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Yes…she quite liked being married to her earl.
…
Four days later, Livvie returned to England with Tobias and Francie. They reentered without much fanfare, and as far as Livvie could see, none seemed the wiser about her friend’s elopement. The dowager countess had opened the dowager manor and had retired there, and Francie went to visit her this morning. Hopefully a visit with her mother would rally her spirits even further.
The past few days had been a honeymoon of sorts for Livvie and Tobias. They had spent the time fishing, swimming together in the lake, and ripping each other’s clothes off with every opportunity that presented itself. He’d even showed her a few boxing moves, to her utter delight. At first she had felt deep discomfort to be so happy when her dearest friend was so miserable. But dear brave Francie had rallied, and had joined Livvie and Tobias for all the meals and even strolled with them across the countryside that last evening.
Upon their return yesterday afternoon, Livvie had been beyond thrilled to receive a warm and pleasant note from the Duchess of Wolverton, who insisted she call her Adel. The duchess was considering commissioning her to make portraits of her twin sons who were only a few months old. Livvie would call on the duchess on Friday, which gave her two days to select her best pieces to show.
Livvie was now comfortably situated in her workroom, painting the beauty she remembered of the lowlands of Scotland.
A knock on the door had her lifting her head. “Yes?”
The housekeeper strolled in. “Good afternoon, your ladyship, a letter for you from Riverhill Manor. The lad that delivered it is in the kitchen drinking milk and eating a sandwich. He’s awaiting yer reply.”
With a grin, Livvie carefully replaced her brushes in their boxes, stood, and removed the apron she wore whenever she painted. “Thank you, Mrs. Potter.”
Livvie walked over to the small walnut desk in the left corner and grabbed a letter knife. Slitting the seal open, she quickly scanned the note.
Dearest Livvie,
How we miss you at Riverhill. We sent around on Sunday, inviting you and Lord Blade to dine with us, and learned of your departure to Scotland. News abounded that you’ve returned, and I urge you to visit your father. Though he does not complain often, he misses you dreadfully, and a quick visit would not be amiss.
Your mother.
Helena
“I shall be traveling to Riverhill for luncheon with my parents. You can send the boy with a reply that I will visit, but I shall be right behind him. Please also inform Mr. Wilson to ready a carriage.”
The housekeeper smiled. “Shall I also inform Lord Blade and Lord Westfall you will not be with joining them for the afternoon luncheon?”
Livvie glanced through the side windows in the direction of the lake, where the gentlemen were fishing. The Marquess of Westfall had arrived at Grangeville Park only a few hours after they had returned from Scotland. The man had been icily polite as he took her measure, and she had not imagined the distaste in his eyes when he looked down on her. The marquess possessed an aura of quiet, self-contained power that would have been intimidating if she was the frail sort.
Lord Westfall had also brought his seven-year-old daughter, Emily, who was the sweetest child. When she had bounded around the corner with a puppy hurtling behind her, the marquess’s entire demeanor had changed. He had smiled, swinging her into his arms and then into the air to the child’s delight. Livvie had been shocked when the little lady had calmly announced she was his bastard daughter and made an enquiry as to who Livvie was.
The entire meeting had possessed an air of unreality, but Tobias had smoothed the tension with surprising charm, and luncheon had been quite entertaining and pleasantly diverting, when she had found herself liking Lord Westfall’s dry wit. His daughter was delightful, and it wasn’t till after she had told him so, that the man had bent and kissed Livvie’s cheek, welcoming her to the family. That evening, she had instructed Mrs. Potter to make sure they were properly welcomed as she hoped they woul
d stay.
“Yes, please do inform the earl.”
“Yes, my lady,” Mrs. Potter said and left.
Livvie hurried from the parlor and bounded up the stairs. Her stepfather’s home was less than an hour by carriage. She would visit and return home in time for dinner. It felt like a lifetime since she had last seen him, and she wondered if he was truly well. Was there a new worry hidden between her mother’s lines? With the aid of her lady’s maid, Livvie dressed in a pale lavender carriage dress with a matching bonnet and gloves and donned walking boots. She would encourage her father to wander with her through the lovely gardens of Riverhill.
After leaving a quick note for Tobias, she summoned the carriage and departed to visit her parents. She was quite happy that they lived in such close proximity, and in truth, she could easily visit her parents once per week.
She shifted in her seat, making herself comfortable before opening In the Service of the Crown. Within seconds, she was drawn into the world of intrigue and murder, and her heart raced along with Wrotham as he investigated who in his cadre betrayed secrets to France. About half an hour later, the coach pulled into the forecourt of her parents’ home, and she reluctantly closed the leather volume. She was assisted by the footmen who greeted her with pleasure, and she fairly sailed through the entrance.
“Your ladyship,” the butler Emerson said on a deep bow.
She grinned and inclined her head. “Where are Father and Mother, Emerson?”
“His lordship is in his study and her ladyship is in the gardens, my lady.”
“No need to announce me, I will intrude upon Father in his study. However, please inform Mother I’ve come to call.”
“Very well, my lady.”
