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Chapter 19
Alexander sipped his tea, feeling irritable and restless. Across the breakfast table, Lucy fixed him with a pointed look.
“What are your plans for the day, brother?” she asked, in a mild voice.
Alexander shrugged testily. “The Earl wants to take me to his club for a round of cards. He spoke of perhaps going to a boxing match as well.”
“That sounds pleasant enough,” said his sister. “Why do you sound so cross?”
“It is just that every single day is just idle pursuit,” he said, his frustration boiling over. “It was amusing for a time, but now it is starting to pall. I am tired of garden parties and balls and the like. The Ton are the most tedious company imaginable. Except for the earl. I do like and respect him.”
He took another sip of tea, trying to contain his irritation. If truth be told, the only reason he was still doing this was because he did not want to disappoint the Earl. He truly did like him. But he just did not think he was cut out for the life of an idle aristocrat. His old life was beckoning him. The lure of the sea and adventure. A man had to have occupation, he thought.
His mood had not been improved by the earl telling him that Olivia, her mother, and friend had abruptly left London for a house party. After her house call, he had not been able to stop thinking about her and that stolen kiss.
He had resolved that perhaps he should just give into his fascination with her and start spending more time with her to see where it led, even if she was the one of the most maddening women he had ever encountered. But she was not returning to London for another week.
He frowned, thinking about how she had reacted on the walk when he had told her she lived in a fishbowl. He knew he had upset her, even though she lied and said a bug was the cause of her watering eyes. It had been strange seeing her so vulnerable—she was normally so feisty and stubborn, acting as if butter would not melt in her mouth. Another side of her that he had never suspected.
Lady Olivia has hidden depths, he thought. I would like to explore them.
The thought shocked him a little. Yes, he had stolen a kiss from her, but that had been opportunistic. It had also pleased him to have something over her; something that she had no idea about. She would never know he was the man who had kissed her and that had given him satisfaction. Her contempt for him was so absolute. But he knew what her lips tasted like. How would she react if he told her?
But now… now, it was starting to feel different, in a way he could not quite fathom. Alexander was a man of action. He was not given to introspection. He did not want to mull over his exact feelings towards her. He just wanted to act upon them. But even that was fraught with danger. Their relationship was complicated. He did not want to win her over to bed her then have her fall in love with him and expect him to marry her. Olivia had said, time and again, that she wanted a love match. And he could never give her that.
Probably best to just leave her alone, he thought, with a stab of disappointment. The strong attraction he felt towards was probably destined to remain unexplored. Itwasfar too complicated. Apart from the fact her grandfather would be very disappointed in him if he broke the girl’s heart without even a proposal. He wanted to keep the Earl’s good opinion of him. It meant a lot to him that the old man thought well of him.
“Why do you not go the shipyards today?” asked his aunt suddenly, interrupting his reverie. “It sounds like you need to work, Alexander. One day tending to your business will not put the earl out, and it might give you better spirits.”
Alexander contemplated the idea. TheMary Elizabethwas still docked, patiently awaiting the time she would set sail for the Caribbean. He could spend the day looking over her, seeing if she needed any repairs, and talking to merchants about filling her with stock. Catch up with his crew, who tended to hang around the docks, making sure they were still ready to set sail when the time arrived.
Itwouldimprove his spirits, and it would also take his mind off Olivia. He knew he was flirting with danger in even contemplating pursuing her. Perhaps a day working would cure this infatuation once and for all. Afterwards, he could always visit a certain discreet house he knew where he might cure the infatuation, as well. Nothing like being in the arms of another woman to make a man forget.
He grinned, looking at his aunt, feeling his heart expand at the thought. Freedom. It was a beautiful thing. “That is a very fine idea, Aunt Edwina. I might just do that.”
***
Olivia sat in the drawing room at Langley Park, playing a round of cards with Lady Langley. Her heart jumped every time the door opened. Bertie had promised to take her riding again today. Where was he?
Her heart flipped at the thought of her three days at Langley Park. Lord Bertram had been so attentive to her, never leaving her side. They had ridden for over two hours yesterday. And last night, in the parlour after dinner, he had held her hand, kissing it in a lingering fashion. Everyone had noticed their immediate connection. Emma had been teasing her about it.
Olivia felt a tingle all over. His attention was marked. Was he falling for her? Because she truly thought she might be falling for him. Bertie Langley was dynamic and charming. They shared many similar interests—a love for riding and the outdoors, for starters—and he was handsome. Not in the same devilishly attractive way Captain Fletcher was, but then Bertie was not a cad like him. Lord Bertram knew how to treat a lady properly, unlike the common captain.
Bertie was a nobleman, the son of a viscount. They were from the same world. Olivia gazed around the room. If she married him, this house would be her home one day. Another grand ancestral manor house not dissimilar to Essington Manor, even if it was smaller and rather more rundown.
Bertie had not exaggerated when he said his father claimed it was a money pit. She had seen extensive water damage from leaks in the rooms and other maintenance issues.
Still, it was opulent, reeking of tradition. She could do a lot worse. Lord and Lady Langley were charming as well and seemed to be encouraging their son’s interest in her. Lady Langley had taken her under her wing, showing Olivia her jewellery collection.
Although theydidboth seem slightly impatient with their son. Lord Langley sometimes made veiled comments to Bertie about settling down and mending his wicked ways, but Olivia thought it was probably just light-hearted teasing.
Suddenly, the door burst open. It was Bertie, grinning in his usual way. His mother put down her cards, frowning at her son.
“What time do you call this?” she scolded, shaking her head. “Have you been abed this entire morning?”
“Do not chide, Mama,” he said breezily. “I am here now.” He fixed his eyes upon Olivia. “Would you care to take a turn around the gardens, Lady Olivia?”
Olivia smiled. “I would like that very much indeed, Lord Bertram.”
