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“He has never tried to seduce me. Quite the opposite—he acts as some sort of strange protector.” She shook her head. “Like today when I went to visit the Connors. He followed me to the building.”
“No!” Penelope was enthralled now. “Did he go inside?”
“He did not.”
There was a rap on the door, and her lady’s maid, Mary, entered. “A note for you, Miss Vivian.”
“Is the messenger awaiting a reply?”
“No, miss, the messenger went off.”
The note was short and to the point.
“What is it?” Penelope attempted to read over her shoulder.
Vivian huffed. “An apology from Mr. Jameson for being so forward last night at dinner. He informs me that he will not pursue any courtship with me.”
“Mr. Yarnsby,” they said in unison.
Their mother entered, then she stopped in her tracks and gawked at them. “Why are neither of you dressed? We are about to depart.”
They dressed hurriedly, their mother fussing about their lack of care over their appearance the entire time. In the end, Vivian wore the ugly mauve dress. If Mr. Yarnsby was to be there, she wished it to be as unflattering as possible.
Both her mother and Penelope were polite when she asked about her appearance, but it was obvious the color did not suit her in the least.
“That is not the right dress if you plan to seduce him,” Penelope whispered once they were ensconced in the coach.
“The last thing I wish to do is that,” Vivian hissed. “If anything, I hope to avoid the man.”
“What about at the country estate?” Penelope quipped. “You are going birdwatching.”
She’d forgotten about it. “I’ll make excuses.”
* * *
The townhouse was aglow when their carriage pulled up. It made Vivian’s heart happy to attend her sister’s first-time hosting. She’d purposefully stayed away that day, even though she wanted so much to help Clara. True to form, always independent, Clara had banned everyone from coming earlier, except their mother, who would have ignored orders anyway.
Now as she and Penelope walked up the stairs behind their parents, pride filled her at spotting Clara standing next to her husband, Viscount William Torrington. The smile on Clara’s face was so wide, it made Vivian want to weep.
“Dear sister,” Vivian exclaimed once her turn to be greeted came. “I am so very proud of you.” She turned to look into the lavishly decorated parlor. “Everything is absolutely perfect.”
Clara beamed. “Mother and Duchess Torrington were invaluable.” Her eyes rounded. “Oh dear, Lord and Lady Barrow have arrived.”
“Don’t fret. They are close as family and will be so pleased to see you.” Vivian gave her sister a tight hug before turning to greet William.
The viscount leaned over her hand, his dashingly handsome features made even more prominent in the candlelight. “Miss Vivian, so nice to see you.”
Vivian found the rest of the guests in the parlor. Duke and Duchess Torrington stood with her parents, the couples surrounding a table where wrapped gifts had been placed.
Penelope had made a beeline to the fireplace and was petting William’s dogs, who seemed to be on their best behavior. The only other time she’d seen the canines had been when they’d stolen sausages and were being chased across Hyde Park by the viscount.
Sensing someone’s regard, Vivian purposely ignored it. Instead, she went to stand next to her mother so she could greet the Barrows.
Before the Barrows could approach, Mr. Yarnsby neared, his gaze meeting hers for a long moment.
“Did you enjoy the bread, Miss Vivian?”
Quick as she could, Vivian grabbed his arm and pulled him to where Penelope and the dogs were. If he was surprised, he didn’t act like it, his face devoid of expression.
