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“I was advised by Mother to take an interest in several charities. I find I am very keen on the idea,” she said with a smile. “But I have no notion where to start.” She cleared her throat. “Would you…would you like to take a stroll through the gardens and discuss the merits of which charities would benefit from my patronage? I confess, I do not like the dowager countess’s recommendation, and I shall not heed her advice,” she said with evident pleasure.
“A stroll?”
“It is a beautiful day out.”
He considered her. “I am involved in a project with the Marquess of Westfall. We are working on building homes and schools for the more poor and destitute of our society. Buildings are being constructed as we speak. There is one that will be finished in a few weeks. It would be good if you could produce some paintings to brighten the house.”
Pleasure lit her eyes and the smile she gave him was so brilliant, he was rendered momentarily speechless.
“That would be wonderful, Tobias. And when you say the more vulnerable of our society…women and children?”
“Yes…those who were rescued from brutal situations. Orphans. The homeless. Invalided soldiers.”
There was a sharp knock on the door. “Yes?”
The knob twisted and their butler, Ferguson, entered with what appeared to be a letter on a slaver. “This was left for you by Lady Francie, my lord. She gave strict instructions that it was not to be delivered before ten a.m.”
Tobias took it, and the butler excused himself. He retrieved the letter opener from his desk and slit the seal. He read the note, then read it over again, sure it must be a jest on Francie’s part.
“Tobias, is all well?”
Dear Tobias,
Please do not berate me too harshly when you receive my missive. I instructed it to be delivered when I was well away from the estate, and in truth, by now I am sure I am Mrs. Browning. I’ve run away to Gretna Green with Mr. Jasper Browning, your steward.
Tobias was even more certain now that this could only be an elaborate ruse. He glanced at his wife. “Did you put Francie up to this nonsense?”
Olivia’s brow arched. “I have not seen Francie since last night, and I assure you, I have not put her up to anything.”
The confusion in his wife’s voice had foreboding slithering through Tobias. “Her note is dated yesterday.”
Olivia leaned over. “May I?”
He nodded and she plucked the note from his grasp. She started to read and then paled alarmingly.
Cold fury surged through his veins. This was not a jest. “Read aloud,” he bit coldly, pointing to where she should resume.
The hands holding the letter trembled. “Tobias, I—”
“Aloud, countess.”
She shifted with perceptible uneasiness. Smoothing the edges of the paper, she read, “I love Jasper, but I knew you would not hear of my affections for him. He is romantic, a poetic soul who loves everything about me. I’ve been in love with him for several months now. I had doubts, but in confiding in Livvie, I saw how much I must follow my own heart and to not be misled by society’s opinion or my family’s dictate to wed a gentleman of their choice. Jasper is the man of my dreams and I have followed it. Livvie assured me if I married my heart, you would not be cruel enough to remove me from my inheritance. I only pray that she is right. I have her love and approval, and upon our return, I pray to have yours and Mamma’s.”
His wife’s fingers tightened on the letter, then she glanced up. “Oh dear.”
Oh dear?
…
Cold rage leaped in Tobias’s eyes, riveting Livvie to the spot. Instincts told her the remainder of the morning would not unfold how she had imagined—strolling by the lake while discussing what’s next in this unexpectedly thrilling but very frightening adventure they’d embarked upon.
Oh, Francie, what were you thinking?
He gave her a sharp, impatient look. “I await your explanation, wife.”
She had never seen him this angry before, and for some unfathomable reason, his quality of stillness made her unaccountably nervous. She walked away from him, needing the space from his imposing presence to think. God, what had Francie been thinking? To elope?
“I knew Francie was in love with someone and that she was worried about your reaction. I thought he was a younger son of a lord or an impoverished lord. I…I never imagined he was your steward.”
