“Oh please, do no put it away on my account. I thought you looked rather fetching.” Nigel’s voice was teasing.
How dare he make fun of me?“Did you want something of me, or do you make a habit of creeping up on young women?”
“I was not creeping. You simply did not give me the chance to announce my presence.” Nigel’s smile dropped.
Before Olivia could say anything cutting to the man, Jane appeared at her side. Her friend looked between Nigel and Olivia. Belatedly, Olivia remembered her manners.The Duke may think I am some silly little girl, but I do not need to prove him right.
“Ah, Jane. I do not believe you know Duke Glassley? He is anoldfriend of my brother’s.” Olivia barely spared Nigel a glance. “Duke Glassley, this is my good friend Miss Jane Pembleton.”
“Ahh, Miss Jane, I think perhaps I saw you at your sister’s wedding though we were not introduced.” Nigel bowed to Jane and smiled. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance”
Jane’s eyes had widened at Olivia’s words, and she realised that Lady Cotswalts had most likely shared what had transpired at Emberly castle with her daughter. Thankfully, Jane recovered quickly and curtsied to Nigel.
“It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Duke Glassley,” Jane replied.
Silence stretched between them, and Olivia only just managed to stop herself glowering outright at Nigel.I am a lady, and I will not sink to his level. God, why does he linger? Can he not tell he is not wanted? Self-important git.
She really wished the man had not seen her in such a ridiculous hat.Though what do I care what he thinks of me? I am allowed to enjoy silly things — it does not make me less worthy.
“Are you enjoying London, Miss Jane. It is your first season, is it not?” Nigel smiled at Jane.
“Yes. It is.” Jane looked nervous. “How do you find London?”
Olivia tried to catch Jane’s eye, attempting to signal to her friend that she need not prolong the conversation. Unfortunately, Jane did not seem to understand the message she was desperately trying to convey.
“I rather enjoy London. It is a change of pace from one’s life at Glassley.” Nigel seemed to be trying to catch Olivia’s eye, but she decided she would rather not indulge him.
“I am sure Duke Glassley has other more pressing matters to return to, and I should hate to keep him.” Olivia gripped Jane’s arm gently and made to leave. “Come Jane, let us let the man go about his business.”
“Oh, you need not worry on my account. I have no urgent things to attend to, and I am, erm, enjoying your company.” Nigel smiled, but Olivia could see the discomfort in him. “Perhaps you might advise me on my choice of hat.”
“I am sure that you are more than capable of making a decision without our advice.” Olivia only just resisted adding a barb to her words.
Jane glanced between Nigel and Olivia. “You know, I think I’ve just remembered that I forgot to tell the milliner that I need the bonnet in blue, not green.”
Olivia flashed Jane a look.“Ah yes, why don’t I come with you, and we can sort this out together. Good day, Duke Glassley.”
“I would speak with you a moment, Lady Olivia, if you would be willing.” Nigel looked distinctly uncomfortable as he said it, glancing between the floor, Olivia, and Jane.
Jane raised an eyebrow at Olivia. For a moment, Olivia considered simply walking away and leaving Duke Glassley unheard. She sighed.Alexander would want me to at least hear him out.
Olivia turned to Jane and nodded her agreement. Jane looked once more between Olivia and Nigel and then departed. She watched as her friend left, unsure if she had made the right decision.Well, it is not like the situation can get any worse.She turned to him and breathed deeply.
“What exactly was it you wanted, Lord Glassley?” Olivia kept her voice cool, trying to convey an innate sense of calm that felt so far removed from her reality she nearly laughed.
“I wanted to offer an explanation… for what happened at Emberly.” Nigel put his hands in his pockets, which reminded Olivia of a naughty schoolboy. The image only seemed to further her annoyance. “And to offer you my most sincere apologies.”
“Is that all?” Olivia frowned.
“Well, I have found that in the past it has been best to explain my actions when offering an apology — at least if one wishes to make amends,” Nigel explained.
“Do you often end up private places without an invitation?” Olivia asked.Of course, obviously, he has done this before.
“What? No!” Nigel frowned and ran a hand through his sandy hair, leaving it rumpled, adding in a voice so quiet Olivia could barely hear him “I… well, the men in my family… we… well, we sleepwalk.”
“You sleepwalk?” Olivia let her disbelief show. “That is a rather convenient excuse do you not think?”
“Often the truth is.” Nigel rolled his shoulders. “I do not mean it as an excuse, I just, I do not want you to think I make a habit of walking into, um… such areas of private domesticity without an invitation.”
