The Fifth Kiss by Elizabeth Mansfield

self-disgust fell away. How had he managed to put her in the wrong when it was he whose behavior was so reprehensible? Prying, black-mailing sister-in-law, indeed ! She jumped to her feet. “Oh, no!” she cried, her eyes flashing fire. “No, you won’t put me in the wrong! I admit you’re a cunning deceiver. Oh, yes, you are. A regular, scheming flat-catcher, as Jamie would say. And I almost fell into your trap! But I’m not such a flat as you think me. Perhaps I did—unwittingly—attempt what you call black-mail, but my intentions were only to protect my sister. You can’t make me the criminal here. I am not the adulterer!”
    He looked up at her, his eyes more menacing than ever, and he slowly got to his feet. “And I won’t fall into your trap either, my dear,” he said, his eyes narrowed. “My wife does not need your protection. Did you really believe your little black-mailing scheme would do any good? Did you think I would permit my conduct to be dictated by a priggish, smug, sanctimonious little bookworm who has more effrontery than sense? You may think again, ma’am.”
    Olivia whitened. “Are you saying that you intend to continue in your … libertinish ways?”
    He gave her a contemptuous smile. “Exactly so.”
    â€œEven though I am aware of what you’re doing?”
    â€œEven so. And you may tell your tale to whomsoever you please.”
    â€œEven …?” She gaped at him, appalled. “Even to … Clara ?”
    For the first time, his eyes wavered. But almost immediately, his expression hardened, and his steely gaze steadied itself on her face. “As to that, my girl, you may do whatever you wish.” He turned his back on her and walked to the door. “I haven’t the slightest interest in the activities of tale-bearers,” he added, holding the door open for her.
    â€œAnd I haven’t the slightest interest in the activities of libertines ,” she flung at him, stung. She crossed the room to the door and faced him once more. “But I do care about my sister. And if I decide that it is in her best interest, I shall tell her exactly what I saw! Good day, my lord. You needn’t bother to show me out. I can find my way.”
    He inclined his head in a mockery of a bow. She responded with a brief and insolent curtsey, flounced down the hall and slammed out of the front door. He watched her go, a sneer curling his lip. “Damned busybody!” he muttered as he turned and stomped up the stairs.

chapter five
    Olivia did not tell her sister what she saw. Nor did she say a word to anyone about her disastrous interview with her brother-in-law. She kept her own counsel, turning the incident over and over in her mind. But the more she thought about it, the greater was her confusion. On the one hand, she was forced to agree with Strickland’s assessment of her character; she had behaved like a meddler and a tale-bearer. She felt a great sense of shame whenever she thought of her impertinence in going to see him. On the other hand, her misconduct did not excuse his . He was playing her sister false, and she would have liked to see him suffer for it.
    On the other hand , Jamie had said that all London gentlemen behaved in the same way. If that were true—if corruption was so widespread—then Strickland’s crime must be judged less harshly; he was merely behaving like the rest of his kind.
    On the other hand , it was hard for Olivia to believe that London society was so degraded. And even if it were, a man of character should be able to rise above the foibles of his peers. If Strickland could not behave in an honorable manner, despite the corrupt behavior surrounding him, he was not good enough for her sister.
    On the other hand , her sister was convinced that Strickland was the best man in the world. Was it Olivia’s place to set Clara straight—and ruin her happiness in