The words hit like a slap. Olivia inhaled through her nose, willing herself not to react. “Are we truly doing this now?”
The earl’s mouth tightened. “Evander is beguiled by you, nothing more. Once the enchantment wears off, he’ll see you for what you are and he’ll resent you for it.”
“I hope that is not the case,” she replied, her voice remarkably even. “I would not wish to become the source of his unhappiness.”
“You are a pretty thing,” he admitted. “But I do not believe you possess the refinement, nor the fortitude, to serve as countess.”
Olivia allowed herself a dry smile. “For once, we find ourselves in agreement. I daresay I shall make a terrible countess.”
A voice cut in from the doorway. “I disagree.”
Olivia’s head turned with visible relief as Evander entered the room. He crossed the floor with easy confidence and leaned to press a kiss to her cheek before sitting beside her.
“I do believe,” he continued, “that Olivia will make a remarkable countess. In fact, she is precisely what Society needs.”
She met his gaze briefly and offered him a grateful smile.
“Sorry I’m late,” he murmured.
His father snorted. “It’s about time. I’ve been awake for hours.”
“As have I,” Evander replied, pouring himself a glass of water. “I visited Lord Warwicke. We had a rather illuminating conversation regarding the indigo plantation.”
“A waste of your time,” the earl snapped. “You should be studying the correspondence and ledgers here. There’s much work to be done.”
Evander took a sip before answering, “I think we should sell it.”
His father looked as if he had been struck. “Pardon me?”
“The more I learn, the more I believe we should sever ties with it.”
“And leave a fortune behind?”
Evander’s voice was calm but firm. “Is a fortune worth more than our integrity?”
Lord Everwyck scoffed. “That money will help sustain the estate. Without it, what will we do?”
Olivia finally spoke. “Would my dowry not help ease the strain?”
The earl gave her a fleeting, dismissive glance. “It will help. But it is not enough.”
Evander’s jaw tightened. “We’ve been threatened twice. I don’t wish to see this escalate.”
“So you surrender?” his father barked. “You allow reformers to dictate our actions? You grow soft, Son.”
“Father—”
“Enough,” Lord Everwyck cut in. “We’ll discuss this later. Alone. Olivia need not concern herself with such weighty matters.”
“I am his wife,” she said evenly. “Should I not be informed of matters that affect our future?”
“Women care nothing for serious concerns,” the earl said. “They care for gowns and pin money and gossip.”
A flare of heat rose in Olivia’s chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but Evander quietly placed his hand over hers—a silent gesture of support.
“I believe,” Olivia said slowly and clearly, “that I should be involved in the running of the estate.”
“Absolutely not!” Lord Everwyck thundered. “You shall see to the household and remember your place.”
