Love Reacquainted (Loves of London Book 1)

by Kate Rolin

  “No, of course not. Not whomever, but I want to do right by Josef. So if she is successful, we will obviously not be staying with her forever. However, finding him a tutor is my first priority. I want him to have a fine education.”

  “You know your father left more than enough to see to your welfare. I’ve made sure your inheritance has been invested wisely and you won’t want for anything.”

  “I know, and I appreciate all you’ve done to help, Cyrus. Papa did think of everything. He even made sure I was educated more than the typical girl, but I want Josef to be able to attend university one day. As soon as Elizabeth returns, I shall look into finding a tutor.”

  “I can make a few inquiries if you’d like.”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you Cyrus.”

  At that, they walked along in silence until reaching Olivia’s door.

  “This is my room.”

  “I know.”

  Olivia arched a shapely brow.

  “I know most of what goes on in my own home.”

  “Except for wayward footmen and their misguided affections.”

  Cyrus chuckled, “Well, I did say most of what goes on.” He couldn’t help thinking she looked adorable with that teasing half-smile she gave him.

  Without warning, he lifted his hand to caress a golden-red curl that had slipped from her nightcap, managing to avoid ripping off any blasted frills. He heard Olivia suck in her breath as he ran his thumb down her cheek and whispered, “Goodnight, Olivia.”

  “Goodnight, Cyrus,” she breathed. She turned to slip inside the door and did not look back.

  Dazed, she curled onto the settee near the fire that was still burning inside the sitting room. A maid must have rekindled it while she was out. She opened her book with every intention to read it, but after staring at the same page for twenty minutes, she sighed and closed it. Might as well give up.

  Olivia climbed back into bed and pulled green covers up around her chin. She was feeling emotions she had not known still existed within her. Unlike what she had felt for Karl. She’d loved him, yes, but this was different—as if a flame she thought had been extinguished was rekindled inside of her and beginning to grow. She felt very much like that sixteen-year-old girl again from many years ago.

  Suddenly her eyes flew open.

  She realized she still wanted Cyrus. Very much.

  Oh, dear!

  Chapter Five

  Olivia did not know if she felt relief or disappointment at Cyrus’s absence the following morning. He had made good on his promise of having business to attend to, and her self-admission of the prior evening—not to mention their entire encounter—left her feeling flustered. She secretly wondered if he had sensed her feelings and thought it best to be gone intentionally, or that her initial worry that he was unhappy she was here was more accurate.

  But, he had touched her, not the other way around.

  Not that it mattered anyway, she knew he only saw her as little Olivia. He’d called her that countless times in the past. She was making more out of this than there actually was, she was sure of it. Olivia resolved to think no more on him for the rest of the morning.

  “I wish His Grace was here so he could show me the library himself,” Josef turned disappointed eyes on Olivia.

  So much for that, she thought. “Well, you know his departure could not be helped. Besides, Charles will take us there directly, as soon as you finish your breakfast.”

  At that, Josef set to work scarfing down the remainder of what was left on his plate. After one more swig of juice to wash it all down, he swiped his sleeve across his mouth and declared, “Ready!”

  Not five minutes later, they were being led down the hall by Charles to the library. Olivia now knew the way thanks to her nighttime excursion, but would not breathe a word to disappoint Josef at not being the first to see it. Josef chattered the whole way with Charles who merely responded with “Yes”, “No”, or “Hmm” to most of it. Olivia thought she noticed a smile or two break through his face though.

  When they arrived at the door to the library, Charles paused. For dramatic affect, Olivia smiled to herself. When he finally opened it, Josef rushed in with Olivia following.

  “Look Mutter! Books...everywhere!” He clapped his hands in excitement, then grabbed his mother’s hand and pulled her to the center of the room.

  Olivia did not have to fake a first impression. The light pouring in from the large window at the far end transformed the room as if it was a new one entirely. Looking around in admiration, she said softly, “It’s so beautiful!”

  “I believe I know just the books that would interest the lad. If you would, right this way.” At that, Josef skipped after Charles to the other end of the room.

  Olivia realized now that she had not really been able to read any of the titles last night in her rush to leave. In fact, she still hadn’t the faintest idea what the book she had chosen was even about. She walked over to the nearest section of books and began slowly browsing. This section must be history. Perhaps something about music or a good novel would be further down. Walking down the length of the room, she absently trailed a finger along the books as she went, her light blue morning gown also trailing slightly behind.

  Just then, from up on the ladder that Charles was holding steady, Josef exclaimed, “You came!”

  Olivia’s head shot to the door and there stood Cyrus with dark eyes on her, which then quickly shot to Josef as he strode in toward him.

  “I can’t very well give you a tour of the library if I’m not here, now, can I? Charles would do a fine job no doubt, but some matters require the owner, wouldn’t you agree?” He had no smile, but Olivia saw a hint of that glimmer in his eyes she remembered from so long ago.

  “Charles said these over here were books for boys my age. Where did you get so many?”

  “Many belonged to my family and were passed down to me. I enjoy reading immensely myself and collect new books as I come across them. I have duplicates of these and many more at the Alston estate and Winfield.”

  “More than these here? Oida...” Josef looked around wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open. Cyrus noticed that Charles smiled for the first time in, well, ever that he could remember.

  Seeing Josef’s excitement was worth the very early morning he’d had trying to get a head start so he could return in time to be there when Josef first saw the library. Unbeknownst to the rest, he’d arrived just as they had entered the room, but he had been frozen where he stood in the doorway by an auburn beauty in light blue perusing the bookshelves.

  He didn’t understand the affect she was having on him and even more so why he had acted as he had last night. All he knew was that for the first time in four years, he had not spent an entire sleepless night dwelling on Lydia. Even while in his meeting that morning, all he could concentrate on was the lady and her son who were occupying his home.

  When Olivia had turned and made eye contact, it had broken his trance. Whatever this was, he now felt it may be best if he now focused on conversing with Josef.

  ~

  Olivia watched quietly as Cyrus showed Josef around in the library, answering as many questions as is typical coming from an eight-year-old boy. She still felt disconcerted from finding him glaring at her again earlier.

  And now he was completely ignoring her presence in the room. No doubt he wished them gone.

  If only Aunt Elizabeth hadn’t eloped so quickly! And now they were stuck here for three whole weeks.

  Olivia resolved right then to make herself scarce as much as possible for the remainder of their stay to prevent from inconveniencing His Grace any further. Perhaps that would help to subdue his disdain. Why it concerned her so, she couldn’t exactly say.

  Clearing her throat, Olivia said, “I believe I shall lie down before luncheon. Josef, behave yourself and don’t take up too much of His Grace’s time.”

  “Yes, Mutter.”

  “Don’t you feel well?” Cyrus’s words were rus
hed and he was penetrating her with that glare again, looking quite displeased.

  “Yes, I’m just tired. I’m afraid I did not rest well last night.” Olivia spoke the words out of habit, without realizing until he arched a brow that he would think she was implying of their encounter the night before.

  She felt her cheeks begin to warm, but quickly turned to leave.

  ~

  Early December, 1790

  For the next week, Olivia managed to avoid Cyrus for the most part by rising early and breakfasting before him, and by keeping to her room or the library if he was in his study or otherwise not gone from the house. One week down, two to go. She still had supper with him each evening, but it was usually a quiet affair—aside from Josef’s chatter and Cyrus’s dark scowl.

  She could not manage to keep Josef away from him. He seemed to admire the man and was so starved for a male presence in his life, Olivia couldn’t even bear to consider keeping him to his room. Besides, from their conversations at supper, she gathered Cyrus was not annoyed by Josef’s presence. On the contrary, he seemed to enjoy the child. Apparently, it was only herself he could not stand.

  On this particular morning, Olivia was again quietly making her way to breakfast. Not even Josef would be awake yet, although she knew that even if she ran down the hall screaming it would not wake him. As she turned into the breakfast room, she was stopped in her tracks by the sight of someone already seated at the table and reading the newspaper, which was blocking her view of their face.

  “It seems one must breakfast quite early in order to have the pleasure of your company,” the man drawled, not looking up from his paper. “I hate to interrupt your avoidance of me, but we have a matter to discuss.”

  Avoidance because that’s what you want, Olivia thought, realizing it was His Grace, while he took her silence as confirmation that she was displeased to be in the same room as him.

  He waited as she filled a plate from the sideboard. As she made her way to the table—to the opposite end from him—he spoke, “I’ve received a letter from your Aunt Elizabeth.”

  “Oh? Is she returning early?” She did not look up from her plate.

  Cyrus thought she sounded too eager at the idea. He set down his paper and looked at her then. “Has it been that awful? Your stay here, I mean.”

  “Oh no, Your Grace. It’s just...that is, I know we are a great inconvenience for you and the sooner we leave, the sooner you can get back to your own life.”

  “So it’s Your Grace again, is it? Very well, Lady von Klor.” Cyrus very nearly spat the words. Lydia’s loss had affected him in countless ways, one being he had developed a quick and nasty temper. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “But it appears Elizabeth is not returning early. On the contrary. Lord Brighton had something tie him up right away in France, she does not say what, and it appears they will not return until after the New Year. So you and Josef are to remain here for another month or so.”

  “I see.” Olivia’s face drained of color. How would she be able to keep up her solitude for another month? That meant Christmas would be spent here.

  Surely he was regretting his decision to let them stay at all, especially now.

  Lifting her chin, she added, “Not to worry, Your Grace, as I stated when we first arrived, I can inquire if some former friends of mine would be able to lodge us for the next few weeks.” If she knew how to contact any of them, that was.

  She met his hard stare without blinking, watching as his jaw tensed further—if that was even possible.

  Cyrus couldn’t make her out. Each morning after not seeing her at breakfast, he had inquired of Charles as to her whereabouts. He was informed she was resting, eating in her room, that he hadn’t seen her, or—his favorite—she was out shopping. Shopping! At that early in the morning!

  After six days, he’d had enough and demanded that Charles tell him what was going on.

  “Perhaps, she feels uncomfortable.”

  “Uncomfortable?! Why the deuces would she feel uncomfortable? Is it custom in Austria to ignore your host? Not only a host, but a friend of the family!”

  “Your Grace, it has been some time since she has seen you and she was only a child then. You are basically a stranger to her, and she to you. Perhaps it would be best to give her time. Become reacquainted. Get to know one another as adults. You have both been changed greatly by life.”

  Cyrus had bristled at the man’s wisdom, but sitting here now, he wondered if there might be something to it.

  Finally, he spoke, “You aren’t an imposition, you know.” Is that why she’d been avoiding him? She thought he wanted her gone? “Josef is no brat. He’s a brilliant child whose company I enjoy. And, I might add, I find I am missing yours.”

  The truth was, it seemed her absence only resulted in her occupying his thoughts even more. For whatever reason—and he wasn’t sure he wanted to find out—he felt relieved she would be staying longer. Perhaps they could keep Christmas from turning into another depressing day this year.

  That must be it—she kept his mind off of Lydia. Not that he wanted to forget her, he just wanted to be free of the consuming pain he had felt every day since…

  As usual, his face showed no emotion. Just that sharp look in his dark eyes. Oh, he was a confusing man, but Olivia decided to take him at his word—even though he did not look pleased. “Very well, Cyrus. If you’re sure, we will stay.”

  At the use of his name again, he smiled a rare smile at Olivia and a soft one pulled at her lips as well. She suddenly felt ridiculous for ever being wary of him. This had been her father’s closest friend of many years. She should never have doubted him.

  They finished their breakfast in comfortable silence, save the occasional comment from Cyrus on something he read in the paper and Olivia’s response to it. That, and the pounding in her chest that resulted every time she glanced at him.

  ~

  Another week passed, this time without anyone seeking solitude. Cyrus’s schedule had suddenly opened up a bit and he was able to spend more time with his guests. He decided to take Charles’s advice and get to know Olivia the grown woman. It was a funny thing, Cyrus thought. He may have known her as a child, but now it was as if she were a stranger, one who just happened to know everything about the earlier years of his life.

  They were able to become reacquainted over tea in the library, meals together, walks in the garden when the weather allowed, and evenings spent in the drawing room. Often Cyrus would entertain with a story while Josef listened with rapt attention and Olivia worked on her knitting.

  On this particular evening, as they were all sitting down to supper, Josef was excitedly explaining about a secret passageway Charles had told him about earlier. The butler had taken to the friendly boy and had already told him several stories from all his years as head butler.

  “Ah, the secret passage,” Cyrus said in a conspiratorial tone. “That secret spared me many a punishment when I was a youth.”

  Laughing, Olivia asked, “How did a hidden passage keep you from trouble?” It was amazing how much more at ease she felt here now.

  “Because whenever I was being naughty, I snuck through that way and didn’t get caught.” He grinned, looking positively wicked.

  Goodness, he was handsome.

  “Later, I will show it to you Josef.”

  Josef clapped. “Can we go now?”

  Olivia laughed. “We haven’t even had our supper yet, Josef. Perhaps we can go when we’ve finished. Although I’m not sure if I like the idea of aiding in mischief. You seem to get into it well enough on your own.”

  Their banter was interrupted by Charles who brought a message for Cyrus. Bowing, the butler took his leave as Cyrus scanned the short message quickly and then groaned aloud.

  “Is Aunt Elizabeth never coming back?” Josef sounded a little too eager about that.

  Cyrus chuckled. “I wish it were that rather than the truth. It seems Lady Wainwright insists on my presence at her Ch
ristmas ball. I deplore balls. Usually I am in the country this time of the year and able to avoid them. I find the Widow Wainwright quite unpleasant and intent on catching a husband—me, I’m afraid.”

  “Is she your mistress?”

  “Josef!” Olivia’s cheeks flooded with color at the blunt honestly of her son.

  At that, the Duke threw his head back, roaring with laughter. In that moment, he reminded Olivia of how he had been so many years ago.

  “What? My friend Rolf in Austria told me that’s what all grown-ups did when they were all by themselves. And you live alone so I thought she might be your mistress.” Josef had a rare look of embarrassment at their reactions, but not because he knew of what he spoke.

  “We’ll have a talk later of what all Rolf may have told you.” Olivia gave him a knowing look.

  Still laughing, Cyrus shook his head. “No, Josef, she is most definitely not my mistress. And don’t listen to that Rolf fellow. Not every man has a mistress just because he lives alone.”

  For some reason, Olivia felt relieved at his words while Josef merely nodded.

  Turning to Olivia, Cyrus asked, “Well, if I must go to this dreaded ball, would you at least do me the honor of attending with me as well? Don’t worry about Lady Wainwright, I’ll inform her of the extra guest.”

  “I...I would be happy to, Cyrus. I’m afraid, though, I sold my gowns in Austria before we left. I intended to have some made once we were settled with Aunt Elizabeth, but there’s not enough time to get it done now.”

  “Nonsense, I’ll arrange for a mantua-maker to come here tomorrow. I will see to it everything is ready in time. And you see to it that she makes whatever else you are needing as well.”

  “That is very kind of you, but I will purchase everything myself. There is no responsibility on your part.”

  “Very well, you can discuss that with her when she arrives. Speaking of Christmas, this house has not seen decorations in at least four years. And even then I was usually at Winfield this time of year. Lydia always took care of such things.”