CHAPTER 45 - The Arrival in London
THEIR ARRIVAL IN LONDONwas met with more interest and excitement than either of them expected or desired. Within hours of their arrival, invitations to balls, soirees, musicals, and all sorts of events started pouring in. An enterprising matron or two had even dared to pay a call. They had been turned away, of course. They were not ‘at home’ for visitors, but the mere fact that they had the audacity to call outraged him.
Dale reflected ruefully that he should have expected this. He was, after all, a Duke. But he had left society under a cloud of scandal, never expecting to come back. He had become so accustomed to his solitude, had curated his life of isolation so well, that he could not envision the world beyond his domain might still remember or welcome him. For his part, he had retreated behind the walls of his estate and had done his best to put this shallow society out of his mind. Oh, he still attended parliamentary sessions and supported what he considered worthwhile bills and reforms. But he never socialized with his peers. He had not set foot in any club in years.
His first instinct was one of utter rejection. He wanted to tell everyone to go hang and ignore all invitations and attempts to socialize. He had more important matters at hand. Like finding out what the hell had his former wife been up to.
This visit to London was because of Livvy and her desire to explore the city. He had promised to take her to see the sights, go to the theater, the park and other entertainments. He would not want to subject her to the company of polite society, which, in his experience, was not polite at all.
But then he realized it was precisely because of Livvy that he should not remain isolated from the rest of society. He had lived in a bubble for the past seven years, and he thought it was enough to protect him and her from the world. But the world had intruded, anyway. He would have liked to keep her hidden away, safe. But Lady Cavendish had found out within hours of their marriage. She would spread her poison again. He didn’t care if she maligned him, but Olivia was another matter. He didn’t want her to have to live as a pariah.
More than a month had passed since she had appeared, and so far, they still had no clue how she had gotten here or how she could go back to her time. More and more, the possibility was becoming less likely. They had to consider the idea that she might have to remain here with him. He tried to tamp down the selfish joy that thought brought him, for he knew what it would cost her. The thought of not seeing her family again would devastate her.
He was torn between wanting her to have what she needed and wanting to keep her by his side forever. Ultimately, the decision would not be in his hands, but he could damn well do his best to ensure that if she had to stay, she wouldn’t have to live as an outcast.
Yes, they should attend a few events, establish her in his world before malicious gossip could compromise her chance for her to do so successfully. He went in search of Livvy. They had much to discuss.
He found her in the Duchess’s bedchamber, debating with the maid about the sleeping arrangements.
“You may put the clothes wherever you like, but I’m not planning to sleep here.”
“But milady, is anything wrong with the room? Is it not to your taste? We could arrange—”
“No, it’s not that. The room is magnificent. It’s just that I’m planning to sleep with my husband.”
That brought a smile to Dale’s lips.
The maid blushed, bobbed a quick curtsy, and tried to hide her smile as she replied, “Of course, milady.”
He knocked softly on the partially open door to announce himself, and Livvy immediately lit up at his arrival. As usual, her brilliant, honest smile did something to his insides and caused a responding smile to appear on his lips.
“Dale!” she exclaimed, rushing to him. “You are just the person to help us solve this. Molly has unpacked my things in this room. She says this is my bedroom, but I’d rather share a bedroom with you.”
He didn’t blame her. After the discovery of that letter, it had likely dawned on her she was taking possession of Eloise’s things. She probably didn’t want to inhabit his former wife’s space. He would have to see about having the rooms redone.
Suddenly appearing troubled, she said, “Unless you prefer these arrangements? I’m sorry I didn’t ask you...”
Dale reached out and circled her waist with his arms, drawing her to him for a quick peck on the forehead. Anything more than that, and he would have to carry her to his room in order to ravish her properly.
“Of course you are sleeping with me, darling. But I suggest you keep your things in this room. You’ll have more space for dressing and getting ready. Consider it your personal domain. You can have the rooms redone to your liking.”
She shook her head. “No, they are fine. I’m just not used to such big houses and couples having separate bedrooms.”
“I can’t say I’m too fond of that custom at the moment, either. But I came to talk to you about something else. We have received a number of invitations to social events.”
“We have? But when? How? I thought you said you didn’t go out in society anymore.”
“I don’t. But that doesn’t seem to deter some people from sending invitations in the hope I might change my mind.”
“But how do they even know we are here? We have just arrived in London...”
“Word gets out, apparently,” he said dryly. “What I wanted to ask you is if you would like to attend a few of those events. A ball, perhaps?”
