Nigel was unsure if he wanted Olivia to see him or not, but before he could make a decision, their eyes found one another. Olivia’s instantly narrowed, and she glowered at Nigel. He glowered back.
Unfortunately for him, his cousin noticed the hostile exchange. “I take it the fetching young lady and you have some rather bad blood between you?”
Nigel snorted and downed his glass of wine. “There is nothing between us. And I would hardly call her fetching.”
“Then you are a liar. She is one of the most beautiful women at this party.” Lord Briston nodded approvingly.
A stab of annoyance ran through Nigel, but he shook it off. “Call me what you want, dear cousin, but I have no wish to talk to her. I do not think I could be trusted to be civil. Come let us move closer to the pall mall alley, so we might avoid an altercation.”
For a moment, Nigel was sure Lord Briston would refuse to come with him.Even if he decides to speak to them, it does not mean I need to follow.I am my own man.Lord Briston looked at Nigel and then back at Olivia.
“Fine. I suspect if she harbours such ill feelings towards you, then just the fact of my association with you will be more than enough for her to disavow any attempt at an introduction.”
Nigel had to admit that his cousin was probably right. “I would say it would be unlikely that she would look favourably upon you.”
“Though if you keep glowering at the woman like that, I shall disavow you as my cousin. Really, it is rather embarrassing.” Lord Briston shook his head.
“I am not glowering,” Nigel said through clenched teeth.
“Cousin, if looks could kill, you would be dead twice over as would that young lady.” Lord Briston sighed. “Why is it that I must suffer for your own prejudice?”
“Believe you me, you will be better off without that woman in your life.” Nigel tried to force his face into a smile.
“If you insist.” Lord Briston tore his gaze away from Olivia and followed Nigel as they made their way towards the pall mall alley.
Nigel could feel the fury of Olivia’s gaze upon him as he picked his way through the crowd. He shrugged his shoulders. He had not expected to see her here; he did not recall her having attended any of the garden parties last season.But then again, she is with Lady Cotswalts this season.
Sighing, Nigel went to take a sip of his lemonade and only remembered that it was empty when the cup touched his lips. He scowled and looked around, hoping to see a servant with a drinks tray. Unfortunately, the one visible servant happened to be a few feet from Olivia and her party.
Lord Briston looked at the empty glass in Nigel’s hand and frowned. Out of the corner of his eye, Nigel saw Lord Briston look towards the servant and notice his exact location.
“Are you really so scared of the woman that you will not go and get another drink?” Lord Briston raised an eyebrow.
“I am not scared of her. I just do not wish to cause a scene.” Nigel and Olivia were locked into a glowering match once more.
Lord Briston sighed and shook his head. “I shall fetch you another drink.”
“Thank you, cousin.” Nigel finally stopped scowling at Olivia, feeling an unexpected rush of affection for his cousin.
“I will be back in a moment. Do try and behave cousin.” Lord Briston nodded to him and headed off to get them both another drink.
Nigel decided that it would be for the best if he stopped glowering at Olivia. For one thing, it would hardly endear him to any of the other women in attendance, and for another, all of the scowling was giving him a pain in his jaw.
“Dratted woman.” Nigel murmured under his breath.
He glanced around the garden, hoping for something to distract him. There was a spattering of women around, many of whom were looking at him appreciatively.Focus on the women who actually enjoy your company, not the one who despises it.
Nigel began to run through the list Mr. Amos had given him, trying to match the names with the faces around him. Yet to his immense irritation, Olivia’s angry face kept swimming to the forefront of his mind’s eye.
Would that she would leave me alone!Nigel glanced at the pall mall mallets behind him, wondering if it would be bad form to take out his frustration on one of the balls.
“I am not playing that if it is only you and me in the game,” a voice said disapprovingly — Lord Briston had returned.
Nigel let out a theatrical sigh. “And once more, dear cousin, you dash my spirits.”
Lord Briston looked nonplussed and handed Nigel a drink. “I have brought you your lemonade.”
“Thank you.” Nigel smiled at his cousin and took a sip of his drink.
