One Sinful Night by Kaitlin O'Riley Read Free Book Online

go for a walk in the gardens now?” she suggested brightly to the others.
    â€œI would be honored to walk with you, Miss Montgomery,” Jackson offered with a gallant smile, extending his arm to Vivienne, which she accepted gratefully.
    â€œGeorge and I shall let you two go on ahead,” Gregory said with a broad wink. “We’ll meet you in the rose garden.”
    Vivienne would have laughed at Gregory’s obvious attempt at matchmaking if she were not so anxious to escape Aidan Kavanaugh’s presence. But it was too late, for Aidan had walked directly toward them.
    â€œAidan, you look like the very devil!” George blurted out with a laugh. “What happened to you?”
    â€œNothing,” Aidan said through gritted teeth, apparently annoyed by the question. “I’m fine.”
    â€œIf you say so,” Gregory conceded with a knowing grin. “Have you met Mister Jackson Harlow?”
    â€œThe Earl of Whitlock and I have met on many occasions,” Jackson said smoothly. “In fact, we have done some business together. It is good to see you again, Whitlock.”
    â€œOh, Aidan’s going to talk business now,” George yawned mockingly.
    Vivienne watched as Aidan took in the scene before him. His face registered surprise. Whether at seeing Jackson Harlow or seeing Vivienne on his arm, she was not sure which. On closer inspection he did look terrible, as the twins had so gleefully pointed out to everyone. His eyes were heavy, and he seemed a little bit green around the gills.
    Vivienne looked from one handsome man to the other. Although both were quite taller than average, muscular, and fit, side by side they were a striking study in contrasts. Even in his current state of health, Aidan’s tall, dark, and handsomely seductive looks left her a bit breathless. Then there was the golden-blond beauty of Jackson Harlow, which had a sensual allure of its own. A girl would be hard-pressed to choose which was the more attractive of the two. Fortunately, it was not a decision she was required to make.
    â€œGood afternoon, Miss Montgomery,” Aidan said coldly, sparing her the briefest of glances with his amazing green eyes. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Harlow.”
    Jackson Harlow explained affably, “I just arrived here this morning. Before I left London I was sorry to hear about the fire at your shipping warehouse, Whitlock. That was a tremendous loss for you. A terrible misfortune.”
    Vivienne was surprised to discover that Aidan had acquired some sort of shipping business, although she knew it had always been a dream of his to own one. He used to spend hours talking to her father whenever he was in port, questioning him about all aspects of the shipping industry. It was one of the reasons she had loved Aidan. He had wanted to work, to contribute something and to be productive in the world, when he certainly didn’t need to earn his living. Most young men of his age and class, like her cousins, were content with idle pursuits and thought working in trade beneath them. Aidan had always been different that way.
    Well, it seemed that Aidan’s childhood dreams had finally come true.
    â€œYes, the fire was a great calamity.” Aidan’s brow furrowed in response.
    Harlow asked casually, “Do you know what caused it?”
    â€œThey are still searching for the cause.”
    â€œYou mean to say that it is being investigated?” Jackson’s eyes widened slightly.
    â€œOf course. Wouldn’t you conduct an investigation if it had been your warehouse that burned to the ground in the middle of the night?” Aidan asked, looking intently at Harlow.
    Jackson nodded heartily in agreement. “Certainly I would.”
    â€œIt is the only logical course of action.”
    â€œWhat do you expect they will find?”
    â€œThat remains to be seen, doesn’t it?” Aidan answered. “It was most fortunate