Mrs. Elliott patted the butler’s arm. “No need to worry, my dear. I know a man in love when I see one.” She turned to Robertson. “She should be at dower house, my lord. I received a note saying she was returning today. It’s to the left of the manor, past the formal gardens.”
“Mrs. Elliott, I can’t thank you enough.” He didn’t wait to see the butler’s response to the housekeeper’s revelation and turned to leave. “One more thing if I may trouble you. Please have a groom take care of my horse. He’s in dire need of food and rest.”
“Of course, my lord,” Harris said. “I’ll see to it right away.”
“Thank you,” Robertson said, striding away in the direction of the dower house.
It was only a matter of minutes before the smaller stone house came into view. It appeared well-tended, and there was smoke coming out of the chimney. That was a good sign that someone was home, but the sprint to find Olivia was taking a toll on him. His lungs already felt tight after the long day of riding, and the added quick walk to the house was squeezing his chest, making it hard to breathe. He doubled overand rested his hands on his knees. He needed to calm down before he collapsed on her doorstep. It took several minutes before Robertson could walk to the front door. His chest was still tight, but at least he could draw a breath.
He banged on the door with his fist. “Olivia, it’s Everett. Please open the door.”
Only silence greeted him.
Where is she?
He ran around the back of the house, hoping for a better outcome. Perhaps a servant was about somewhere, but no one appeared to be home.
Now what was he going to do?
Had the housekeeper misled him?
He didn’t think so. Mrs. Elliott had seemed quite sincere. Why was Olivia at the dower house in the first place? Had the new Viscount of Armstrong finally decided to adjourn to the country for the summer? While the dower house appeared lovely, Olivia deserved so much more. She should be the mistress of a grand estate, and if he had his way, she would be.
First, he had to find her.
“Liv, you must stay thenight. The storm appears to be getting worse, and I worry that you won’t arrive homesafely,” Bett said.
Olivia had been staying with her friend for the last couple of weeks, nursing her broken heart. How could she have let herself fall in love? While at Betts, she had read every gossip sheet that she could and found out that thetoncalled Robertson the Earl of Ice. Unfortunately, they weren’t wrong.
She guessed something had happened in his childhood, and it had apparently scarred him more than he wanted to admit. After Pressley had attacked her, he’d confessed that he merely admired her. The burgeoning hopes of a love match she’d dared to allow herself had been dashed in an instant. She had wanted more than mere admiration, and she had no choice but to leave the Fleming house party as quickly as possible. It had been cowardly to run away before dawn without speaking with him one last time, but her heart was crushed, and she couldn’t face him.
She had to face the facts—she loved Lord Robertson, but he did not love her in return. While she knew that Robertson was no monster and thus a marriage with him wouldn’t entail physical or mental abuse, she was in a position where she did not have to marry. Thus, she would not settle for a marriage that was just not abusive, instead wanting a marriage that was actually based on love. If she couldn’t have that, she was resolved never to marry again.
When she had returned to the estate, she asked the servants to bring her things to the dower house. She’d only spent one night at the dower house before accepting Bett’s invitation to stay with her a while, but it was long enough to know she preferred the dower house to living the main house. She’d needed the time with Bett to recover from her broken heart. Being alone, even that one night, had been miserable. However, it was now time to go home and figure out what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.
“No. I really must be going. I sent a note to my housekeeper that I’d be returning today, and my coachman informed me that there has been a break in the rain so it’s the perfect time to leave.”
“Oh, if you’re sure. Please know you’re welcome to stay as long as you wish.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without your support this past fortnight. Thank you for being my friend.”
Bett hugged her. “Oh, Liv. I wish with all my heart for you to be happy again. You deserve nothing less.”
“I know, and I love you for it,” she said, thinking that sometimes wishes just don’t come true. “I’ll see you soon,” she added, bussing her friend’s cheek before getting into her carriage.
It was only an hour back to the dower house, and she longed for the solitude of her new home. Whilethe new viscount seemed amenable enough, she didn’t know if she wanted to stay on the estate for the rest of her life. Perhaps a small cottage on the coast would suit her better. She didn’t know. She’d done the one thing she hadn’t wanted to do—she’d fallen in love with the Earl of Robertson—the Earl of Ice—an appropriate moniker as far as she was concerned.
She never should have gone to Lord Fleming’s house party. However, if she hadn’t, she would have never known true desire and love. Lord Robertson had opened her eyes to a world full of wonder, and she was grateful for that, but now she’d have to learn to live without it.
Silent tears fell down her cheeks as the carriage drove on.
Chapter 20
Robertson walked back around tothe front of the cottage. He was at a loss about what to do next. Should he wait for her? What if she didn’t return anytime soon? He couldn’t very well stand out in the rain for hours waiting for something that may not happen. Luckily, the worst of the rain had stopped, but a steady drizzle continued.
The clip-clop of horses’ hooves made him turn toward the road. A black carriage approached. Could it be Olivia? It seemed an eternity before the carriage stopped in front of the door. The driver jumped down and opened the door, helping Olivia step down.
“My lord, whatever are you doing here standing in the rain?” Olivia asked.
