Read Online Lady Vice by Wendy LaCapra - Free Book Online

Harrison was magnificently protective. So lovely and male. You know I have a keen appreciation of the sex in general.”
    Thea snorted. “One in particular.”
    “If you mean Lord Randolph, then not in the least.” Sophia lifted one shoulder in a half shrug. “Bedeviling a devil is the truest form of entertainment.”
    Thea mimicked Sophia’s shrug. “Ah, sweet Scandal, tell yourself what you wish.”
    “What did you say to Max?” Lavinia asked, deftly heading off the good-natured row.
    Sophia grinned. “I told him he would have me to answer to, if he did not see you through this.”
    “Oh dear.” Lavinia covered her eyes with both hands and shook her head. “Enough, both of you.”
    “You cannot mean to silence me,” Sophia said. “I have news.”
    Lavinia parted her fingers and peeked. “What kind of news?”
    “Good news.” Sophia exchanged glances with Thea. “We had our best night yet.”
    “Well, that is good news.” Gold was a faithful friend.
    “While the men were leaving and you were…” Sophia raised her brows, “changing, I separated out the coins from the bank notes and other memorandums of understanding.”
    “Sophia,” Lavinia said in a warning tone, “I was changing. Nothing happened while Max was in my rooms.”
    “With no one to witness save our discreet staff? What a waste.” Sophia kissed the top of Lavinia’s head. “We women,” her sympathetic tone stripped Lavinia of protection, “can heal from any inflicted hurt.”
    Lavinia dropped her lids, unready to reveal the secrets Sophia perceived.
    Sophia untied a pocket from her skirts and handed Lavinia a pouch. “Your portion is here.”
    Lavinia bounced the comforting weight in her palm. The pouch contained coins enough to make the duchess of Devonshire slaver—enough, even to pay extra to Vaile’s procuress, if she would swear to stay clear of the inquest.
    “Now,” Sophia said, “we plan. Thea and I have decided not to host another salon while you observe mourning. When we resume, our invitations will be all the more coveted.”
    “But the two of you—”
    “Do not worry about us,” Thea broke in, “ you must begin to play the part of a grieving widow.”
    “Yes,” Sophia agreed. “You’ve been playing the role of the ruthless Lady Vice. That must change.”
    Thea cleared her throat and pressed her fingers to her lips. In a performance complete with shaking voice and tearing eyes she said, “True, we were estranged, but one always feels there is time.”
    “Oooh, very good, Thea,” Sophia said. “Elmbrooke may have claimed Vaile’s body, but you must claim your right to mourn. We will have rings of remembrance made. And we will place a hatchment in the window of Vaile House—your coat of arms on white, the Vaile coat of arms on black.”
    “I had not considered a hatchment,” Lavinia said.
    “Of course you should have one,” Sophia replied. “When my husband died, the earl took care of it immediately.”
    As always, Sophia’s cheeks darkened when she mentioned her father. Why she only referred to him as the earl, Lavinia did not know. Sophia, too, kept her past private.
    “I suppose the earl wished to remind everyone of my husband’s more modest origins. In your case, the dual coat of arms will remind passersby of your grief.”
    Lavinia glanced between her friends. “The thought of going to Vaile House makes me ill.”
    “Do not worry.” Sophia placed a hand on her shoulder. “We will come with you.”
    Lavinia glanced up warily. She’d never told Sophia or Thea exactly why she’d left—only how. If they knew all, what would they say?
    “Bring Maggie and we will pack up the things you want,” Thea said. “I wish I could have taken more from Wynchester house. There must be things you miss.”
    “I am not certain the house and its contents are mine.”
    “Your marriage portion paid for the home, yes?” Thea asked.
    “Yes, but I am unclear concerning the deed. If the house wasn’t