Page 35

V IVIENNE STRODE ARM IN ARM with Tess about the city, holding a small wrapped box of writing supplies procured from a luxurious shop on Bond Street.

Vivienne was incandescently happy. She could live her life away from the control of her stepbrother and his wife.

Her plans, though perhaps not best laid, were actually working.

Sir Sebastian had given her assumed title credence, she was making just enough for her living expenses, she had a new family, and best of all, she loved Bash and had hope that one day her husband would love her in return.

They dashed across Green Street, weaving around vendors’ carts and a hack and nearly colliding with a pair of gentlemen on Milsom Street.

She righted herself, her apology fading on her tongue at the sight of Sir Josiah Montgomery and another gentleman who looked familiar, but whom she could not place.

Sir Josiah’s buttery lips pursed as he looked her up and down.

His subtle grin told her that he found her as comely as always.

She did her best not to shrink backward, but it was difficult with him leering at her.

“How providential. See, Alden? I told you that the Lady Larkby would be in Bath today. I know her so well. My future bride has been up to no good.” He chuckled.

“But as a man who understands such inclinations, I can respect that she wishes to have a little dalliance before she settles down to be my wife.”

“How dare you. I am nothing like you.” She reeled back as he took another step closer. “In case my actions were not clear, Sir Josiah, I have no desire to become your wife and am wed to another, as you very well know.”

“Yes, your so-called title has been bandied about parlors for years. However, I did a little research, and it came to light that the resurfacing knighthood of the Larkby name is recent. I know for a fact that the man who holds the title has only been knighted in the last two years for services to the Crown, while Lady Larkby has been writing for quite some time, as a few acquaintances of mine tend to enjoy such trite, trivial novels as you put out every year.”

Her stomach churned. No one had put that together yet, and as soon as word circulated, she would be ruined.

“I can only deduce that you have been using his title for your own benefit for your novels. I can only wonder how it came to be that you two became acquainted—it borders on contrived coincidence.”

Or destiny. But she didn’t dare voice it.

“I am afraid that such a practice, as using his title for yourself, must end when you become my bride,” he finished.

“Something which will never happen, as Sir Sebastian and Lady Larkby’s marriage is legal,” Tess said, speaking up at last.

Vivienne nodded. She was shocked her friend had remained silent this long.

“Proof of which has not been shared. Even then I would not believe a paltry certificate. Only the vicar himself who bound them will do to convince me of their union.” He reached to Vivienne.

“If you are not conducive to such an arrangement, there are other, less desirable measures I shall take to claim what I was promised.”

Tess audibly growled. “If I had my dog with me, I’d set him on you for that.”

“I spoke only of hiring a barrister to claim what should rightfully belong to me.” His eyes widened with feigned innocence, and he motioned to the man beside him. “I have long thought I should have a terrace home in the Circus, and it was promised to me in writing .”

Her knees weakened, but she forced steel into her voice. “You would take my home from me, would you? You have no need of it, and my father willed it to me. It cannot be taken, nor promised by my stepbrother. He has no claim on it, and I am a woman of four and twenty. I can do as I please.”

The barrister shrugged. “Wills have been broken before, and a breach of promise is a grave offense that must be offered restitution.”

She felt a hand on her elbow. Tess pulled Vivienne around the gentlemen. “Enough. You call yourself a gentleman and yet you accost ladies on the street? I shall inform Sir Sebastian that you are plaguing his bride.”

“We will see. There has been more than one young lady led into a bed thinking she had a true marriage certificate, only to be abandoned with a brood in hand for the man’s legal family.”

Vivienne gasped, and Tess’s grip tightened on her arm. “If I were a man, I would challenge you to a duel.” She tugged on Vivienne’s arm once more. “Come, we must be returning home.”

Vivienne matched Tess’s clipped pace. “Thank you.”

“You two have been living in a fairy tale. If you do not control Sir Josiah’s curiosity, this is brewing to be a scandal of epic proportions.

You thought Muriel’s faux pas of proposing to a baron was scandalous?

” She snorted. “Not to be harsh, but Sir Sebastian is only a knight. If he were a duke, you would be excused, but the way your chronicle is heading, you won’t be able to set foot in polite society again, Vivienne.

I know you’ve had Charlotte as your companion, chaperoning you the entire time, but this will only end poorly now that a barrister is involved.

Consider this the church bell ringing your fate. ”

Vivienne sighed. “Bash wishes to continue serving the Crown. He cannot keep rescuing me from Sir Josiah, especially with all that has happened.”

“Which he can still do while serving the Crown, but I think it might be best if you revise your plan and follow him to London—a childless bride should not be separate from her husband.” She nodded to the front parlor window of Vivienne’s home, where Bash was reading a paper.

Vivienne studied her handsome husband. He was devoted to the Crown and kept busy, so maybe he would not mind having a bride along with him.

They might live their lives, grow their careers, and simply have a match in name only, as they had planned, while showing society that they were happy.

They were good friends, in any event. “I suppose you are right in that it would help the validity of our marriage.”

“Of course I’m right.” Tess pulled her inside and pushed her into the parlor.

Bash lowered the newssheet. He must have read the concern in Vivienne’s features, because he shot to his feet and crossed the room at once. “What happened?”

“Sir Josiah hired a barrister. He is attempting to steal my home on the grounds of a breach of promise unless I admit our ruse.”

“He had the gall to seek you out in the street? He is aiming for a duel.” He clenched his fists. “And I am beginning to think that the only way to end his pursuit is to give it to him.”

“Nay.” She rested her hand on his arm. “We were in the wrong, and even if I didn’t promise myself to him, he feels entitled to compensation to the point of hiring a barrister and threatening our peace.”

“And the moral of this little story is that lying is never a good idea.” Tess tsked, crossing her arms.

Vivienne and Bash rolled their eyes at her.

“Very helpful, Tess. Thank you.” Vivienne scowled.

“There is only one thing left to do.” Tess looked to Sir Sebastian. “You must not leave her in Bath alone with your grandmother. Make plans to take her with you to London. Prove your romance to all of London. Make them believe you, and then maybe you will believe you.”

Vivienne’s cheeks warmed at the idea of what that would entail. Kisses? Most certainly. Dancing in his arms? Required. Strolls in Hyde Park? A must. She nearly groaned. How on earth was she to keep her distance from him if he was wooing her in all the ways she had ever written about?

Bash nodded slowly. “I am beginning to think you are right. I know that this was not what we agreed upon though. What do you think, Evie? Would you consider taking our match of convenience to another height? I can lease us a home all our own. It won’t be as grand as your terrace home here, but it will suffice, and I shall provide you a writing room and a small library.

I’ll even add a rolling ladder, which is completely unnecessary, but as you have mentioned it on several occasions, I know it is important to you. ”

“A library with a rolling ladder? How can a lady refuse such a gallant proposal?” Vivienne fanned her cheeks with her hand.

“You have retained some of your senses, I see. Time to make you a list.” Tess harrumphed, shoving off the parlor’s doorway and aiming for the writing desk. She removed a pen and paper. “Bash, do you think you can secure a house by the end of the week?”

Vivienne pulled up short. “That soon?”

“We are so beyond what is seen as proper that you two have lost all chance to have an opinion. Yes, that soon.” Tess jotted down something on the paper.

“You need to prove your affections once and for all, or I am taking Vivienne to my father’s cottage in the Scottish Isles, where there is no shopping, no dining, and no lending libraries. ”

Vivienne gasped.

“The lending libraries were what did it?” Bash chuckled.

“Food I can sacrifice. The company of most I can forgo—but books?” She shook her head. “Such a banishment would be more than I could bear.” She craned her neck to see what Tess was jotting down. “Whatever does Serpentine kisses mean?”

“Kissing by the Serpentine waters in Hyde Park,” she answered, dipping her pen in the inkwell.

“The two of you need as much help as you can get. I’m composing a list of things that I recommend you both do and where they should happen in order to get your romance in the forefront of everyone’s minds.

And since you are married, it makes it much easier to think of things. ”

“Who knew you were such a romantic?”

“I read.” Tess snorted. “Unlike you and Muriel, I don’t believe in all that nonsense in romance books, but the ton gobbles it up, and therefore I know our plan will work.”

“I shall leave first thing in the morning then.” Bash bowed over Vivienne’s hand. “Move with me to London, and you shall have your subscription to all the books your heart desires, Evie.”

“I never thought I would have to leave my home again, but such a proposal cannot be refused.” She placed her hand in his. “To London we go, my knight in shining armor.”

Tess broke the tender moment with a clap. “Fresh tea, anyone? We’ve got some planning to do.”

For the remainder of the evening, they discussed the best course of action and even selected parts of London where Vivienne would like to live.

By the end of the day, she was exhausted and all decided to stay one more night in the townhouse before the ladies eagerly took to their beds by ten of the clock.

But now that she was in bed, she could not sleep.

She propped herself up on her elbow, staring at the crack in the curtains where moonlight splayed in her bedroom.

It had been nice to be in her own townhome again with the comfort of her things about her, if only for two evenings.

Her gaze rested on the adjoining door. Her husband was just beyond it.

They had all concluded on the first night that the footman might suspect if she placed Bash on the second floor, where the guest rooms were located.

It was more than proper now, but the idea of Bash on the other side of the door in her home made her heart pound.

Tess had kept to her room on the second floor, as she was well aware of Vivienne’s snoring.

She was finally drifting to sleep when a pounding at the front door brought her scrambling to her feet.

She reached for her dressing robe and drew it about her thin nightgown, slipping out of her room as Bash did the same.

In the moonlight streaming through the hall window, his broad shoulders were illuminated beneath the thin linen shirt untucked from his black breeches.

His calves and feet were bare. She shifted her gaze as his grin spread.

He’d obviously noted her approving appraisal.

The front door jerked open, and at the noise, Bash enfolded her hand in his as they hurried down the steps. The footman stood with a letter in hand, his brows knit. “It bears the royal seal, my lady.”

Bash snatched the missive with a nod of thanks. He strode to the parlor, paused by the window, and broke the seal. “It is from the Prince Regent.”

“How on earth did he know where you were? What does he say?” she whispered, adding, “If you can tell me, that is.”

“I informed the staff where I was going and a footman delivered a change of clothes for me while you were still asleep this morning.” He tucked the letter into the top of his breeches, flashing his muscular midriff for a moment.

Her cheeks burned again. He poked his head out the door and called to Brexton, “Hire a swift mount for me, and have him ready to leave in a quarter of an hour.”

“You must leave?” Vivienne looked up to him, disappointment filling her that their plans were once again being changed.

He gently took her hands in his. It felt intimate given their state of undress. “I am being called back to London for a task. I will not be taking my horse so I can trade mounts at posthouses along the way, so I shall leave Brigand in your care.”

“I would promise to take him riding, but he has proven most loyal to you.”

“I’ll instruct him to allow you to ride him. He is most intelligent.” He winked and ran his thumb over her knuckles. “While I am there, I shall find us a home with room enough for your library.”

“And perhaps a room for Grandmother in case she wishes to stay with us?” She glanced at their surroundings. “I doubt she will wish to leave Lark Manor, but I would be loath to leave her behind. I know we would have a jolly time together in London.”

“It makes my heart light knowing that you love her as I do.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

Pretending to be in love with him would not prove a difficult task. “You shall be missed, but Grandmother Larkby and I have much to discuss, and I to do, to prepare for our move to our new home.”

“I know we did not start our relationship as most married couples, but I do hope that we can continue to become even greater friends.”

Friends. She would take what she could get if it meant that she stayed by Bash’s side.

Lord, I know he desires us to only have a match of friendship.

Guard my heart from falling completely in love with him.

She bit her lip. Who am I kidding? You and I both know that I am irrevocably in love with Bash Larkby.