Dosia, standing beside him, nudged him with her elbow. “Leave her be. It is Olivia’s decision.”
“Yes, but there is a very clear right and wrong answer here,” Wilton muttered under his breath.
Sensing the growing tension, Evander inclined his head. “I feel this is a good time to take my leave.” He gave a courteous bow. “I will return tomorrow.”
Olivia turned towards him. “Allow me to walk you to the door.”
“I would like that.”
Together they left the drawing room, walking side by side until they arrived at the main door.
“Until tomorrow, Olivia,” Evander said, holding her gaze.
“Goodnight, Evander.”
He opened the door and stepped out into the cool night air. As the door closed behind him, he exhaled slowly. He felt confident that he had pleaded his case as best he could. But with Olivia, he never truly knew what she would do.
And that, perhaps, was why he loved her all the more.
6
Dressed in a pale yellow gown that complemented her fair complexion but did little to brighten her weary spirits, Olivia stepped from her bedchamber and into the quiet corridor. The faint scent of lavender from her bath lingered in the air, though it had done little to soothe her restless mind. She had scarcely slept since her thoughts were consumed by the proposal Evander had offered the night before.
It would be selfish to accept. She knew that. Yet the temptation gnawed at her resolve.
Marrying Evander would solve everything. His name would shield her from Society’s censure. The whispers would cease, and the weight of guilt pressing upon her heart might finally lift. And shedidlove him, though not in the way a wife ought to love her husband. He was her dearest friend, which only made the prospect of a marriage of convenience all the more troubling. Could she sentence him to a lifetime of polite affection, knowing he deserved far more?
But oh, how easy it would be to say yes. A single word could erase the shame she had brought upon her family.
Descending the staircase with a hand lightly brushing the iron banister, Olivia came to an abrupt halt at the sight below. The entry hall was transformed—a riot of color and fragrance greeted her. Dozens of flower arrangements in crystal vases crowded the space, spilling onto tables and pedestals.
Sterling stood at the sideboard, deftly arranging yet another bouquet.
“Where did all these flowers come from?” Olivia asked, her voice edged with disbelief.
Sterling looked up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “They are all for you, my lady. They have been arriving steadily since this morning.”
Her brows rose. “All for me?”
He retrieved a card from among the blooms and handed it to her with a slight bow. “They are from Lord Westmere.”
Curious, Olivia took the card and read the familiar, teasing script:Say yes, and I will vanquish the bird that has been bothering you.
A soft laugh escaped her before she could stop it. It didn’t surprise her that Evander would remember the impudent bird that had plagued her windowsill.
Yes.
It would be so easy to say yes.
Before she could ponder further, Sterling reached down and produced a small brown box tied with a crimson string. “This package arrived with the flowers.”
Accepting it, Olivia slipped the string free and opened the lid. Nestled inside, rich and earthy in scent, were black truffles. Her breath caught. He remembered everything, even her fondness for these little treasures.
Her mother’s voice interrupted her reverie. “What is in the package?”
Olivia turned, revealing the box. “Truffles.”
A blank stare met her words. “Did you saytruffles?”
