She was right. Nick would have carried Silvia off on horseback if necessary. All the anger that had been building toward her father burbled up. “What Papa and old Lord Beresford did wasn’t right.”
“No, it was not. Your father should have sat down with you and Beresford and discussed the problems as he saw them. From Beresford’s and your father’s devil’s bargain, Beresford came out with a promotion, but you, my dear, had nothing but your anger.”
And the knowledge, false though it was, that Nick had betrayed her.
Suddenly Silvia was tired. She’d spent so many years being angry with him, and the moment he came back into her life she’d attacked him. Not to mention hitting him twice to-day. She wanted to run to her chamber and cry, and at the same time she wanted to travel straight to her father and tell him what he’d done was wrong. Now she had to make it up to Nick and beg his forgiveness. She’d probably choke doing it, and he’d laugh at her. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I think Lord Beresford understands a good deal more now than he did when he got here. All you have to do is decide if you want him.”
“Yes.” Silvia nodded more to herself than her friend, and she did want him, more than ever before.
Rupert had tried to keep the tone of their conversation light, but had failed. There were times he thought he did not have the experience to convince her to confide in him. And at other times, Vivian appeared so much younger and more inexperienced than he was.
“Perhaps I could help.” She was searching his face, and her own countenance appeared troubled. “I’m told I am a good confidant.”
How the deuce was he to answer her? “Thank you for your offer. However, this is a problem I must work out for myself.” If only he could ask what her husband had done.
Earlier today when he’d managed to arrange a meeting with Vivian’s lady’s maid, the woman had not been at all surprised to discover Rupert knew Cleo was Vivian. Once the maid had understood he wanted to marry her mistress, her hostility had dissipated. During their short discussion, Rupert had come to understand that Vivian did not have a clue he knew her identity. She apparently thought he wanted the imaginary Cleo instead of her. It bewildered him that she could not realize her essence was hers alone. He would recognize her anywhere and in any disguise. Yet now what was he to do? If he simply told her, she might be so embarrassed she would run away from him.
They had finished the circuit, and Rupert searched for innocuous conversation. If he thought relations between him and Vivian were complicated now, how much more so would they become unless he could figure a way out of this tangle? He must find a way to reveal his knowledge so as not to humiliate her in the process. “Would you like to return home, or shall we make one more turn?”
“I’m ready to leave.” Her features appeared as strained as he felt. “I think my cousin has plans for us, and I am concerned about Miss Corbet.”
“I shall take you back to Mount Street.”
“That would be for the best.” Vivian had glanced at him for a moment from beneath her long pale lashes, before fixing her gaze straight ahead.
Damn and blast it!Perhaps this had not been such a brilliant idea, yet Rupert couldn’t stay away from her. Was he any further ahead now than when he had gone to fetch her? He spared a brief look at the lady who was fast becoming the center of his life. Yes. He now knew that she would not be able to handle her deception well or for long. The question was, would she bolt before he could convince her to marry him?
Another meeting with her maid was in order, but first he’d have to make certain she would see him. “I don’t know if you’ve heard of Lady Thornhill, but she is famous for her drawing rooms. Her first one in a very long time is to-morrow afternoon. I would consider it an honor if you allow me to escort you.”
The number of people in the Park had been increasing dramatically, and Rupert had to watch his pair. Even with his attention on them, Vivian seemed to be taking an extraordinarily long time in answering.
He was trying to think of something else to say when she finally replied, “Thank you. I would be delighted. Lady Evesham told me about Lady Thornhill, and I am glad to have the opportunity to meet her.”
One hurdle over. Now if he could cover the rest of the ground that easily. “I shall fetch you at two.”
Except for a few comments about the weather, the remainder of the ride back to Lady Telford’s house was mostly silent. Both he and Vivian seemed to have lost the ability to make small talk. How had he got himself into this position and what the devil was going on in her beautiful head?
When they arrived at Mount Street, Rupert motioned the footman away and lifted Vivian down from the phaeton, carefully lowering her feet to the pavement. He took her hand and smiled. “I shall see you later.”
Vivian’s heart was thudding in her chest, and she couldn’t breathe. If only he knew how soon they would meet. “Yes, to-morrow.” She had to get away, now, before she ruined everything and told him she was Cleo. “I look forward to it.”
Despite the footman’s presence, Rupert escorted her to the door. “As do I.”
His voice was low and gravelly, as if it pained him to speak. Did he feel any guilt at all about making love to one woman at night and spending time with another one during the day? Probably not. Men were different from women in that respect. Even the best of them.
Vivian’s mother had told her she must overlook her husband’s infidelities. Yet she had thought Rupert was different, and her heart wrenched at the deceit. She should tell him, but then he’d leave her, and she desperately wanted more of what he’d given her last evening.
“There you are.” Pulling her gloves on, Clara came down the stairs. “I thought you’d forgot we have been invited to drink tea with Lady Worthington.” She gave Vivian a critical run-over. “You’ll do, and here is the coach.” Her cousin blinked as if just realizing they weren’t alone. “Stanstead, you may assist Lady Beresford into my carriage.”
Vivian was going to swoon if he picked her up again. Every nerve in her body was attuned to his touch. “I’m sure his lordship does not wish to leave his horses standing.”
“Nonsense, it will only take a moment.” Clara called over her shoulder, “Silvia, are you ready yet?”
“Coming, Cousin Clara.”
“I’m happy you are feeling better, my dear.”
