“Yes, because you have such fleeting time with people, you know, maybe the odd dance here or there, it feels as though you must make every single one count.” Olivia bit her lip. “Each dance, I felt like I needed to find the ‘perfect’ man, and I could never really just enjoy the experience.”
Jane nodded. “That makes a certain kind of sense. And I suppose balls are by their nature rather louder than a garden party.”
“Exactly.” Olivia glanced at Lady Cotswalts, who was studying her with a neutral expression on her face. “At a ball, it feels as though I am constantly being judged and weighed, even when we are talking in groups. And of course, much of the evening revolves around dancing, and it feels like there is so much pressure to make a connection right in that moment, for you may soon have a different partner or move away from each other. I find the slow pace and relaxed nature of a garden party rather suits me better.”
“That is very useful to know. Though I would say that in matters of courtship, the back and forth of a dance can rather add to the intrigue.” Lady Cotswalts gave Olivia a sly look. “That is provided that one has the right dance partner.”
Normally, Olivia would have leapt at the chance to badger Lady Cotswalts about who her potential suitor was, but at that exact moment, someone else caught her attention.Of course, I should have known something would spoil the day.
In the middle of the garden, talking to a gentleman Olivia did not recognise, was none other than Duke Glassley. His sandy hair was tousled, and he kept running a hand through it, giving him a slightly windswept look.I am sure he probably thinks it’s rather fetching.
A sharp pain in Olivia’s ankle interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to find Jane staring at her with a mixture of embarrassment and exasperation.
“Did you just kick me?” Olivia forced herself not to rub at her ankle.
Jane nodded.
“Why on Earth did you do that?” Olivia could not keep the incredulity from her voice.
“You were glowering at Duke Glassley so violently that for a moment, I truly worried that you would storm over there and slap him.” Jane shook her head.
“I would not do that.” Olivia tried to sound as though it was an utterly ridiculous thing to suggest.Although, if I am honest, it is a rather tempting thought.
“Slapping a man in the middle of a party is hardly likely to encourage your suitor.” Jane gave Olivia a meaningful look. “Especially if it simply appears that you have slapped him for no good reason.”
“Is not his existence reason enough?” Olivia found herself glaring at Nigel once more and was rewarded with another kick from Jane. “Ow!”
“Stop. Doing. That,” Jane hissed. “And no, his existence is definitely not reason enough to slap him.”
“I was only joking.” Olivia held up her hands in apology.
“Mmhm.” Jane looked unconvinced. “If you find the man so irksome, stop looking at him.”
“I am not doing it on purpose. It is like… you know when there is a particularly irksome fly that you really would rather not think about, but he — it keeps buzzing about, and you cannot help but try and find the source of the noise. It is like that.”
“Olivia, the man is on the other side of the garden. He is hardly buzzing about you and causing a nuisance.” Jane gave her a flat look.
“Look, he is glowering at me too.” Olivia had just caught Nigel staring daggers back at her.Do not stick out your tongue, that would be rather juvenile.
“Then do not sink to his level.” Jane tugged Olivia towards her.
“Well, I can hardly let him glower at me unchallenged. He will think he has won.” Olivia returned to trying to will the Duketo leave with only her eyes.Or perhaps burst into flames.“Oh good, look he is moving; perhaps he is leaving.”
“Or perhaps he wants a game of pall mall.” Jane nodded in the direction of the pall mall alley.
“Well, I wish the most sincere luck to anyone who has to endure his company for the length of a game of pall mall.” Olivia narrowed her eyes at the Duke’s retreating back.
Jane kicked Olivia’s other ankle. “Stop this. It’s getting embarrassing.”
Olivia rubbed her ankle. “I suppose you are right. It is just… he makes me so angry! I didn’t think it was possible to find someone this aggravating.”
“Olivia, I know that the two of you…” Jane cast a glance around to see if anyone was listening and lowered her voice. “I know that you have some history. But really, if you continue like this, no man will approach you — even with mother’s matchmaking skills.”
Olivia swallowed and turned away from Nigel. “You are right. I am sorry.”
Jane looked relieved. “Besides Mother will return in a moment, and I am sure she will introduce us to the man who is to be your match this season.”
Olivia nodded. “That is true. I should focus on that.”
