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

that no one was injured or killed.”
    â€œYes, good thing,” Harlow said. “Although a loss of that magnitude must have set you back quite a bit financially. If my company can do anything to help you, please let me know.”
    Aidan’s tone hardened. “I don’t think we’ll be needing your help, Harlow.”
    â€œWe were just going to walk in the gardens to give Harlow a tour about the place. Care to join us, Aidan?” George offered, breaking the sudden tension.
    Aidan cast a disapproving glance over the two of them. Vivienne noticed his eyes lingering on Jackson Harlow’s hand on her arm. “No, thank you.”
    â€œYou two go on ahead. We’ll catch up with you shortly,” Gregory said.
    â€œBest of luck with your investigation, Whitlock. Well then, we shall see you later,” Jackson responded with a casual attitude. “If you will excuse us…”
    Vivienne left the room escorted by the handsome Mister Harlow, sensing a palpable tension between him and Aidan. Immensely relieved to remove herself from that curious state of affairs, it occurred to her that she had not uttered a single word to Aidan. So, it was to be cold civility while speaking to each other as little as possible, was it? At least now she knew what the rules were for surviving the week with him. Feeling oddly out of sorts with the entire exchange, she resolved to put Aidan out of her mind.
    Â 
    Aidan watched Vivienne leave with narrowed eyes. It was quite apparent that Vivienne could not be bothered to acknowledge his presence. He still felt like hell and so far the afternoon’s events had not eased the pounding in his head. After his meeting with Daniel Grayson about the warehouse fire and Jackson Harlow’s involvement and listening to his mother’s irrational fears about Vivienne Montgomery, discovering the two causes of his current agitated state of mind going for a walk together was a bit of a shock.
    â€œWhat is Jackson Harlow doing here?” he asked, not able to mask the irritation in his voice. As much as he distrusted Vivienne, he could not ignore the uneasiness he felt at the idea of her in Harlow’s company.
    â€œHe’s a friend of Uncle Richard’s apparently. Just met him. He seems a decent fellow though,” Gregory answered smoothly, a bit surprised by Aidan’s attitude.
    â€œYou just met the man, yet you let him escort your cousin about unchaperoned?” Aidan questioned impatiently.
    â€œCalm down, Aidan. You know how relaxed Aunt Jane is with the rules here. That’s why her parties are such fun. Besides, we’re going to join them in a minute or two,” George explained. “He’s hardly going to make advances on her in broad daylight!”
    â€œYou sound jealous,” Gregory added, looking at him curiously. “Are you?”
    â€œI am not remotely jealous of Jackson Harlow.” He could hardly start casting aspersions on Harlow’s character at this point. He had no proof yet, but he would soon. Aidan did not trust the unscrupulous man at all.
    And it did not surprise him that Harlow was taken with Vivienne. He could tell by the smitten look on the man’s face that he was. What man wouldn’t be infatuated with as beautiful and desirable a woman as Vivienne? She looked particularly enticing this afternoon, wearing a pretty green muslin gown that accentuated her slender yet shapely figure. The sight of her delicate beauty and sensual mouth had sent a powerful jolt of pure desire through him, leaving him shaken. That after all these years he could still feel such intense attraction for her, even knowing what she was, astounded him.
    Steeling himself to ignore those feelings of desire, as well as the creeping sense of alarm he had at seeing her walk off with Harlow’s arm in hers, he focused instead on the fact that Vivienne and Harlow shared the same character.
    They were both treacherous,