Henry watched her with interest. It wasn’t jealousy he sensed in the tone of her voice but something else altogether. Unable to put his finger on it, he answered her question. “They say she’s a social climber but I know from Florian’s accounts that this cannot be true.”
The edge of her mouth lifted. Silence expanded between them until she finally spoke. “Did it ever occur to you that you might have met her already?”
He tried to think, his mind shuffling through the faces he’d seen since arriving at St. Agatha’s. It couldn’t be Emily or any of the other nurses he’s encountered, which meant... His eyes locked with Viola’s, surprise hitting him square in the chest. “You?”
The secretive smile she’d been wearing widened, and she dipped her head as if in greeting. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Lowell.”
Viola hadn’t planned on revealing her true identity to Mr. Lowell because she knew he would see her differently the moment she did. But after enjoying their card play together this afternoon, she couldn’t be dishonest either. They had, after all, become friends of sorts, if only in the loosest of terms. But it was enough for her to know she’d feel guilty about lying to him.
A rake of Mr. Lowell’s renown is more dangerous than you can imagine.
Harriet’s words rushed to the front of her mind, but it was too late to regret her moment of honesty now. Aware of the risk she took by divulging her title to Mr. Lowell, Viola waited for his reaction, which would be either disbelief or admiration. She knew this from experience—from the peers she’d dealt with on the committee in charge of securing funds for the hospital. Most had initially found it hard to accept that she was St. Agatha’s patroness. Her age and her sex had both worked against her, which was yet another reason why she appreciated Florian’s support. She’d needed him, if only to make people listen.
But as Mr. Lowell’s eyes widened, she saw that they also gleamed. Not with disbelief or admiration, but with something else entirely, namely a mixture of relief and opportunity. Viola instinctively schooled her features in response.
“I can assure you the pleasure is all mine,” he said. “My brother has said such wonderful things about you, Your Grace, I confess I became intrigued and hoped to one day make your acquaintance.”
Viola considered him. Perhaps she’d misjudged his initial response to her confession? “You needn’t address me so formally. In fact, I prefer if you don’t.” Seeing the question in his eyes, she explained, “My parents were not nobility and... Well, suffice it to say that I have never felt comfortable with my title. Viola will do, or Mrs. Cartwright, if you prefer.”
“Then Viola it is,” he said with a grin while studying her as though seeing her for the very first time.
Feeling a blush coming on, she deliberately dropped her gaze to her lap. The comfortable companionship they’d shared earlier had somehow been lost and replaced by extreme self-awareness on her part. She shifted slightly in her seat and considered taking her leave so she could return to her duties.
“Your...” He hesitated briefly, and she glanced up to find him looking slightly perplexed. An odd sense of bafflement played across his face, and then he blinked and caught her gaze. “I suppose he must be your stepson, even if he is older than you.”
A chill snaked its way along Viola’s spine. She clutched her hands together in her lap. “You refer to the new Duke of Tremaine. The former Marquess of Bremferrol?”
“Precisely.” He watched her closely. Pensively. “He and I have known each other since adolescence.”
Oh God!
“Really?” She spoke as if her voice was disconnected from her body. Florian had never mentioned any connection to Robert, but then again, he might not have known all of his brother’s acquaintances. Or maybe he’d decided not to share the information with her because he didn’t want to give her with additional reason not to like Henry.”
“We were school friends. Attended both Eton and Cambridge together.”
“Mmm-hmm...” What else could she possibly say to that? As it was, she was trying not to judge herself too harshly for enjoying Mr. Lowell’s company when the truth was she ought to have known better. His reputation alone should have warned her he’d be the sort of man with whom Robert had likely caroused before leaving England. Every article she’d read about him in the papers over the years ought to have done so as well, not to mention Mrs. Richardson’s comment about his notoriety and her friends’ words of warning. And yet Viola had ignored it all in favor of playing cards. And in so doing, she’d let down her guard and allowed herself tolikethe scoundrel.
“Tell me,” he was saying, “how on earth did you manage to build a hospital?”
The change in subject startled her slightly. “I, um... My husband left me a generous inheritance.” She did her best to focus on what she was saying and ignore the fear creeping over her skin. “When he died, I spent most of it on purchasing this building, renovating it and employing competent people, like your brother.”
“An impressive feat, to be sure. The people of London are indebted to you, Viola.”
While the compliment sounded sincere, Viola could not ignore the softness with which he spoke it. There was an element of enticement present, perhaps unintentionally, but there all the same.
He will know precisely what to say in order to seduce the most defiant woman straight into his bed.
Viola stood so quickly the movement pushed back her chair with such jarring force that it squeaked against the floor. She’d known to be careful and yet somehow he’d breached her defenses. How on earth could she have let that happen?
Mr. Lowell stared up at her while she stared back down at him. “All the more reason for me to remember my duty.” There was a slight quiver as she spoke, which couldn’t be helped.
“Viola.” His voice implored her to stay even as she walked to the door.
Viola continued out into the hallway without looking back, acutely aware she was being a coward but also knowing she had no choice but to flee.
Chapter 4
Henry’s thoughts lingered on Viola as the day wore on. He pondered the way she’d reacted when he’d revealed how well he knew Robert. Panic had flickered in her eyes and her entire body had seemed to retreat as if he suddenly posed a threat. It had been curious to watch and equally alarming. It had also resulted in Emily coming to tend to his wound that evening, and when he’d inquired about Viola, he’d been told she had other patients to see to.
