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Chapter 18
Oliviastoodinfrontof the mirror in a white gown with golden frills. It was a much simpler gown, with not as many petticoats, and not as suffocating a bodice as her usual gowns. She felt free in this costume, and she was happy to experience this freedom during a ball at least once.
Her maid helped her put on the decorative leaves and a necklace in the shape of olives.
Her mother entered and looked at her with a tender gaze. “You look beautiful. But are you certain you want to attend this masked affair? Masquerades can be quite scandalous, and I’d rather you didn’t attend.”
“This masquerade is being held by one of my closest friends. Besides, I’ve never been to a masquerade before, and I am rather enjoying my costume.” She twirled, the white skirts swishing about her ankles.
“Which is also quite scandalous,” her mother said with a frown.
“Just because I am not wearing twenty underskirts?”
Mother directed her a chiding gaze. “Your father and I expect you to conduct yourself as a perfect lady.”
Olivia chuckled. “You know it’s not possible, Mama. But I can promise to act in a way that will invite the least amount of gossip.”
Her mother caressed Olivia’s cheek and then chucked her under her chin. “You hold your head high and act as the Goddess that you are.”
Olivia grinned. “I shall.”
The butler appeared at the threshold. “The Payne carriage has arrived, miss,” he said.
Olivia smiled, put on her gloves and a cloak, and left for her friends’ carriage.
“Oh, do not tell me. Let me guess,” Annalise exclaimed after the pleasantries were over and the carriage lurched into motion. “You are a Greek Goddess.”
“Yes.” Olivia grinned.
“Oh, you’re wearing olive branches. You’re Athena!”
Olivia giggled. “Right, and you are? I am sorry, I am abominable at this game.”
Annalise wore a red cloak, while her husband wore a wolf mask and a dark gray cloak.
“Oh, wait, if you are the wolf,” she addressed Lord Payne.
“Yes?” Annalise encouraged.
“I suppose you are Red Riding Hood?”
“Correct.” Annalise grinned.
“Can I assume Lavinia isn’t coming?” Olivia asked after a brief pause.
“No, she is not. She needs some time to come to grips with the fact that she has lost Kensington.”
Olivia imagined Jarvis marrying someone else, and her insides twisted in knots. She shook her head, unwilling to even entertain the thought. “I cannot imagine what that feels like.”
“Of course not.” Annalise smiled widely. “You got your suitor.”
Olivia frowned in confusion. “I did?”
She and Jarvis had shared a passionate interlude in her chamber, but he had not revealed his face to her. He didn’t think she knew it was him. More than that, nobody knew about said interlude, so how could Annalise have referred to it?
“Didn’t you? Whispers are going around about you. If Bradshaw hasn’t proposed yet, I am quite certain he will soon.”
“Oh!” Of course. Bradshaw was the only person Annalise could have meant. Olivia let out a nervous giggle. “Yes, probably.”
