One Sinful Night Read Free Page A

thought of it.
    She suddenly asked him, “I gather you have not married either?”
    He did not wish to discuss his marital status with Vivienne, of all people. Instead he asked, perhaps rather edgily, “What are you doing in England?”
    â€œWhat does it matter to you what I do or where I go?” she stated, surprising him again with her coolness.
    He responded, “It matters that we have to spend the week here in each other’s company.”
    â€œIf it distresses you so, Lord Whitlock, you may certainly leave if you wish.”
    His annoyance rose at her airy dismissal of him. He was definitely not running off as if he were afraid of her. He had considered leaving Bingham Hall as soon as he could make a respectable getaway, but now he was forced to finish out the week, just to spite her. “Unfortunately I must stay, for reasons I need not go into with you. So we will just have to tolerate each other’s company as best we can.”
    â€œDoes it upset you that much to see me again?” She questioned him in a curious tone, her eyes flashing.
    Once again he was lost in her liquid sapphire eyes. He had to remind himself to breathe. “Not in the least, Miss Montgomery. I’m simply surprised that you had to come all the way to England to find a husband. I gather no one in Galway would marry you?”
    Vivienne stopped short, pulling away from him, and stood completely still, a devastated look on her face. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of remorse. Suddenly her eyes flashed in anger and she made a motion to slap his face, but as if he could read her mind, he caught her hand before she could strike him. Deliberately he lowered it to her side. They stared at each other in heated silence.
    Fortunately the dance ended before their motionlessness caused a scene. Without another word, he escorted her to the seating area, bowed politely, and left her standing with a group of giggling young ladies in pastel dresses.
    Aidan walked directly to the Duke of Bingham’s lavishly stocked bar. It was going to take a hell of a lot of liquor for him to survive a week with Vivienne.

Chapter 2
The Last Letter
    Vivienne Montgomery cautiously opened the door to her bedroom, which was tastefully decorated by the Duchess of Bingham in shades of pale yellow and rose and, seeing it was empty, she breathed a grateful sigh of relief. She did not want to squabble with Glenda tonight. If she managed to undress hurriedly, she could pretend to be asleep before her cousin returned.
    As she stepped into the room, the door to the small adjoining dressing room opened and a slender young woman, wearing a neat gray uniform and a white mobcap, came to assist Vivienne out of her intricate, blue silk gown.
    â€œThank you, Lizzie. If you could just help me undo these back hooks, I can do the rest myself,” Vivienne said as she turned her back to allow Lizzie to reach the endless row of clasps that enclosed her body in the latest fashion.
    She was truly helpless to remove the gown herself. It still amazed her that she had lived her whole life wearing clothes that she was perfectly able to get herself in and out of without any assistance, but since moving to England she had been obligated to wear the elaborate garments that required her to have another person dress her. In spite of this, she adored her gorgeous new wardrobe and all the lovely accessories that went with it; silks, satins, velvets, ribbons, fancy slippers, fans, bonnets. Those little luxuries were unheard of in her former life in Ireland.
    â€œOh, I don’t mind helping you none, miss,” Lizzie volunteered, eager to please her new mistress. “’Tis no trouble at all.”
    Lizzie efficiently unhooked the small clasps along the back of the soft blue silk. Vivienne breathed deeply as the tight fitting gown was loosened and Lizzie deftly unlaced her corset as well.
    â€œPlease sit, Miss Vivienne, and let me take the pins out of