AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 23
Olivia sat in the parlour, her embroidery patch in her hands. Mama and Emma had gone for a stroll through the park but she had wanted to stay home for a much needed rest. The last few weeks had been so jam packed with events that she was feeling quite weary. At most of those events she had been squired by Bertie. A proposal was imminent. She just felt it in her bones.
She drew her needle through the patch, smiling down at it, in a satisfied way. She wondered idly how Bertie was planning to do it. Would he get down on bended knee? Would he have an engagement ring ready to slip onto her finger? She closed her eyes in rapture, picturing the significant moment. The most important moment of a woman’s life, apart from her wedding day, of course.
She was so deep in her reverie about it that she only became aware that someone was in the house when she heard deep male voices drifting down the hallway from the foyer. Curious, she put down her patch, walking swiftly to the foyer. To her utter shock, Captain Fletcher was standing there, the butler by his side. His sister and aunt were nowhere to be seen.
“Captain Fletcher,” she said, in a breathless voice.
He gazed at her with those intense blue eyes. “Lady Olivia. I am here to see the Earl. Is he home?”
She shook her head. “He is at the tailor’s, getting fitted for a new jacket.”
To her horror, she felt her colour rising. She had not talked with him since that night at the ballet, which was weeks ago, but it seemed her body was still responding in exactly the same way it always did to his presence. Really, it was like a dog that started salivating as soon as it saw a bone. She had hoped her reaction to him might have dulled or disappeared by now.
He frowned. “I see,” he said. “Well, I suppose I should go then.” But he did not turn to leave, he just kept looking at her, in that speculative way. “Unless…he is due to be back soon?”
“He should only be another half hour,” she said slowly. “He said he would be back by two.” She hesitated. “You can always wait for him if you like.”
He pondered this. “Well, it would make sense. I really did want to speak to him today about one or two matters. But only if it is not putting you out, of course.”
“Not at all,” she lied, wondering why she had not just told him to leave. “I shall call for tea. Please, do come in.”
He followed her down the hallway to the drawing room. While she busied herself arranging the tea, he leaned against the mantelpiece, almost slouching. Olivia felt a familiar bristle of irritation. She really had no idea why she had invited him to stay. It was not as if she was compelled. And she probably should not be alone like this with him, either. But she did not think Grandpapa would care and he was sure to be the first one home.
She sat down on the sofa, spreading her gown around her feet. There was a tense silence. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile onto her face.
“I trust your sister and aunt are well?” she asked.
He nodded. “Very well. They are attending a play today. Lucy was very excited at the prospect.”
“What a charming girl she is,” said Olivia. “So full of life and fervour. She will do well after she debuts. Do you plan for her to spend much time in London from now on?”
He shrugged. “It would probably be wise. Lucy is easily bored and she likes the stimulation of London.” He paused. “And now that her situation has changed, it would be to her benefit.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Olivia. “She is the sister of the future Earl of Weaver. Perhaps you should keep the lodgings here. It would be far easier to have a permanent base to go back and forth between Kirkwell and London.”
He nodded. “Perhaps.”
The tea arrived. She felt his eyes upon her while she poured. Her colour was rising again. Why did he have to look at her in that insolent way? It was almost like he was undressing her with his eyes.
She handed him a cup, trying not to react when his hand brushed against her own. He sat opposite her, taking a long sip.
“How is your suitor?” he asked abruptly.
Olivia reeled back. She had not been expecting the blunt question.
“Lord Bertram is very well, I thank you,” she said, immediately feeling on edge. “He is enjoying the season as much as I am.”
He nodded, looking amused. “Still on the eternal roundabout of engagements?”
She frowned. “I have not seen you at any recently.”
“That is because I am heartily sick of them,” he said, rolling his eyes. “It is all so pointless. Afternoon tea parties, soirees, balls… the same people, the same conversations, over and over. How can you endure it?”
“Quite well, actually,” she shot back, her irritation rising. “It is civilised and cultured. Clearly, you have a lot to learn about being a member of the ton, Captain.”
“I am my own man, milady,” he said, fixing her with his blue gaze. “When I become earl—if I become earl—I shall be marching to the beat of my own drum. I do not plan to lead an idle, pointless life. You can be very sure of that.”
