“I’ll fetch you a glass of lemonade,” Lord Robertson said.
“Yes, please. That sounds delightful,” Olivia said before taking a seat on one of the blankets spread on the grass.
Bett sat next to her while Mr. Hughes joined his friend in fetching their drinks.
“You seem to be getting along quite well with Mr. Hughes,” Oliva whispered.
Bett nodded. “I like him.”
“You’ve only just met.”
“I know, but sometimes there’s an instant spark between two people. I felt that spark last night,” Bett said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “He’s quite handsome as well, don’t you think?”
Olivia nodded, although she preferred the earl’s lighter coloring. “He is indeed.” Things were moving very fast for her friend, and it unsettled her. She didn’t want Bett to make a major mistake by jumping into something too quickly… or was it she who didn’t want to make any major mistakes? Granted, marrying Armstrong had been her father’s choice, but could she trust her own judgment about whether a man was kind and good? It hadn’t taken more than a day for Olivia to realize that her marriage was going to be a nightmare. By then, of course, it was too late. She didn’t want that for her friend.
“Has he tried to kiss you yet?”
Bett was saved from answering when the men returned with the lemonades and a plateful of fruit.
“Here we are. This should hold us for a while. The servants are still setting up the rest of the luncheon,” Robertson said.
Olivia took the glass and drank deeply. “Oh, that’s so refreshing. Thank you, my lord.”
“My pleasure. Would you care to take a stroll before luncheon is served?” Robertson asked. “I’d love to explore the grounds a little more.”
Olivia glanced at Bett. “Do you wish to join us?”
“No. I’m perfectly content to sit here with Mr. Hughes. You go ahead. Enjoy your walk,” Bett said.
Robertson held out his hand to help Olivia to her feet. She took it, feeling an instant connection, like a bolt of lightning had struck her. It was something she’d never felt before, and she liked it. Was this what Bett had been talking about? She certainly felt something when she was around the earl, but was it merely admiration for a handsome man or something more?
“My lady, do you ride?”
“I do. It’s one of my favorite things.”
“Well then, perhaps you’d consent to riding out with me tomorrow morning? I took a ride earlier this morning, and Fleming’s estate is quite impressive.”
Olivia hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Thank you. That sounds quite enjoyable. Shall we ask Lady Williams and Mr. Hughes to join us?”
“If you like, although I must warn you, my friend isn’t keen on rising early,” he said with a chuckle.
“Come to think of it, neither is Lady Williams,” Olivia said.
***
Robertson had been hoping tohave Lady Armstrong’s attention all for himself during their ride tomorrow, but if she felt more comfortable with her friend accompanying them, he was fine withthat. Whatever she needed, as long as she agreed to spend time with him.
“Yes, that sounds like fun,” he said. “We can ask them when we return to the picnic.”
“Did you bring your own horse?” Olivia asked.
He shook his head. “No, although I probably should have. I rode one of Fleming’s stallions this morning. I don’t think he gets enough exercise, and I would like to take him out every day. Weather permitting, of course.”
“That’s very kind of you, my lord.”
“Not at all. I enjoy a good gallop, and Hades is a magnificent horse.”
“I’m looking forward to riding tomorrow then.”
