“May I prepare a plate for you?” he asked
“No, thank you. I can manage. Enjoy your breakfast, Lord Robertson.”
Lord Roberson nodded and took a seat at the table.
Olivia noticed that Miss Bartlett placed her plate next to his and sat down. That should have been her seat. To cover her hurt, she concentrated on piling a number of delicious foods on her plate. When she turned around and noticed how cozy Lord Robertson and Miss Bartlett appeared to be, she headed toward Bett and Mr. Hughes at the other end.
It was hard to ignore the conversation. Miss Bartlett’s excited voice carried across the room as the young woman continued to talk about the upcoming game of bowls.
“Lord Robertson, you couldn’t have picked a more skilled player. My daughter plays quite well,” Lady Bartlett said, taking a seat next to her daughter.
Even though she ignored him, Olivia felt Robertson’s eyes on her as she took her seat. She really didn’t want to hear Lady Bartlett sing her daughter’s praises, but the woman was also speaking quite loudly, and most of the other guests at the table were watching the scene unfold.
“My lord?” Lady Bartlett said.
Robertson turned toward her. “I beg your pardon. Did you say something, my lady?”
Lady Bartlett nodded. “I was saying how skilled my daughter is at bowls.”
Robertson nodded and went back to eating without comment.
Olivia was still smarting from the realization that she’d missed her opportunity to partner with Lord Robertson this morning when Lord John sat beside her. This was why she didn’t want to become involved with anyone. It had only been a few days, but as much as she wanted to deny it, she was craving Lord Robertson’s company more than ever.
She had her pride, though, and needed to show Lord Robertson that she was immune to his attention.Evenif that was an outright lie. She hadn’t beenimmune to him since the first moment she saw him walking in the garden.
“Good morning, Lady Armstrong,” Lord John said.
“Good morning, my lord.”
“Are you enjoying the house party?”
Olivia nodded and concentrated on her plate. Lord John was a pleasant fellow, but she didn’t feel much like talking, so for the rest of breakfast, just focused on her food. Bett kept looking at her, but she didn’t want to explain to her friend why she was upset because it was too embarrassing to admit that she was jealous of Lord Robertson’s attention to someone other than her. It was a house party, after all, and its whole purpose was getting to know a variety of people. She’d known that when she agreed to attend, but she hadn’t reckoned on losing her heart to one of the guests.
Lord Fleming stood and clinked his glass. “Ladies and gentlemen, our first activity of the day is a game of bowls. It’s going to be another warm day, so let’s not tarry too long over breakfast. Once again, choose your partners with care, as the winning couple will get to suggest tonight’s activity, whether it be cards, charades, a musical evening, or anything they wish,” he said.
“If any ladies choose not to participate in the lawn game, there will be more sedate activities in the parlor,” Lady Fleming added.
“Lady Armstrong, would you do me the honor of partnering with me in the game of bowls?” Lord John asked.
Olivia looked up from her plate. She’d met Lord John Berkeley when she first arrived—he was the third son of a marquess and had been quite pleasant in the limited interactions she’d had with him. Against her better judgment, and maybe because she was still smarting from Robertson’s rejection, she said, “I’d be delighted, Lord John.”
“Excellent. I hope to make you proud in the game.”
“I’m sure you’ll do well,” she said without much enthusiasm,
After they finished eating, Lord John held out his arm. “Are you ready to play, my lady?”
Olivia stood and placed her fingertips on his arm. “Absolutely. Lead the way.”
She purposely did not glance at Lord Robertson. She’d see enough of him while they played the game. She smoothed her face into a neutral mask as they made their way across the lawn.
“Another beautiful day,” Lord John said.
Olivia was too busy thinking about Robertson and didn’t hear what he’d said.
“Lady Armstrong, are you well?”
She snapped her eyes to him. “Yes, I’m quite well, thank you.”
