Vivy liked garden parties. She enjoyed the sunshine and having the freedom to move around. It was less formal and she could be more at ease. This house party was no different than many that she had attended since her launch into society. She was grateful it wasn’t her own mother hosting the party because she would have been expected to help her host. Luckily, this was being hosted by the new Duchess of Lionston. It was her friend Sabrina’s first foray into acting the hostess since her marriage. She wished she could have spoken with her more, but everyone was demanding her time. She would have to find time to talk with Sabrina later. Besides she had other goals for this soiree.
Lavinia moved through the crowd with a smile on her face, as if she was only there to enjoy the pleasant day. If she kept that smile in place, no one would look twice at her. Her sister strolled beside her and was a vision of loveliness and serenity. Elizabeth’s brown hair was arranged in a simple chignon, and her blue eyes were bright and merry. She paid little attention to Vivy because her dear friend Lady Honoria Wycliffe kept her riveted with the latest gossip.
Honoria had arrived a few moments earlier and Elizabeth had drifted in her direction immediately. Her sister and Honoria had been friends since they were small children and were inseparable. Her sister was closer to her friend than she was to Vivy. Perhaps that should distress her, but Vivy had her own friends. She did not wish anything different for her sister. They had an acceptable relationship.
“Vivy,” her sister murmured as she kept her gaze on her friend, “you must listen to this. Nora simply must tell you about the chaos at Lady St. Clair’s musicale. It was glorious.” Honoria, Nora to her friends, always had the latest gossip and today was no different. She might actually have some information that would be useful to Vivy, but she had to do something first. Later she’d ask Honoria to relay all she’d heard.
“I will in a moment,” Vivy replied, keeping her tone light.
Elizabeth nodded and then returned her attention to her friend. It did not take her long to forget that she had wanted Vivy to listen to that story. She wandered off with Honoria, and they were now beneath a trellis of climbing roses, their heads bent close and their laughter as bright as sunlight.
Vivy watched them go for the span of a breath and then she exhaled, slow and controlled. Now, perhaps, she could see to her other tasks with Elizabeth occupied. With that she turned her attention to her real purpose. Garden parties were nice and she did enjoy them, but this one offered her the opportunity to continue with her own private investigation.
She had learned, quietly and discreetly, who else would attend. Two names from the list that was now burned in her memory would be there. Both Viscount Slothington and the Marquess of Everington had accepted the invitation, and she intended to speak to both.
A footman passed with a tray of iced lemonade. Lavinia took a glass so she didn’t appear out of place. She sipped without tasting it as she skimmed her gaze over the clusters of guests. Ladies in pale muslins fluttered their fans like butterflies. Gentlemen leaned on canes, pretending to be languorous while they flirted or discussed wagers.
Near the gravel path that led toward the ornamental pond something caught her attention. It was then she spotted a familiar petite figure she would recognize anywhere. Lady Persephone Sedgewick—her dear friend, Posy.
Relief and resolve filled her chest. Posy was not merely her friend. She was as dear to her as Sabrina. If she could not spend the day with Sabrina, then she would gladly enjoy Posy’s company. But more importantly, where Posy went, her brother often followed as her unwilling chaperone.
The Viscount of Slothington stood at her side, looking as though he had been personally offended by the existence of fine weather and irritated that he had to attend the garden party and pretend to enjoy it. He was handsome in an unembellished and austere way that suited his personality. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his golden-brown eyes held an edge of wariness in them. He remained composed with the weariness of a man who hated polite conversation.
Posy was speaking animatedly and her brother did not appear to enjoy her exuberance. Slothington listened with all the tragic patience of a saint who had never been asked to be canonized. Vivy did not hesitate. She moved across the lawn with ease and smiled with genuine warmth as she approached. “Posy,” she called to her friend.
Posy turned at once, her entire expression lifting. “Vivy,” she exclaimed as she hurried forward, and caught Vivy’s hands in her own. “I did not know you would be here. Oh, I am so glad.”
“I would never miss Sabrina’s debut as a hostess.” Lavinia smiled. “You look well.”
“I should have known that,” Posy supplied cheerfully, “I had to force Phin to bring me. You know how he hates these things.”
Slothington inclined his head toward Lavinia. “Lady Lavinia.” The tone in his voice was the very epitome of indolence.
“My lord,” Lavinia said, curtsying. “How good of you to attend and allow Posy to socialize with us.”
“She can be relentless. This was the easier option,” he replied. “She is fortunate that I adore her otherwise I might have been tempted to lock her in her room instead.”
Slothington would never have done that. He did adore his sister. It was more he hated to be polite to most of the members of the ton, and engagements such as this one required it. Posy rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. Phin believes humor should be withheld like rationed sugar.”
“I believe humor is best doled out with a clever strike,” Slothington corrected. Then his gaze settled on Lavinia, and he tilted his head to the side as he studied her. “I hear that you have gained the attention of a certain earl.”
Lavinia’s pulse gave a quick, unhelpful leap. This may be easier than she thought. She sighed and said in an innocent tone, “I wouldn’t know what you are referring to, my lord.”
“Of course you don’t,” he said in an amused tone. “That would imply you have expectations. It is good that you don’t. He’s not the type to drop to his knee and make any declarations.”
Posy sighed. “Phin you are being…a bit ruder than usual.”
Lavinia’s cheeks warmed. “Don’t worry,” she said as she met Slothington’s gaze. “I have no expectations.”
That was the truth. She did not know why the Earl of Ravenwood was paying any attention to her. She may never find out what motivated him. But she believed that she had found that list for a reason, and she had to find out what it all meant. The earl could do what he wished. She fully intended to.
“Good.” Slothington nodded. “Because you deserve better.”
“What is he referring to?” Posy asked as if she had just realized what her brother was discussing with Vivy, and she may very well have done just that. Posy could be a bit obtuse at times. But only because she had a lot on her mind at once and paying attention to one topic at a time could be tiresome for her. “What earl?”
“It is irrelevant,” Vivy said sweetly. “Because he means nothing to me.”
Slothington’s gaze remained steady as he stared at her. “Liar.” His tone was filled with glee.
