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Essington Manor, Kent, England
Lady Olivia Oakley strode down the long hallway at Essington Manor, winding the long black velvet cloak tighter around her body. She did not want anyone to see what she was wearing, especially her mother or grandfather—she needed to get to the stables and onto her favourite horse, Pem, before it happened. She would discard the cloak there. It would get in her way while she was riding.
When she was safely on the back of the horse without being detected, she headed out over the wide fields surrounding the manor house towards the old cobblestone bridge. Hopefully Emma would be waiting for her there; she really should not be out too long. Just a quick ride with her very best friend in the world before breakfast. She should be back before Mama and Grandpapa had even noticed she was gone.
Olivia spotted the white horse and Emma as she headed down the hill towards the bridge. Her heart lifted. As she approached, she reined in Pem, grinning widely.
“Here you are!” exclaimed Olivia. “I thought you might be a coward and leave me in the lurch.”
Emma laughed. “I am no coward, Olivia. If I said I would be here for this early morning ride, then I meant it.” She raised her eyebrows as she took in her friend’s attire. “Olivia, whatareyou wearing? Do you not think you are getting a bit old for this now? You are nineteen, after all!”
Olivia’s grin widened as she glanced down at her clothing. She was wearing men’s britches, a man’s shirt, and cap. It was always her preferred attire if she was out riding.
“It is far more comfortable, Emma,” she said, gazing at her friend. “So much more freedom! I detest a lady’s riding habit and going side saddle. This way I can really stretch Pem’s legs.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Do your mother and grandfather know you are out riding now, dearest?
Olivia sighed heavily. “You know what they are like, Emma. They want to wrap me up in swaddling bands forever. If I even get a slight cough nowadays, they run around like headless chickens thinking I am about to expire.”
“You know why, dearest,” said Emma, in her gentlest voice. “They can never forget what happened. The thought of losing you as well is just too much for them.”
Olivia bit her lip, gazing out over the green fields surrounding her home. Essington Manor was the grandest, most palatial house in the entire district. It had been in her family for so many generations that she did not even know when it had first been built. Perhaps during the War of the Roses or Tudor times. So far back that it was ancient history.
The Weaver earldom also had a long, proud lineage. In the grand hall there was a row of old oil portraits of all the earls going back through the years. Her grandfather’s portrait was the last in the line, and Olivia knew there was not going to be another to place next to it. For the line stopped with him now.
Her heart filled with sorrow, thinking about her late father and brother. They had died within a day of each other twelve long years ago. She had almost died herself from the same illness that had killed them. And now, she would be the only one left once Grandpapa was gone. Essington Manor would be sold off, its long proud history destined to be relegated to the annals of history. The earldom gone forever.
Grandpapa had never recovered from the loss of his son and grandson. When Olivia had recovered from her illness, she realised her beloved grandfather had turned into an old man almost overnight. His blue eyes were haunted, always filled with sorrow. And he had grown so protective of her that sometimes it was exasperating.
Her mother was the same. She had lost her husband and son and clung to her only remaining child. Between the two of them, Olivia was barely able to breathe. She loved them dearly but sometimes she needed her own time. That was why she stole away, wearing boy’s clothing, to ride her horse through the fields. It was the only time she felt free.
“Well, they shall have to loosen the reins very soon,” said Olivia, in a tight voice turning back to her friend. “The London Season is upon us, and I want to have fun!”
Emma laughed. “We are heading there for our dress fittings next Tuesday?”
Olivia nodded. “Yes, Mama has booked us fittings at all the top modistes in London. We shall have two whole weeks there getting our gowns for the Season, then a quick return home, before heading back to London.” She laughed delightedly. “We are going to have so muchfun, Emma! Balls, parties, evenings at the opera… why, the list just goes on and on.”
“I am looking forward to it,” said Emma, laughing with her friend. “ It will be such fun to stay under the same roof as you, Olivia. Lady Henrietta was so very kind to extend us the invitation.”
“Mama loves you and your mother,” said Olivia, her eyes gleaming. “You know that. It is no hardship. Our townhouse in Mayfair is more than big enough to accommodate house guests. The more the merrier, in my opinion.”
Emma looked so happy that Olivia’s heart filled with joy. She had been best friends with Miss Emma Percy since they had been children. In fact, it was because of her near fatal illness that she had met Emma. Her dearest friend was the daughter of the district physician, Dr Thomas Percy, who had attended Olivia during her brush with death when she had been only seven years old.
Dr Percy had brought his own daughter along with him when he had visited Essington Manor and Emma had read to Olivia while she was convalescing. The two girls had developed an instant, almost inseparable bond.
Olivia’s heart contorted. Sometimes, when she had difficulty getting to sleep, she could still hear Emma’s sweet voice in her mind, reading to her from a book of fairy tales. Olivia was sure that one reason she had recovered from the influenza was Emma. Her friend was like her lucky charm.
If only William and Papa had lived, she thought wistfully.If only they had been so lucky.
The saddest thing about it was she could barely remember their faces now. She recalled that Papa had been very tall and liked to envelop her in bear hugs and his beard was scratchy. Will, her only brother and twin, had been white haired and mischievous.
They had bickered a lot, she remembered, but always made up. Mama said that she would often check on them in the nursery at night to find them sleeping in each other’s arms. Her mother claimed they always settled better when together since they were babies.
Olivia knew the loss of her twin brother was probably another reason she had grown so fiercely attached to Emma. It was hard being alone after Will had died. He had been her constant companion since birth and the loss was difficult to bear—it was almost like she had lost her second self. So, she had transferred all the love she had for her lost brother onto Emma.
“I cannot wait,” said Emma, interrupting her reverie. “But if we want this ride, we had better head off now. You want to be back before your mother and grandfather get to the dining room, do you not?”
Olivia jumped in the saddle. “Oh, Lord, yes! I do not want to be chided the entire day. Let us away.”
