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caused more regret than he had expected it to do.
    “Is that what you’re doing?” he pressed.
    He couldn’t help the worry. After all, Liam had been steeped in the past for so long…almost always to his detriment.
    “I want her,” Liam said softly. “I’ve not wanted something in so long…”
    He trailed off and Mal didn’t respond. He understood the desire he saw in Liam’s eyes, the unexpected effect of a woman who had seemed to appear from nowhere and now infected his every thought, feeling and physical need.
    “Do you want me to look into her character, her past?” he asked, just as quiet.
    Liam swallowed hard. “No. It’s only an affair, after all. It should be short-lived and easy to forget.”
    But as his friend picked up his paper and returned his attention to the news, Mal couldn’t help but wonder if that was true. Either for his friend or himself.
     
     
    Olivia had pretended she’d been asleep when Violet returned, rubbing her eyes and playing the role of lazy courtesan. Now she felt like a fraud as she stood beside her friend’s tub, listening to her talk about her night with Lord Windbury, while Olivia acted as lady’s maid and helped Violet undress.
    “He wants me to stay with him,” Violet said.
    Olivia’s fingers faltered on the last button of her friend’s gown, but she managed to slip it free as her mind raced. Go to Windbury’s estate? Where Mal lived?
    “Really?” she asked, hoping to seem calm, and failing.
    Violet shoved out of her gown and caught up the robe that was draped over the chair beside her fire. Before she could respond, her maid Rachel opened the chamber door and smiled.
    “Good afternoon, miss. They’re bringing the water now.”
    Olivia could hardly contain herself as servants filled the tub and Violet gave directions about laundering her gown. It seemed they would never be alone again, she would never hear more about Violet’s plans, or even if she would be included in Violet’s exodus to Windbury’s home.
    Finally, Olivia touched Violet’s arm and met Rachel’s eyes. “I’ll help her.”
    Rachel said a few more quiet things to Violet that Olivia ignored, then the servant slipped from the room.
    The moment they were alone, Olivia turned on Violet. “You are trying to drive me mad! What did you say when Windbury asked you to stay with him?”
    Violet didn’t respond, but removed her robe and stepped into the tub. It took all Olivia’s control not to throttle her dearest friend, for it seemed Violet was purposefully making her wait just to torture her.
    “Violet!” Olivia repeated with a forced laugh as she dragged a chair up next to the tub.
    “I told him I would consider the request,” Violet finally replied.
    Olivia leaned back, eyes wide at the answer. It was as unexpected as it was disappointing that Violet hadn’t immediately acquiesced.
    “Consider it? I thought that was your whole purpose in coming here.”
    Violet grabbed the soap and scrubbed a thick lather onto her hands.
    “It is,” she admitted. “But I need him to want me, to pursue me.”
    Relief flooded Olivia’s mind and this time her laugh was much lighter. “Ah, I see. A merry chase, even if it is only pretended on your part. You are cold.”
    She saw Violet flinch and immediately regretted the statement, even though there was some truth to it. After all, Violet was lying to Liam.
    Just as Olivia was lying to Mal.
    “Does he want to be your protector?” Olivia pressed, hoping Violet would forgive her accusation.
    Violet shook her head. “No. It is as has always been rumored about him. He doesn’t want a woman to keep.”
    “And yet he asks you to stay with him throughout the duration of your stay here.” Olivia arched a brow. “I have always heard a woman could only expect a night or two in his company.”
    Violet shrugged. “I suppose, as you say, I have manipulated him into wanting more.”
    Olivia bent her head. Was that what she had done with Mal? Their night