“My lord, I hardly think we need to speak in private,” shesaid as they walked.
She held herself apart from him, and her posture was very stiff. He had to change that, and quickly, before the whole situation got out of hand.
“There’s every reason, my lady. I fear you may have misinterpreted the scene this morning at breakfast.”
“I hardly think so. It was quite evident you were enjoying Miss Bartlett’s company.”
“My dear lady, that’s where you’re wrong. I have no desire to spend any more time with Miss Bartlett.”
“Is that so? I saw the brilliant smile you gave her.”
“You think I have a brilliant smile?” he asked with a cheeky grin.
“That’s not the point, my lord.”
“Everett, please call me Everett. And you must know that smile was meant for you. Only you.”
“Really, then why were you smiling at her?”
“Olivia, please believe me. My back was turned, and I thought you were the one greeting me. You cannot image how much I regretted that one small action when I saw it was Miss Bartlett and not you. I still don’t understand why she was breathless when she spoke to me. I most certainly have recognized her voice otherwise.”
“That smile was meant for me?” Olivia asked, her posture relaxing a fraction.
“Indeed it was. You’re all I can think about. Not Miss Bartlett. She’s a child in my eyes, barely out ofthe school room and I have no designs on her. I only want you—the most desirable woman I’ve ever met.” Robertson held his breath while he watched a series of emotions cross Olivia’s face. Would she believe him? What would he do if she didn’t? What else could he do to convince her of his growing admiration?
After several moments, she spoke. “Well, I suppose there might have been a small chance that I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Really? Olivia, you must know I would never intentionally hurt you. I enjoy your company more than I can say. You’re the sunshine on a rainy day, and I cherish our time together.”
For the first time since they began their conversation, Olivia smiled.
“I need your help, though,” Robertson said.
“Oh? What do you need?”
“I need to discourage Lady Bartlett from pushing her daughter on me. Every time I turn around, there she is.”
“From what I understand, I’m afraid all marriage-minded mamas are a very determined lot, and youarean earl—a very desirable catch.”
“I have to say, I don’t like it. Not at all. And I honestly didn’t believe I would be hounded at a house party like I am in London.”
“I didn’t have a Season, so I don’t have any direct experience with this, but Lady Williams did, and she’s told me stories about how Lady Bartlett guided her eldest daughter through the marriage mart that makes me cringe. Unfortunately, she’s not the only mother like that. Surely you must have encountered this many times before.”
“I have to a certain degree, but I’ve always tried to discourage certain behaviors… although I can see how I’ve failed with Lady Bartlett. I have not been forceful enough and she doesn’t seem to want to take no for an answer.”
“Perhaps she’s trying to marry her daughter off before her Season next spring. Not surprising, considering the cost of one.”
“Perhaps that’s true, but it would be better for Miss Bartlett if her mother would relax and let her enjoy the house party. It may be the first time she’s had the opportunity to enjoy the company of gentlemen.”
He watched as Olivia looked around the parlor. No sign of Lady Bartlett and her daughter yet, and time was of the essence. He needed Olivia to understand his position before the mother daughter duo arrived.
“Olivia, could you please find it in your heart to forgive my lapse in judgment? I promise you that I have no designs on any other woman here—only you.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Designs, my lord? What kind of designs?”
Robertson leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “For a start, I would very much like to kiss you until we’re both breathless.”
“Hmmm, I think I would enjoy that very much.”
