The Fifth Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

that he should seek—”
    â€œNot surprising for a man of his ilk, I suppose,” Olivia cut in coldly, “but quite unforgivable all the same. Why, I would sooner find an excuse for you —or even Jamie —to take yourselves a chère amie than for Strickland! He has a wife !”
    â€œNo one is asking you to find excuses for him, my dear. It is, after all, none of your affair.”
    â€œIsn’t it? What about Clara?” she demanded.
    â€œWhat about her?”
    â€œShouldn’t she be told?”
    â€œ Told ?” Charles echoed in horror. “Whatever for?”
    Olivia made an impatient little gesture with her hand. “I don’t know. But I cannot abide the thought of her innocent adoration of that rake ! He’s making a complete fool of her!”
    Charles fondled the bowl of his pipe as he studied his sister with concern. “I can quite understand how you feel, Livie, but you’re fair and far off on this subject. No matter how attached you may feel toward your sister, her marriage is not your concern. It is a private matter between man and wife. You are too young and inexperienced to comprehend the complexities of such relationships—”
    â€œHumbug!” his sister said cuttingly. “This is the first time, Charles, that I’ve ever heard you resort to an ad hominem argument of that sort! Too young to comprehend, am I? If you ask me, the truth of the matter is that you’re too cowardly to wish to deal with this problem. These sordid personal matters embarrass you!”
    â€œ Now who’s indulging in ad hominem arguments?” he promptly retorted. “Let us try to discuss this rationally, if you please. You are arguing that Clara should be told so that Strickland cannot make a fool of her, is that right?”
    â€œYes, I suppose you may phrase it so.”
    â€œWell, before whom is he making a fool of her?”
    Olivia shrugged. “Before anyone who knows that he’s involved with a doxy.”
    â€œAnd who knows it?”
    â€œHow can I say? Half of London, perhaps.”
    Charles shook his head scornfully. “Balderdash! We would certainly have heard some gossip if that were the case. I am convinced that Strickland is clever enough to manage his affairs with discretion.”
    Olivia glared at him. “But we know it!”
    â€œYes, but Strickland can scarcely make Clara a fool in our eyes, can he?”
    â€œNo, I suppose not,” Olivia admitted, returning to her chair and slumping into it.
    â€œThen your argument is overset,” Charles concluded triumphantly.
    â€œNot quite,” Olivia persisted, sitting up and leaning forward in urgent concern, “ I managed to discover the truth, didn’t I? I, who don’t go about in society a great deal. Then is it not logical to assume that some others may also have discovered it—and much more readily than I?”
    â€œYes, perhaps,” her brother granted, “but until the matter is a subject of gossip, there is very little harm being done to Clara. Does the possibility that one or two people may know the truth justify your going to your sister with a tale that is certain to give her pain?”
    Olivia put her elbow on the arm of her chair and rested her chin in her hand. “No, of course not. You’re quite right. I’m undoubtedly being excessively foolish about this.”
    Charles smiled at her fondly. “Not foolish, exactly. You’re merely permitting your distaste for Strickland’s behavior to affect your judgment.”
    â€œDistaste?” Olivia raised her eyebrows and slowly rose from the chair. “ Distaste ? That’s much too mild a word, my dear Charles. Much too mild a word. What I feel for Miles Strickland is complete and utter disgust. No … more! An overwhelming loathing ! Yes, a loathing … a revulsion so … so sickening that I shall probably not recover until I’ve