“You know very well that you did not tell me,” Olivia muttered, tearing up a roll of bread with such vehemence that one of the footmen, serving soup opposite, nearly missed Daniel’s bowl with the silver ladle.
Laura sighed as if the protest bored her. “And you know why you were not told.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Laura turned to look at her daughter. “You are akin to a spooked horse, my dearest girl. Prone to bolting.”
“Have I yet bolted?” Olivia countered.
“No, but… we wanted to give everyone more time to adjust to the situation, that is all. It did not seem necessary to inform you of the change because, truthfully, you seemed quite happy and we were worried that telling you might alter that,” her mother replied more gently, her eyes imploring. “I even suggested that your friends should be invited earlier, if you need evidence of my good intentions.”
Laura cast a disapproving eye toward the four young ladies who were chattering too loudly, laughing too freely, and eating their soup as if they had never taken a single lesson in dining etiquette. Olivia’s mother had never been fond of her daughter’s friends, especially after they were given the nickname “The Spinsters Club.” In some ways, Olivia suspected that her mother liked them even less than her father.
“Did Caroline and Evan know of the change in date?” Olivia had to be sure.
Laura appeared thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head. “I do not believe so. Caroline would have informed you, as would His Lordship. The Earl was not aware either and he is none too pleased about it, but I hope all will soon be forgiven.” She took hold of Olivia’s hand. “I am sorry for deceiving you, my dear, but it was well meant; I promise you faithfully.”
Despite herself, Olivia could not stay angry at her mother, considering her father was the real ringleader. He would have been the one to insist on keeping the change a secret. Indeed, he was likely furious with Olivia’s mother for inviting her friends, though her mother showed no sign of being spoken to unkindly; she had become accustomed to hiding that over the years.
“Do you forgive me?” Laura asked in a shy, sad voice.
Olivia gulped down a mouthful of potent red wine. “I do, Mama.”
As for her father, she would never forgive him, not in a million years.
* * *
After dinner had concluded in rather a sedate manner, with most of the guests retiring to their chambers instead of gathering in the drawing room, Evan wandered the halls in search of the one guest whose location was unknown. Olivia had slipped out of the dining room ahead of everyone else, giving no announcement of her intention to retire, and though he knew he was foolish for it, he hoped he might find her somewhere by herself.
They had parted in a way that had left him uneasy for the rest of the day, and, being seated so far apart, there had been no opportunity for them to speak during dinner. Nor had they spoken prior to dinner, for she had vanished with her friends. In truth, he had a maddening desire to hear her voice again, and he knew he would not sleep until he had parted ways with her in a more pleasant fashion.
Entering the small library at the rear of the manor, he thought he might have some good fortune, finding her with her nose inParadise Lost.But the room was empty. He would have turned and abandoned it had he not heard a soft chuckle at that very moment.
He frowned into the gloom, noticing that the terrace door was ajar.
“It was not quite the evening we expected, was it?” came Daniel’s familiar voice, too deep to belong to the laugh Evan had just heard.
“Unless your mother—and I mean no offence—does not truly understand the meaning of the word ‘party,’ but then one would have to wonder about the purpose of the garlands and the grandeur of the ballroom,” Olivia’s sweet voice replied, so gentle and at ease that it drove a blade of sudden, sharp jealousy through Evan’s tight chest.
Daniel laughed, driving that blade deeper. “It has been so long since she has had a reason to celebrate, perhaps shehasforgotten the meaning of the word.”
Incensed, Evan was halfway across the room, fully prepared to burst onto the terrace and interrupt the private conversation, when he heard the words that immediately halted him.
“Tell me, for I am shamelessly curious—what do you think of my cousin?” Daniel asked.
A shriek of delight creased a frown into Evan’s brow, for it was not a sound that Olivia would have made. “Yes, do tell us!” came Caroline’s familiar voice. “I am desperate to know!”
Evan held his breath, fearful that any sound might alert them to his presence.So, she is not alone with him.He relaxed slightly, letting intrigue overwhelm his prior jealousy.
“First,” Olivia replied, “I must askyoua question.”
“Very well,” Daniel said cordially. “What are you curious to know?”
Olivia sighed as if she were sad. Indeed, she had seemed sad throughout dinner, and though Evan had longed to investigate and, maybe, offer comfort, the chairs and guests between them had not allowed it.
“Caro told me about Evan’s terrible past,” Olivia began cautiously. “She mentioned she had read of it in your mother’s journals. I must know—is it all true?”
“Olivia!” Caroline gasped as if betrayed.
