“I will give you any support in bringing down Lady Cressida. Just tell me when you’ve thought of a plan.”
“Although I am sure she is the instigator of the rumors without proof, there is little I can do, but I’ll think of something.” He patted Colin on the back. “Now, have you thought further about Lady Jocelyn?”
“I have. I’m going to visit today and make my intentions clear. I’m not going to let Lord Hastings beguile Jocelyn with roses and lilies. I thought I should take my time, as it is Jocelyn’s first season. It all started off so well and I saw no reason to propose so soon. I was wrong.”
“Go off and see your Lady Jocelyn,” said Marcus. “Our mothers will be ecstatic to have a wedding.”
At that moment the door opened. It was Marcus’ butler, Mr. Farthing. Both Marcus and Colin could see that something was very wrong from the look on Farthing’s face.
“Is it father?” asked Marcus, before Farthing could speak.
“No, your Lordship, but it is bad news and urgent.” He turned to Colin. “It’s your mother Lord Ludlow. An express just arrived from Granville Hall to say she’s had an accident. The message says it isn’t life threatening, but she still unconscious.”
Colin looked stunned so Marcus stepped in immediately to organize things. “Colin, do you want to ride or take the carriage?”
“Ride, I’ll get there sooner.”
“Farthing, tell James Cartwright to pack saddle bags ready for Lord Ludlow to leave for Granville with all speed.”
“Very good, my Lord,” replied Farthing and he set off to find James.
“Sit down man. Here’s a brandy,” Marcus told Colin.
“Mother is never ill. And if she is then she never asks for me. I do need to get there as soon as possible.”
“You’ll be there by nightfall. James Cartwright can ride with you and make sure the horse changes at the posting inns go smoothly.”
“And to think I was about to go to Jocelyn and ask her to marry me. Lord Hastings will seize my absence as an opportunity, I’m sure.”
“We can’t let that happen. Use my desk. Write a letter explaining you’ve been called away urgently. I’ll make sure she gets it,” urged Marcus.
Colin took the quill pen that Marcus offered him and began to scribble a note to Lady Jocelyn. He stumbled over the words, which did not flow. He paused and looked up at Marcus. “How do I sign it? We’re not engaged, but I need her to know that I care.”
“Oh, ‘ever yours,’ would seem appropriate,” said Marcus. “Maybe add that you are eager to see her again on your return.”
He scribbled the final few words and signed the letter with a flourish. He handed it to Marcus. “There, I just hope she realizes this is an emergency. I have to return to Granville, but I need her to know I will return and long to be with her again.”
After Colin had left Marcus sat by the fire, still and thoughtful, as the shadows crept into the room. He listened to the rain drumming on the windows and felt the dismal, dreary evening fitted his mood perfectly.
He wanted to go to Swanbourne Place to see Olivia. He wanted to be there so much it was almost physically painful.
Soon, he thought. Very soon, I shall see her again. If the attention on Swanbourne Place doesn’t die down, then I’m going to be forced to don a disguise and visit Lady Olivia.
He realized he’d been banking on Colin visiting and returning with news. There was no way of knowing how she was coping with the rumors circulating. His fear was that, because he was named in the scandal sheet, Olivia might never want to see him again. He could only wait and hope to hear news the next day.
Chapter 15
Olivia awoke the next morning to faint rays of sunshine. Exhausted, she struggled to lift her head from the pillow and go through her routine before starting the day.
What is the point? Every time things look a little brighter, I feel like I am broken down again.
All night the relentless rain had battered the windowpanes. Olivia had slept fitfully, tossing and turning. She felt hot, then she felt cold. She felt sleepy, then she felt wide awake.
She had tried to maintain a brave face at dinner the previous evening. The rumor had been ignited and she could almost feel it spreading minute by minute.
When she saw her uncle's dismal, scowling face she knew that he had seen the content of the slander in the scandal sheet.
If she were rich, she would fight back. She could confirm her suspicions about the perpetrator of these lies. As it was, all she could do was stay at Swanbourne and hope that the storm would pass.
