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“You have your memories to take with you,” Isadora offered gently. “But Minty is right. On this you must be sensible. You’re not a child any longer and you cannot act as though you are. You are a woman grown and you must return with us and leave the past behind.”
Olivia’s breathing had turned harsh the longer Isadora spoke, and while Miles ached with the need to go to her, he knew his attentions would not be well received. No matter what occurred from this point on, she would look at him as if he were the enemy.
Unless he offered a solution that might benefit them both.
But would she even be receptive to the idea?
He downed the rest of his drink. He supposed there was only one way to find out.
“If I might intercede?” He held up a hand and everyone looked at him. Except Olivia. She turned her face away. “Lady Araminta is correct. I will be required to do my duty and provide an heir to carry on both the Gravesend and Marlington estates. To do that, I will require a duchess. Since I am not keen on returning to town and enduring the torture that my mother should wish when it comes to choosing a bride, perhaps I can suggest something that will solve all of our problems.” He paused to ensure that he still engaged everyone’s attention. “I shall marry Lady Olivia if she will consent. She can remain at Marlington Hall, and I will be spared in searching for a wife, while you can all be assured that she is happily settled for the future.” He exhaled heavily. “The way I see it, it’s really the easiest course of action that will benefit everyone involved.”
* * *
Silence descendedaround the room as Olivia’s heart fell into her shoes. Or perhaps it left her body entirely.
What the duke was proposing was… well, it was aproposal, but it sounded like more of a business arrangement. But then, he did make a valid point. She would get to live in her beloved manor until the day she died and would certainly not be any worse off than most of the society marriages that were conducted in the same manner.
The sole issue that remained was her vow to never marry. Just the thought of the birthing bed made her queasy.
But perhaps there could be a solution for that.
“Since this decision is based on my cooperation, as the duke has just said, I will agree to this match on one condition.”
Araminta held an expression of regret, but she said, “What is that, dearest?”
Olivia shifted her gaze to the duke and said, “I require that this be a union in name only.”
He narrowed his gaze, his finger tapping the side of his glass, but he said nothing.
“What of the duke’s heir?” Minty added gently. “You will be expected to provide for the line.”
She shrugged. “Then he will have to find someone willing to take on the task. I’m sure there will be a plethora of women willing to share the bed of a duke, and in return they shall receive a sizeable sum for their silence. Naturally, they will also have to give up any parental rights, and I shall raise the child as if were my own.”
Silence.
Araminta frowned. “Livy, do you hear what you’re saying?”
“I do, indeed,” she returned firmly. “I never knew my mother because she died on the birthing bed. I have heard the gruesome tales involved in childbirth, and I want no part of it.” She released a slow breath as her body started to tense. “I vowed long ago never to marry, but if it is best for all involved in order to salvage our reputation, then those are my terms.”
Her elder sister glanced at the duke, and then approached her. Taking one of Olivia’s hands in hers, she spoke in the motherly way that Olivia had always known her to use. But while Araminta’s voice had always been soothing before, now her tone only sounded condescending and grated on Olivia’s already frayed nerves. “I understand that you are concerned that you will suffer your mother’s fate. It is a chance that any woman takes, but I wouldn’t want it to deter you from having a fulfilling life with the duke.”
Olivia gently removed her hand from her sister’s. “You have my answer. If we are not in agreement, then I shall respectfully decline.”
She turned and walked past Gravesend, the earl, and even Isadora and Calliope with a purposeful stride. She kept her chin held high and her eyes fixated firmly before her. For the past eighteen years, she had allowed her siblings to coddle her because she was the youngest, had even enjoyed the opportunity to fade in the background like a wallflower, but those days were over. The moment she’d left London, that girl had also been left behind in the past.
She hadn’t made it halfway to the staircase before she heard her name. If it had been anyone other than Calliope, she might have kept walking, but if anyone could understand her plight, it was the sister closest to her in age. They had shared many confidences when they had been younger that even Isa and Minty didn’t know. While they were as different in personality as two people could be, Calliope had a big heart when it mattered most.
Dressed in a green gown that matched her eyes and complimented her fiery, red hair, Callie stopped in front of her with a heavy sigh. “This is quite a conundrum, is it not?”
“It appears so,” Olivia murmured.
She glanced upward to the second floor. “Are you still in your old rooms?”
“Yes.”
Callie walked forward and threaded her arm through hers. “Then let’s chat while we walk.” She offered her a smile, that although kind and understanding, still carried a hint of her mischievous nature. As they started up the stairs, she added, “I daresay you could give marriage with the duke a chance. Inallaspects.” She slid a glance at her. “Something tells me he would be able to please you in the bedchamber.”
Olivia gasped, although she could feel her cheeks heat traitorously.
