Page 16
“Of course. Get one for me as well.” Alex handed the man two coins, glad for the excuse to stay outside in the cooler air.
Chapter 5
Lark’s Song, William Torrington’s Country Estate, Berkhamsted, England
Vivian adored the drastic change of life in the countryside. Restrictions for how one should go about daily life were so much more relaxed away from London. It also helped that other than the servants, it was only she, Penelope, and her companion Mary at Clara and William’s home.
The parlor they were in was rustically decorated, with tartan upholstery on the chairs and deep green floor length curtains framing a pair of tall windows. She and Penelope had just finished playing cards and now sat in front of a cheery fire, reading. While Penelope read a novel, Vivian perused the bird book she’d acquired in London. Despite the vibrant images, her gaze kept moving away to the fire.
Whatever was she going to do about Mr. Yarnsby? It was evident he was very much attracted to her. Despite her attempts at flirting, he’d not reciprocated. It was only because his breathing had become harsher and his eyes had darkened that she’d come to the conclusion he’d been aroused.
“Did you know men’s nostrils flare when they find a woman attractive?” Penelope asked, watching her. “Their lips part, and they swallow visibly.”
“What exactly are you reading?” Vivian reached for her sister’s book and read the cover. A Courtesan’s Guidebook by Lady Everly Greene.
“Where did you find this?” Vivian’s eyes rounded. “Mother will kill you if she sees it.”
Nipping the book back, Penelope gave her a bored look. “I found it in our house. It was hidden.”
“No,” Vivian exclaimed. “I don’t believe you.”
“I will return it to its proper place when we return, and mother will never suspect it’s been borrowed.”
It was hard to tell if Penelope was lying. The imp had mastered the best blank look ever, and no matter how hard one challenged her sister, Penelope would not waver.
“Where exactly was it hidden?”
Instead of a reply, Penelope opened to a page and pressed a finger to a paragraph. “Read this.”
The words swayed as she did her best to focus and read out loud. “The hardening of a man’s sex is quite obvious. A noticeable bulge will form between his legs. One must never...”
“Good afternoon, ladies.”
The deep voice made both she and Penelope yelp.
Quick as a lightning, her sister plucked the book from Vivian’s hands and pushed it under a pillow.
From where Mr. Yarnsby was, he should not have been able to see what Penelope did after taking the book.
“Mr. Yarnsby, you startled us,” Penelope said with a giggle. “We were discussing the perils of finding oneself out in the wilderness alone with a wild beast.”
Vivian coughed to keep from laughing, and a most unladylike snort erupting.
His hooded eyes moved from Penelope to Vivian. “I apologize. Did not give thought to the fact that you are not used to life here. As you may have noticed, we have no butler and let ourselves in and out without announcement.”
Vivian gave him a droll look. “We are quite aware now.”
Instead of continuing on to wherever William was, he hesitated. “Your sister is not at home?”
“Clara has gone to spend the day with Duchess Torrington,” Penelope informed him. “We will be going there tonight for supper.”
He nodded. “I look forward to seeing you, then.” Despite being annoyed at his inopportune appearance, Vivian could not help but notice how his attire made him look ravishing. He wore a dark green overcoat over a tan linen shirt and brown wool pants. On his feet were calf high boots, which told he’d ridden his horse there.
“William is in his study,” Vivian said. “Although you probably already know.”
“He and I meet daily to discuss our business dealings.”
Penelope lifted a brow. “How far is your home from here?”
