“I did.” She offered a small smile. “Evander sent them. He… offered for me last night. This is his attempt to woo me.”
Her mother’s eyes widened with unguarded delight. “Evander offered for you?” she repeated breathlessly. “That is wonderful news!”
Olivia raised her hand. “I haven’t accepted yet.”
“Perhaps not, but you will,” her mother replied with certainty. “This is your chance to reclaim your place in Society.”
“I am aware. But can I truly trap him in a marriage of convenience?”
Her mother dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “Love can grow, my dear. And in time, it will. Now, we should begin planning a luncheon to celebrate.”
Olivia pressed her lips into a thin line. “Mother, you are getting ahead of yourself.”
“I am merely excited,” her mother said brightly. “Imagine it—you, the wife of Lord Westmere. An heir to an earldom. Society will have no choice but to welcome you back with open arms.”
With a small shake of her head, Olivia turned and headed for the dining room. She had heard enough. The decision had to be her own, free of her family’s hopes and expectations.
Inside, she found Dosia and Richard already at the table, engaged in a quiet conversation. Richard rose when he noticed her, but Olivia waved him back down.
Taking her seat, she placed the box of truffles beside her.
Richard arched a brow. “What have you there?”
“A gift from Evander,” she replied simply. “Truffles.”
A smirk tugged at her brother’s mouth. “Nothing says affection like a fungus.”
Dosia laughed. “Leave her be, Richard.”
“I do love truffles,” Olivia admitted, a wistful smile touching her lips. “I used to scour the woodlands near our country estatefor them. When I found any, I would sneak them to my room and savor them in secret.”
“That is odd, Sister,” Richard said with amusement, though his tone was gentle.
Before she could respond, her mother swept into the room and claimed her place at the head of the table. “I think we should have a family meeting.”
Olivia groaned. “May I be excused from it?”
“Are you not family?” her mother countered.
“I am. But I already know where you all stand regarding my possible marriage to Evander.”
Her mother gave her an innocent smile. “I am only trying to help.”
A footman set a cup of chocolate before Olivia. She lifted it, the warmth seeping into her fingers. “Perhaps we could discuss something else.”
Dosia perked up. “Would you care to join us at Vauxhall Gardens this evening?”
“I would like that,” Olivia replied, welcoming the change of topic.
Richard interjected, “Perhaps we should invite Westmere, as well.”
Surprisingly, Olivia found herself unopposed to the idea. Evander had an uncanny ability to lift her mood and he could always make her laugh, even when she least expected it.
“I will ask him,” she said at last.
Satisfied, Richard returned to his newssheets.
Olivia, however, sipped her chocolate in thoughtful silence. The choice before her remained, as tempting as it was terrifying. And though her family clearly hoped for her to accept, the decision would be hers alone to make.
