Lady Vivian Defies a Duke Read Online Free PDF Page A

a smile to show he meant no harm.
    She grabbed her drink and slowly drained the contents. When she set the glass down again, she took a long time blotting the napkin to her reddened lips.
    Tension coiled in his lower belly. She was either stalling or attempting to drive him to distraction.
    “I am afraid I must beg off, sir. My cousin should take part in our interview, and she is abed with a chill. I hope you understand.”
    She smiled, appearing too smug by half at deflecting him handily.
    “I understand, Lady Vivian.” He would not allow her to dismiss him, however. “I will wait until Lady Brighthurst recovers before conducting my interview.”
    The lady’s eyes flew open wide. “Wait? But it could be days. Perhaps a week.”
    “Then I must find ways to occupy my time while Lady Brighthurst recovers.” He propped his elbow on the padded armrest. “I’m an early riser. Perhaps I will pay a visit to the dairy barn tomorrow.”
    “Why?”
    “There is a matter I would like to discuss with one of Lady Brighthurst’s servants, a milkmaid, I believe.” He was teasing her; surely she would realize he knew who she was and give up her ruse. “Of course if I can’t find the chit, I will have to ask Lady Brighthurst in what area of the house she works.”
    “Oh.” Lady Vivian stared at him with lips parted. “Oh,” she said again then pushed away from the table.
    Luke stood too.
    She started for the door. “Forgive me. I really must look in on my kin now.”
    The fear in her expression made his stomach pitch. He hadn’t meant to frighten her.
    “Lady Vivian.”
    She veered away from his outstretched hand. “The servants will provide you with whatever you require. Good evening.”
    She dashed through the doorway and disappeared, leaving nothing but the lingering scent of her sweet perfume and the echo of her footsteps as she ran down the corridor.
    He sighed and sank into his seat. Now what was he to do? Lifting his goblet, he signaled for the footman to refill his wine.
    He wished he could consult with Miss Truax on how to handle Lady Vivian. He trusted his mother’s companion when it came to the workings of the female mind. She had been pivotal in coming to understand his sisters and reconnect with them after their father’s passing. But Luke was on his own this time. He would have to draw on what little he had learned about ladies’ minds from spending time with his mother and sisters this past year.
    Of course, with Lady Vivian, no amount of experience or study of the fairer gender might help him. She was a mystery. One he intended to solve.
     

Four
    “Lady Vivian, wake up.”
    A warm hand grasped Vivi’s shoulder and shook her. Her eyes flew open and she blinked, her surroundings slowly coming into focus.
    Floral bed curtains.
    Quilted counterpane.
    Her window seat.
    Her location sunk in. Rolling onto her back, she stared up into Winnie’s frowning face, which was entirely too close with her leaning over the bed. “It’s time to get up, my lady.”
    “But it is dark outside.” Vivi’s voice sounded gravelly, like an old man’s after forty years of pipe smoking.
    Her lady’s maid straightened and nibbled her fingernail. “When did you think the cows were milked, my lady?”
    Not at this ungodly hour. “They can’t desire to be awake any more than I do.” She curled on her side, pulling the sheet up to her neck. “Let the poor creatures sleep in today.”
    “But if Lord Ellis wakes and ventures outside…” Winnie shook her again. “What if he goes to your cousin?”
    She flopped on her back with a groan. Infuriating man! “I’m getting up.”
    “You had best hurry, my lady. The milkmaid is already in the barn.” Winnie tossed a spare maid’s dress on the bed, then grabbed both of Vivi’s hands to pull her into a seated position.
    Vivi rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and yawned. This whole pretense was likely a waste of time. “I think he recognized me already.” The