Page 90 of This Marquess of Mine

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Dinner that night passed in a blur of good food and lively conversation. The small party of seven spent the remainder of the evening in the blue salon, chatting and playing cards before saying their good nights and retiring to their chambers for the evening.

It was nearly midnight when Olivia and her two dearest friends finally found their chance to speak alone in Emmy’s chamber, sitting cross-legged in a circle on the bed, just as they had done as little girls.

“Well,” Olivia said, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees. “Now that we’re finally alone, I demand you tell us everything, Sophie. Do you like being married? Are you happy? Is it everything you thought it would be?”

“And, most importantly,” Emmy said, “is James treating you with the deference you deserve? Because if he isn’t, you have only to say the word and I will show him the error of his ways.”

Sophie laughed, her green eyes sparkling with merriment. “James is treating me very well, thank you,” she said, “and I am happier than I have ever been. Of course, I haven’t yet had to perform any of my duties as countess, but I’ve greatly enjoyed everything else.” Her smile turned dreamy. “James is a most attentive husband.”

“I knew you two were meant to be together,” Olivia said with a satisfied nod. “Did I not say so last April in this very house?”

“So you did,” Sophie said. “And I’ve never been so happy to admit you were right.” She waved a hand. “But enough about me. I want to know what happened with your father. Tell me everything.”

Olivia spent the next twenty minutes going over everything Sophie had missed while on her wedding trip, covering all the ups and downs of her courtship with the duke, Griffin’s assistance and finally, the surprise visit from her father and the subsequent month spent at his house in Surrey.

“Then your father no longer expects you to marry?” Sophie asked, her dark brows arched in surprise.

Olivia shrugged. “Of course he would like for me to marry, but he said he would support me in whatever I wish to do.”

Her cousin gave a slow shake of her head. “I can scarcely believe it. I’ve always thought of your father as something of a villain. This new version will take some getting used to.”

Olivia nodded. “I know. Sometimes I wonder if it is all too good to be true.” She sighed. “I do regret hurting Paxton again, though. He did not deserve such poor treatment.”

“You were only doing what was best for you, Livvy,” Sophie said, squeezing Olivia’s knee. “He cannot fault you for that.”

“I suppose so.” But even though Paxton had given her his blessing, she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty, even now.

“Speaking of Paxton,” Emmy said, her waggling brows a signal of incoming news. “He is no longer in London.”

Olivia frowned. “No longer in London? What do you mean?” Guilt sharpened her voice as she thought back to Paxton’s jest about nursing his broken heart. At least, she’d thought it was a jest. Had he left London because of her?

“Evidently he wished to travel,” Emmy said with a shrug. “He never took his Grand Tour like so many young men do, so he’s decided to take it now. I believe he is in Greece as we speak.”

Olivia did not bother to ask how her friend had come by such detailed information. Emmy worked in mysterious—and effective—ways.

“Did he take his mother with him?” Sophie asked.

“No, he did not.” Emmy’s tone echoed Olivia’s own surprise.

“Goodness,” she said. “I never thought Paxton would go anywhere without his mother.” When she and the duke were still betrothed, she’d half-expected the dowager duchess to join them on their wedding trip.

“Nor did I,” Emmy said. “And I don’t think the duchess did either. I saw her on Bond Street only last week and she looked quite cross with the world.”

“She always looks like that,” Sophie pointed out, displeasure sparking in her green eyes. “She is the most disagreeable woman I have ever met, and I do not like her.”

Olivia bit back a smile. Her cousin did not approve of the way the duchess had treated her after she’d turned down Paxton’s first offer of marriage, and although Sophie was only two years her senior, she had always watched over her with the fervor of a mother bear protecting her cub.

“Well, I feel sorry for her,” Olivia said. “Her son is her life, and he has left her. I don’t think he has ever gone against her wishes before.”

“It will be good for her,” Sophie said with no sympathy whatsoever. “A little humility is good for all of us.”

Olivia couldn’t argue with that. The duchess was too used to having her own way, and Paxton too often gave it to her, despite what his own wishes might be. Pursuing Olivia was the closest he ever came to a rebellion. Perhaps this trip abroad would lead to some much-needed independence.

“So, what will you do now, Livvy?” Emmy asked, leaning back on her hands. “Another London Season? Or will you hunt for a husband elsewhere?”

Olivia sighed and plucked at her skirts. “I haven’t the faintest idea.”