Absolutely not.
Besides, he was now enamored with Miss Bartlett. It was just as well because she had no idea where this short interlude could have led, if anywhere.
“My lady, you look stunning. Green is definitely your color,” Emma said, weaving one of her new ribbons in her hair. “All done.”
“Thank you, Emma. I’ll see you later,” Olivia said, pulling on her gloves and heading downstairs.
When she walked into the parlor, there was no sign of Lord Robertson, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The muscles in her stomach unclenched as she walked toward Bett and Mr. Hughes, who were standing by the fireplace enjoying a drink before dinner.
“Good evening, Lady Armstrong,” Mr. Hughes said with a nod and smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Hughes.”
“You look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you. Does Lady Williams look striking this evening?” she asked.
Mr. Hughes looked at her friend. “She does indeed.”
A footman walked around with a tray of sherry, and she took a glass. Her back was turned toward the door, and she didn’t notice when the one person she didn’t want to see came up behind her.
“Lady Armstrong, a pleasure to see you this evening,” Lord Robertson said.
His deep baritone voice rumbled through her and sent shivers down her spine. She turned around, and her breath caught. He was so devastatingly handsomein his black evening wear. It wasn’t fair that such beauty should be bestowed on a man. As much as she tried to ignore the rapid beating of her foolish heart, there was no denying that she was attracted to him. How could she have such a strong reaction after such a short acquaintance?
This was not good, not good at all.
Chapter 15
“Stop fussing, my lord. I’mnearly done,” Bryer said as he put the finishing touches on Robertson’s snowy white cravat.
Robertson tried his best to hold still, although he was most anxious to get downstairs early. He wanted an opportunity to speak to Olivia before everyone arrived for dinner. He had to explain that he had no desire to spend time with Miss Bartlett but had been trapped into partnering with her today just as he’d cornered into taking her on a boat ride. It wasn’t the young woman’s fault. She was probably relying on her mother’s advice. Lady Bartlett had been pushing her daughter toward him since the moment he arrived, and he was done with her machinations. He didn’t want a young woman barely out of the schoolroom. He didn’t want Miss Bartlett. He wanted Olivia.
Bryer nestled an emerald stick pin in the folds of the cravat and stood back to admire his handiwork. “Perfection, my lord.”
Robertson chuckled. His valet took his duties very seriously, and usually, he was happy to wait patiently while Bryer fussed over him. Not tonight. “Thank you, Bryer. I shall see you later,” he said, rushing out the door and down the stairs.
He walked into the parlor and immediately saw Olivia talking with Lady Williams and Noah and hurried over to them. “Lady Armstrong, it’s a pleasure to see you this evening. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the village this afternoon?”
The last thing he wanted to talk about was her shopping trip, but he felt he had to ease into the conversation with her. He’d seen her shiver when he greeted her and hoped it was because she was affected by him as much as he was by her and not because she felt repulsed by him.
When she turned toward him, he saw her inhale sharply. “Good evening, Lord Robertson,” she said after a moment’s hesitation.
“Good evening, Lady Williams, Mr. Hughes.” He caught Noah’s eye and wasn’t happy to see how closely his friend watched him with Olivia. He had no doubt Noah would have something to say about his growing interest in the lovely lady. His friend never missed anopportunity to comment, whatever the occasion, but he was usually correct, so both Robertson and Miles put up with his commentary.
Olivia merely stared at him, her lips slightly apart. What was she thinking? He wished he knew. She was so beautiful, it took his breath away.
After an awkward silence, Noah spoke. “Robertson, congratulations on shooting the most birds this afternoon. I dare say we’ll have a sumptuous feast this evening.”
“Indeed.”
“Then I suppose I should thank you, Lord Robertson, because I adore grouse,” Lady Williams said.
Robertson nodded. “I’m glad to be of service then. Lady Armstrong, may I speak to you for a moment in private?”
Olivia looked at her friend, who nodded.
Robertson would forever be grateful to Lady Williams for encouraging Olivia to talk to him. He held out his arm, feeling her scorching touch through the fabric of his jacket as he escorted her to the far end of the parlor, well away from the few people who’d assembled for dinner thus far.
