Counterfeit Earl

by Anne Herries

  shall take you and Anne in my curricle.'

  Olivia smiled. He was being so thoughtful, as was Lady Simmons. Why? Had they decided to take

  up the gauntlet against public opinion on her behalf? Or was there another, deeper reason?

  'When shall we go?'

  'Why not tomorrow noon if the weather is fine.' Lady Simmons said, coming up to them. 'I am glad

  my little jaunt found favour with you, Miss Roade Burton. It is a very pretty church, and the

  Downs are magnificent, of course.'

  Olivia nodded. 'I could not ask for anything better,' she said. 'We must hope the weather stays

  warm and dry.'

  'I am sure it will,' Lady Simmons said. 'My companion reads the seaweed, you know, and she

  believes we are due for a settled spell. Naturally, Dora will also be one of our party. You will not

  mind if she rides with you, Miss Roade Burton? I cannot deny poor Dora such a treat.'

  'Of course I do not mind,' Olivia replied. She hesitated, then, 'I should be happy if you would call

  me, Olivia, ma'am. At least in private. We do not need to be too formal, I hope?'

  'Of course not, my dear.'

  Olivia blushed as she felt Captain Denning's eyes upon her.

  'Tell me, Miss Olivia,' he said. 'Do you play bridge or whist? Anne is a clever bridge partner, but

  my preference is for whist.'

  'Captain Denning is an exacting partner,' their hostess warned. 'He does not suffer fools gladly,

  Olivia. You should be wary of him.'

  'Anne, you are unfair,' he protested but with a smile on his lips. 'I like to win,' he explained to

  Olivia. 'Though I seldom gamble for high stakes. It is not the prize but the game that matters—do

  you not agree?'

  'Oh, yes,' she said, unconsciously meeting the challenge in his eyes with one of her own. 'The

  pleasure of pitting one's wits against others. Not for gain but for it's own sake.'

  'I see we think alike,' Jack Denning remarked. 'I believe we should not be partners, Miss Olivia. It

  would be more interesting to contest the issue...Anne shall be my partner this evening, and you

  shall play with a fourth person.'

  Olivia lowered her gaze. Was she wrong to imagine that he was flirting with her a little? Or was

  he merely teasing her? She saw that he had cast off the dark mood which had held him in thrall at

  their first meeting. Why was that? Because of her—or for some other reason?

  Olivia quickly smothered the green-eyed imp of jealousy that invaded her thoughts. She had no

  right to be jealous even if Lady Simmons was his mistress. None at all! They had both offered her

  friendship at a time when she had sorely needed it, and she was grateful.

  If her foolish heart had surrendered too easily, that was her own fault. She would not allow the

  seed of jealousy to rob her of her peace of mind, nor would she betray her innermost feelings.

  'I shall look forward to the contest, sir,' she said with a lift of her chin. 'But be warned. I do not

  give way easily.'

  'No,' Jack replied. 'I did not imagine you would, Miss Olivia.'

  The remainder of the evening passed very pleasantly. Indeed, Olivia could not recall ever having

  enjoyed herself in company so well. She genuinely liked and admired Lady Simmons, who that

  evening was looking rather lovely in her gown of silver tissue. However, the spice was provided

  for Olivia by Captain Denning's enigmatic glances, and the challenge of pitting her wits against a

  demon card player, for he was certainly that.

  She herself partnered Lord Wilburton, a kindly, cheerful man, who was no novice at the game. In

  the end the honours were even, for though Olivia and her partner managed to win the first three

  hands, they afterwards went down hand after hand. However, since they were playing for minimal

  stakes, there was no great loss to anyone.

  'I vow we did not deserve to lose, Miss Olivia,' Lord Wilburton declared when the cards were

  abandoned in favour of a light supper. 'You played well, m'dear. I believe I threw away that last

  hand.'

  Olivia assured him it was no such thing. 'I believe Captain Denning was just too good for us,' she

  said and laughed.

  She was still smiling as she and Beatrice took their leave later.

  'We shall see you both tomorrow,' Jack Denning said. 'I hope you are not too cross with me for

  winning, Miss Olivia?'

  'I shall come about,' she told him, her eyes bright with excitement. 'I do not intend to give you best,

  sir. One day I shall win.'

  'Perhaps.' He looked amused. 'I shall look forward to many future contests, Miss Olivia.'

  She gave him an arch look but would not be drawn further.

  Beatrice glanced at her when they were being driven home. 'You enjoyed yourself this evening, I

  think?'

  'Yes, very much. I have seldom found company more pleasing.'

  Since their hostess, her family and friends were all some years older than Olivia, it was clear to

  her sister that Olivia's pleasure in the evening could have only one source.

  'Captain Denning seems to be a charming man,' she said. 'A little stern in his looks on occasion,

  but thoughtful. It would be wonderful if...but I rush on too fast. You have only just become

  acquainted. We must not hope for too much too soon, dearest.'

  Olivia blushed. Beatrice was very gently warning her not to place her hopes too high. She knew

  that her sister was merely trying to protect her, but she could not hide her feelings from Beatrice.

  'I know it is foolish of me,' she confessed. 'But I believe my affections are already engaged. I hope

  I did not show my preference too plainly this evening?'

  'No, I am sure not,' Beatrice replied, smiling at her reassuringly. 'I may have guessed something

  had changed in you, but no one else would notice anything untoward. Although you responded to

  Captain Denning's challenge, you showed nothing more than high spirits. Indeed, you seemed as

  much at ease with Lord Wilburton.'

  'He was kind to me, and not in the least ill-tempered because we lost,' Olivia said. 'I liked him

  very well—as I did his wife.'

  'I am sure no one could fault your behaviour at all, dearest.'

  Olivia was reassured by Beatrice's remarks. She went to bed feeling happy and looking forward

  to their outing the next day.

  Fortunately, the weather held and the sun was warm as they set out. Harry was driving Beatrice

  and Lady Simmons, and Captain Denning took up Olivia and Miss Rose.

  'This little trip was such a delightful thought,' Miss Rose remarked to Olivia as they set out just

  behind the first vehicle. 'But dear Lady Simmons is always so kind and generous.'

  'Yes, I have found her so,' Olivia agreed.

  The companion frowned. 'It is such an unfortunate thing...her husband, you know. He has been

  unkind to her. Most unkind...'

  Since Miss Rose was a gentle, placid creature, who usually kept her own counsel, this statement,

  and the force with which it was spoken, could not but make an impression on Olivia. She did not

  enquire further, however, for Lady Simmons's marital problems were not her affair.

  There was little chance for conversation with Captain Denning as he negotiated the town and then

  set out at a good pace along the highway. It was only when they reached a pleasant spot high on

  the South Downs that they had a chance 'to speak to one another properly.

  'Am I forgiven this morning?' he asked, as he handed the reins to a groom and jum
ped down to

  help the ladies. He smiled as he gave his hand to Olivia. 'I believe I was a little unkind last

  evening.'

  'Not at all, sir,' Olivia said. 'I am not such a poor mouse as to repine over a little setback.'

  'No, I do not believe anyone could describe you in such a way,' he replied.

  The look in his eyes at that moment made her blush and avert her gaze. He seemed to be

  considering her, as though analysing her character. Olivia wondered what could lie behind such a

  look. Was it possible that he was as interested in her as she in him?

  Olivia, Beatrice and Lady Simmons took a little stroll in the sunshine. High on the Downs, the

  view was magnificent, a cloudless blue sky and in the distance a sparkling, restless sea.

  Miss Rose had insisted that she would stay behind to help the servants set up their picnic.

  Cushions were placed on the dry grass for the ladies, and the gentlemen lounged on rugs spread at

  their feet. Butlers' trays were rested on little stands and large hampers opened to display a

  sumptuous buffet.

  The conversation was general. Harry and Captain Denning seemed to take to one another at once,

  as had Beatrice and Anne Simmons. They all laughed a great deal and, warmed by a gentle sun,

  Olivia was aware of a feeling of content.

  She tried not to put herself forward, but responded to Captain Denning's remarks in a friendly,

  easy manner, taking care not to let her feelings show too plainly. She had taken Beatrice's gentle

  warning to heart. It would not do to expect too much, and yet she believed her feelings must be

  returned. Surely it was not possible for her to feel so deeply if he was indifferent?

  'So, Miss Olivia,' he asked when there was a sudden lull in the conversation. 'What do you think

  of the Pavilion?'

  'It is most unusual,' she ventured.

  The Regent's house had once been a pleasant but ordinary residence, but he was gradually

  transforming it into an exotic palace with domes and spires, which were rather outrageous if the

  truth were told.

  'Unusual? Yes, it is certainly that,' Jack agreed. 'Your restraint does you credit, Miss Olivia.'

  Olivia only smiled and refused to be drawn. Conversation became general once more, and then,

  their picnic over, the party drove on to the village of Piddinghoe.

  The flint cottages and twisting main street were picturesque, but it was the church that Lady

  Simmons had brought them to see.

  'It has one of the only three Norman round towers in Sussex,' she told Olivia as they walked

  together in the churchyard. The grass had just been mown and the sharp smell of it mingled with

  wild roses in the hedgerows was the scent of .summer. 'Do you not think it very lovely?'

  'Yes, it is beautiful,' Olivia agreed. 'Thank you for suggesting the visit. I have so much enjoyed

  myself.'

  They were strolling now by the banks of the river Ouse, along which the village bordered. Lady

  Simmons glanced at her, a slightly puzzled expression in her eyes.

  'Have you, my dear? I thought you seemed a little subdued earlier.'

  'Oh, I was just feeling lazy because the sun was so warm.'

  Lady Simmons nodded, accepting her answer. 'It is very warm today,' she said, 'though one always

  feels a little breeze on the Downs.'

  Olivia smiled but saw no need to elaborate. Harry and Captain Denning were waiting by their

  separate carriages. They appeared to be having a serious conversation, but broke it off as the

  ladies arrived.

  'Ah, there you all are,' Harry said. 'Denning was about to come in search of you. We thought you

  must have been locked in the crypt.'

  'We did not see the crypt, even if there was one,' Beatrice said with a shake of her head. 'But I am

  glad Captain Denning was concerned enough to rescue us, had we needed it.'

  Harry gave her a wicked look, which she ignored.

  Jack Denning came forward to help Miss Rose and then Olivia into his curricle. Olivia thought his

  expression serious, the haunted look she had believed banished lurking in his eyes. What could

  have brought it back? Perhaps the rather serious conversation he had been having with Harry?

  'Did you enjoy your visit to the church?'

  'Very much. It has more style than the Pavilion, I think.'

  'I see you have taste as well as beauty.' He smiled at her, his expression becoming less stern. 'I

  think we must begin to make our way home. I have an engagement for this evening.'

  Olivia nodded. 'You were generous to give up so much of your time for us, sir.'

  'It was a pleasure. Perhaps you will allow me to take you for a drive along the seafront one

  morning?'

  'I should be glad to go with you, Captain Denning.'

  He nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. 'In eight days' time we shall all be attending the Regent's

  ball. I trust you do mean to be there, Miss Olivia?'

  'Yes, indeed,' she said, her head lifting a little. 'I am looking forward to it very much...'

  Over the next few days, Olivia seemed to meet Captain Denning almost everywhere. He called to

  take her driving most mornings, and they met in the evening on five separate occasions, including

  Lady Rossiter's soiree, though on that occasion Captain Denning soon disappeared into the card

  room with most of the other gentlemen. But on the evening prior to the Regent's ball, they were all

  invited to Lady Carne's house for dinner.

  'You must promise to waltz with me at least once, Miss Olivia,' Jack declared as they spoke of the

  ball. 'Or I shall think myself slighted.'

  Olivia smiled. Although several card tables had been set up that evening, they had not had the

  opportunity of playing against one another, but their verbal banter continued the challenge that had

  begun at Lady Simmons's house.

  'Perhaps if I am very favoured, you might save two for me?'

  'I might,' Olivia teased. 'The first waltz and the supper dance perhaps?'

  'I shall take that as a solemn promise.'

  Olivia could hardly be blamed if she believed his teasing, enigmatic glances meant that his

  interest was engaged. She tried to keep her head, but it was difficult when she found herself

  engulfed by a tide of emotions she had never experienced before. So, meeting Robina Perceval out

  walking on the morning of the Regent's ball, she was surprised at her friend's odd manner when

  Captain Denning's name came into their conversation.

  'What are you thinking?' Olivia asked, wrinkling her brow. 'I know there is something on your

  mind.'

  Robina blushed, looking awkward. 'I know you like him, Olivia—but I think you should be careful

  of him,' she said. 'People say...odd things of him.'

  'I don't understand. What kind of things?'

  'I heard that he had quarrelled with both his father and grandfather...' Robina hesitated, then: 'They

  say he has refused to visit his father, who is dying—and he has sworn never to marry. He dislikes

  and distrusts women.'

  'Oh, surely not!' cried Olivia, whose experience of the Captain had been very different. 'He is

  always so pleasant and charming to me and to every lady he meets.'

  'I know he seems to be,' Robina agreed. 'But Lady Exmouth heard that he has refused to do his duty

  by the Heggan family. Lord Heggan told him he must marry and provide the family with an heir—

  and he refused.'

  'Oh, is that all?' Olivia laughed at her friend's serious expression. 'Perha
ps he simply does not

  wish to marry for such a reason.'

  Her unruly heart took Captain Denning's refusal to do his duty by the family as a sign that, like her,

  the Captain would marry only for love. It confirmed all her romantic ideals, and made her even

  more sure that he was the man she could love.

  She was eager for their meeting that night and unheeding of her friend's warning, because she

  knew it was already too late for caution. She had fallen deeply in love for the first time in her life,

  and was determined that she would have Jack Denning for her husband or no one.

  Chapter Five

  You might perhaps have a word with Olivia, dearest,' Harry Ravensden remarked to his wife as

  he dismissed her maid after she had finished dressing that evening. 'Here, let me fasten that

  necklace.' His fingers lightly caressed the back of her neck. 'Beautiful... quite lovely.' It was his

  wife he was referring to, not the new pendant necklace of emeralds and diamonds he had just

  given her.

  'You spoil me, Harry.' Beatrice turned to gaze up at him, her eyes lovelier to him than any jewels.

  'I know what you mean, of course. Olivia is obviously in love, though she tries to hide it behind a

  flirtatious manner.'

  'Nevertheless, her preference for Denning has been remarked,' Harry said with a frown. 'I simply

  feel she ought to be careful. You know how people love to talk. After the unfortunate episode last

  year...she needs to be even more circumspect than other young ladies are. Otherwise, her

  reputation could be damaged further.'

  'Oh, surely not?' Beatrice was immediately concerned for her sister. 'She has done nothing wrong,

  Harry.'

  'No, of course not. I did not mean to imply that she had. Certainly not! It was always more my fault

  than Olivia's. I meant only to point out that this could rebound on Olivia if Denning does not come

  up to scratch.'

  'Do you think he will not?' Beatrice looked at him anxiously.

  'I have heard that he has refused to marry to oblige Lord Heggan. From my own observations, I

  would say Denning is attracted to Olivia, but not contemplating marriage at this moment.'

  'Oh, Harry,' Beatrice cried. 'I do pray you are wrong. I should hate Olivia to be hurt...'

  'So would I,' Harry agreed. He as much as his wife understood that they both owed a great deal to