Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,81

“or you would have located me sooner.”

The gentleman at her side laughed and came forward, his features suddenly identifiable in the light. “The lady has a valid point, Miss Truax.”

Vivi made fists at her side. Whatever was the woman thinking bringing him along? “Mr. Collier, what a surprise.”

“Pleasant, I hope.” He peered beyond her shoulder. “Where were you just now? I thought I heard you speaking to someone.”

“I was.” She notched her chin up to distract from the nervous quiver in her voice. “This beautiful white mare. She is a lovely conversationalist.”

His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. “Is she now?”

“Better than some.” Her barb was directed at him, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Your horses are waiting for you behind the stables. I ran into Miss Truax returning from my morning ride and offered my escort.”

“How kind, sir.”

Miss Truax smiled at him as she reached Vivi’s side. “Exceptionally kind, Mr. Collier. I enjoyed our discourse.”

Her tone dripped with meaning, and Vivi could only conclude the conversation had bordered on salacious. She expected no better from the scoundrel.

He gave a small bow. “Please, don’t allow me to keep you from your ride.”

“We shan’t. Good day, sir.” Vivi linked arms with Miss Truax and tugged her quickly toward the opened doorway at the other end of the stables. The woman must be touched in the head. Luke had warned her against associating with Mr. Collier, and yet here she had arrived on his arm.

Vivi chanced a quick glance over her shoulder to discover Mr. Collier standing outside the stall where Owen pretended to work. He stared at the servant with a grim smile.

Her stomach pitched and she thought for a moment she might become ill.

Miss Truax frowned. “Are you unwell, Lady Vivian?”

“Perhaps.” She considered offering an excuse and escaping to her chambers, but she had a few words for her companion once they were clear of Mr. Collier’s unwelcome company.

Once they walked their horses down the well-worn trail with a groom trailing behind them on horseback, Vivi broke the silence. “You would do well to heed His Grace’s warnings about Mr. Collier.”

“Surely Foxhaven doesn’t know Mr. Collier as well as he believes. He is a charming gentleman.”

“Charm is often used to distract from one’s true purpose.”

Miss Truax tsked. “You judge the man too harshly. I assure you he only has the most honorable intentions.”

Vivi said no more. The lady was deluded. Without a dowry, Mr. Collier could want only one thing from her, but Vivi was too kind to point out anything so obvious.

Perhaps she should inform Luke of Miss Truax’s carelessness. She suppressed a sigh. That would be hypocritical of her given all the times she had been careless.

“You would be wise to proceed with caution, Miss Truax.”

“I am always deliberate in my actions. You needn’t fear on my behalf.”

For Vivian,

A rare flower for a rare beauty.

Forever yours,

L

Twenty-four

Vivi brushed her fingers over the speckled, waxy petals of the orchid and blew out a long breath. Given time to stew over her encounter with Owen, she had come to realize holding on to Luke forever was going to be impossible. Sorrow began to swell within her heart, filling her chest with a despairing ache.

She had wanted to run away from her past, but today only proved there was no escape. No matter where she went, her mistake would shroud everything in ugliness. Luke might marry her before he learned the truth, but how could he do anything but hate her later for lying to him?

Under normal circumstances, if word of her ruin became common knowledge, she would be marked as loose and excluded from most respectable gatherings. Losing her innocence to a servant, however, would see her banned from every ballroom in London. She would be a pariah, and she would take Luke’s family down with her.

That she remained unspoiled mattered not. She had been found in a state of disarray in Owen’s company. As her brother had reminded her when he’d ranted until she thought he might pass out from the exertion, gossips were eager to believe and spread rumors. Another’s ruin was a form of entertainment for the perpetually bored. Innocence didn’t matter. And Vivi’s reckless behavior would reflect as badly on him and Muriel as it did on her. Lady Ashden had been beside herself and took to bed upon hearing the tale.

She had become a liability to her brother and sister-in-law, and now she was putting Luke’s family at risk. She must tell him the truth and