by Anne Herries
of course he adores you.'
'Yes, of course.' Olivia had long since regretted her sharp words that morning. She would take the
first opportunity that came her way to apologise to Jack. 'Yes, he does love me, even if he does
not always show it.'
'Some men bottle their feelings inside them,' Lady Burton said. 'Do not be upset if your husband
does not follow you like a puppy on leading strings. I believe he is a good, kind man. I am happy
to see you wed to him, Olivia.'
'Thank you,' she said and got up to go over and kiss Lady Burton's cheek. 'I am so glad you came to
stay, Aunt.'
Lady Burton squeezed her hand. 'I loved you when you were a spoiled girl,' she said. 'But I love
you even more now that you have become a woman of compassion and generosity.'
'And I love you as a friend and as my dearest aunt,' Olivia said. 'I dare say Jack and Lord
Gransden will not be back for hours. I think we should have tea now and not wait for them, do you
not agree?'
'There is never any telling when gentlemen will return from a jaunt,' Lady Burton replied with a
wry smile. 'Who knows how far they have gone in search of their horses? They may go on
somewhere else or stop to dine at an inn before they come home.'
Olivia rang the bell. Lady Burton had made her realise that it was foolish to be angry with Jack
over such a little thing, especially as she knew what a strain he was under. She would find a few
moments to be alone with him that evening, and try to heal the breach between them.
When the gentlemen did not return by seven, Olivia ordered that dinner be served to her and Lady
Burton in the breakfast parlour.
'It is smaller and more cosy for the two of us,' she said to her aunt with a smile. 'We may be
comfortable here together.'
After dinner they retired to Olivia's own parlour, where they spent the evening talking. Lady
Burton was working on a piece of stitching, which she showed to Olivia on request.
'It is a christening gown,' she said. 'I am making it as a gift for you, my dear.'
'How beautiful,' Olivia said, examining the lace with care. She felt a tearing pain in her heart as
she remembered that it would never be worn by Jack's child, but managed to hide her hurt, behind
a smile. 'You always were clever with your needle. You made such lovely clothes for my poor
Betsy.'
At ten o'clock, Lady Burton retired to her bed. 'You will forgive me, Olivia,' she said, 'but I am
not used to late hours these days. If I were you I should seek your own bed. When two gentlemen
go off together there is no telling but what they may stay out all night.'
'Yes, I think I shall retire soon,' Olivia said. She accompanied Lady Burton to her room, then went
along the landing to her own.
It seemed pointless to wait up, yet even after she had allowed Rosie to help her into her night-
chemise Olivia was reluctant to seek her bed. She had not expected Jack to stay out so late; he had
never done such a thing until now. She wished he had told her they might not be back that evening,
and could not help the little nagging voice in her head that whispered he might have been injured.
No, no, she must not allow her imagination to run away with her. Jack was not harmed. He would
return to her when he was ready.
It was as she was about to retire to her bed that something alerted her, some slight sound outside
—as if someone had knocked against one of the stone vases on the terrace. She crossed over to her
window, which was opened a little, and glanced out. In the moonlight she could see two men, and
from their behaviour it was clear that one or both were more than a little the worse for strong
drink.
'Oh, Jack,' Olivia said, shaking her head as she turned away to pull on a dressing-robe. 'How
could you?'
She was at the head of the stairs when the two men entered the hall. From where she stood, it
appeared that Jack was the more intoxicated of the two and was being supported by his friend.
The Viscount glanced up as she began to walk towards them, an odd smile in his eyes. 'Lady
Stanhope, I hope you will forgive me for allowing your husband to get into this state. I did warn
him, but he would not listen.'
'Not drunk, Olivia,' Jack muttered. 'Just a little bosky. Go to bed.'
'You are the one who needs your bed,' she replied as he seemed to sway on his feet. 'Can you help
him upstairs, Lord Gransden? Or shall I summon Jenkins?'
'Library,' Jack said, his voice slightly slurred. 'Sleep it off there, Gransden. Mustn't disturb
Olivia.'
'It might be wiser,' the Viscount said apologetically to her. 'Never seen Jack this way. Always
carries his drink well.'
Olivia followed behind as Viscount Gransden helped her husband to the library. She watched Jack
as he lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes. Was he so desperately unhappy? She had known he
stayed on here alone to drink after she had retired for the night, but she had not thought he ended in
this state. Why had he taken too much wine this evening?
'Will he be all right there?' she asked. Jack's heavy breathing seemed to indicate that he had fallen
asleep. 'Perhaps I should ask one of the footmen to bring a blanket to cover him.'
'He will do well enough as he is,' Gransden said. She saw the excited glitter in his eyes as they
went over her, and was reminded that she was wearing very little clothing. 'By God, you're a
beauty! Stanhope is a fool if he does not bed you every night.'
'How dare you!' Olivia cried, incensed. 'You may not speak to me this way, sir. I shall not permit
it. Whatever my husband chooses to do is none of your affair. I do not know what he may have
said to you, but it makes no difference. I love him and no other!'
'Such passion,' Gransden said, a gleam of appreciation in his eyes. 'Stanhope told me nothing. I
never knew such a close-mouthed fellow, even when in his cups. All he would say was that he had
let you down.' He moved towards her, suddenly eager. 'If he cannot behave as a husband to you,
Olivia, let me show...'
'Come no nearer!' Olivia warned. She reached for the bell-rope and tugged it sharply. 'Be aware,
sir! If you attempt to touch me, I shall have my servants throw you out.'
Gransden stared at her in amazement, then to her surprise he began to laugh. 'No, no, madam, I beg
you will not go to such lengths to protect your honour. Stanhope's behaviour led me to believe that
things were not right between you. I would have seduced you if you were willing—but you have
no need to fear me. I have never forced a woman yet, and I have no taste for it.'
'I am glad to hear it, sir,' Olivia replied, relieved that he appeared at last to have accepted her
rebuff. 'Whatever is between Jack and me is private. I beg you to respect that and to believe that I
love him truly. There will never be another man for me.'
She turned as one of the footmen entered in response to her summons. 'Ah, Thomas. His lordship
has been celebrating a little too freely, I fear. Will you look after him for me, please? I should not
wish him to come to harm.'
'You may rely on me, milady,' said Thomas, who like the rest of the household had become her
devoted follower. 'I shall fetch a blanket to cover him, then stay here all night to watch over his
lordship.'
'Thank you,' she said and smiled at him. 'Good nig
ht, Lord Gransden. Pray do not trouble yourself
to wait up. My husband is in good hands.'
'Good night, Lady Stanhope. Jack is a fortunate man to find such understanding in his wife—and so
I shall tell him.'
Olivia nodded and left the room. She was thoughtful as she walked upstairs. It had disturbed her to
see her husband intoxicated. If their situation was making Jack so very unhappy perhaps she ought
to let him go. It might be better if they lived apart. She would not agree to a divorce, but she could
choose to spend much of her time with Lady Burton or her sister.
Chapter Eleven
Olivia saw nothing of her husband until late morning the following day. She was once again
arranging some roses in a silver bowl when he entered her sitting-room.
Jack stood watching her cut the stems in silence for a moment, then made an odd sound in his
throat as he said, 'I must apologise for last evening, Olivia.'
'It does not signify. I worried that you might have met with an accident, but it matters not since you
were unharmed. I believe gentlemen do sometimes indulge too freely in their wine.'
'I have never before gone beyond what was acceptable. It was not my intention to do so last
evening. I fear I did not notice my glass being refilled... though that does not excuse what
happened.'
'Then we shall forget the incident.' Olivia could not bring herself to look at him lest she betray her
grief at being the cause of so much pain to him.
'Gransden tells me he intends to leave this afternoon. It seems he has pressing business elsewhere.'
'Then we must not detain him.'
'No...' He hesitated uncertainly. 'I must also beg your pardon for what was said between us
yesterday morning. It was unnecessary, untrue and cruel of me.'
'Yes, it was,' Olivia replied. She raised her eyes to meet his. 'But I was sharp with you, Jack. I
pray you will forgive me? And believe I have no desire to be in any man's arms but yours?'
'I have always known that in my heart, Olivia. My jealousy made me strike out at you. It is this
damnable situation between us!'
'Do you think I do not understand that?' Her eyes were moist with tears she would not shed. 'We
both suffer terribly...' He was silent, clearly feeling unable to answer her. Olivia swallowed hard,
realising that she must speak if she wanted to save him further pain. 'I think it might be better for us
both if I went to stay with Lady Burton until we decide what to do for the best. No one will think it
odd if I wish to see her safely home.'
A look of such intense pain crossed Jack's face that she instantly regretted having spoken the
words, but it was too late to take them back.
'I do not want a divorce, Jack. Just some time to heal the hurt that is causing us both so much grief.'
Jack inclined his head, his expression wooden. 'Of course. You are very right to suggest it, Olivia.
It may be the best for us both,' he said, then turned and strode from the room.
Olivia closed her eyes as the misery swept over her. How could she bear it? Her life was
effectively over. She would never be happy again. How could she be when she must forever live
apart from the only man she would ever love? Yet she could not bear to see him so desperate, to
know that being near her was agony for him.
Olivia raised her head. If they must part, then let the break be made at once. To prolong their
agony could only cause unnecessary pain for them both. She loved Jack too much to destroy him.
She would give orders for her clothes to be packed and leave in the morning.
*
'I take my leave of you with regret,' Viscount Gransden said after nuncheon that day. 'You will ask
Stanhope to forgive me for not waiting to make my farewells to him?'
'Yes, of course,' Olivia replied. 'He had urgent business with one of his tenants I believe. I know
he will be sorry to have missed you.'
Gransden nodded. 'Forgive me if I pressed you too hard. It is a failing with me; I must always go
to the edge. I fear I have been used to having my way more than is good for me. Believe me when I
say that in future I shall stand your friend. No word of this visit shall leave my lips outside this
house. I am sincere when I say that Stanhope is a very fortunate man in his bride.'
'You are gracious, sir—and I shall forgive the slight misunderstanding between us.'
She smiled at him. He was after all a charming man and not the first to try his powers of seduction
on her. She offered him her hand. He held it for a moment, then turned and walked from the room.
Olivia was about to go in search of her aunt when Mrs Jenkins came in.
'I am sorry to disturb you, milady, but one of the grooms has been here a few minutes ago. He says
that Brutus is healing well but...' She pulled a face. 'It seems the poor creature is off his food. It is
my opinion that he is pining for you.'
'Oh, my poor Brutus,' Olivia cried, stricken by remorse. 'I have been so concerned with other
matters that I have not visited him for two days. I shall go at once.'
Mrs Jenkins smiled her satisfaction. 'I thought you would say that, milady. I took the liberty of
sending Rosie for your shawl, and I have packed a basket with tidbits that may tempt the creature's
appetite.' She glanced round as the maid knocked and then came in with Olivia's shawl. 'Ah, here
is Rosie now.' She took the heavy silk shawl and placed it around Olivia's shoulders. 'The wind is
quite cool this afternoon. I believe it may be a foretaste of autumn. We do not want you catching a
chill, do we?'
'Thank you for your care of me.' Olivia smiled at her. She would miss Mrs Jenkins when she left
here. 'I shall be accompanying Lady Burton to her home tomorrow. Will you have my clothes
packed?'
'Will it be a long stay, milady?'
Olivia hesitated. She could not bring herself to tell the housekeeper that she would not be
returning. Besides, she could always send for the rest of her things later.
'I am not sure how long I shall stay,' she replied. 'Just a small trunk will suffice for the moment.'
'Very well, milady. I shall give the orders now.'
Olivia smiled but her eyes were shadowed by sadness as she walked from the room. She had not
considered what to do with Brutus when she left Briarwood, and it would obviously not be
suitable for a large dog to live in her aunt's small house at Bath. He was used to being able to
roam in the countryside at will, and would feel trapped if he were prevented from running free.
She supposed he would have to be left behind as well, and she could only hope that like Jack he
would forget her in time—as she must try to forget them.
Jack was frowning as he left his horse at the stables and began to walk round to the front of the
house. He had meant to return sooner so that he could be present when Gransden took his leave,
but his business had taken longer than he expected. His friendship with Leander Gransden had
received a severe knock these past few days and he thought it might not be possible to retrieve the
situation.
He would regret that, but the circumstances of his forced estrangement from Olivia had made him
lose control of his emotions in a way that was foreign to. him. He knew that Gransden was a
hardened rake and he might have expected some show of interest in Olivia, for she was the kind of
woman who would always attract other
men. However, Jack was not normally a jealous man and
would in other circumstances have been amused rather than angered by Gransden's obvious efforts
to seduce his wife. Efforts he was well aware had gathered no reward.
He had not been quite as intoxicated as Olivia thought him the previous evening, and though his
eyes were closed, his head a little unsteady, his hearing had remained unimpaired. He was well
aware that Olivia had seen off Gransden's clumsy attempt to take advantage of her. Only her
prompt action had prevented him from betraying his fury, though afterwards, he had seen the
amusing side of the affair.
He had gone to his wife's parlour that morning to apologise, in the hope that they might find some
way of salvaging at least the shreds of their marriage, but Olivia's words had nearly torn the heart
out of his breast.
It was what he had been preparing for ever since he discovered his father's madness...but now that
Olivia seemed to have accepted the need for them to live apart he had discovered that he could not
bear to let her go. Somehow he must find an answer to... Surely that was Heggan's carriage drawn
up outside the house!
Jack's heart began to race wildly. His grandfather had come in answer to his letter. At last he
would know the truth, however unpalatable that might be. He would know then what he must do to
safeguard Olivia's future.
He strode into the house, waving Jenkins aside. 'Yes, I know the earl is here—in the front
parlour?'
'Yes, milord.'
'Is her ladyship with him?'
'No, milord. I believe she went out.'
Jack nodded but did not stay to question Jenkins further. He was in a fever of impatience to greet
his grandfather. At least there would be an end to uncertainty.
The Earl was standing by the window gazing out as Jack entered. He turned and frowned as he
saw him.
'Forgive me, sir. Had I known you...'
The Earl held up his hand to stop him. 'No, Jack. It is I who should beg your pardon. I fear I have
caused you much grief...'
'So it is true then?' Jack turned a ghastly shade of grey. He had hoped so much his grandfather
would deny it but now he saw that the older man was deeply troubled. 'No, do not blame yourself,
sir. It was my choice to marry...'
