AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 20
Olivia smiled with delight as she walked into the parlour of their London townhouse. It was rather nice to be back after a week away. And even better that her grandfather was here, reading a newspaper in the corner.
“Grandpapa!” she cried, rushing to him. “I have missed you!”
He folded his newspaper, standing up and embracing her. “It is good to see you too, granddaughter,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling. “How was your time at Langley Park?”
Henrietta and Emma walked into the room, smiling at the reunion of the earl and his granddaughter. The earl smiled at them both in greeting, then turned his attention back to Olivia.
“It was wonderful,” she enthused. “Oh, Grandpapa, it was the most incredible thing! I think I have found my love match!”
“Have you indeed?” he mused, gazing at her with warmth. “And who is the object of your affection?”
Olivia blushed. “Lord Bertram Langley, the son and heir to the Viscount Sedgewick. He paid me particular attention during the week and has asked to court me in London.”
“Langley’s heir?” He frowned. “I have not heard much about the lad. I shall have to look into him.”
Olivia’s face fell. “Oh, do not say such a thing! Bertie is beyond reproach. He shall inherit Langley Park one day and he shall be the next viscount. You do not need toinvestigatehim. Why, the very idea is ludicrous.”
“What say you, Hetty?” asked the Earl, turning to his daughter in law. “What were your impressions of the man?”
Henrietta smiled. “He seems perfectly charming. A handsome young man.” She frowned. “I must admit though I was a little surprised at how rundown Langley Park is. I do not know why the Viscount does not fix some pressing issues. The room I stayed in had a constant leak.”
“As did mine,” piped up Emma. “I thought it was just the room I was in. I thought perhaps they had given me the worst one because of my inferior position.”
Henrietta shook her head. “No, the whole house had leaks. And there were other pressing issues, besides. Other than that, we had a good time, Reginald. The Langley’s were very hospitable, even if Lady Langley is rather a virago to her servants. I overheard her shouting at the cook one day and the woman threatened to walk out, saying she was only staying out of loyalty anyway.”
Olivia frowned. “Mere trifles, Mama. It is a large house which will always have minor issues. Nothing that cannot be ironed out.” She took the skirt of her gown in both hands, twirling around the room. “Nothing that I shall not iron out if I become mistress of it one day!”
Her grandfather laughed. “You are reaching ahead a little, Olivia. You have only just met the man. Let us wait awhile before you imagine yourself the mistress of Langley Park.”
“Can we invite him for dinner, Grandpapa?” she asked, suddenly earnest. “I would like you to meet him.”
“All in good time,” said the Earl, in a placid voice. “In the meantime, I want to tell you that I have invited Captain Fletcher and his family to dinner this evening. I thought it was high time we all started spending a bit more time together.”
Olivia’s heart sank. She had not thought about Captain Fletcher in days. She did not really want to see him again so soon. He was rather like a chore that one must grit one’s teeth to accomplish, even if they had ostensibly called a truce on the animosity between them.
She gazed at her grandfather suspiciously. “You are not trying to push a marriage between us still, are you? Because I shall not stand for it. Bertie has my heart and no other.”
“Olivia, you are being melodramatic,” he said, his mouth twitching. “You cannot give your heart so quickly. You barely know the man.” He paused. “No, I am not pushing anything. I am very aware of your feelings on the matter and I promised to give you space. I do hope you shall be gracious this evening and not act in a petulant manner.”
“I thought you liked the Captain’s sister,” said her mother. “You told me that you thought her charming.”
Olivia frowned. “I do. I just was not expecting to deal with them all as soon as we returned. But I shall make the best of it. Never fear.”
“That’s my girl,” said her grandfather, looking pleased. “And in return, I promise we shall have this Bertie Langley over for dinner next week. How does that sound?”
Olivia gave him a dazzling smile. “It sounds perfect, Grandpapa.”
She skipped off, hugging the good news to herself. Her grandfather was willing to meet Bertie. He was not going to stop him from courting her. She breathed a sigh of relief. She knew her grandfather was as good as his word, but a small part of her had worried that perhaps he might insist she focus upon Captain Fletcher. That worry was gone now.
She could endure a dinner party with the Captain for her grandfather’s sake. She would simply focus her attention upon Lucy Fletcher, which would be no hardship at all, and ignore her brother entirely. Let her grandfather and mother talk to the man. It had nothing to do with her.
***
Alexander sat down at the long mahogany table in the Earl’s townhouse, feeling unaccountably nervous. He watched everyone else take their seats. Lady Olivia sailed in at the last minute, not even glancing at him as she took her place.
He tried not to stare at her, but it was hard. It had been a week since he had last seen her and as always he was struck by her beauty. She was wearing a primrose silk dinner gown this evening, with matching yellow roses in her dusky hair.
