Another question assaulted his ears, something about his preference for a polka or a waltz. He thought wistfully of the melodious voice of Olivia and wondered how soon before they met again.
Chapter 9
“And I believe dear Lady Leighton has been taken ill?” Lady Percival asked with a note of concern. “I said to Jane,” and she gestured towards her daughter standing beside her, “that I thought I saw her leave before the final Act.”
Olivia nodded as she looked around for a route to the door of the theater.
There must be another exit,at this rate we could be here all night.
Instead, she saw the Earl of Hatfield looking down into the eyes of Lady Cressida. She drew in a sharp breath, prompting Jocelyn to look at her with concern.
Lord Hatfield seemed to be struggling to disentangle himself. It would have made her laugh, except Olivia felt a sudden stab of jealousy.
Lady Cressida radiates an impression of flawless perfection, with smooth, almost alabaster skin, unmarked by any ugly scars.Her Ladyship looks so intent and interested in the earl. In fact, she is hanging onto his arm as if she has staked a claim of ownership.
Lady Cressida looked beautiful and somehow triumphant.
Olivia felt foolish for imagining she had felt something from Lord Hatfield during their time in the box, when his hand had brushed against hers, and he had murmured words so indistinct she had struggled to hear.
Obviously, she had imagined the sensation, because the earl appeared to be very close to Lady Cressida, and they looked made for each other.
I feel so weary, I just need to get out of here. Jocelyn is in no hurry, talking with Lord Ludlow. They are all in pairs except me. I shall never be a pair.
As a wave of desolation threatened to overwhelm Olivia, she remembered her resolve to take on the veneer of confidence of the Contessa Allegra Fortuny. She stepped into the role, making her head rise high as she listened to Lady Percival.
It works. I’m so much more confident as Lady Allegra. She has no need to be in a pair. She is happy with her own company.
And then they were out, in the cool, evening air. After taking her leave of Lady Percival she climbed into their waiting carriage. Only then did she realize that she had indeed been holding her head up high and for once had forgotten about her scars.
***
The next morning, Olivia and Jocelyn were in the drawing room, expecting a visit from the dressmaker for a fitting of their gowns for Lady Leighton’s ball. This ball was special, as it would be held for Jocelyn’s coming out. As much as Olivia disliked her uncle, the look on his face at the realization that he would be expected to hold a coming out ball at Swanbourne had been almost painful. Lady Leighton had taken pity on him, and suggested she host the ball at her Maybury Crescent townhouse.
Marguerite looked longingly out of the window at the grassy circle in the middle of the square.
“We can’t go out yet,” Olivia told her. "You have to wait until Madame Beauchamps, and Ellen, have worked their magic with our gowns for a very special ball in a few days’ time.”
Mrs. Jennings knocked gently and put her head round the door. A parlor maid followed her carrying a huge bouquet of flowers for Lady Jocelyn.
“These arrived a few minutes ago, the same as before, with no indication of who sent them,” explained Mrs. Jennings.
Jocelyn dashed across to look at them. “Olivia, the fragrance of these roses is lovely. Come and look.”
Olivia peered at the arrangement of pink damask and centifolia roses, touching the petals gently with her finger. A scent of fragrant honey with a woody depth. She closed her eyes, imagining moss growing near a waterfall.
“They are superb. Kew Gardens could not produce finer roses,” agreed Olivia.
“It must be Colin, erm, Lord Ludlow I mean," said Jocelyn.
So, it’s Colin now.This romance is progressing at a faster pace than I realized.
Madame Beauchamps arrived in a flurry of silk and velvet, rushing straight to the flowers and declaring them the most beautiful she had ever seen.
“Mon dieu, ce sont les plus belles fleurs que j'ai jamais vues!”
“Aren't they wonderful,” exclaimed Jocelyn.
“You have an admirer I think—un grand amour?” said Madame Beauchamps.
