Free Sara Bennett by Lessons in Seduction Page B

the children had given her three cheers.
    The sisters knew all the children’s names and so did Vivianna—she had been kept informed by their many letters. The children were not strangers to her; she felt as if she recognized and loved them all. Perhaps that sense of familiarity was what made the difference in these matters. Perhaps if Oliver were to meet them, if he were to see them, even a man with a heart as hard and uncaring as his would be swayed…
    “Miss Greentree?” Miss Greta was watching her expectantly over the fruitcake, and Vivianna realized she had missed part of the conversation.
    “More tea?” Miss Susan was holding the teapot aloft in one hand and the milk jug in the other.
    “Thank you.”
    “I was telling you a little about the history of Candlewood,” Miss Greta said. “It may help you, when you tackle Lord Montegomery, to know the family story.”
    “What is the family story?”
    Miss Greta settled herself to explain. “Candlewood was built by Lord Montegomery’s grandfather. A folly, in hindsight. It was supposed to be a monument to the family, but instead it ruined him. He squandered most of his wealth on it, and even then he did not have enough to finish it. The Montegomery family has a house in London, as well as an estate in Derbyshire, so they have no use for Candlewood. They have always considered it inconvenient and uncomfortable. However, Anthony Montegomery, the elder brother, was very fond of Candlewood and often stayed here, especially overnight when he was on his way to Derbyshire. The house and grounds were left to him by his grandfather, but unfortunately there wasnever enough money for the upkeep, it was literally crumbling away. And now Anthony is dead, too, and the house belongs to Oliver Montegomery.”
    Had Oliver mentioned a brother? Vivianna did not think so. “I did not realize Lord Montegomery had a brother.”
    Miss Susan gave a sad smile. “Yes, and his is a strange and unfortunate story. He spoke briefly of his brother when he was last here.”
    “Oliver…that is, Lord Montegomery was here?” Vivianna raised her eyebrows in surprise. “I did not realize you had met him in person. I thought you conducted the matter of the lease through his man of business and by correspondence.”
    “At the time we first leased Candlewood we had not met him, no, but since then he has been here twice, or is it three times?”
    “But why so many? I do not understand.”
    “Neither do we.” The two sisters exchanged glances. “When he visited he would spend a great deal of time walking about the house, just looking, and once he brought a man with him who took measurements and hammered on the walls.”
    “How odd.”
    “It was, rather. We have also had Lord Lawson here once, shortly after we moved in, but that was to welcome us. In Anthony’s stead, was what he said.”
    The two sisters watched her expectantly.
    “Lord Lawson?”
    Miss Susan was eager to enlighten her. “He is a member of Sir Robert Peel’s Tory party, and some say he will be the next prime minister. He may have been so now if Lord Melbourne had not inveigled his way back into government because the queen is so fond of him.”
    The Beatty sisters did not appear to be impressed with Lord Melbourne, and Vivianna did not blame them. The prime minister was deeply conservative and seemed not to believe in reform of any kind. He had lost office in 1839 to Sir Robert Peel, but due to Queen Victoria’s refusal to dismiss her current ladies-in-waiting and allow Sir Robert to install new ladies of his own party’s persuasion—as was the custom—and Sir Robert’s subsequent stubborn stance on the matter, Lord Melbourne had been asked to return as prime minister. But it was, Vivianna felt sure, only a matter of time before Lord Melbourne was once more ousted—he was very unpopular with all but the queen, and now that she was enraptured by her new husband, Prince Albert, he had lost even her wholehearted