Page 14 of Never Dare to Masquerade with a Maiden

“It’s not my fault that others never question what they see.” The countess huffed as she turned Olivia by the shoulders to face her. “Miss O. There is a reason why my dear sister-in-law has diligently established her penchant for tolerating only a few.”

“Not only has she convinced your lot but also that of the staff of every household in St. James and Mayfair,” Olivia interjected. Inhaling deeply to gather every last ounce of patience she had remaining, she pleaded, “Must I pretend to be your friend and attend dinner this eve?”

“Is it so difficult to consider me your friend?”

“You are my employer, the daughter of a duke and one who is married to an earl.” She couldn’t prevent her voice from rising an octave or two.

“Hmm.” Lady Charlotte’s eyes narrowed on Olivia. “Would it be better if I addressed you by your given name? Olivia.”

A chill skimmed over Olivia, forcing her to run her silk-gloved hands up and down her arms. “Please no.”

Smiling from ear to ear, Lady Charlotte asked, “Will you deny dear old Lady Guernsey her wish for you to marry her son?”

Lady Charlotte slipped past Olivia, who stared at the woman with her mouth agape. Had she heard her right? Marry Lord Guernsey? A commoner? A maid?

“My lady?” she finally managed to say. “M-marry?”

“I’m fully aware of the cold and horrid treatment you and your mother received during your brief stay at Guernsey Manor at the hands of the former viscount. And while no one can fix the past, I’d like to believe we have the power to right the future.”

The countess retrieved a string of pearls from her vanity and returned to affix it around Olivia’s neck. “Ah. I see you have removed Lord Guernsey’s signet ring. I trust you are keeping it safe.”

“How… How do you know who the ring belongs to?”

“I’ve always loved a good mystery, and Lord Guernsey’s investigation into discovering his ‘angel’ was not as covert as he would like to believe.”

“Angel?” Olivia repeated. The room began to spin, and she reached out to steady herself. Darkness fell upon her.

She stirred at the familiar scent of horses and honeysuckle. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself being lifted off the ground and carried over to the bed, her aching head resting upon her childhood friend’s chest. Unable to fight off the need to close her eyes, she snuggled under the blankets.

“Liv, wake up.” Ian’s deep, gravelly voice rang in her head, and Olivia forced her eyes open to see him leaning over her, concern in his familiar eyes.

“Did you know he was searching for me?”

Ian straightened and glanced up at the ceiling before answering. “I’ve known for years.” Head bent, he rubbed the back of his neck. “You can’t live in hiding forever, Liv. When Lady Charlotte sought me out and offered to hire me on, I had my suspicions it was you she was seeking to gain access to. Once I understood her motives, and knew it to be safe for you, I contacted you and brought you on.”

Betrayed by my closest friend. She battled a wave of nausea that was quickly followed by a rolling anger. In a harsh whisper, she said, “Naught can come of it, and playing the role of a miss is wrong.”

“What harm can there be? Lady Charlotte has a plan.”

“A plan, or is she directing a play?” she snapped. A chuckle from across the room drew her attention. Lady Charlotte had apparently been quietly observing them. Olivia turned her gaze back to Ian. “I want nothing to do with Warren, and you know it.”

“Then tell me why we have remained in London all these years. You’ve remained in his shadow for long enough.”

Ugh. How could she answer the question when she had asked herself the same thing many a time. Yet not once had she come to a reasonable answer. Oh, she had formulated a slew of excuses over the years; however, she’d never voiced the inexplicable need to confirm that the man was alive and well. It was a compulsion she had no control over. Frustration welled within her, and she glanced up at Ian to ask, “Why are you doing this?” She hated the weak plea in her voice.

“Until you discover what type of man Warren truly is, we will never live in peace.”

She wanted to shake Ian. They’d had the same recurring dispute and discussion many a time over the years. As far as Ian was concerned, everything fell into either the right or wrong category. He was the most steadfast, loyal, honest man she’d ever encountered, but Ian was also the most unyielding when it came to emotions.

“Ahem. My plan is not entirely altruistic. I have my own reasons for the ruse, which I shall share if necessary.” Lady Charlotte came to stand next to Ian with her hand held out for Olivia. “Allow me the pleasure of calling you my friend for a Season, Miss O, and I promise you shall always have a place to call home. No more moving from household to household.”

Blast Ian for sharing her deepest desire and Lady Charlotte for being the one who could make her wish come true. One season of play acting in return for a chance to be out of the kitchens and the security of a roof over my head.

Olivia took Lady Charlotte’s hand and said, “You have yourself a new friend.”

Hands clasped tightly behind her back, Olivia inched closer to the potted plant in the corner.

“Going somewhere?” Lady Charlotte asked as she linked her arm through Olivia’s and tugged her away from the plant and her plan to hide behind it.