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

luncheon?”
    “Oh, I couldn’t possibly join you.” She looked around. “It would take entirely too much time to go to Millworth Manor and back.”
    “I have no intention of taking you to the manor, and you have my word you’ll be gone no more than an hour.”
    “Oh, but I—”
    “Lady Garret,” he said firmly. “Am I or am I not a valued client of Garret and Tempest?”
    “Of course, but—”
    “And do you not wish to keep your clients happy?”
    “Certainly, but—”
    “It would make me extremely happy if you were to join me for lunch.” Again he smiled and it struck her that if indeed it was wicked, it was also natural and nearly impossible to resist. “I promise to be on my best behavior. I know going off unescorted with a man of my dubious reputation—”
    She laughed.
    “—might seem unwise but I assure you I do not ravish women who are weak from hunger.”
    Pity. Where on earth did that thought come from?
    “Well . . .” She studied him for a moment. She could certainly be wrong, but while there might be a certain wickedness about him, she suspected he was a good man as well. After all, he did give candy to children. “I admit I am hungry.”
    “Excellent.”
    “And as I have your word.”
    “You do.”
    “But I should tell Edwin that I am leaving.” She took a step away, then looked back at him. Well, why not? Hadn’t she told Clara she intended to be more flirtatious? It wasn’t as if anything would come of it after all. “Don’t you want my promise?”
    “Your promise?”
    “That I will not ravish you .”
    “Why, Lady Garret, I’m shocked.” He gasped and clapped his hand over his heart. “I would never hold you to such a promise.”
    He flashed his wicked grin again and her stomach did something unexpected and the oddest feeling of anticipation washed through her. As if this was the beginning of something quite wonderful. It was absurd, of course, but no less delightful for the absurdity of it.
    She laughed and set off to find Edwin. She had never been especially flirtatious as a girl. Her sisters, Bianca in particular, had flirted enough for all of them. She couldn’t remember flirting with John at all. They had been kindred spirits very nearly from the first moment they’d met and flirtation hadn’t been necessary. If pressed she would say she couldn’t remember how to flirt if indeed she’d ever known.
    But this was a different Miranda Hadley-Attwater Garret. Why, hadn’t she decided to turn over a new leaf? Besides, flirting with the man was almost as much fun as arguing with him.
    Lord Stillwell was right.
    It was indeed a glorious day on which to begin something new.

Chapter 8
    “Dare I ask where you are taking me?”
    “If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.” Win smiled at Lady Garret, who was seated beside him in the gig he had driven from Millworth. The idea to spirit her away for lunch had been brewing since his last talk with Chapman. It was innocent enough; even the stalwart Lady Garret could scarcely view it as a seductive overture, although admittedly there had been occasions when he had intended a picnic to be exactly that. No, this was the first step toward conquering Lady Garret’s resistance, earning her trust, even her friendship and learning her secrets. “And I think it would be best if this was a surprise.”
    “Oh dear. That sounds somewhat daunting.”
    “It’s not, not at all.” He paused. “In truth, it’s always been one of my favorite places on the estate.”
    “Now I am intrigued.”
    “And I think, with your love of architecture, you’ll appreciate it.”
    “My love of architecture?” Caution edged her voice. “Why would you say that?”
    “It’s obvious. At least to me.” He glanced at her. Her smile remained, but her shoulders had tensed. How very odd. “You are conversant enough with Mr. Tempest’s plans not only to understand them but to explain them to the rest of us. No one is that well versed in a subject