Bett shook her head. “It’s nothing of the sort. No one saw you leave the garden, according to what Mr. Hughes told me. Your reputation is intact.”
“Lord Robertson saved me from Pressley’s attack.”
“I’m glad he was there for you.”
“No, you don’t understand. When he was comforting me, he felt the scars on my back. They disgusted him—I saw it in his eyes.”
“Scars?” Bett asked as she helped Olivia step out of the ruined dress.
Once free of the garment, Olivia turned around so Bett could see her worst nightmare.
Bett gasped. “Oh, Liv! Did Armstrong do that to you?”
She nodded.
“I’m so sorry that bloody monster did that to you. I’m glad he’s dead.”
“Not as glad as I!” She caught her breath on another sob. “But Lord Robertson seeing my scars wasn’t the worst of it.”
“It wasn’t? What else happened?”
“After Lord Robertson said that no one should endure what I had, he told me he admired me.”
“Admired you?”
“Yes, nothing more. Oh, Bett, I’ve gone and fallen in love with him, and he doesn’t return my feelings.”
“Did you tell him how you feel?”
“No. I was about to when he said that. Now everything’s ruined. I could never marry a man who merely admired me.”
“Marry? Did Robertson, by any chance, propose?”
“No, and I wouldn’t have accepted unless he confessed he loved me. I fled the garden after he said it was merely admiration he felt for me. Bett, I know you’re enjoying yourself here, but I must leave. I can’t stay here and face him after what happened tonight.”
“I can only imagine how distraught you are. Of course I’ll come with you. Unfortunately, it’s too lateto leave now, but we can be gone first thing in the morning before any of the other guests are awake. Will that do?”
Olivia hugged her friend. “Thank you for understanding, Bett. I’m so sorry to ruin the party for you.”
“Liv, you’ve done nothing of the sort. I’ll leave a note for Mr. Hughes. Do you want to leave one for Lord Robertson?”
“No. I have nothing more to say to him.”
“Shall I stay with you tonight?”
“Would you? I’d greatly appreciate that.”
“Of course. Let me help you into a night dress before I return to my room to change. Then I’ll return.”
“Thank you, Bett. You’re such a dear friend. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything I had suffered in my marriage. I was too embarrassed and thought I deserved his punishment.”
“Liv, no one deserves to be treated like that, especially not you. Now, I will return very shortly, and we can talk more if you wish.”
“Thank you, Bett.”
As Bett was leaving, Emma walked into her bedchamber. “Lady Armstrong, are you well?” When Olivia turned to her maid, Emma was baffled at her swollen red eyes. “You’ve been crying? Whatever happened tomake you so upset?”
“I’m fine, Emma, but I want to leave at first light tomorrow. Please pack up my things so there’s no delay.”
