The Importance of Being Wicked (Millworth Manor) by Victoria Alexander

they were dishonest nonetheless.
    Nor had she been especially honest with her family either. It had been remarkably easy to escape undue notice in the Hadley-Attwater household if one was the youngest, was discreet and kept one’s mouth shut. She had learned that at an early age. It was John who had allowed her to do—no, to be —exactly who she was. Not that she was especially evasive with her family. She simply kept her affairs to herself. It was time—past time, really—to tell them of her work although the courage Lady Fairborough had thought she had did seem to falter when it came to her family. Still, she was resolved to make a clean breast of it with them. Sooner rather than later. Not today and probably not tomorrow, but definitely soon.
    She wondered now, if it had been so easy to be herself with John, why wasn’t it easy with others? Perhaps it came from being the only ordinary member of a family in which everyone else was far more than ordinary. Perhaps that was why the courage Lady Fairborough had spoken of was lacking. And perhaps, just possibly, it was time to turn over a new leaf. To stop being concerned as to what other people might think. To stop being afraid. Even if she was the family’s most ordinary member, Hadley-Attwaters were never afraid. Past time as well to accept that heritage.
    And perhaps the place to start was with the reputedly wicked Lord Stillwell. Even if, oddly enough, he didn’t scare her at all.
    “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
    “This is my home, Lady Garret and I am intensely interested in everything concerning it. Although my other responsibilities preclude my being here every day.” He smiled down at her. His eyes were a deep shade of blue and twinkled with amusement. She hadn’t noticed that before either. “I do hope I can count on you to keep me informed of the progress.”
    “I consider that part of my responsibilities. As the representative of Garret and Tempest,” she added.
    “It looks like your Mr. Clarke—Edwin?”
    She nodded.
    “It appears he has things well in hand.” Lord Stillwell’s gaze wandered over the activity. “It’s really quite impressive.”
    “It’s only the first day, but indeed all is going well.” Satisfaction sounded in her voice.
    “How long have you been here?”
    “I took the first train this morning.” As Fairborough was only an hour by train from London, there were several trains during the day. “You’re fortunate to have such frequent service available.”
    He nodded. “It makes residing in the country much more convenient. While we do have a house in town I much prefer it here.” He studied her in a casual manner. “Have you eaten?”
    “Not since this morning,” she said absently, watching workers lay out framing.
    “It’s well past noon, you know.”
    “Is it?” She’d been entirely too busy to note the passage of time. “I hadn’t realized.”
    “You should have something to eat,” he said sternly. “I would not want you to faint dead away from hunger.”
    She laughed. “I daresay that won’t happen.”
    “One never knows.” He shook his head. “Can you imagine what it might do to my reputation should it become known that women were fainting away at my feet?”
    “I daresay it would only enhance it.”
    He laughed. “It could do with some enhancing. I haven’t enhanced it for years.”
    She glanced at him. “Haven’t you?”
    “I’m afraid not.” He shook his head in a mournful manner. “I fear I have been otherwise occupied.”
    “So your mother says.”
    “Good Lord.” He groaned. “I dare not ask you what else my mother has said about me.”
    “That’s probably best.”
    “Lady Garret.” A formal note sounded in his voice that belied the smile in his eyes. “In an effort to keep you from utter starvation and collapsing at my feet, as much as it would invigorate a reputation that is sorely in need of it, would you do me the honor of joining me for