Page 47 of This Marquess of Mine

Flashes of wet kisses and skilled fingers and whispered demands rolled through her mind, heating her cheeks anew, but she pushed them away. Something interesting had happened last night, but it wasn’t what Emmy hoped.

“We talked, that’s all,” she said. Well, mostly all. “I couldn’t sleep, and neither could he. We discussed the duke, and I thanked him for the waltz and that was it.” She shrugged. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Em, but there was no marriage proposal.”

As much as she loathed keeping secrets from one of her dearest friends, telling Emmy of the kiss—kisses—would only encourage her to play matchmaker, and that was the last thing Olivia wanted.

“Rats.” Emmy huffed a frustrated sigh. “I’d hoped my idiot brother had finally come to his senses.”

“I know you did,” Olivia said, a smile curling her lips. Emmy drove her mad at times, but her loyalty was second to none. “It is never going to happen, though. Your brother does not see me that way, and he never will.”

“I disagree, Livvy. I think he does—”

“Now,” Olivia interrupted, turning back to her list of names, “since you are here, you may help me with my husband list. What do you know of Earl Latimer?”

The message in Emmy’s sigh was obvious, but Olivia ignored it, determined to continue on with her task and forget all about a certain bothersome marquess.

Before she had even picked up her pen, however, there was a soft scratch at the door. She turned to find their diminutive butler, Jessup, standing in the doorway.

“Yes, Jessup?”

“A caller has arrived, my lady. It is His Grace, the Duke of Paxton.”

Olivia’s heart sank. Drat. She was in no mood for a confrontation or an apology or whatever it was he’d come for today.

“You don’t have to see him, Livvy,” Emmy said, her astute gray eyes sympathetic. “Jessup can tell him you are not at home.”

“I know,” Olivia said with an appreciative smile. “But this conversation must happen sooner or later. I might as well get it over with now.”

Emmy nodded. “As you wish. But if you should want me, I will be on the chaise in the corner, trying to control my temper. Call out to me if you need me to punch him for you.”

A small smile curved her lips as she watched Emmy head for the chaise. She turned back to the waiting butler and said, “Thank you, Jessup. You may show His Grace in now.”

“Very well, my lady.”

Olivia rose and made her way to the sofa, standing before it with her hands clasped at her front, her lips stretched into a polite smile.

“Lady Olivia.” Paxton’s voice reached her ears before he’d even entered the room. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“Your Grace.” She bobbed a curtsy as he approached, her greeting punctuating the new formality between them. “This is an unexpected visit.”

“Do forgive me for calling so late,” he said, his gaze flicking to Emmy before skittering back to Olivia. “I simply had to speak with you. Will you not sit with me?”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Olivia said coolly. “But would you not care for a cup of tea first?”

“Thank you, no.” His hands clenched at his sides, and he swallowed, visibly nervous.

Good. Let him suffer a little.

Olivia sank onto the sofa and clasped her hands on her knees, the picture of patient calm.

“I suppose by now you have learned about me and Miss Withers,” he said as he claimed the seat beside her. His gaze was on his lap, as if he could not bring himself to look at her.

“Yes,” she said simply. “I understand the lady’s mother and yours are good friends.”

His nod was glum. “They’ve known each other since they were girls, and have long desired a match between myself and Miss Withers. To join our families together.”

“I see.” Olivia cleared her throat, disappointment settling over her. Paxton had come to explain, to apologize, probably. It truly was over. “I know how important your mother’s happiness is to you,” she said. “And I wish you and Miss Withers a long and joyful life together.”

Paxton swallowed again, his brown eyes beseeching as they rose to meet hers. “I don’t want to marry her, Olivia. I want to marry you. You know how I feel about you, how I’ve always felt about you. I…admire you so much and I—I’m sorry to have hurt you like this.”