“Indeed.” Jane smiled. “Duke Glassley is hardly worth your consideration.”
“Absolutely.” Olivia resisted the urge to turn around and see if the man was still glowering at her.Let him scowl. He is a gnat. An insignificant, irritating, self-important gnat.“I cannot wait to find out who he is.”
“Then it is high time I introduce you.” Lady Cotswalts voice said from behind Olivia making her jump.
“Truly?” Olivia’s heart sped up.Oh God, why am I so nervous?“Is he here?”
Lady Cotswalts nodded. “He is indeed. Now, remember, what we discussed?”
“Appearances are everything. Even if I am nervous, I must not show it.” Olivia took a deep breath. “Smile. Ask questions. Invite conversation but keep some mystery.”
“Wonderful.” Lady Cotswalts took Olivia and Jane by the arms. “Now, if you will both come with me, we have some introductions to make.”
As Lady Cotswalts guided Olivia and Jane through the crowd, a nagging worry began to form in the back of Olivia’s mind. Theworry began to deepen as they passed several groups of men and continued towards the pall mall court.
She cannot be… She is not… Oh no, surely, she cannot be leading us to them?Olivia was just trying to work out how she could ask Lady Cotswalts what exactly she was planning without being rude when Nigel did something utterly unexpected.
The man turned around and spat his drink onto the ground.How barbaric! And this is the man that thinks he is better than me?Olivia barely had time to register her disgust when Nigel straightened, and their eyes locked.
“Ah, Duke Glassley.” Lady Cotswalts sounded completely unruffled, as though encountering a man spitting in public was something normal. “So good to see you again.”
“Lady Cotswalts,” Nigel said stiffly, “I apologise. I… The lemonade does not seem to agree with me.”
“It seems there is rather a lot that is not to your liking though I suppose you do have rather exacting standards,” Olivia quipped before she could stop herself.
This time, she anticipated Jane’s kick and managed to avoid it. Lady Cotswalts shot Olivia a smile that was more terrifying than anything she had ever seen before. The reprimand was so loud, it was almost as though the woman had spoken it.Is this a gift all mothers have?
Olivia swallowed and forced her face into a more neutral expression.I am not going to smile at him. I will not do it.
Lady Cotswalts was speaking, and Olivia intentionally focused on the woman, glad of the excuse not to look at Nigel. “And of course, Lord Briston. It is wonderful to see you as well.”
“Thank you, Viscountess Cotswalts.” Lord Briston, the man beside Nigel, bowed.
“And of course, allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Miss Jane Pembleton.” Lady Cotswalts subtly presented Jane to Nigel and Lord Briston.
“A pleasure to meet you again, Miss Jane.” Nigel smiled at Jane and made her a small bow. “I trust your shopping excursion was most successful?”
“Yes, thank you, Your Grace.” Jane curtsied, returning Nigel’s smile. “Though I am glad that we have now had the chance to be more formally introduced. And it is, of course, a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lord Briston.”
“And you, Miss Jane.” Lord Briston smiled and bowed to Jane.
“And of course, my dear Duke, I know that you have met Lady Olivia Rokesby. She is my ward for the season.” Lady Cotswalts beamed and, to Olivia’s surprise, moved her, not towards Nigel but towards Lord Briston. “Lord Briston, I do not believe you and Lady Olivia have been introduced.”
Lord Briston smiled and shook his head. “No, I confess I have not had the pleasure of such an introduction. I am most glad to make your acquaintance, Lady Olivia.”
“And I yours, Lord Briston.” Olivia curtsied, trying to understand the odd sensation in her chest.This is the man Lady Cotswalts means to be my match.“Tell me, how do you know Duke Glassley?”
“We are cousins,” Lord Briston answered.
“Do not hold it against him,” Nigel laughed.
“Of course not, we cannot help who we are related to,” Olivia replied sweetly.
“Do you enjoy pall mall?” Jane asked, clearly sensing the danger brewing between Olivia and Nigel.
“Yes, though I was just saying to my cousin that it is far more fun with more people.” Nigel gestured towards the alley.
“That is an excellent idea. Why don’t the four of you play a game together?” Lady Cotswalts clapped her hands together in anticipation. “I think it would be rather delightful.”
