“Vivian, dear, are you still ill?” She lifted her head to find Clara and Silvia staring at her with worry.
“I am well.” Vivian’s stomach cramped, but she had better eat or her cousin would insist she remain home. She dipped the spoon into her soup. “I am a little preoccupied with what I will do after the Season ends. I’ve been thinking of setting up my own household.”
“You may reside with me if you wish,” Clara said without expressing censure. “I have invited Silvia as well.”
“Thank you.” Vivian tried to smile but had the feeling she wasn’t quite successful. “I wish to have my own home.”
“I do understand. You are aware you will incur censure due to your age. Still, my offer is always open. The best advice to give you now is to enjoy the Season.” One corner of her mouth tipped up. “I certainly intend to. Which reminds me, Lord Sudbury has invited all of us to the theater next week.”
“Oh, how lovely of him.” Silvia clapped her hands. “I have never attended a play in a real theater before.”
“I’m sure we shall have a wonderful time.” Vivian drank a sip of wine. That went down better than the soup had. She’d have to be careful not to over imbibe. Going to Lord Stanstead on the go wouldnotbe a good idea. “It has been a long time since I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the theater as well.”
She stole a surreptitious glance at the clock. God, would the hands never move? After an eternity, her cousin rose. “Come Silvia, we must leave.” Addressing Vivian, Clara asked, “What time will you depart?”
“Shortly after you.” Vivian took another drink of wine, careful to sip a small amount. She was so nervous, she could easily continue to imbibe.
She followed the others up the stairs, before fleeing to her apartment. She had to calm herself, or she would never make it through the evening.
She entered her room, where her maid was waiting. “How much longer?”
“As soon as the coachman sees her ladyship drive off, he’ll come around.”
“I hope Barnes will not mention to my cousin that I’ve left in a hackney.”
“If her ladyship asks him, he will.” Punt smoothed her skirts. “Which was the reason I hired a town coach for the rest of the Season.”
Another worry abated. “You think of everything.”
“If I can’t talk you out of this,” Punt said caustically, “I can keep you from ruining your reputation.”
“Thank you.” Perhaps she was correct, and Vivian should not have an affair with Lord Stanstead. What if he did discover it was her? She couldn’t bear for him to think badly of her.
A knock sounded on the door. “My lady, a coach is here for you.”
“I’ll be right down.”
Punt stood. “I’ll meet you at the corner. It won’t do for me to be going out with you.”
Another point Vivian had not thought of. She really was not very good at this type of thing. “Maybe I am making a mistake.”
“You’ll make me a happy woman if you stay, but you do owe his lordship an explanation, and you’ll have to give it to him in person. I can stay in the room if you like.”
She pulled her gloves on. Was it nerves, or should she call the affair off before it began? She’d have to make a decision, and soon. Lord Stanstead would be at the house in less than an hour, and she still had to don her disguise.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Rupert had excused himself from dinner and a small card party with his mother and father. As he normally tended to linger, they would think it strange if he left too early.
He tied his cravat in a simple style, one easily undone. Would Vivian come as herself or as Cleopatra? Earlier, he had been tempted to seek her out, but as he had strolled to the house on Mount Street, he’d seen Lady Telford’s carriage, with Vivian and Miss Corbet inside, leaving the house.
Musing about this evening was useless. He would have to wait for his answers.
The clock struck the half hour. Not long now. “Wigman, I want my plain black town coach.”
There was no point in advertising his presence at the house.
“Yes, my lord.”
