Page 43 of Never Dare to Masquerade with a Maiden

“Charlotte, Olivia, we have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.” Anne’s sweet voice rang clear.

Olivia raised her gaze at Anne’s warm greeting. She stopped in place at the sight of Warren’s face. His left eye was swollen shut and mottled black and blue. The skin along his chin was similarly discolored.

For a brief moment, she wondered if Ian had somehow returned and taken vengeance on Warren on her behalf. That was not possible; Lady Charlotte had told her Ian was not in London and won’t be for some time. Warren wasn’t the sort to start a fight, and by the looks of it he wasn’t the best with his fists. Olivia pinched her lips together and gripped her skirts tight at her side, fighting every instinct within her to rush to him and tend to his wounds.

“A good morn to you, Lady Charlotte, Olivia.” Warren grimaced, his cracked lip oozed with fresh blood.

“Good heavens, what happened to your face?” Lady Charlotte asked.

“Would you believe me if I said I ran into a door?” Warren quipped, but he gripped his ribs tightly as he tried to subdue a chuckle.

If his face was this bruised, was the rest of him black and blue? Olivia’s gaze shifted to Anne, who was staring at the ground. Warren had gone and fought with the scoundrel who had upset Anne, much like Ian had fought on countless occasions for Olivia’s honor. Before Ian’s heartfelt confession, she would have attributed the men’s foolish acts as those of a protective older brother, but now she was all the wiser.

Ian had confessed to loving her in a non-friendship manner. Which meant Warren was in love with Anne and merely hadn’t yet realized his true feelings for her. The stabbing pain in her chest was nearly too much to bear. She wanted to flee, but that would only lead to Warren hunting her down again.

Lady Charlotte motioned for Olivia to come join her. She obediently moved forward to stand next to the countess. Lady Guernsey’s gaze flickered between her son and Olivia. She even opened her mouth once to speak, but then shook her head before clenching her jaw tight. It was clear no one wanted to break the silence.

Warren cleared his throat. “Olivia, may I escort you about the gardens?”

She glanced over at Lady Charlotte, who gave her the barest of nods.

“You may.” Olivia looped her arm about his bent elbow.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Olivia asked, “Who did this to you?”

“The Duke of Strandon,” he answered with a slight lisp.

At least he didn’t hesitate, nor did he try to make some flowery excuse or attempt to deceive her. She was grateful for that. “Are his injuries as severe as yours?”

“I was informed he is remaining abed today, and the surgeon assured him no bones were broken. Nothing a few days of rest won’t fix.”

“Should you be resting?” Why did she still care? She should be angry at the man for filling her head with nonsense and her heart with hope.

“Absolutely not. I’m exactly where I need to be. Next to you.”

His sweet affirmation was a reminder of Madam Lennox’s mumbled words. Warren had taken action on Anne’s behalf while he had filled their time together with pleasantries, that is with the exception of the two times they had been left alone. Her cheeks still heated at the memory of those pleasure-filled hours. Sneaking a glance up at him, she saw all the evidence she needed to fortify her resolve. “Warren…”

“Yes, my dear.”

“I… I’ve come to a decision.”

He stopped and stepped in front of her. “You’ll marry me?”

“No.” Olivia shook her head to reinforce her words.

“What?” He frowned, making his one good eye appear almost closed. “Why?”

“Must I explain myself to you, or were you really only willing to accept one answer?”

Warren’s shoulders rolled forward. “I see.” He didn’t meet her gaze as he added, “I think I shall remain here for a spell. Can you find your way back?”

“You mean, can I go on without following you about or being led by you? Of course I can, and I will.” She jutted her chin out in an act of feigned bravado. Olivia turned on her heels and took a step forward. Would he stop her? Would he call out to her before she was out of sight? Olivia put one foot in front of the other until she came to the stairs leading up to the terrace.

Heartbroken by the fact Warren hadn’t acted in any fashion to stop her, Olivia lifted her skirts and came to stand next to Lady Charlotte, who was sitting in a chair at the table opposite Anne. Lady Guernsey was oddly absent. After she scanned the area about them for the matron and discovered she wasn’t within sight, Olivia bent and whispered to Lady Charlotte, “I’d like to return home now.”

Lady Charlotte popped up to her feet immediately. “It’s been lovely chatting with you, Anne. We shall continue our conversation soon. Until then, do not fret. With two minds at work, we shall resolve the matter.” The countess led her through the Guernsey townhouse, across the foyer, and out to the Earl of Camden’s awaiting carriage. She had half expected to be subjected to an inquisition by the countess, but the lady remained deep in her own thoughts. Why had Anne sought Lady Charlotte’s help?

By the time the carriage came to a stop, the emotions Olivia had bottled up were threatening to surface. She bolted out of the vehicle, ignoring the help of the awaiting footman, ran past the butler, and straight up the stairs until she reached her rooms.