An Affair Without End Read Online Free PDF

suitably concerned.”
    “Dearest Vivian,” Charlotte said as she crossed the last few steps to them. “Are you ill?” She bent to take Vivian’s hand in hers, murmuring, “Fighting again?” She cast a laughing glance up at Stewkesbury.
    “We were not fighting.” Oliver frowned at her. “I was—”
    “Lecturing,” Vivian supplied. “And I walked away so I wouldn’t start fighting.”
    “I could see that you were both doing an admirable job of not fighting.” Charlotte grinned. “Well, fortunately for you, almost everyone was looking at Lord Dunstan and Mrs. Carstairs, who were dancing much too close together. I think I was nearly the only person who saw Vivian storm off the floor.”
    “It wasn’t that dramatic,” Vivian said with a grimace.
    “Of course not. Even Aunt Euphronia said you were only giving yourself airs.”
    “Good Gad.” Stewkesbury blanched.
    “No! Is she here?” Vivian exclaimed, sitting up straighter and glancing around.
    “Yes, but I’m happy to say that Lady Wilbourne invited Colonel Armbrister and his wife, so Aunt Euphronia is now firmly ensconced with them in the card room, enjoying a spirited game of whist.” Charlotte turned to Oliver. “I think you could safely leave Vivian in my hands now.”
    “Yes. Appearances have been served,” Vivian added, whipping open her fan and plying it, not looking at the earl.
    He glanced at her, his mouth tightening, then swept the two women a polite bow. “Very well. I shall take my leave of you. Lady Vivian. Cousin Charlotte.”
    Vivian turned her head to watch Stewkesbury walk away. “Most of your relatives are enchanting, Charlotte, but that man . . .”
    Charlotte chuckled. “The two of you are like oil and water.”
    “More like fire and tender, I’d say. I don’t know how we shall manage the next few months, being thrown together so much.”
    “Mm.” Charlotte studied her. “Yes, I would say it should be quite . . . interesting.”
    A little to her surprise, Vivian found the rest of the evening curiously flat even though she danced with several other men, none of whom offered a word of criticism regarding her dress, her family, or anything else. Indeed, most of them spent their time spouting compliments, some sincere and some so extravagant as to make her want to giggle. But however pleasant it might be to hear flattery, the truth was it did not spark her interest. She supposed she must bebecoming jaded . . . or perhaps her tiff with Stewkesbury had simply spoiled her mood.
    She did not speak to Stewkesbury again, though she spotted him once or twice across the room. He was generally engaged in conversation with some gentleman or another, though once she saw him dancing with Charlotte and another time with Lady Jersey. Vivian could not help but approve of his choice there. Not even Vivian’s influence could guarantee Camellia and Lily a voucher for Almack’s, of which Lady Jersey was one of the patronesses. As Lady Jersey was known for being something of a stickler, it would certainly help to firmly plant it in her mind that the Bascombes were the very proper earl’s cousins.
    The next time they met, Vivian thought, she would mention it—though she had to admit that, given the way she and Stewkesbury usually managed to antagonize each other, he would probably take her praise entirely the wrong way. She could not help but smile as she thought of the way the two of them had fussed all through the dance. As she looked back on it, it seemed a trifle foolish the way they had squabbled all through the lovely waltz—especially given that she had been enjoying dancing with him. Who would have thought that being in Oliver’s arms as they whirled about the floor would have felt so . . . well, intriguing.
    “I hope that smile is for me,” a masculine voice murmured.
    Vivian returned to the present with a start and looked at the man standing in front of her. She had been chatting with him when she had caught sight of