He turned towards her fully, his tone more earnest. “I’ve no doubt. You’re one of the strongest women I know.”
She blinked at him. “Was that a compliment?”
“It was.”
Olivia smirked. “Dosia said you’ve been rather free with compliments lately, but I hadn’t expected to receive one myself.”
He looked heavenward. “You’re making a fuss over nothing.”
“Perhaps. But thank you, Brother. It means a great deal to know I have your support.”
“You have it. Always.”
Just then, Miss Theodosia returned, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air. “There’s a hedge maze just ahead. Shall we try it?”
“We could,” Olivia said. “Or we might go see the tightrope performers. I believe they’re starting soon.”
“Can we do both?” Miss Theodosia asked eagerly.
“We most certainly can,” Richard said, smiling. “We have the whole night ahead of us.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she said brightly, and with that, she was off again.
He watched her go, amused. “I’ve never seen anyone so excited over a hedge maze.”
Olivia nudged him playfully. “You’d best keep up.”
As they followed the winding path, Olivia glanced sideways at him. “And how are you faring?”
“I’m well.”
She arched a brow. “Truthfully?”
He hesitated. “I’ve no right to complain.”
“Nor do I,” she said wryly, “but I manage it just fine. Do you still believe Dosia is hiding something?”
“I do.”
Olivia tsked. “I think you’re wrong. I don’t believe she’s capable of deception.”
“She knows more than she admits.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Olivia pressed.
Richard exhaled in exasperation. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
She came to a halt and turned to face him. “Because I see the way you look at her. It’s not suspicion, but rather, love.”
He scoffed. “Don’t be absurd. I do not love Miss Theodosia. She is—she is a liar. A deceiver.”
Olivia didn’t flinch. “I’ve been in love before. I know what it looks like.”
“And what do you know of love?”
She gave him a wistful smile. “I was in love once and it didn’t end well.”
Furrowing his brows, he asked, “Did you love Mr. Smith?”
