Page 23 of Sweet Siren

---

Last night was an idyll. I shall not forgetit.

But we will notcontinue.

Withregards,

LadyS."

* * *

She dare not look back.If she did, she'd return. And shemustn't.

"What is the problem, Mama?" Camille asked her, her sweet chocolate eyes sad with concern as she bent toward her in thecab.

Tears clogged her throat. She crushed her handkerchief in herlap.

"What did you justdo?"

Liv put two fingers to her mouth and willed herself to calmness. "I thanked Mister Hanniford for his kindnesses to see me home lastnight."

Camille studied her for far too long. "After you returned last night, you were awake for a very longtime."

Cursing myself for my weakness in likinghim.

"I wondered if perhapshe'd..."

Liv stared at herdaughter.

"Kissedyou."

"No."

Camille laughed and clapped her hands. "He did! You'reblushing!"

"Don't, Camille. Please." Liv glanced away, wishing the oil cloth in the window were clearer so that she could view the bustle of people in thestreets.

"And you're sad.Why?"

"Stopthis."

"No. Mama, is he that much of a scoundrel, a—a what do they call these Americans? A buccaneer? So bold that you cannot allow him to be yourfriend?"

"He does have a scurrilous reputation."And I was taught at a young age to hatehim.

"Tell me abouthim."

What little information would suffice? With Camille, there was not room to guess. "Much of what Mister Hanniford has done is to build hisbusinesses."

Camille put on a tolerant face. The child was too precocious. "Mama, that is not anexplanation."

"He had dealings with your grandfather. Years ago during the civil war in America. Mister Hanniford owned ships that transported cotton for the southern states to England. He charged exorbitant rates for hisgoods."

"But your father didn't sell goods. He owned his ownships."

"Mister Hanniford earned great wealth and bought out the shares of my father's shippingcompany."

"So this is how grandpapa lost hisbusiness?"

Liv nodded. "Itis."

---