His lips curled, deforming his features with anger. “That is not the point, Viola. It is no longer about the amount of money I hope to get out of this. It is about watching you suffer the same kind of loss you have forced me to endure.”
A bleak chill swept over her, blanketing her in despair.
“If I win,” he continued in the calmest voice he’d used until now, “you shall have to return the funds my father left you to the best of your abilities. Even if that means parting with your precious hospital.” He smiled the sort of smile that declared his hate for her. “I’m sure the building itself will fetch a pretty penny when I sell it. So prepare yourself, Viola, because I have every intention of taking what’s rightfully mine.”
Chapter 5
Crossing the street, Henry clutched his most recent purchase under his arm and tipped his hat in greeting while passing another gentleman on the pavement. He felt much improved today and had therefore decided to go for a walk. Hell, he could use the exercise after spending the last several days in bed. When his valet had offered to spoon-feed him this morning, Henry had finally had enough. He would not be treated like an invalid when all he’d sustained was a shot to the shoulder.
Quickening his steps, he appreciated the exertion, the strain the brisk walk put on his body and the way it pushed his muscles and tendons to perform. Up ahead, a woman turned the corner and began coming toward him with what appeared to be a massive dog by her side.
Henry smiled. He’d know that particular silhouette anywhere. It was without a doubt Viola, strolling along with a hound the size of a small pony.
Approaching her, he noticed the exact moment when she recognized his identity. Because she actually stumbled slightly and drew to a halt. Intent on discouraging her from pretending she hadn’t seen him, from crossing the street as if meaning to call on one of the houses opposite, or attempting some other ridiculous ploy to avoid his company, he called out her name like a common street vendor selling his wares.
“Viola!”
She stared at him and looked about, as if trying to decide whether she was willing to draw attention by admitting that she was the woman he’d called to.
He grinned, enjoying her discomfort and her silly way of thinking because the only other person in the street besides them was the man he’d greeted earlier. Henry obviously wasn’t calling to him.
“Good afternoon,” Henry said when he was finally within speaking distance. He glanced at the dog, who was panting so much that drool was dripping from each side of his oversized mouth. “Fine day for a walk.”
“Yes,” Viola agreed. She seemed to wait for him to say something more. When he didn’t, she added, “I am glad to see you up and about. You look well, Mr. Lowell. Better than when I last saw you.”
He nodded. “I feel much improved, which I’m sure must be thanks to your excellent care.” He was pleased to see a flicker of pleasure in the depths of her lovely gray eyes. Responding with a debonair look, he said, “Will you introduce me to your companion?”
A smile tugged at the edge of her lips, producing a pair of enticing dimples. She coughed slightly as if to hide her reaction, cleared her throat a little, and finally gestured toward the massive creature. “This is Rex.”
Henry considered the dog, who looked more like a big furry bundle of affection than an actual threat. Reaching out, he scratched him roughly behind one ear and smiled when Rex leaned into his fingers with greater insistence.
“Traitor,” Viola muttered, albeit with a hint of amusement.
Henry glanced at her, still stroking the dog. “I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. Most people won’t dare approach you as long as you have him with you, but I know the sort of woman you are, so I also know the sort of dog you would raise.”
“How can you possibly know me so well after only a few interactions?” Her voice held a note of wonder that squeezed at Henry’s heart.
“I’m very observant,” he said. “Especially when the subject of my observation is of great interest to me.” Noting how her blush deepened and the way she deliberately broke eye contact, he decided to change the subject and save her from too much discomfort. “Where are you heading?” Because he knew the hospital lay in the opposite direction.
“Home.” The word was forcefully spoken. She followed it with a sigh. “Today has been a trying day, Mr. Lowell. I hope you will excuse my tone, which has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
Henry glanced in the direction from which he had come and said, “Perhaps my wonderful company will help improve your spirits. I’ll happily escort you, if you like.” When she looked as if she might decline, he deliberately waggled his eyebrows, which earned him a chuckle.
“You are incorrigible.”
“I cannot deny it.”
She grinned this time and appeared to relax. “Very well then. If you do not mind taking a detour.”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “I take tremendous pleasure in sharing your company.”
She frowned at him and gave Rex a tug on his leash. “You ought to know that I am not especially fond of flattery or over-embellished compliments.”
They started walking while Henry wondered about this peculiarity of hers. Most women loved being told how pretty and desirable they were, but for reasons he couldn’t understand, it seemed to bother Viola whenever he said something nice about her. It was as if she believed he was being insincere, which could only mean that some event in her past must have crushed her self-esteem. He wondered what it could be.
“What did you purchase?” she asked a few seconds later, drawing his attention to the parcel under his arm.
He assumed the gravest expression he could muster. “The New Principles of Gardening.”
