by Ava Stone
Staveley dabbed his lips with his napkin, then smiled. “Alex, I was just on my way to the library.”
Not that this was a surprise. The man practically lived in his own library in Curzon Street. “A new set of old tomes awaits your perusal?” he asked as he filled a plate at the sideboard.
“Indeed.” Staveley nodded as he rose from his seat. Then he dropped a kiss on his wife’s head and squeezed her shoulder. “Do try not to get into any trouble, my love.”
Caroline grinned up at him, her hazel eyes sparkling. “Staveley, you make me sound like a child. I do not get into trouble.”
Alex snorted at that and slid into a spot opposite the troublesome viscountess, who shot him a murderous look.
“Oh, that is priceless coming from you, darling,” she replied with an affronted brow.
“Touché,” he answered with a wink. He truly did adore Caroline. She was the exact opposite of Staveley and had kept the man on his toes for more than a dozen years. In Alex’s opinion, Caroline’s zest for life kept Staveley young, despite his reclusive leanings. The man would be a hermit if not for his meddlesome wife.
As Staveley started his retreat to the door, Caroline called out to him, “Darling, promise me you won’t hole yourself up in there for the rest of the day. Your son was hoping you’d play chess with him this afternoon.”
Staveley nodded. “Yes, my love. Adam and I have an appointment set for after luncheon.” Then he escaped into the hallway.
Caroline turned her calculating eyes on Alex. “Darling, have you acquainted yourself with Miss Avery? She is quite accomplished. Her watercolors are simply inspired and she is such a sweet girl. I’m certain if—”
“You’re interfering again,” Alex remarked as he sliced up a sausage on his plate.
Caroline pursed her lips and drummed her fingers on the table. “Shouldn’t there be some moratorium to our agreement? After all, it’s been two years, Alex, and I haven’t plagued you even once.”
At that moment, Lady Juliet slid through the door, a smile alighting her pretty face. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Alex answered with a wink, then turned his attention back to Caroline. “And the lovely Juliet has enjoyed two happy years of marriage. When she ceases being happy, we can reconsider our agreement.”
Juliet slumped down in a chair next to Alex, glaring at her sister-in-law. “Caroline, certainly you’re not trying to renegotiate?”
With a look of feigned innocence, the viscountess shrugged. “It was worth a try. The man needs someone’s help, and who better than me?”
Juliet slid Alex a look of commiseration. “It’s only because she cares so much about you. And truly, her matches seem made in heaven.”
Caroline nodded fervently. “And Miss Avery is—”
“I am not the least bit interested in Miss Avery.” Other than what the girl could tell him about Olivia, since they’d grown up together.
Caroline furrowed her brow. “Well, then Miss Greywood is quite a charming girl, and—”
Alex leveled her with a stare. “I will handle my own affairs, Caroline. That was the agreement we made, and I am holding you to it.”
“B-but,” she sputtered, “darling, it can’t be Cousin Olivia.”
His eyes narrowed on her. Apparently he hadn’t been careful enough with his attentions. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about, Caroline.”
Exasperated she pushed back her chair and paced in front of him. “Oh, for Heaven’s sake, Alex. I’m not blind, you know.”
“I’m well aware of that.” In fact, she saw much more than he was comfortable with. She always had. Caroline was more perceptive than any woman of his acquaintance, tender hearted and always willing to play the role of confidante—which was a lethal combination.
In his younger days, Alex had unwisely confided some of the darker secrets of his past to her before he’d even realized she’d extracted the information from him. He’d been more on guard ever since. Still, she was a dangerous woman to spend an inordinate amount of time with.
Caroline glanced at him with a look of sympathy, which was unnerving. No one ever looked at him like that. “Darling, you know how much I adore you. I just don’t want you to set your heart on Olivia. She’s betrothed to her childhood sweetheart and is just awaiting his return from the continent so they can marry. Much as I want you to find happiness with someone, and I applaud your excellent taste as always, Olivia isn’t that woman.”
The situation was not up for debate, and certainly not with her. Caroline had promised not to interfere, and he would see that she kept her word in that regard. He steeled his features and raised his brow. “I’ve been keeping my own council for nearly three decades, Caro, and I will continue to do so. I appreciate your concern, but I’m a grown man, and I am capable of taking care of myself. Thank you.”
Most women would be miffed with his curt tone and dismissive words, but not Caroline. She simply sighed and shook her head. “Since there is nothing I can say that will make you see reason, just proceed with caution.”
With nothing left to say, Alex agreed with a stiff nod.
He sat for an excruciating period of time, hoping that Olivia would come down for breakfast, but she didn’t arrive. After listening to incessant giggling from her three rather silly friends, he finally left the breakfast room. Moments later he crossed paths with James, dressed for riding.
“Hunting?” his friend asked, lifting his crop in the air.
“Hunting?” Alex shook his head. “I think not. My prey of choice doesn’t live in the woods.”
With a look of chagrin, James chuckled. “Miss Danbury, I suppose?”
“Hmm.” Alex turned the corner towards the library, where he was sure Staveley was happily thumbing his way through the Prestwick tomes. Then he stopped and turned to look at James with assessing eyes. He could actually use his friend’s council. “What is your opinion of the girl?”
“Does it matter? The die is cast, is it not?”
“Humor me.”
“In that case, I think she’s a bit young for you. She’s closer to Liam’s age than yours.”
So, James wasn’t going to give him a real answer. Well, damn him! There were plenty of men of their acquaintance who had married women with a much more significant age difference than there was between him and Olivia. Besides, women closer to his age were already married or old maids—for a reason. “I’m afraid your son will just have to find his own bride.”
“Isn’t…wasn’t she betrothed to someone else, Alex?” James asked warily.
Minor details. “He left her to seek glory on the battlefield and I wish him the best of luck in that regard. But if Moore had any real desire to marry her, he should have done so before he left for the continent. Olivia is fair game, as far as I’m concerned.”
James furrowed his brow and hastened his pace to keep up with Alex. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? She’s a lovely girl, but a bit innocent for you. Chrissakes, Alex, she’s a lot innocent for you.”
Well, of course she was. That was one of her endearing qualities. He had never been tempted to settle down with any of the harlots or tarts he normally associated with. There was a certain sort of woman one dallied with, and another sort one married. Olivia was definitely the latter, and if last night was any indication of how they would go on, Alex looked forward to slowly continuing to instruct her on how exactly to lose that innocence and become his perfect duchess.
However at the moment, he was starting to get annoyed that he’d even asked James’ opinion. Apparently his old, hypocritical friend had a very selective memory. “I believe the same could have been said about you, Carteret, when you finally met Bethany at the altar.”
Finally, James smirked. “That was a long time ago.”
“You were just as debauched as either Simon or myself, and Beth was as pure as freshly fallen snow.”
James chuckled and slapped Alex’s back. “Fine, mon ami. I’ll just w
ish you the best of luck… I’ll refrain from mentioning that you could already be married to the girl, if you’d let Staveley force your hand.”
So much for not mentioning it. Alex merely shrugged. “I don’t want her to have to marry me, James. I want her to want to.”
Livvie blinked her eyes open as sunlight filtered in through her window. She thought she’d heard something. Ah, there it was. She turned her head towards the sound and realized that someone was knocking on her door. “Come in,” she called, though it sounded as if a frog had croaked it.
Her door opened and Cordie bounded inside, a brilliant smile across her face. “Heavens, Livvie, are you going to sleep the day away?”
She struggled to sit up and shook her head. “What time is it?”
“Almost time for lunch. And I have so much to tell you.”
“You do?” Livvie asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, then threw off the counterpane.
Cordie was nearly bouncing on her toes. “He kissed me.”
Last night’s kiss in Kelfield’s room flashed in Livvie’s mind and her heart raced. “Who?” she asked.
Cordie threw her arms around Livvie’s waist, beaming with joy. “Gabriel, of course.”
Had she been sleeping more than one day? Livvie had no idea who Gabriel was, and she shook her head. “Who?” she asked again.
“Captain Seaton. Gabriel.”
Livvie had no idea that was the captain’s Christian name. But she should have realized it. She must still be half asleep.
Then Cordie dropped into one of Livvie’s chairs and stared up at the ceiling. “Oh, Livvie, he takes my breath away. I’ve been dying to tell you all morning long. But Lady Staveley said you needed your rest, that you must still not be feeling well.” She lifted her head and stared at Livvie. “You look all right to me. How are you feeling?”
That was certainly the question of the day. Sleep had eluded her most of the night. Whenever she closed her eyes, she could feel Alex’s lips on hers again and she wished she hadn’t fled his room. What must the man think of her? Most likely that she was a foolish child. It was better not to think of the duke. It was better to focus on other things.
“I’m fine.” She plastered a smiled to her lips and moved to the chair opposite Cordie. “So the captain kissed you?”
Cordie sat forward and clasped Livvie’s hands. “Oh! It was heavenly. Truly,” she gushed. “Last night after you retired, Phoebe played the harp, I sang, and Felicity played the pianoforte—not as well as you would have—”
Livvie smiled at Cordie’s blind loyalty. She’d heard Felicity play once or twice since they’d arrived and she was perfectly fine.
“But since Kelfield never made an appearance, by the way, I think I have come to agree with you. The man is simply rude beyond compare. He must have known that everyone wanted to impress him with their talents, and he stayed away intentionally. And then at breakfast this morning, he looked at the three of us as if we were some hideous species he wasn’t familiar with. The man is quite disconcerting. Now having met him, I am not quite certain what all the fuss is about. I think—”
Livvie knew exactly what all the fuss was about. If he kissed every woman like he did her, it was no wonder they all fell at his feet. “Cordie, you were telling me about Captain Seaton.”
Her friend blushed and her soft green eyes sparkled. “Yes, well, after Phoebe and Felicity retired, as the duke wasn’t around to entertain, I found myself alone. And since it was such a perfect night I thought I’d go for a short walk in the garden. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and all of the stars twinkled like diamonds. And when I tilted my head back to see the stars above me, Gabriel came up from behind me and slid his arm around my waist.”
“That sounds very romantic.”
“Oh, but that’s not even the best part, Livvie. He whispered in my ear how beautiful I was and that he would carry my image with him when he went back to sea.” Cordie sighed and then flashed another brilliant smile at Livvie. “And then he kissed me. I felt certain I was floating in the clouds.”
Cordie certainly had the look of a girl in love, and Livvie squeezed her friend’s hand affectionately. “I am so happy for you.”
“Did you feel like this? With Philip?”
She couldn’t remember ever feeling like she was floating in the clouds and she didn’t remember her toes ever curling. Philip must have been away for far too long. Shouldn’t she remember those things? What if she’d never felt them? Was that possible? Livvie forced a smile to her face and nodded, thinking of Alex’s heated kiss instead. “Yes, of course.”
Cordie frowned at her. “You don’t have to pretend with me, you know. I am awful and insensitive. I didn’t mean to make you miss Philip.”
Livvie shook her head and then embraced her dearest friend. “Cordelia Avery, you’re not awful. And I’m very happy for you. Let me dress and we’ll celebrate… Isn’t Captain Seaton waiting for you now?”
“No. The men have gone hunting this morning.”
Thank heavens. She wouldn’t have to face Alex. At least not yet. It would be quite a difficult thing to do after last night.
“Ah, I didn’t realize the room was occupied,” Captain Seaton remarked as he entered the yellow parlor.
Alex dropped The Times to his lap. The naval office was a bit stuffy for his taste. Still, the man was better company than the young women milling about the hallways. He gestured to an overstuffed chair opposite him. “I thought you went hunting with the others.”
The captain nodded. “Aye. Foolish of me. I have sea legs, not a seat for riding.” He crossed the floor and sat across from Alex, his back straight as a board. “Anything of note?” he asked, pointing at the paper.
Alex tossed The Times to the captain. “Prinny met with more than ten thousand returned troops in Hyde Park.” But apparently Olivia’s Major was not among them, or he’d be here now. No, Philip Moore was still somewhere on the continent, where Alex hoped he would stay for a very long time.
“Hmm.” Seaton began to scan the paper. “And foreign dignitaries as well?”
“Will you retire, with the war over?” Honestly, the man seemed too stiff for civilian life.
“No.” The man frowned at him. “Just because Napoleon is on Alba does not mean England’s shores should be left unprotected.”
Which wasn’t what Alex had suggested. Before he could respond, he was distracted by soft feminine laughter coming from the hallway. He looked towards the open door, and caught sight of Olivia walking down the corridor, arm-in-arm with Cordelia Avery. The captain, however, missed it as he was still glaring at Alex.
Completely distracted, Alex rose from his seat and started for the door.
“Kelfield?” the captain called after him.
But he paid the man no attention and quit the room.
Olivia was just rounding a corner in front of him. She wore a soft yellow dress that flowed gently about her slender legs and tempting bottom. He could still catch her, if he quickened his pace—which he did. Then he stopped in the middle of the corridor and assumed a carefree position. “Miss Danbury?”
Her spine straightened at the sound of his voice, and Alex couldn’t help but smirk. It was good that he was already affecting her, and he looked forward to their next encounter.
She and Miss Avery turned around to face him.
“Olivia,” he drawled softly, watching a pretty pink blush stain her cheeks.
“Yes?” she whispered.
He closed the gap between them and reached for her hand, which she tentatively placed in his. Alex gazed into her hazel eyes as he pressed his lips to her gloved fingers. “Go riding with me today.”
Miss Avery sucked in a surprised breath, not that Alex or Olivia paid her a bit of attention. Their eyes were only for each other—his searching hers for some depth or acknowledgement of their connection, and hers begging him not to do this in front of her friend. He reluctantly released her hand and nodded. “Please go rid
ing with me today,” he amended.
She swallowed and then shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I have plans.”
“Change them.”
Olivia turned her attention to her companion. “Cordie, I’ll meet you in the music room directly.”
“Livvie!” her friend uttered in shock.
“I’ll be along shortly.”
It was quite obvious that Miss Avery did not want to leave her friend alone with Alex, and she kept her eyes level on him. When Olivia whispered something in her ear, Cordelia Avery sighed unhappily, but then left them alone in the corridor.
As soon as she was out of eyesight, Olivia grabbed Alex’s arm and towed him into the closest empty room. “What are you doing?”
He closed the door behind them, then turned to face her. She was lovely, and he was dying to have her back in his arms, to have her lips back on his. “Go riding with me, Olivia, and I’ll answer all of your questions.”
She shook her head and folded her arms across her middle. “I can’t go riding with you. I shouldn’t even be alone with you, Alex.”
“Why not?” he pressed, taking one of her hands in his.
“B-because,” she stammered, and waved her free arm between the small space that separated them.
“Because of the connection that’s between us? Sweetheart, that’s exactly why you should go riding with me.”
“Do you ever take no for an answer?”
“Never,” he responded. “Not when it’s important.”
Olivia chewed her bottom lip and wrung her hands. “Important?”
“Give me today, Olivia. I’m just trying to catch up. Moore has known you all his life, and I’m just trying to even the playing field, so to speak.”
“Alex! I am marrying Philip and last night I met all of your conditions. Please don’t make this difficult for me.”
It was difficult for her. Perfect. He couldn’t help but smile. If she didn’t feel something for him, if she wasn’t drawn to him, it would be easy to reject him. Difficult was good. “I can’t let you marry Moore, sweetheart, just because he had the good fortune to grow up outside Papplewick.”
