the morrow if he is making a pest of himself.”
“He’s harmless.” Her fingers twitched on his arm. She was lying, but he couldn’t accuse her outright. Perhaps she was already caught up in Collier’s web of seduction. Luke couldn’t allow her to be destroyed by the man. She was as much Luke’s responsibility as his mother and sisters.
They stopped a fair distance away from the other guests so he could speak in confidence. “The man is far from harmless when given opportunity. I don’t wish you to speak with him again. Do I make myself clear?”
She blinked up at him, her eyes widening. “I—I believe I understand.”
“See that you follow my wishes on the matter. I shan’t have this conversation again, Miss Truax.”
Her cheeks flushed and she smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of displeasing you. Forgive me, Your Grace.”
He grunted in satisfaction. The matter was settled then. Now he could turn his attention to more pleasing topics. He spotted Vivian across the room chatting with Lady Eldridge and, from the looks of it, charming the prestigious matron.
“She is marvelous, is she not?” he said.
Johanna followed his line of sight and frowned. “If I may be frank, the lady plays you for a fool.”
“What the devil do you mean? Plays me how?”
She inclined her head to indicate they should move to the terrace. He signaled his consent and allowed her to proceed ahead of him by several seconds. No one appeared to be watching as he too slipped outside. He found Johanna at the far end of the terrace, hidden in darkness.
“I didn’t want to tell you in this manner,” she said.
“Tell me what?” Her stalling only served to claw at his insides, and he hated it.
“You asked if Mr. Collier was making a pest of himself. He was not. He made a discovery today, and he wasn’t sure if he should tell you.”
“Why come to you?”
She reached out to caress his arm. “We’ve enjoyed a close friendship, have we not?”
Luke pulled back from her touch. She likely meant it as a comforting gesture, as she had done on occasion in the months after his father’s death, but there was something different about her hand on his arm tonight.
“You were a compassionate friend when I needed one,” he agreed. “And I will always be grateful to you. But—”
“That’s the reason I cannot allow you to become a cuckold.”
“A cuckold?” His temper flared. “You’ve insulted my intended and me. This conversation is over.”
“Please, allow me to explain. When I came down to the foyer to meet Lady Vivian so we might walk to the stables together, I found she had already gone.”
He halted halfway to the door and spun back toward Johanna. “Alone?”
“She hadn’t even taken an escort.”
Luke’s fingers curled into fists. What had Vivian been thinking to leave the house without protection? Especially after he had warned her.
“I can only assume from Mr. Collier’s report she stole away to meet with a former…um…lover,” she finished on a whisper. “Mr. Collier suspected something untoward when he spotted the groom inside a stall where Lady Vivian had been standing when we entered the stables. It was clear he was not a castle servant when he didn’t know anything about the horses housed at Irvine stables. After some pressure from Mr. Collier, the man revealed he was a former groom under Lady Brighthurst’s employ. It seems he was asked to leave, and when Mr. Collier inquired into the reason, the man began to behave oddly. Mr. Collier asked what Lady Vivian had to do with him leaving and the man nearly ran him over escaping from the stall.”
Luke clenched his jaw to keep from yelling at her for repeating such nonsense. “That is speculation on Mr. Collier’s part, and I should call him out for spreading vile rumors about Lady Vivian.”
Johanna’s hands landed on her hips. “You cannot be that foolish, Luke. There is something suspicious about her. Why was she never given a Season? Why was she found alone today with a former Brighthurst servant? At least demand answers from her.”
“Say nothing of this to anyone else.”
“You must know I would protect your honor at any cost.”
His honor? “Lady Vivian hasn’t dishonored me.”
“But how can you—?”
“She has done nothing wrong,” he said on a growl. “And I won’t have rumors spread about the future duchess, particularly by those who wish to stay under my roof.”
Johanna emitted a small squeak and turned from him.
Instantly, he regretted striking out at her. She was acting as a