“No, no it is quite all right.” Olivia smiled, painfully aware that their movements had become stiffer and more awkward. “Let us continue.”
Lord Briston nodded, and they resumed the dance, and then once more, she was in Nigel’s arms. The smirk on his face fuelled her annoyance and embarrassment.
“I take back everything I said before; it is clear to see what draws you to my cousin.” Nigel’s lips quirked upwards.
“Perhaps I am not drawn to men just because of their dancing prowess.” Olivia tried to sound dignified rather than defensive.
“Or their lack of it,” Nigel pointed out.
“Perhaps it is his personality that I am drawn to.” Olivia bit her lip.
“What personality?” Nigel asked, and Olivia heard a strange bitterness in his voice.
“Are you always so rude about your own family?” Olivia asked.
“I am not being rude, I am simply trying to understand what has drawn you to someone like him.” Nigel shrugged. “Well, perhaps I am being a little rude, but it baffles me.”
“As I am sure many things do,” Olivia quipped. “Besides, what does it matter to you whom I pursue or don’t pursue?”
Before Nigel could respond, they had swapped partners once more, and Olivia found herself in Lord Briston’s frame. She realised that her shoulders were tense and tried to force them to relax. Arranging her face in a smile, she tried to focus on what Lord Briston was saying to her.
Irritatingly her thoughts kept returning to Nigel.He does not approve of me trying to get his cousin to court me.She only just kept the scowl from her face.Well, what does it matter whether he approves or not? It is no business of his.
She shook herself.Why do I care what he thinks at all? It should not matter to me.And yet it did.
Chapter Ten
Stick to Your Guns
Nigel was irritated, and to add to his irritation, he was not entirely sure why he felt this way. As he danced with Jane, he tried to replay the evening in his mind.
No, it was not the fact that someone else claimed Lady Everett for a dance.His conversation with her had been tolerable but by no means captivating.You are looking for a wife of convenience; she doesn’t need to be anything more than tolerable.
His conversations with Olivia played over in his head, her words seeming to bounce around his mind.What does it matter to you whom I pursue or don’t pursue.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Jane asked, her voice kind.
Nigel shook his head and smiled, not wanting to let her see his irritation. “Oh nothing. I was just… Your friend seems to be getting on rather well with my cousin.”
A tiny prickle of annoyance ran through him as he said it, and he had to force himself to stay present as he danced with Jane.
“Well, he seems like quite a nice man. And Olivia, um Lady Olivia, is rather a lovely person.” Jane bit her lip. “Though I know there is no love lost between the two of you.”
“I wish her no ill,” Nigel murmured.
“I am sure you do not,” Jane replied.
Once more the change of partners came, and Nigel found Olivia in his arms. The smell of lavender and honey washed over him, and he found his shoulders relaxing in spite of himself.
“So, have you discovered what it is that draws you to my cousin?” Nigel found himself asking. “Is it his dazzling personality?”
“Perhaps it is simply that he is kind to me and seems interested in me,” Olivia replied. “He, at least, does not seem to think the idea of courtship between us is ludicrous.”
“Then he has taken steps to court you?” Nigel felt a stab of something sharp and unpleasant in his chest, and he tried tokeep the anger from his voice. “I suppose he has sent you a half dozen roses or some such thing.
“Not yet. No. I hope he does not send roses; pretty as they are, I do feel they are somewhat unoriginal.” Nigel saw the portion of Olivia’s face that was visible redden. “I did not mean to sound presumptuous… or ungrateful.”
“You did not sound presumptuous. In truth, I am surprised he has not taken any such steps.” Nigel shook his head. “Out of curiosity, what flowers do you enjoy?”
