“If you wish, Your Grace. That would be lovely.” Ariana lowered her gaze to the floor.
Edward turned to Bella. “Perhaps you would care to favor me with a dance?”
Bella nodded eagerly. “Oh, yes, Your Grace. I look forward to it.” She released his hand and nearly tripped into several young men standing behind her.
Edward whispered to Olivia. “I wish someone had lent me their dance card. I have no idea how many I must favor.”
Olivia leaned closer. “The one you must certainly favor is Ariana. She will surprise even you, dear Edward.” She winked at him.
Olivia walked over to Perrington’s mother, and kissed the Duchess of Straford on the cheek. “How do you do, Caro, darling? It has ever been an age.”
“Livvy, you look delightful,” the duchess said. “It has been some time, has it not? Where have you been keeping yourself?”
“Here, there, everywhere,” Olivia said. “I cannot keep still. I am on the board of so many charities I do not think there is a day that does not own one. What have you been keeping to?” She glanced at Caroline’s second son, Captain Daniel Perrington and his fiancée Lady Dorcas Cadoret talking to Ariana and Arabella. Olivia lowered her voice. “This is an interesting development is it not?”
Caroline nodded. “A very happy one. Although, I could certainly do without the fawning of the Earl of Shreve and his wife. How Dorcas managed to become the gentle creature she is...”
“That was all your influence when she was a child.” Olivia said. “Yours and Peter’s.” Peter was Elizabeth’s third son and killed in the war. He had also been secretly engaged to Dorcas for five years. They had only buried him a few months ago. Olivia touched Caroline’s shoulder and glanced at Dorcas. “Peter would be pleased I think, especially as they do seem to be in love.”
Caroline looked at Olivia with tears in her eyes. “Yes, I do think Peter would be very pleased.”
Olivia leaned over and whispered, “I’ve upset you. Forgive me.”
“No, no, ‘tis not you. A mother’s wish is all.” Caroline kissed Olivia on the cheek. “Run along now, have a good time. If I do not see you dancing by eleven, I shall send Edward to find you.”
Olivia smiled. “Oh, if I were twenty years younger.”
Caroline laughed.
Olivia turned to Ariana. “Shall we go in?”
“Yes, of course, Olivia.” Ariana grabbed her sister’s hand, and said good-bye to Dorcas and Daniel.
In the ballroom, Ariana waved to Penny. Penny smiled and waved, but then turned to William. Olivia wasn’t sure if it was intended as a cut direct or not. She should really speak to Honoria.
Olivia scanned the faces among the thickening crowd. She did not see Henry.
Constance joined her a few minutes later. “Where have you been?”
Olivia hissed, “I cannot believe you would let Reginald take you to that hotel instead of remaining at Caymore. What is he thinking? Is he trying to imply I am lacking in manners as a hostess?”
“No, do not be foolish.” Constance snapped open her fan and waved it rapidly across her cheeks. “It is no secret Olivia, you and he do not get along. He could not see staying a fortnight in a place in which he was not comfortable. He did go to Hargrave and the blasted painters have not done a lick of work, so Reginald had to fire them and now must hire a new contractor. He knew it would upset you to be deprived of all your company so he left the girls for your amusement. Where are they, by the way? I have not seen them once, and I have been here a full half hour.” Constance flicked her gaze across the room.
“We are only just arrived.” Olivia pointed. “Ariana is there with Penny. I do not see Bella.”
The musicians struck a chord, and Edward, Duke of Straford, held a lovely young woman’s arm. It was Arabella.
Constance sucked in a deep breath. “What does that foolish girl think she is doing? Her fiancé is standing right over there.” She waved her fan toward the stairs.
“Dancing, Constance,” Olivia said. “She is just going to dance. Leave her be.” Olivia knew exactly what Bella was doing. The same as Olivia had done with Henry right before her wedding to Fuzzy. Sowing her wild oats. Bella could not be expected to have only kissed one man in the whole of her entire life. She would wither away and die. Besides, Edward was not so foolish as to dally with an engaged woman.
Olivia waited along the edge of the dance floor as Edward glided Bella once around the room. Surely, everyone could see how striking they were as a couple. But Bella was far too young and too emotional for the serious Edward. Five years after his father’s death, Edward still struggled to get out from under his sire’s cursed reputation. Bella remained a giggling, gangly girl. No, Edward needed someone like Ariana, a strong, steady young woman, who could handle Edward and his dark vicissitudes.
Olivia left Constance and walked toward the terrace doors, searching for Henry. Would he be here? Had she missed him at Emmon’s? Olivia wandered the palatial mansion for a half hour before giving up. Perhaps he would be at her next party.
Olivia decided against telling anyone where she was going, too many questions, and she wasn’t even sure herself if she could go through with what Henry suggested. But she owed fate at least one chance to heal the heartbreak of the past.
Olivia walked down the hall and asked a footman for her coat and another for her carriage. As soon as the coat was placed on her shoulders, Olivia strode out the front door.
Another servant, who stood shivering in the cold holding a lantern, greeted her outside.
“What are you doing out-of-doors with no proper coat?” Olivia asked.
“Mr. Timms said I was to be in livery the whole of the night.” The boy could not have been more than ten-and-five.
“I’m sure he meant when you are serving, dearest. Now come along. Let us find you something warm.” Olivia grabbed the stunned lad by the arm and dragged him into the house.
She said to the footman at the door, “You should be ashamed of yourself for not checking on this poor boy sooner. He is frozen through.” She took the lantern from the boy and said, “Run along now to the kitchen for something warm to drink.” She turned to the footman and handed him the lantern. “You may now escort me outside and wait with me for my carriage.”
“Yes, of course, Your Grace.” The footman opened the door.
“Olivia, is something amiss?”
Olivia turned. Reginald. “No, darling, everything is fine.”
“Where are you going? You’re not leaving so soon, are you?”
“I’m afraid so. I have another party at the Earl of Endicott’s.”
“Well, is that not a fine coincidence? We received an invitation as well. Perhaps we should all go together. Shall I retrieve Constance?” Reginald turned to go.
“Perhaps your time would be better spent at Emmon’s, dearest,” Olivia said. “The Marquess mentioned he looked forward to speaking with you about the state of Parliament now that Prince George has been seated.”
Reginald smiled. “Perhaps you are right. Have a lovely evening.” He walked away.
Olivia turned, and the footman scrambled to hold the door. Outside, she said, “There, it is arrived,” and raced down the path toward the vehicle. The footman followed holding the lantern.
Her footman held the door open and she climbed inside. Henry sat in the shadows. Taken aback, Olivia gave him a guarded smile and sat next to him.
“Let us away,” she said. The footman closed the door. The carriage dipped, and then lurched forward.
Henry took her hand. “Where are you going?”
Her cheeks grew warm. “On my way to Endicott’s to see if you were there.”
Henry kissed her palm. “No need. Here I am.”
Olivia pushed John’s image from her mind. This evening with Henry was a gift from the gods she would not turn her back on. A warm flush started in her core and crept over her entire body. Could Henry Wade be as perfect as she had always dreamt him to be?
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The carriage pulled up in front of Henry’s town house. “Are we here so soon?” Olivia asked.
“Yes, darling. Shall we go inside? It is rather cold here in the carriage.”
Henry helped Olivia down and whisked her into the Hall. A footman took their coats. Henry led her into the parlour. He picked up a bouquet of white roses and handed them to her. “These are for you.”
“They’re lovely, thank you.” Olivia sniffed at the bouquet and held them in her arms. She felt as light-hearted as that of a silly school-girl instead of a middle-aged woman. She licked her lips and waited for him to speak. She had no idea what to say.
“Would you care for a drink? Brandy? Port, perhaps?” Henry walked to the corner and held up a crystal decanter.
“Brandy would be lovely.” Could she really go through with this evening? She placed the bouquet on the credenza.
Henry handed her a small glass of amber liquid. “Here’s to us, darling. Finally, us.” He raised his glass and drank.
Olivia sipped her drink and looked at Henry. She had loved him for so long in her dreams that standing there, alone with him, she had no idea what to do. This reality was much harder than anything she could ever have imagined.
Henry led her to the fireplace. “I need to speak to you. Before we go one step further.”
Olivia sank slowly onto the seat of a chair. “Very well.”
Henry leaned against the mantel. “I must confess. I have done nothing but think about you, about us, since I received your note. I’ve wanted to call on you since Catherine departed, but I could not. I thought I might have seen you during the Little Season and we could talk. But I never did.” Henry took a sip of his drink.
“I cannot explain to you how it feels to be returning to a place that tried to kill me so many times. However, what I can explain is how it feels to be leaving. Olivia, I have loved you since I was twenty. I have dreamed about you every night for the last three and a half decades. Being with you last night was something I’d only ever imagined doing. I never thought I would be able to hold you in my arms.” He shook his head and looked at her. “I cannot lose you again, Olivia. I cannot.”
Olivia’s eyes never left his.
“Even without your devotion toward Quiggins, I knew there was someone in your life. I’m sure there have been several someone’s over the course of the years.” He took another drink. “But quite honestly, I do not give a damn. This is about us, Olivia.” Henry paused. “I cannot live my life without you anymore.” Henry put his glass on the mantel, then reached for Olivia’s hands and pulled her from the chair. “I have waited almost forty years to ask this again.” He slipped a ruby ring over her finger. “Will you be my wife?”
Olivia sucked in a deep breath. “Oh, Henry.” She looked at the ring, and then at his face. How many times had she fantasized about this moment? But it had never happened. Until now.
Henry quirked his brow. “Well?”
She did not think. “Yes, yes, I will marry you,” Olivia said breathlessly.
Henry reached for her and they shared a lengthy kiss before Henry stepped back.
Olivia smiled at him. “And now are you going to take me upstairs and ravage me?”
“No. No, I am not.”
Olivia was stunned. “Why not, may I ask?”
Henry laughed. “Because I am a gentleman.”
Olivia looked at him. “You are serious.”
“Yes, Your Grace, I am.” He drained his glass, walked back to the decanter, and poured himself another. “Olivia, I love you. I have always loved you. As much as I would love to make love to you, it would not be proper. Therefore, I propose we wait until I return from Spain.”
“What? Hen-ry!.” Olivia strode across the room and held out her glass. “What do you mean, you wish to wait? Have we not waited long enough?”
Henry poured her a small tot. “Yes, my dearest one, but that is the point, is it not? What is another half a year between us?”
“Six months! That is interminable.”
Henry laughed. “I thought while I was in Spain you could plan our wedding I cannot imagine you would enjoy anything more, and you will not miss me as much if you have something to do.”
Olivia smiled at him. “I will miss you more now, you foolish man. Mayhap for your punishment, I shall leave the whole affair to the girls. If we end up with yards and yards of organdy cascading from the walls of the Manor, it will not be my fault.”
Henry gazed at her tenderly. “As long as you are my bride, I will gladly endure organdy, whatever it is.”
Olivia put up her hand and looked at her ring. “Is this a family heirloom?”
“Why do you ask?” Henry regarded her with a curious expression.
“It is simple in its design. Nothing so ornate as these.” Olivia waggled her fingers on her right hand exposing her other rings.
“This ring,” he said, and picked up her hand, “is the one I bought for you seven-and-thirty years ago.”
Olivia stared at him. Her eyes welled. “Oh, Henry. You kept it all this time.” She had often wondered over the years how Henry truly felt about her. Now she knew.
Henry put down his glass and kissed her. “Come darling, let us return to the ball, and celebrate.”
“Are you sure you do not wish to go upstairs?” Olivia asked.
“As much as it pains me to say, yes, I am sure. I do not wish to take you upstairs.”
“Very well. Let us return to the ball.” Henry Wade was as perfect as Olivia had always imagined. A true gentleman. And she was secretly relieved that she would not share his bed. As much as she loved Henry, she owed John that much.
Olivia and Henry returned to the ball and it was not long before word spread that they were engaged. Congratulations rang from every corner. Olivia held onto her single glass of champagne, and would not let anyone refill it. As the toasts grew more bawdy, Olivia excused herself from the gaiety to find the ladies withdrawing room.
“Cousin?” a voice called. “Cousin Olivia. Wait.”
Olivia turned to her left, then right. Ariana pushed through the crowd.
“I am so glad I found you at last,” Ariana said. “I hate to impose, but I am quite done in. May I have use of the carriage? I could not find my father or I would have asked for his.”
“Of course, dearest. Where is Bella?”
“Dancing. She is making a spectacle of herself with the Duke of Straford. She has danced with him four times.”
“That is alarming.” Olivia wondered at the girl’s cheeky behaviour. “Where are your parents?”
“The last I saw Mama, she and her cousins were talking by the terrace doors. I have no idea where Father is.”
Olivia reached for Ariana’s hand and then realized the poor girl could barely walk. “Oh, Ariana, forgive me. Let us find you a place to sit while I search for your mother.” Luckily, the formal parlour sat to the left of the front door. “Come with me, dearest. I know just the place for a respite.”
Olivia helped Ariana to the front parlour. She gave instructions to two footman, and left Ariana waiting for a cup of tea. Olivia knew that Reginald would not be in the ballroom, and checked the dining room first. On the second floor, Olivia spotted Ariana’s father walking toward the library. Olivia called out to him. He stopped and turned around, surprise on his face when he realized it was Olivia.
“I must speak with you,” Olivia said. “Ariana’s leg pains her and requested to leave. She also informs me that Bella has danced with Edward Perrington four times. You would do best to curb your daughter’s enthusiasm where Straford is concerned.” She smiled. “I will see Ariana home.” Then she turned and walked away.
Olivia returned to the parlour. A young man with a ghastly bandage on the left side of his face spoke with Ariana. He looked slightly familiar, but Olivia was too harried to think about it. When he caught sight of her, he rose.
Ariana tried to rise, but fell back on the sofa. “Cousin Olivia. May I present Mr.
Stephen Summerville, Bella’s fiancé.” She looked at Stephen. “Mr. Summerville, this is my mother’s cousin, Her Grace, Lady Leighton, Duchess of Caymore.”
The young man offered a bow. “Your Grace, it is very nice to make your acquaintance.”
“What happened to your face?” Olivia asked.
“Kicked by a horse, Your Grace.”
“I hope you kicked it in return.”
Mr. Summerville tried to smile.
Olivia looked at Ariana. “Are you ready to leave, dearest?” She picked up her cape from the back of a chair. “Do you need assistance?”
“Allow me.” Mr. Summerville placed his arm around Ariana’s back and gently lifted her from the sofa. He held her cane ready and when she grabbed it, he slipped her velvet shawl around her shoulders.
“Thank you, Stephen,” Ariana said.
Now Olivia understood the discord between Ariana and Bella. There was no doubt in Olivia’s mind Ariana was in love with Mr. Summerville. And it did seem that the young man had more than a passing interest in Ariana. However, in the middle was Bella, a headstrong girl likely to follow in her mother’s hysterical footsteps if she ever heard such as a whisper about Ariana and Stephen. Or perhaps Bella did know and that was why she repeatedly danced with Edward – to find a reason to cry off their engagement. If so, Bella played a dangerous game. Edward Perrington, Duke of Straford was not someone to trifle with.
Outside, Henry waited for her by the carriage. “You were not going to say good-bye?”
Olivia glanced at Mr. Summerville who helped Ariana into the carriage. She walked with Henry to the gate. The night had been perfect. Henry had been perfect. She had not wanted to ruin it by a long drawn out leave-taking. Ariana had been the ideal excuse to escape. She had planned to write Henry a note as soon as she returned to Caymore. How could she say good-bye?
“I love you, Henry. With all of my heart. Godspeed and safe journey.”
“I shall be home before you know it.” He kissed her. “I do love you, Olivia. Be well.” He leaned in for one last kiss.
Olivia touched his face, memorizing the lines and contours.
He broke away and looked at her. “I love you.” Then he returned to the house.
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