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Vivienne drew in a sharp breath at her candor and laid her hand on Grandmother’s shoulder. “You mentioned a second grandson, but not that he is a barrister.”

Alden smirked. “And I was not told of my cousin’s marriage until a friend from my university days wrote to me saying his fiancée had supposedly wed Sebastian.”

“A small world.” Tess chomped down on her Shrewsbury biscuit, affixing her glare at him. “And what a welcoming picture you have presented to Vivienne by threatening to take her family home in Bath as recompense for a breach of promise that she never made.”

“Alden Francis Larkby. You did not!” Grandmother’s voice shook.

He lifted his hand. “I promised to look into it for Sir Josiah as a special favor, but I came to discover that he has no intention of selling it to repay his vast gambling debts to me, so I took my revenge by telling him that he has no claim on the building. His pockets are too empty to hire a second opinion. He will not be bothering you again in regard to the townhouse.”

Vivienne nearly sagged with relief, her thanks frozen on her lips when the butler appeared with the cup, setting it on the tray and backing out of the room.

“Consider my duplicity as my wedding gift to you and Sebastian,” Alden finished.

“ Sir Sebastian,” Grandmother interjected. “Do not pretend to forget his rank, Alden.”

What on earth has passed between the two to cause such animosity?

“Yes, well, seeing as he is my cousin, I may be forgiven my liberty of neglecting his title in my grandmother’s home.

” He helped himself to the tea, giving Vivienne a pointed look for her neglect as he did so.

“It was a swift union indeed, as I did not hear of his attachment until after the marriage, which I discovered was done by a special license. With his departure to London, I did not expect his bride here, nor visitors.” His gaze rested on Tess for a moment.

He flicked his attention to Grandmother.

“I was hoping to have a moment alone with you, but I suppose my visit may still have the required outcome.”

“As you did not announce your visit, I do not think you should be holding any sort of expectations.” Grandmother picked up her cup and blew on it.

The butler appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Larkby, dinner is served.”

She rose with her cup in hand. “You are here abnormally late, Alden. Will you be joining us for dinner?”

Tess rested a hand on her stomach, whispering to Vivienne, “Make my excuses?”

She eyed Tess’s hand on her stomach and grasped her arm. “Shall I ask the maid for some peppermint tea for you?”

She cast a glance between the three of them, her brows raised. “I’m well enough, but this is a family matter. Do you really want me here? He may have looser lips if I am gone.”

“Good point. I shall inform you of all later.” Vivienne motioned her out the door as the rest of the party crossed the hall to the dining room, and Vivienne whispered a request to the footman to send a tray up to Tess’s room.

Dining with Alden Larkby was far from pleasant.

With every passing minute, she fought from squirming in her chair.

This barrister did not settle well with her.

Something was different about him. He seemed like a ton mother awaiting a new eligible bachelor to arrive at the ball—anxious and wholly too friendly, to the point of leaving genuineness behind.

She felt his eagerness focused on dear Grandmother Larkby.

“What brings you to my home, Alden? Surely you are not here only to welcome our dear Vivienne into the family with your roundabout gift?”

“She was an added boon to the trip.” Alden’s voice dripped with honey as the butler placed a bowl of steaming tomato soup before him. “I, however, came as soon as I heard that you were ill, dearest Grandmother.”

“I was ill a month ago, Alden.” She blinked at him as she bit into a scone. “But I suppose you were disappointed in my recovery, seeing as you have been waiting for my death to claim your inheritance.”

Vivienne choked on her water.

Grandmother smiled at Vivienne. “My recovery is mostly due to this girl. She has brought new life into Lark Manor and our Bash.” She chuckled. “We never thought he would marry in my lifetime, did we?”

“No.” He did not seem pleased by it, judging by the press of his lips. “Her arrival is quite unexpected.”

“Which made the surprise all the sweeter.” Grandmother leaned over her teacup and clasped Vivienne’s hand.

“And because of this fact, you inquired after amending your will?” He scraped his butter across his bun. “Grandfather would not have approved of your vacillation.”

Vivienne stiffened. “Why would my arrival have anything to do with her will?”

“Finally. We reach the real reason behind your visit.” Grandmother narrowed her eyes at Alden, daring him to contradict her. “Lark Manor is in my name. I may do with it as I wish. Your grandfather saw to that long before he died.”

“Interesting that you would think so.” Alden met her glare.

So much for proper conversation. Vivienne needed to steer the conversation away from money. “How long have you been a barrister, Mr. Larkby?”

“That is of little consequence in this conversation.” He dismissed her question with a flick of his wrist. “I have some unsettling news for you, Grandmother. I am not planning on staying in town long.”

Grandmother saluted him with her teacup. “How on earth could that be disappointing, especially since I did not know you were coming this evening?”

“Grandmother!” Vivienne dropped her soup spoon and sent the elderly woman a chastising scowl. This had crossed from civility to barely veiled enmity. “I have never seen nor heard you act thus.”

Grandmother sighed. “I’m sorry. You are right. No matter my issues with Alden, I should at least attempt to treat him as I would a stranger.”

“Anything would be better,” Vivienne muttered.

“Your lawyer reached out to me, given your request that Lark Manor be passed to this woman, who is not even your blood relation. I presented a counter request that you be lawfully removed from Lark Manor.”

Grandmother laughed, clapping her hands. “Oh my, Alden. Of all the things you have ever done, this is by far the most ridiculous. I will not abandon my family’s home in my dotage.”

“Exactly. This is the family’s home, which will be passed on to me in the event of your death, as I am the oldest male relative.”

“Correction. It was going to be yours before Vivienne joined the family. I did not want to cause any more strife between you and your cousin by leaving him my money and the manor, but given your unwillingness to abandon your sordid lifestyle, I did not wish to see my home sold off when Vivienne and Sebastian could fill it with my great-grandbabies. The money will see to its upkeep.”

He gritted his teeth. “And you thought this would cause less strife—to write me out of the will and give it to an outsider? I am the firstborn male. I am a barrister, and as such, I have many friends in the law. I will not be bested so easily.”

“Is that a threat, Alden?”

“It is fact. I agree that your wealth should be left to maintain the house.”

“Good.”

“For me, very good. For you, not so much.” He steepled his fingers, drumming his fingers together. “I brought your new will before the magistrate.”

“You actually went that far?” The mirth in Grandmother’s eyes faded.

Vivienne dropped her cup into the saucer, breaking the handle. “Of all the brazen—how would you even be allowed to contest Grandmother’s right of ownership?”

His lips curled at her interruption. “My petition was granted, with the adjustment of a generous allotment per annum to care for you in your twilight years. And given your propensity to change your mind in your old age, I have brought help along with me to take care of you in these last days to make you more comfortable.” He rose and rapped on the windowpane.

“What an earth are you talking about? I’m as healthy as I ever was.” Grandmother tossed down her napkin.

Vivienne rose. “We will object to your petition, and you will not win once Sebastian speaks to the Prince Regent on Grandmother’s behalf.”

He downed his coffee and leaned over the table to claim the last scone from Grandmother’s plate. “The thought that you have any fight left in you is heartening, Grandmother.”

“Grandmother is well recovered, and I hope to spend many more years with this dear woman. We do not need whatever help you are suggesting.” Vivienne stood behind Grandmother’s chair. “She has me.”

“Yes, but given the fact that no one has yet seen your marriage certificate nor been able to locate the vicar who married you, I don’t think you have much room to speak on her behalf, especially since you are no relation.”

She stiffened. “Perhaps not by blood, but my marriage to Sir Sebastian is valid. I’ll take it to Grandmother’s lawyer this very hour to verify its authenticity, if need be. You will not take everything from her, not while she has us.”

“As you have claimed over and over. The validity of your marriage is neither here nor there. The law is on my side, and she is elderly. She needs protection, and the law is clear that the familial duty and responsibility fall upon my shoulders, as the oldest male relative, to decide when she can no longer think for herself. She will do as I say is best, and I have the law to back my claim, unlike you.” He rapped thrice atop the mahogany table and a tall, thin man in a drab greatcoat and oversized hat appeared in the doorway.

The man’s gaze rested on Grandmother and his mottled smile chilled Vivienne to the core.

Vivienne stood tall, forcing strength into her voice. “Who are you?”

The butler sputtered as he followed the man. “He would not remove his hat, Mrs. Larkby! He would not take the back entrance.”

Grandmother rose, clutching Vivienne’s arm. “What is the meaning of this? Alden, explain yourself at once.”