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Outside the traffic rumbled and jostled around them, and Nic cursed as he saw they were nearly home. He smoothed her skirts and tucked her breasts out of sight. Sitting back, he cast a narrowed look over her, brushing back a curl here and smoothing a wrinkle there, until he seemed satisfied with her appearance. As for himself, he looked immaculate, and Olivia wondered darkly if that was part of being a rake, the ability to never appear rumpled, as if one has just been making violent love, even if one has.
The coach turned into their square, and he smiled at her. Olivia knew then that her happiness was complete. She was aware that she had the Husband Hunters Club to thank for much of her success—if they hadn’t given her the confidence to pursue the man she wanted, she’d probably have ended up married to Theodore Garsed, gazing at Nic from afar, and wishing “if only.” Instead she’d gone after what she wanted, and she’d won.
Not that there weren’t possible problems and differences looming on the horizon, but right now Olivia was certain in her heart that they could work anything out. They loved each other, and surely that was all that really mattered?
Chapter 30
Abbot had been waiting and delayed Nic in the hall, just inside the front door.
Olivia, halfway up the stairs, and still floating on a cloud, at first didn’t realize there was anything wrong. She looked back over her shoulder, where Abbot and Nic stood together, deep in conversation. There was something about the way Nic held his body, still and rigid, as if he had turned to ice, and Abbot’s furtive glances in Olivia’s direction…
Slowly Olivia began to descend the stairs again, intent on discovering exactly what was wrong. Because something was definitely wrong—it was as if she could taste it in the air.
“Nic?” she said, as she reached them. “What is it?”
Abbot bowed to her, his expression tense. “Lady Lacey, I apologize for interrupting your evening. I—”
Nic spoke roughly, cutting him short “No, Abbot.”
“Nic, whatever is the matter…?” Olivia cried, deeply worried now and not troubling to hide it.
He wouldn’t look at her. Instead he looked at Abbot, a frowning glance. “Abbot, not a word, do you understand?”
The manservant didn’t look happy but he nodded. “Very well, my lord.” Abbot turned to her then, and his gaze was sympathetic—as if she had suffered a loss.
“Olivia, I have to go out.”
“Nic!”
He did look at her then, and his dark eyes were full of pain. Olivia’s panic increased, but he stopped her before she could ask him again what was wrong. Holding her hands tightly in his, he said, “Please, my love, no questions. I will explain everything to you when I get back.” He didn’t wait for her answer, he just turned and walked away.
Olivia was very afraid now. She stared after Nic, watching him hurry out of the door and down the front steps, back to the coach and horses. A moment later, the vehicle had rumbled away again.
“My lady.” Abbot was waiting anxiously by her side.
“What is happening, Abbot?”
He did everything but wring his hands. “My lady, I cannot tell you, you heard Lord Lacey say…”
“Oh, very well,” she said impatiently. She turned to the stairs but stopped again and looked back at him. “Can’t you at least tell me where he has gone, Abbot? Is that betraying your master’s orders?”
Abbot hesitated, and then said firmly, “Lord Lacey will explain when he returns.”
“I want you to explain to me now. Abbot?” Olivia tapped her shoe, glaring at his profile.
Abbot crumbled, but not the way she’d hoped he would. “My lady, forgive me, but I am only a servant. I do as I am told. How can I do as you wish when Lord Lacey has expressly told me not to?”
Olivia knew she was being unfair, but this was Nic, her husband, and she wanted to know. “
Tell me what is happening, Abbot. I will explain to Lord Lacey.”
His face was creased as if he was in pain. “I would love to, my lady, believe me, but I have promised to be silent on this matter. Forgive me, please.”
It was unfair of her to press him, Olivia knew that. Abbot had his loyalties, too, and his position was dependent on his holding firm to them. She would have to wait for Nic to return and then ask him what on earth could have made him leave her without a word, with a single glance at the wife he had just told he loved with all his heart.
A moment ago Olivia had been so very happy, and now she felt as if there was a stone lodged in her heart.
The coach came to a stop outside the narrow house and Nic climbed out, ordering his driver to return home, and saying that he had no idea how long he would be. As the coach moved away, Nic stood alone in the cobbled street and watched it go. Across the river the fog obscured his view of the city, although he could pick out the occasional church spire. As if to increase his feeling of isolation, bells rang, sounding hollow and forlorn.
