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Lawson’s gaze sharpened, but when Oliver affected a yawn and leaned even harder against the chair, he relaxed again. Over the past year, as he had watched Oliver slowly slipping into the void, he had treated him with more and more contempt. He no longer thought Oliver capable of duplicity, and that made it so much easier to dismiss him. It was also probably the only reason Oliver was still alive.
“It’s an amusing thing,” Oliver went on disingenuously, “but there was talk that my grandfather built a secret chamber into the house. Rumor had it that he kept his fortune hidden there.”
“A secret chamber?” Lord Lawson seemed to have solidified—rather like a dried frog Oliver had once found when he was a boy.
“Not that I believe it,” Oliver drawled.
“So there is no secret chamber?” Lawson said sharply.
“Oh yes!” Oliver raised his brows. “Yes, there is a secret chamber. I meant I don’t believe he had a fortune. If he had, he’d have spent it on Candlewood. Maybe, though, there are a few bits and pieces left. Jewelry and the like. I’ll know soon enough.”
“How will you know?” Lawson’s voice was a hiss, his eyes blazing.
“Well…” Oliver blinked sleepily, pretending his heart wasn’t thudding in his chest as if he were going into battle. “When the place is torn down, I thought I’d instruct the men doing the job to keep an eye out, eh? Do it a brick at a time, you see, and if they notice anything odd they can tell me.”
“If you’re sober,” Lawson snarled, but he looked sick. As if he had just sustained a nasty shock.
Oliver smiled. “Oh, I’ll make certain of it. Anything they find at Candlewood, I want to see it.”
Lawson made a jerky movement, smoothing his waistcoat and then taking out his silver pocket watch to stare blindly at its face. Oliver watched him without comment, completely relaxed.
“Hmm, I must go. I have an appointment with Sir Robert.” He snapped the cover of his watch closed and looked at Oliver under beetling brows. “When are you planning to begin the demolition?”
“Soon.” Oliver yawned again. “Have to get those pesky women and children out first. Once they’re gone, I’ll have it down in a trice.” He leaned closer, and smiled inwardly as Lawson edged away. “Need the blunt, you see.”
Lawson gave him a cold, scornful glare. “You’re a disgrace, Oliver. Your brother was worth a dozen of you.” And then, without another word, he walked away.
Oliver watched him. It had all gone very well, no doubt about it. He had smashed Lawson’s smug self-assurance to bits, so much so that he had been reading his watch upside down and didn’t even notice it. Oh yes, Lord Lawson was a worried man. A very worried man.
With a smile he ordered a brandy—to celebrate. Anything that upset Lawson was worth celebrating. Now it was just a matter of waiting. What would Lawson’s next move be? His lordship had been counting the days until Candlewood was demolished, but now he would be dreading the moment. He would be wondering whether or not there really was a secret chamber, and if so, whether it would be discovered. And if it was discovered, what would be found inside it. He must be beginning to feel a real sense of panic; Lawson had a lot to lose, after all.
Murderer.
Oliver bared his teeth in a wolfish smile, and it was far removed from the vacant one he had assumed for Lawson’s benefit. Lawson would pay, by God he would, and soon….
Chapter 8
The Montegomery coach seemed very luxurious after the hackneys, or the Russells’ hired vehicle, which Vivianna had been using to take her about. She supposed that to own something like this was an extravagance, but the feel of the padded leather was sheer heaven, and the well-sprung body was far easier on her stomach.
Maybe there was some point to being a member of an old and aristocratic family after all.
Vivianna glanced across at Oliver.
Just as she feared—and hoped—he was watching her. Aphrodite had sent her another message with her newest gown, and although Lil’s suspicious, hovering presence had prevented her from reading it all—she had finally stuffed the letter into her bag—she had read enough. Aphrodite predicted that Oliver would look at her, but warned that she must not be self-conscious about it. That she should feel secure in the knowledge of her own beauty. The list of instructions was burned into her brain.
Smile at him and look away.
Pretend to enjoy the scenery.
Pretend not to notice his attention.
Be unconscious of your effect on him.
Stay at arm’s length.
Tease him with the movements of your body….
Easier said than done, Vivianna thought. She was not secure in the knowledge of her own beauty. She was not the slightest bit interested in the scenery. And the fact that he was watching her with such unwavering intensity made the nerves in her stomach jump like crickets.
