Page 66 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“I should have brought the vase downstairs with me,” she said. “Let me fetch it and we should meet in the kitchens. We can leave the vase there and see about gardening shears. I will meet you there in a few minutes.”

She left the drawing room and hurried to her bedchamber, retrieving the vase, and exiting the room.

Owen lingered in the hallway, much to her dismay.

“Might I have a word with you, Louisa?” he asked.

“Now is not a convenient time, Owen,” she told him.

His gaze pinned hers. “When would be a convenient time then? It is important that we speak soon.”

“We spoke quite a bit before the house party, Owen. I don’t know how much there is to be said now that it has begun.” She gave him a haughty look. “Unless you think to give me more unsolicited advice about the men present? If that is the case, I will remind you that I have my own opinions, strong ones, and I know to follow both my head and my heart.”

She turned to move away and he caught her elbow. She glanced at the long tanned fingers resting there, back to his face, arching her brows and waiting.

He released her, his reluctance evident, and said, “This has nothing to do with the bachelors attending Adalyn’s house party,” he said flatly.

“Then what possibly could we have to speak about?”

Before he could reply, Louisa added, “I am tired of it, Owen. I know because of your friendship with Everett and Spencer—and mine with Tessa and Adalyn—that we will be in each other’s lives for years to come. I suggest we limit that proximity as much as possible and when we do find ourselves in each other’s company, that we behave civilly. I am afraid that I have nothing else to say to you.”

With that, she quickly moved away, hoping he would not follow her. She scurried down the stairs and when she reached the foyer, glanced over her shoulder.

Owen was nowhere in sight.

Disappointment filled her. Why, she couldn’t say. Did she think if he chased after her things would change between them? No, they most certainly would not.

Louisa made her way to the kitchens and gave a scullery maid the vase, telling her to put it in a safe place because soon it would be filled with blossoms from the duke’s garden.

She turned and found Lord Hurley standing nearby and he held up a basket.

“Cook gave me this for us to place the flowers in. I also spoke to a gardener.” He lifted a pair of shears from the basket. “We may use these to clip whatever flowers you desire.”

“You have thought of everything, my lord. I am eager to explore the gardens and see what we can find.”

The viscount offered Louisa his arm and she took it. He carried the basket as they left the house and set out toward the gardens. Contrary to what she had just said, Louisa was highly familiar with the gardens, having walked them every day of her visit to Cliffside. She decided she would try to see them with new eyes with this man.

They reached the entrance and he said, “we probably should walk the length of the gardens and see what flowers are now blooming. If we cut too soon, we may find something later that we like better and regret our earlier choices.”

“That is an excellent idea, my lord,” she said as they moved along the garden path.

Louisa decided she needed to kiss Lord Hurley—and this was the perfect opportunity.

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