She felt that the fact that she was dreading meeting him was ridiculous. However, the fire, the deaths and his abandonment were tied together so closely that she was not sure how she’d react when she did finally see him.
When she was ready, she made her way downstairs to the welcome news that her uncle had tired of waiting for her. He had business elsewhere, but would return around midday, and expected Olivia to be waiting for him. Marianne and Jocelyn were settled in the drawing room, quietly embroidering and both came to hold her close when she entered the room.
It soon became clear that the usual flurry of calling cards was non-existent today.
Jocelyn showed them the letter she had received from Lord Ludlow the previous evening.
“He’s been called away to his estate. His mother’s been taken ill. He doesn’t know when he’ll return.”
“He writes that he looks forward to seeing you again,” commented Marianne. “Can I ask, has there been any sign or indication of a proposal?”
“Not as such, but he has made it clear he admires me greatly, and he’s talked about his future as though I’m there with him in it.”
“That’s important. It shows he sees you in his life. Don’t underestimate the importance of that,” Marianne reassured Jocelyn.
“I know, and I won’t,” replied Jocelyn.
“Have any more flowers arrived?” asked Olivia, realizing she had been too preoccupied to keep up with what was happening in Jocelyn’s romantic life.
“Yes, a tray of white lilies, which have a beautiful fragrance and a book of poetry,” Jocelyn informed them with a smile
“Hmm. Lord Hastings certainly knows how to romance you,” said Olivia. “Either that or he has a farmer on his estate growing cut flowers!”
“He does seem to genuinely care,” said Marianne. “I know I’m prying, and you don’t have to answer but my question is this. Do you feel a spark of affection, any connection with Lord Hastings?”
Jocelyn looked thoughtful before replying. “No, not really. I like him and he is good to talk with, but it isn’t the same as when I talk to Colin, erm, Lord Ludlow, I mean. If Lord Hastings didn’t call, then I wouldn’t notice. There have been days when I’ve just kept looking out of the window, hoping that Colin will arrive.”
Marianne’s eyes met Olivia’s over Jocelyn’s head. It seemed they shared the opinion that it was very likely that Jocelyn had fallen in love with Lord Ludlow.
Olivia knew they were both hoping that the reason given in the letter from Lord Ludlow was genuine, and not due to him hearing the vicious rumor. It seemed unlikely that Lord Ludlow would withdraw his courtship of Jocelyn for that reason, but they were in uncharted and stormy waters.
Marianne went to the door and called to a parlor maid in the hallway, asking for tea and honey cakes in the drawing room. She returned and took a seat before gesturing for Olivia and Jocelyn to sit near her.
“Now, my friends, this is going to be difficult, but I think we have no alternative but to discuss the rumors and scandal sheet,” said Marianne.
“Uncle Harold knows now,” Olivia informed them, her voice faint. “Mrs. Jennings tells me he wishes to see me as soon as he returns. That’s probably any minute now.”
Olivia felt her hands tightening at her sides, curling almost into fists. She consciously stretched and loosened her fingers, trying to relax her body. The conversation with her uncle was not going to be easy. Even a conversation about the weather could prove problematic with Uncle Harold.
She felt intense bitterness building inside her towards the person who could devise such an evil scheme to ruin the lives of others.
There was still a tendril of fear and dread curling in her mind that this slander spreading across thetonmight also ruin Jocelyn’s chance of making a match.
I’m convinced the culprit is Lady Cressida. But why would she do this? Surely it can’t be due to her observing Lord Hatfield and I together? This feels like a vendetta and we’re powerless to stop it.
“Olivia, you look to be in a world of your own,” came Marianne’s voice, penetrating her thoughts.
“Sorry, I was many miles away,” admitted Olivia.
“Are we agreed that the person most likely to be behind this rumor is probably Lady Cressida?” Marianne asked them.
Olivia and Jocelyn nodded.
“Look how she behaved at my ball,” said Jocelyn. “You and Lord Hatfield unmasked her spreading that unpleasant rumor about Olivia. It’s unlikely that two people are slandering Olivia, so unless evidence arises to the contrary, I think we should assume she is the culprit.”
“I agree,” said Marianne. “I wish I had ordered her from the premises, and made it clear to all who were attending the ball that she had behaved despicably.”
“You weren’t to know she would escalate,” reassured Olivia. “It was kind of you to let her stay.”
