Page 49 of Never Dare to Masquerade with a Maiden

“Tell me why you don’t love me, and I’ll listen to reason.”

She pulled back to see if he was mocking her, but his serious gaze had her mind racing. Warren was well aware she couldn’t lie, and after days of emotional turmoil, there was no way she could deny her feelings for him. She loved him. Eyes narrowed, she considered whether Warren was trying to trick her into confessing her love or if he was indeed reconsidering marriage. “Why don’t you remind me why you want to marry me, given you have only known me for such a short period of time.”

Expecting a question as a response, she was taken aback when he placed a kiss upon her forehead and said, “I love you.”

His simple answer had her snapping back, “One doesn’t fall in love in a mere ten days.”

“Not ten days. I’ve loved you for over ten years.”

She blinked up at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“At first, I referred to you as my angel for having saved my life.” Warren cupped her face and brushed the tip of his thumb over her lips. “But over the years, I’ve felt your presence. I was a fool not to have discovered you sooner. You were there for me when my father passed. It was you who left his pocket watch on my pillow when I was floundering in my new responsibilities. It was you who arranged for a fresh bouquet of flowers to be sent to my mama on those days she struggled alone at Guernsey Manor while I was trapped in London. It was you who draped a blanket over me late at night when I fell asleep in my study. Without you, I would not be the man I am. Let me love you in plain sight.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and the words I love you too, stuck in her throat. Olivia nodded, and he kissed her until she was breathless once more.

“Do you remember the first time our lips touched?”

“When I was trying to breathe life back into you?”

With a devilish grin, Warren confessed, “I wasn’t dead… merely an inexperienced youth.”

Wavering between anger and laughter, Olivia kissed the only man she could envision spending the rest of her days loving and solemnly said, “I love you, and only you.” The rustle of leaves nearby had her scrambling to her feet. “Hurry, we must return to the ball.”

She held out her hand to assist Warren up, but he rolled to his feet unassisted and then scanned their surroundings. “When shall we be married?”

“Now is not the time to discuss the wedding.”

“But there will be a wedding, correct?”

“And here I thought you’d overcome your habit of uttering question after question.”

“You love me regardless of my faults.” Warren puffed out his chest like a grouse.

She couldn’t help but smile back at the man. She did love him, flaws and all, and as inconceivable as it was, he loved her too. “I will wed thee… Now can we return to the ball?”

Warren threaded her arm through his and led her back to the ballroom. Oddly, the domino and gown that masked her identity and had given her confidence to walk amongst Warren’s peers was now replaced by the man escorting her about. With Warren at her side, her worries seemed manageable, and she was ready to take on the challenges of becoming the Viscountess of Guernsey. As they entered the ballroom, Anne and Charlotte made their way across the room to join them.

Olivia squeezed Warren’s arm, and he glanced down at her. She whispered, “Why do I suspect that the two of them are up to no good?”

“When are they not?”

He was right. The pair of ladies descending upon them were always scheming. Her only hope was that she was not their intended victim this time. Except Olivia’s hopes were dashed as Anne’s gaze flickered between her and Warren, only to land on Warren. “Everything has been prepared according to your wishes.”

Before she had a chance to turn and ask Warren what Anne was referring to, she found herself flanked by her two friends who were escorting, or rather dragging, her through the throng of guests toward the front doors. She dug her heels. “Where are you taking me?” Olivia looked over her shoulder to see if Warren was following, but the man had vanished. Why had he left her in Anne and Charlotte’s clutches?

Rather than answer her question, Anne said, “Trust me, this will be a much more pleasant experience if you stop worrying and simply allow us to help you.”

“Trust you? Last time I followed you, I found myself nearly freezing in the gardens.”

With an unapologetic grin, Anne asked, “Which resulted in Warren finding you and proving his love was true, did it not?”

“No time for chatter.” Charlotte tugged her forward and maneuvered them through the guests like a seasoned captain at the helm. “You agreed to marry the man and marry him you will.”

They exited through the front door, and Olivia found herself draped in a heavy coat and then quickly escorted to an awaiting coach.

“Up you get.” Charlotte held open the coach door.

“I don’t understand,” Olivia said as she was pushed up the step and into the coach. Face-to-face with Warren, she asked, “What is going on?”