– Green eyes and red hair! Interesting! – hummed her interlocutor. – But I can't remember any witches or sorcerers in our family.
– It was her father who spoilt our noble breed," the Countess said, her lips curling into a contemptuous grin. – My sister was never very clever and ran away with the first man who whispered pretty phrases and promises to her. And that plunged her into poverty. As she was dying, Catherine asked me to take in her daughter and help her with her debut, which I did. I have such a kind, soft heart…" She sighed heavily. – And do you know how my poor niece has repaid me for welcoming her into my home with open arms? Anthony denies it, but I am sure she flirted with him and made him give her his heart.
– She did! She wished to marry him? – Richard wondered: the conversation about his mysterious cousin was becoming more and more entertaining.
– And he fell into her trap and proposed to her," the Countess told her son in an affirmative tone. – Anthony was ready to sacrifice his rich future that another rich girl could give him… But Vivian trampled him. She was only playing with our poor boy. And now I realise who made her give up her original purpose! Anthony's friend! That girl decided that this drunkard could give her so much more, that she was no longer interested in our Anthony. And he suffers so much because of this unworthy woman… My heart weeps at the thought that my good-heartedness is to be blamed.
– And what happened after she had refused Anthony? – He was angry at the shameless woman who had dared to play with his younger brother's feelings, and now he understood his mother's dislike of her own niece. That girl had brought his family so much grief!
– Fortunately, she has gone to live with a friend of hers," Lady Cranford said in an even tone, and took another sip of her tea, deliberately omitting to mention that the reason for Vivian's move was none other than she herself, the mistress of Greenhall. – When you meet her… If you meet her… You may think her a sweet and kind girl, but always remember what she did to your brother. I will never forgive her for that. And neither should you, Richard. Remember that.
– I don't think that unpleasant person can make me feel anything other than contempt for her," Richard said with a cruel smile.