One Sinful Night (30 page)

“Oh God, Vivienne, you don't have to be sorry.” He shook his head again in regret. “You have been wronged more than you realize…My mother—”

“I know,” she interrupted. “Your mother has always hated me. Jackson said she wrote a note to Harlow asking him to come to my bedroom at Bingham Hall that night. It was a plot to ruin me. They were supposed to discover Jackson with me that night, not you. That's why they were all there to find the two of us…together.”

Aidan knew with a terrible certainty that Vivienne's words were true and felt sick to his stomach at his mother's treacherous manipulations. He recalled the night less than a week ago when he was caught in Vivienne's bedroom, and the talk he had with his mother afterward. What he had dismissed at the time as her hysterical ravings now had a new meaning.
I never expected to find
you
with her,
she had cried.
Aidan, why didn't you stay away? Why did you go to her tonight? Tonight of all nights?
Apparently she had expected to find Jackson Harlow in Vivienne's room. He had vastly underestimated his mother's hatred for the woman he loved.

“I didn't know that,” he admitted regretfully, “but at this point I'm not surprised to hear it. I'm very sorry, Vivienne.”

“Your mother is a bit deranged, Aidan.”

“Yes, she is.” He nodded in reluctant agreement. “Quite deranged. And unfortunately there's more.” Aidan was not sure she could handle any more news of the deception that surrounded her after everything she'd been through that evening, but he had to tell her the truth.

“More than that?” she asked in disbelief, her delicate brow furrowed in apprehension. “What else could there possibly be?”

He took a deep breath. “My mother arranged to have Nicky Foster come to the little cottage that day. She ordered Finley to set up everything. She wanted me to find you with Foster, so I would call off our wedding and leave Ireland without you. And she succeeded.”

Vivienne's eyes widened as the momentous implications sunk in. “Oh…”

“I just learned about that tonight myself.” Aidan shook his head, feeling sick to his stomach. “I don't know what to say except I'm sorry, Vivienne. Sorry that my mother is unbelievably conniving and cruel. Sorry that I reacted so badly that day at the cottage. Sorry I never talked to you about it, when I know you tried to see me and explain. I'm sorry I believed the worst of you. I'm sorry for all the time we've lost—” he suddenly stopped speaking when he noticed what she was wearing around her neck.

“Oh, Vivienne,” he whispered softly, overcome by emotions at the significance of her symbolic gesture. He reached his hand out to touch the silver locket that he had given her when they were to be married. He recalled that extraordinary afternoon in the cottage when he fastened it around her neck. After all these years, he had completely forgotten about it, but obviously Vivienne had not. There was only one reason she would be wearing that locket two days before their mandated wedding.

She had wanted to marry him.

He looked at Vivienne lying in the bed, her pretty dress torn, her beautiful face bruised, her sapphire blue eyes wide with disbelief at the extent of his mother's scheming to keep them apart, and he was overwhelmed by his love for this incredible woman. She had not deserved any of the misery she had been forced to endure.

“God, I've been a fool, Vivienne, a great fool to ever doubt you. I can only say in my weak defense that I was young and impulsive, and seeing you with Foster that day completely devastated me. It wounded my heart, my pride. You were the only person in my life that I could count on. You were mine, the best part of my life, my best friend. In my eyes, seeing you with Foster managed to negate everything we had, everything we meant to each other. I thought the world of you, and it suddenly seemed that you thought very little of me.”

“But I didn't—” she began to protest.

He stopped her from speaking, placing his finger gently over her lips. “I know that now, and I'm sorry I never gave you the chance to explain it then. I ran from you. I couldn't bear to think that you wanted another man, or that you only wanted me for my title and money, as my mother suggested. It was easier for me to run away and not face you. Which makes me a fool.”

She stared at him, her expression curious. “And now?” she asked.

He owed her at least an explanation of all that happened, especially considering none of it was her fault. “Seeing you again has turned my life upside down, Vivienne. I tried to stay away from you at Bingham Hall. I tried to hate you. I tried to distrust you. I tried to put you out of my mind. And I couldn't. The day on the lake, I was terrified that you were hurt in the accident and I raced to help you. When we were in the portrait gallery I said awful things to you to push you further away, after we had been so intimate with each other. And that night in your bedroom…I only came to apologize for what happened in the portrait gallery and to warn you to stay away from Harlow. I didn't intend to end up in your bed. When we were discovered together and your uncle demanded I marry you…There was a part of me that was angry, yes. Angry with myself for dishonoring you. I realize how unfeeling I acted in front of you at the time. But oddly enough, I was mostly relieved. By being duty-bound to marry you, I could have you back, but not have to face or admit the truth to you or myself.”

“The truth being?” she prompted him when he paused, her face expectant.

“That I still love you, Vivienne. I have loved you my entire life. And I want to marry you. I was coming to see you tonight, to talk to you. I had been thinking about the words you said to me on the patio, about me punishing you if we married. And I realized that you were right. If we had any possibility of a happy life together, I needed to give us that chance, which is what I wanted more than anything. When I learned that Harlow had taken you, I promised myself I would get you back or die trying, because it wouldn't be worth living without you. Now I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Just as we always planned. That is…if you can forgive my stubborn pride and all the pain that I have caused you.”

“There's a lot to forgive,” she said quietly, nodding, her eyes downcast.

“Was it terrible for you after I left Ireland?” he asked his voice full of remorse. He brushed a lock of her silky hair from her face.

Her expression clouded with sadness at the memory of that time. “More than you can imagine. No one in town would speak to me for years. I was humiliated. Scorned. So was Aggie, because they blamed her for my wild ways. But as time went by, people began to forget and forgive somewhat, since I created no new scandal and no baby appeared. Then I lost my father. And Aggie died shortly after that. I had no one left.”

“I'm so sorry, Vivienne.”

“But your coming for me today means more to me than you will ever know. I was so scared, Aidan. I thought you would believe the worst of me, thinking that I was betraying you yet again. Especially after the way I had taunted you last night on the patio. I knew you would never believe me this time. All I kept thinking was that I had lost you for good when I'd been so close to getting you back again.”

Aidan touched his fingers to her soft cheek. “It's strange, but even before Finley confessed that you had been set up with Foster, my gut instinct was that you were not a willing partner with Harlow tonight. I felt you were in danger from the start. My only thought was to get you back.”

“There has never been anyone for me but you, Aidan. It's only ever been you.”

“I tried to forget you for years, my little witch, and I couldn't,” he confessed.

There was a moment of silence in which they just looked at each other, taking in all that had happened.

She grasped his hand that touched her cheek. He took it in his and squeezed it tightly. Tears welled in her eyes and she whispered, “Can we start over?”

“Can you love me again after all I've done wrong?” he asked.

“I never, ever stopped loving you, Aidan. Even when I tried.”

She was so beautiful and wonderful, and he was thankful to have her love him. “Will you still marry me, Vivienne?”

“Yes, oh yes.”

“I love you,
muirnin
. More than you will ever know.”

“And I love you,” she echoed, placing a kiss on his lips.

He pulled her close to him, thankful for the second chance he'd been given to have her back in his life. They kissed, this time sealing their promise to each other. Sealing their fate together. His hands slid up her back as their kiss slowly deepened, his lips moving over hers with a possessive yearning. She opened her mouth to him and his tongue delved into the velvety sweetness of her mouth. Their need for each other was tangible, and she clung to him, her arms tightly around his body, as if she would never let him go.

He kissed her face, her eyes, her cheeks, breathing in the scent of her. With the utmost care, he removed the torn dress from her body, silently thanking heaven for arriving before Harlow had his way with her. He placed gentle kisses on her satiny skin, caressing her with soft strokes of his hand, erasing any touches Harlow had upon her.

His clothes soon following hers into a reckless pile on the floor next to the narrow bed. Naked, he crushed her down into the pillows, covering her body with the warmth of his. He needed to feel her, touch every inch of her. Her breathing became more frantic as the heat between them ignited into a fiery blaze. Her hands clutched him tightly, pressing him against her, as if she feared losing him. But Aidan knew he would never let that happen again. He could hear her heart beating frantically and his own heart constricted in response as his lips sought hers once more.

This was about forgiveness and absolution. They were starting over, with their love, with their lives. His hands moved reverently over her silky skin, absorbing her into his very being. He entered her slowly, his weight bearing down into her soft, warm flesh. Her fingers intertwined with his and they stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. As he began to move within her, she began to cry. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

“What? What is it, love?” he asked, his brow furrowed in concern. His face next to hers.

Too overcome to speak, she sobbed lightly, “Too much—of everything.”

He knew exactly what she meant, because he felt it too. So much had happened. To be together this way, and to know it was forever, was a dream he did not think could ever come true. He kissed her sweet mouth. He kissed her tears. He kissed her eyelids. He kissed the satiny smooth skin of her neck, breathing her in. He gave her delicate kisses. Cherishing kisses. Soothing kisses.

“I'm sorry,” he whispered, stroking her hair, “I'm sorry…” He would spend the rest of his life trying to make up for all that had happened…

She touched his face, her fingers brushing along his cheek as if touching to make sure he was real. “I love you.”

He continued to move within her, claiming her body, her heart, her mind more insistently. She arched up to meet his thrusts, her body quivering with the need to be with him, a part of him. Their breathing became hurried and rasping, their touches more possessive. He buried himself within her, wanting to lose himself in her and never be found. The need was endless and all-consuming. When she gasped out in pleasure and he felt her shudder beneath him, her body tightening around him, he joined her.

Afterward, Aidan held her cradled in his arms as she slept exhausted by the day's events, her breathing peaceful and even. His beautiful Irish witch. His Vivienne. He needed her like he needed air. Placing a feathery light kiss on her cheek, he sighed. He could not sleep, for fear it was all a dream. There was still much to be dealt with. Jackson Harlow. His mother. But he was not going to let Vivienne out of his sight until she was legally his wife. She was his once more and he didn't intend to ever let her go again.

Susana Kavanaugh, the Countess of Whitlock, paced nervously in her drawing room the next afternoon. She had slept fitfully during the night, wondering and worrying what had happened when Aidan rushed off to find Vivienne. Hoping against hope that Aidan had not caught her in time, and that Jackson Harlow had been able to marry her first, Susana tossed and turned in her bed. She had been up since dawn, still waiting for some news. Her stomach had been too upset to eat anything since the morning before when she had conspired with Jackson Harlow.

It had been a brilliant plan and she had been positive it would work, until Aidan had become so disturbed by Vivienne's disappearance and run out in search of her. She had not anticipated that; she'd expected him to be relieved to have her gone. Yes, he might be attracted to the girl physically, but she never believed for one minute that Aidan truly wanted Vivienne as his wife. Until last night, when he declared that he would marry her before Jackson Harlow did.

If only Aidan weren't so much like his father! Foolishly stubborn and appallingly simple in his tastes. Susana had tried her best to raise him to value the proper aspects of life as a titled gentleman of the nobility and the importance of high social standing. But he did not seem to care about any of the same things that she did. He even took to going into business! How that infuriated her, even though he was quite successful at it. She had endured enough from him. How was she supposed to accept him being compelled to marry the likes of Vivienne Montgomery? That awful night she saw him in Vivienne's bed would haunt her forever! And it had been entirely her fault that he had been caught with her. Which had eaten away at her ever since.

“My lady, your son just arrived,” her butler announced, standing in the doorway.

Startled by her servant's presence, she instructed, “Show him in.”

So Aidan had returned! Susana squared her shoulders and brushed her hands along the front of her dark gray gown. Now was the moment of truth. Now she would learn the outcome of her clever plan. She reminded herself to try to act somewhat compassionate if he were upset at losing that Irish harlot.

“Good morning, Mother,” Aidan stated coolly as he entered the room.

The welcoming smile vanished from Susana's face and in an instant an icy look replaced it. Vivienne Montgomery walked in beside her son, her hand firmly in his. Susana's heart sank to the floor. Well, well, well. It was all over. The little witch had come back.

Vivienne had the temerity to glare at her. “Good morning, Lady Whitlock.”

“I see you managed to find her after all, Aidan,” Susana said, not caring for the possessive manner in which her son held Vivienne.

“Yes, I found her,” Aidan responded not without some rancor in his tone. “We've had a most enlightening evening, have we not, Vivienne?”

“Most enlightening,” Vivienne added. Her expression was unreadable, although Susana eyed her carefully. She had to give the girl credit for managing to string Aidan along all these years. She captivated him somehow.

“You owe us both an apology, Mother, but you especially owe one to Vivienne. Since she will be my wife as of tomorrow, I think she deserves at least that much from you.”

“You're going through with it then?” Susana could not stop the hurt that welled within her.

Vivienne spoke. “Yes, we're getting married tomorrow. Finally. As we should have done ten years ago. We know everything about you now. How you managed to have me compromised with Nicky Foster. How you arranged for me to be compromised yet again with Jackson Harlow at Bingham Hall. And how you paid him to abduct me yesterday. Yes, Lady Whitlock, Aidan and I are marrying each other in spite of all you have done to prevent us from doing just that.”

A charged silence reigned in the room as the three of them faced each other.

“It was all for you, Aidan,” Susana uttered softly.

“No, Mother, be honest,” Aidan demanded stormily. “It was all for yourself. You kept Vivienne from me because you were under the misguided perception that she was not good enough for me to marry. But that is where you were terribly wrong. I love Vivienne, and you cheated me out of a life that was rightfully mine. You cheated Vivienne. And you almost destroyed us both because of your selfish ways.”

She defended herself calmly, “As your mother, I had to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?” he asked skeptically.

“From her!” Susana pointed accusingly at Vivienne. He was still blinded by that girl's charms. “And from yourself and your destructive ways. You're just like your father. Too blind to know what's best for you. What else would you have me do?”

“I would have you be a decent human being and at least apologize for all the harm you have caused,” Aidan said, his expression hard.

Once again Susana turned her gaze toward Vivienne, standing there in her drawing room, with her had possessively on Aidan's. “Well, Vivienne, I see you got your way.”

“Did I?” she asked, staring at her with those uncanny eyes.

Susana felt unnerved by that comment and by the look Vivienne cast upon her. She wished the girl would scream at her. Susana knew how to handle that sort of behavior whereas Vivienne's unnatural calm disconcerted her. “Didn't you, though?” she countered with a disgusted smirk. “You got my son!”

“And you have lost him,” Vivienne said softly with a pitying look, her expression sad. “I'm sorry for you, Lady Whitlock. You have lost your only son, the son you claim to love, and to what purpose?”

Susana could abide anything but pity, and the meaning in Vivienne Montgomery's eyes was quite clear. How dare the harlot pity her! Susana had expected a battle, a battle she could win. The girl infuriated her. “Aidan?” Susana looked questioningly to her son, but there was a coldness in his expression that she had never seen before. Her heart pounded and her hands shook.

“Sit down, Mother, while I explain,” Aidan instructed her.

Shocked into obeying him, Susana sat upon the damask sofa, her body tense and rigid. He motioned for Vivienne to sit as well, and she placed herself in a chair across from the sofa. Aidan continued to stand. Susana held her anger in check, curious to hear what her son would say to her, although she was positive she would not like it, for it undoubtedly included his marriage to Vivienne Montgomery.

“The way we see it, Mother, you have two options available to you at this point.” He looked at her meaningfully. “If you can apologize, treat Vivienne with respect, attend our wedding graciously, and generally behave yourself, you may continue to enjoy living in London as you do now. Or if you choose not to do that, I will cut off the majority of your funds and require you to retire to my small estate in northern Scotland, where Vivienne and I will not be obligated to see you or deal with you again. The choice is yours.”

Silence filled the room and Susana seethed with impotent rage at being given an ultimatum from Aidan, who was certainly pressured to do it by Vivienne. So it had come down to this. Vivienne Montgomery, that poor Irish harlot, who dared to sit there with her pitying looks. Her beloved only son was forcing her to accept that awful Irish peasant as his wife or be banished from London for the rest of her life.

It was not a difficult choice for her to make. In fact, it was ridiculously simple.