“My pleasure, Miss Redfield.”
Conversation covered other possible entertainments they’d embark upon over the next ten days, and then dinner was announced, effectively stirring the various clusters of guests to seek out their escorts. An older gentleman Olivia did not recognize was to escort Lady Kingsley, and Olivia was surprised to see Gabriel take Louella by the arm.
But of course, she was a duchess.
Olivia could not help but feel out of her depth.
“May I?” Lord Lockley offered his elbow, and Olivia had no choice but to take it. The man pulled her close to him and patted her hand. “I look forward to becoming well acquainted with you over the next week, my dear Miss Redfield. Where have you been hiding all this time?”
A chill slid down her spine, but she merely nodded. Had she been hiding as much as she’d been hidden?
She turned her head and offered a tentative smile.
Something in the way Lord Lockley looked at her had her feeling far more exposed than she liked. He hadn’t quite met her eyes, rather his gaze settled for too long upon her lips… and lower.
Hiding hadn’t been so bad after all. It was better than feeling… naked.
As much as he tried, Gabriel could not keep his gaze from straying to Olivia. He hadn’t thought she could be any more beautiful than she was in his memory, but somehow… she was.
She’d told him she was a guest. His mother, likely, had invited her sister who was now the Duchess of Crawford. If he’d known she was coming would he have done anything differently?
He glanced to the right, where Victoria had been seated. A place of honor, since his mother held court at the opposite end of the table.
“Are you and Miss Redfield acquainted already?” Victoria inquired. “She is Crawford’s sister-in-law, after all, and lives near Ashton Acres, from what I have gathered.”
Gabriel nodded, sensing Olivia’s gaze upon both of them. “We have met on a few occasions. The mine is on her father’s property.” He’d not make any further explanations.
“Such a horrible tragedy,” Victoria responded.
“Ah, yes. But I understand the mine is virtually spewing gold now. Last I heard, anyhow. Are you invested?” Lockley was emboldened enough to ask him.
“Never.” Although, Gabriel could not deny the truth of Lockley’s declaration. It was one of the only mines in all of England ever to produce any significant amounts of gold. With no additional mishaps, thank God.
Gabriel was happy enough for Crawford’s good fortune, but he, himself, could never benefit from the project. He’d told Crawford just that when he’d been asked.
At Christmastime, he had sent a small fortune from his personal coffers in lieu of assistance for the families affected. It did nothing to assuage his own guilt.
What those people had lost could never be replaced.
“You were brave to offer Crawford your assistance at the onset,” Victoria offered.
Gabriel was surprised by his fiancée’s comment. But of course, she had heard accounts of the cave-in. He’d not thought to share his experiences with her. He hated speaking of it.
Bravery had nothing to do with anything he had done in Misty Brooke. He’d merely been procrastinating returning to London.
“Misty Brooke will never be the same.” Olivia’s voice broke into the conversation. Her eyes shone brightly as she blinked and then dropped her lashes as though to study her soup. “You cannot imagine the repercussions of the loss of so many in one small village.”
Lockley, who had been placed at Gabriel’s left, sat to the right of Olivia. Gabriel seethed as the blighter reached up and grasped hold of her wrist, his thumb sliding along her nearly translucent skin. “Of course, it won’t be, Miss Redfield. You ought not to have to be reminded of such tragedies while here on holiday. Nothing to be done now. Eh? These few weeks are meant to be set aside for frivolity and,” he waggled his eyebrows, “dare I suggest, romance?”
The gesture seemed innocent enough, and something of a joke, and yet Gabriel could barely contain the urge to lift the man bodily away from the table and order him off his estate.
How dare he lay a hand on Olivia! A few seats down, his sister had noticed and heard Lockley’s comments as well. She met Gabriel’s eyes briefly before casting them down at her plate.
It would be good for her to see Lockley for what he was; a rogue and a scoundrel.
Olivia pulled her hand away and tucked it under the table. “I’m reminded of it every day that I’m alive, My Lord,” she commented softly. “As, I’m sure, Lord Kingsley is.”
Olivia would not gloss it over, and Gabriel found himself feeling rather proud of her for it. She’d spoken in all solemnity. She’d not find any humor in Lockley’s attempt to trivialize the lives of those lost last spring.
An uncomfortable silence followed her statement.
“My condolences, Miss Redfield.” It was Victoria who finally broke it. “I cried for days after I heard.” She glanced over at him. “To think something might have happened to Lord Kingsley…”
Gabriel swallowed hard. And he’d had no idea she’d even been aware of the disaster.
“Kingsley was on the Continent before that,” Nathanial piped up from Olivia’s other side. “My big brother, the world traveler.”
Relief swept through his end of the table as the discussion turned to Gabriel’s adventures through France, Italy, and Belgium.
He answered questions about some of the sights he’d seen, and when Priscilla chimed in about the Mannequin Pis, he couldn’t help but meet Olivia’s gaze.
He’d never known a meal to go on longer. When the ladies finally rose to leave the men to take port, he savored the soothing effects of the dark liquor.
In all the months since returning from Misty Brooke, he’d never once imagined he’d share a meal with Olivia on one side of him and Victoria on the other.
He was a cad of the worst kind.
Chapter 25
An Innocent Outing
Gabriel rose early the next morning, knowing he likely wouldn’t be allowed a great deal of time to attend to estate matters once the guests were all up and about.
He was surprised when his mother stepped into his study to join him.
“You look tired this morning, darling. Didn’t you sleep well?”
Gabriel lifted his brows but only shrugged in answer. “Are you happy with the party so far?”
She frowned. “I did not know you were acquainted with Miss Redfield. She’s a lovely enough girl but a little odd.”
Irritation stirred in his gut.
“Not because of her eyes, which, by the way, I find to be a most delightful color. But there is something about her. An unusual innocence, perhaps, even though she is older than her sister.” But while she spoke, she watched him carefully. “And quite lovely… which concerns me.”
Damn. He’d done his best to try not to watch her too much. Had his mother noticed something in his behavior toward Olivia? She’d always been able to read him better than he would have wanted.
“Prissy has her sights set on Lockley, and I couldn’t help but notice he paid Miss Redfield an inordinate amount of attention at dinner and then later, in the parlor.”
Gabriel stiffened and ran one hand through his hair. He, too, had noticed.
And yet, the man seemed just careful enough that he could easily deny his intentions.
Not that Gabriel would ever give the man permission to make his sister an offer. He had been hoping he wouldn’t have to let his sister down this way but would do so if necessary.
And although Lockley’s behavior toward Olivia could be considered convenient in thwarting the man away from Priss, Gabriel wasn’t comfortable with that either.
He’d have to keep an eye on all three of them, not a task he relished in any way.
“I’d hate to see your sister hurt,” his mother emphasized.
“Which is exactly why he’s the wrong man for her.” He spoke ste
rnly, a tone he hardly ever used with his mother.
“But–”
Gabriel held up a hand to cut off any arguments. “Am I not Kingsley?” At his mother’s nod, he continued, “I’m watching the man, Mother. I’ll not trust Prissy’s happiness to just anyone. You’ll simply need to defer to me on this.”
“Perhaps you’ll see something different in him on the ride today, or even better, over the next ten days.” Of course, his mother wouldn’t give in so easily.
“Perhaps,” Gabriel acquiesced. “But I doubt it.”
In addition to the day dresses and evening gowns Louella insisted upon, she’d also ordered a riding habit for Olivia. She’d never worn such a garment before and couldn’t help but think it quite ridiculous attire for an excursion into nature.
Nonetheless, the purple hues of the fabric matched her eyes perfectly, and even she could not find fault in the jaunty hat. Decorated with lavender feathers, one of them curled downward and lightly caressed the side of her face when she turned her head a certain way.
It surprised her to realize how different a lady felt when clothed properly.
It had been years since she’d ridden sidesaddle and although she’d once considered herself proficient at it, had to tamp down a few nerves. She watched the various gentlemen and grooms assist Louella, Lady Priscilla, and Victoria—as Miss Shipley insisted she call her—onto their prospective horses with genuine anticipation. When one of the mounting blocks finally became free, she moved closer, hoping she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.
“Miss Redfield?” One of the groomsmen appeared with a friendly-looking but gorgeous white mare saddled up and ready to go.
“She’s beautiful! What’s her name?” Olivia couldn’t help but exclaim as she stepped forward slowly and then rubbed the mare’s silken neck.
“Rhiannon,” the steward stated proudly. “Lord Kingsley specifically selected her for you.”
“Like the Celtic Goddess?” Olivia had read about the fairy queen. The horse’s eyes followed her and for some odd reason, Olivia felt an instant kinship. Why would Gabriel assign her such a special horse? Or was she only imagining it?
She blushed and then chastised herself. Gabriel had likely done the same for all the ladies present.
Lady Priscilla’s mount was a lovely spotted gelding and Louella’s and Victoria’s lovely brown mares.
After acquainting herself with Rhiannon, Olivia climbed onto the block and then easily hooked her thigh onto the front of the saddle and guided her left foot into the slipper stirrup. What she remembered as being most important was to center herself on the horse, just as if she were riding astride. Facing forward, she sat patiently as the grooms led the ladies out where the gentlemen already waited.
Gabriel paired up with Victoria, Louella with Mr. Gilbert Fellowes, Lady Priscilla with Lord Lockley and riding up beside Olivia, Mr. Nathaniel Fellowes, Gabriel’s youngest brother.
All of it was so formal when she simply wished to gallop across the lush meadow until her mare was ready to rest. She’d forgotten the pleasure she’d found in riding before her parents had moved her away from the main estate.
“Rhiannon, eh?”
“She’s spectacular,” Olivia answered honestly as she felt the easy response of the gorgeous horse below her. “She’s an enviable goddess, to be certain, Mr. Fellowes.”
“Call me Nathaniel. Or better yet, Nate. May I call you Olivia?” A little surprised, Olivia glanced over at her companion just in time to see his eyes dancing even more merrily than Gabriel’s did. She guessed him to be a flirt but an innocent one. He seemed sweet, fun, and uncomplicated.
“Very well, Nathaniel. And yes, you may.”
“I think perhaps that your gown was made to match the horse.”
Oh, but a flirt indeed. She laughed. After that, their conversation flowed effortlessly as they rode for nearly half an hour, discussing the mythical exploits of Rhiannon and which ones might possibly have been anchored in truth. As they crested a gentle slope, not far in the distance, a tall and rocky hill towered above them. Perched atop was what appeared to have been some sort of abbey or monastery, half of it resembling more rubble than building.
Parked at the base were two carriages. Servants had arrived earlier, apparently, to set up the picnic nuncheon. It also appeared that other guests, who’d been unwilling or unable to ride or walk, had joined them via the more leisurely form of transportation.
“Race me?” Nathaniel dared.
Without answering, Olivia leaned forward and urged her mount. “Let’s go, Rhiannon!”
The horse ran like a dream, and Olivia relished in the feel of the wind rushing past her, Rhiannon’s gait steady and sure. She could hear Nathaniel close behind her, but she didn’t care at all. This wasn’t about the race, or about winning, it was about freedom and wonder. She could almost believe herself the fairy queen, sitting atop her white horse. With the magnificent animal stretching her legs, the two of them flew as though in a dream.
For the space of thirty seconds, Olivia Redfield felt like a goddess.
“We’re lucky to have such fine weather today.” Looking lovely, Victoria sat with her skirts carefully arranged, upon one of the blankets spread out for their use. Some of the gentlemen reclined on their elbows but the ladies, for the most part, remained prim and proper.
Louella was especially good at this, appearing every bit the duchess that she was. She’d admitted to Olivia after breakfast that she already missed His Grace. The prospect of another nine days without him, she’d told Olivia, suddenly felt like forever.
What would it be like? To love and know oneself loved fully in return? How wonderful for Louella!
Olivia watched the others from her own prim position but would have liked to lie down and look up at the sky instead. Bored with the conversations, she began playing with a few dandelions, making a flower chain. When her skin prickled, she glanced up.
She’d thought Gabriel might be watching her but was discomposed to realize it was Lord Lockley’s eyes she’d felt.
Gabriel was being attentive, as he very well should, to his fiancée.
In a burst of energy that most of the others were not experiencing after the magnificent meal, Olivia adjusted her habit and pushed herself to her feet. “I cannot wait any longer to explore.” She would have left on her own but for Louella’s anxious gaze. Of course, ladies were not expected to go traipsing in the countryside by themselves. “Nathaniel, are you up to the hike or are you still too winded from losing to me earlier?”
Others glanced at her curiously, but Nathaniel, good sport that he was, merely laughed. “Your Grace, I find that your sister is abusing me this morning.” He addressed Louella, but he’d risen and sauntered around the tableau of blankets. “Anyone else ready for the excursion?”
“Shall we join them, Victoria?” Gabriel asked almost as though they were already a married couple.
Victoria sighed and waved him away. “Walk with the duchess, Kingsley. I want to do nothing more than sit here in the sunshine and enjoy the lovely view.”
Louella had, indeed, already risen. As had Lady Priscilla and Lord Lockley.
Olivia wished that Lord Lockley would have remained seated.
“Shall we?” Nathaniel offered her his arm, but Olivia shook her head.
“Half the fun is making the climb using one’s own abilities.” And unwilling to be delayed a second longer, she marched toward the path that led up the hill.
She would have much preferred to go alone. That was what she knew. Nonetheless, she held her head high and pretended a confidence she didn’t quite feel. She also pretended she wasn’t constantly aware of Gabriel’s every move.
Bittersweet, that’s what this was. Seeing him again but not being able to talk to him the way they had last year.
He’d been inside of her and now they had to act almost like strangers around one another.
And seeing him again awakened all those needs she’d been attempting
to deny for months now.
But only for him.
“Turn right where the trees begin.” Nathaniel marched behind her.
While chatting, she’d already discovered that Gabriel’s younger brother and she were practically the same age, and yet, he seemed much younger than her. He was a pleasant, good-looking fellow.
Why didn’t he invoke the same emotions his older brother had?
The path grew steeper and the impracticality of her heavy gown grew even more apparent. If Louella hadn’t purchased it for her, if she didn’t need to ride back to Sky Manor in formal company, and if she was simply able to do as she pleased, she would have happily torn off the extra material.
She shook her head ruefully. It was doubtful she’d ever shed all of her hoydenish tendencies.
By the time they had climbed the endless spiraling stairs in the somewhat crumbling tower, both she and Nathaniel were out of breath. But the view was worth the effort.
Wanting to feel all the wind and sun on her face after the long winter, Olivia pulled out a few pins and then removed her hat and set it on the floor near her feet. She then placed both hands on the half wall protecting them from falling hundreds of feet to certain death, leaned forward, and peered down.
“Can you imagine living here?” she asked into the wind. The breeze swept up the sides of the stone wall holding them up.
“I cannot, but Gabriel spent the night on an occasion or two. As the youngest, I found myself threatened with a lashing if I decided to emulate him.”
Olivia could easily imagine Gabriel doing just that. He’d utilized a gamekeeper’s cottage all the while he could have lived in the lap of luxury at Ashton Acres, for heaven’s sake.
“When did your father die?” She hadn’t meant to ask, but whereas Gabriel could be so very closed off at times, his brother was surprisingly open.
“A little over nine years now. Hit all of us hard, but Kingsley more so than the rest of us.” He slid a sideways glance her way. “My father doubled down with my oldest brother on his death bed. Drew all sorts of promises out of him. Up until then, believe it or not, Gabriel was something of a hellion.”
The Perfect Spinster: A Regency Romance (The Not So Saintly Sisters Book 2) Page 19
