about what she had seen, I became an outcast. I no longer received invitations, and my dearest friends were forbidden from associating with me.”
She blinked away the tears blurring her vision. Why cry now? The moment had passed. Yet a vague worry gnawed at her. The past had a way of reappearing, and Owen was proof.
“I never meant to cause trouble for either of us,” she said. “Nevertheless, I did and I’m deeply sorry.”
His expression softened and he pulled a dingy handkerchief from his pocket then held it out to her.
She waved it away. “I am all right now. It has passed.”
He tucked it back in his pocket. “I shouldn’t have allowed you to stay in the stables when you should have been abed. I’m as much at fault, if not more.”
“I only blame myself.” Her reunion with Owen pulled her from the fantasy she had weaved together last night.
This was exactly the type of situation Miss Truax had reference when she had spoken of skeletons. What if news of her tarnished reputation came in the form of whispered speculation in the ballroom? Maybe it would come as a veiled comment over dinner. Did it really matter how Luke learned of her misstep? He had a right to know the type of woman he had pledged to marry. It wasn’t too late to rescind his offer.
“Owen, I’m to be married to the Duke of Foxhaven. I must tell him what has occurred. He may wish to speak to you to verify my claim.”
Owen’s eyes flew wide open. “No! Please, milady. If the duke questions me, Lady Stanwood will hear about it. I cannot be turned out again.”
“Lady Stanwood would never have to know.”
He backed away from her and bumped into the stall. “My fellow servants would know if I was summoned to speak with His Grace, and they would feel it was their duty to inform her.”
“I shouldn’t keep secrets from my future husband.” Especially when it had pained him last night to tell her of his difficulties.
“Please, milady. You could wait to tell him. Lady Stanwood plans to return to her country house at the end of the week. Once we have left, you could tell him whatever you like.”
Vivi’s stomach churned with uncertainty. Anything could happen in three days, and she could miss the chance to tell Luke her version of the incident. “I don’t know…”
Owen rushed forward to take her hands in his. “I beg of you to wait. There is someone—” His voice broke; his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Oh.” Warmth flowed over her and filled her heart with happiness on his behalf. “Someone waits for you at home.”
He nodded. “Her name is Mary.”
Vivi nibbled her bottom lip and pulled her hands from his grasp. She shouldn’t make him any promises. Her loyalty should be to Luke first and foremost, but she had nearly ruined Owen’s life. She couldn’t tear it apart again.
“If your lady extends her stay beyond the week, my promise no longer counts. I will speak with the duke.”
Laughter sounded outside of the stables, and Owen jumped back. He waved her out of the stall and snatched a pitchfork leaning against the wall. Turning his back, he set to work as if he was a castle groom.
Vivi walked toward the stable doors, and two figures appeared.
“Lady Vivian, there you are.” Miss Truax’s incensed tone set her teeth on edge. “I searched everywhere for you.”