Olivia smiled at her friend. “We’ve been cooped up here for so long that I’m losing all perspective. I can’t continue this way. After Ellen’s packed for the journey tomorrow, I believe I shall go into town and visit Grove’s haberdashery. I have some riding gloves to collect.”
“It will do you good to get out. You’re right, you’ve been hiding away too long.”
“And there is good news about my writing. Mr. Claxton at the publishing house has accepted Mr. NP Featherby’s book for publication, and I shall receive an advance any day now. I thought I would have to pay for publication, but he’s changed his mind. It seems that being a man makes quite a difference in these matters! The money won’t be enough to give me independence now, but it is a step in the right direction. I can see a day when I will have some autonomy over my life.”
“That Mr. Snodfellow, Snodgrass, whatever his name is, is going to kick himself when your book is successful.”
“I know. It sounds arrogant, Marianne, but I know thatGarden of Liliesis going to be a success.”
“I enjoyed every word, and you made me laugh out loud at times. I just hope your Uncle Harold doesn’t recognize himself in Uncle Onslow Wilbury,” said Marianne laughing.
“Perhaps that’s one of the advantages of having a nom de plume,” replied Olivia.
They fell about in a fit of the giggles and for a moment forgot the sea of troubles around them.
As their laughter subsided, Olivia’s thoughts once more returned to her niece. “I hope that Jocelyn will marry. My fear is that this scandal has ruined her alongside me.”
“I do not believe that you need worry on that score” said Marianne with confidence. “Lord Hastings continues to visit, and I believe Lord Ludlow will return as soon as he can. His family estate is also not too far from Belvedere Abbey, and I know the family.
“So, try to enjoy your visit to Belvedere Abbey. The Duke and Duchess of Hargrove are kind people, and that’s unusual for those in the top drawer oftheton.The Abbey is one of the great houses in England, and the sculptures and artwork are second to none. I believe there are Roman and Greek statues on display.”
Marianne kissed Olivia’s cheek as she prepared to leave. “Enjoy the visit. Despite your reluctance to leave, I’m convinced that it will do you good to be away from London and the gossip.”
***
Half an hour later, Olivia was gathering her reticule and waiting for Ellen to bring her pelisse when Lord Hastings arrived to visit Jocelyn. She suggested Jocelyn take Lord Hastings for a walk in the garden, and there would be no need for a chaperone as Mrs. Jennings was there.
She took the small carriage into town. She would usually have walked, but she felt a certain apprehension about being out and about on the streets, while the gossip circulated.
If Mrs. Groves had heard the rumors, she showed no sign of it. Olivia and Ellen were welcomed with warmth, and Mrs. Groves brought out bolts of lace and ribbon in the latest style from Paris. Olivia bought a yard and a half of a sumptuous apricot silk ribbon. Ellen suggested some lace edging in a curious shade of dark green.
“It’s from Belgium where they are using a new technique for dyeing their lace. You won’t get better quality,” Mrs. Groves informed them.
“I really like the color,” said Olivia, wondering if she was spending too much of her miserly uncle’s money. She decided that, after the way he had behaved with Lord Hatfield, she would go ahead and buy the lace.
She bought the same lace in dusky pink for Jocelyn and a yard of Nottingham lace for Ellen and Mrs. Jennings.
Uncle can afford this, and he is the one who insisted on me taking part in a London season, against my wishes.
As they walked to the door of the haberdasher, they stood back to allow Lady Clara Jackman, and her daughter the Honorable Priscilla Jackman, to enter the shop. The expression on Lady Jackman’s face would have been hilarious in other circumstances. As soon as she recognized Olivia, she took a step backwards, pulling Priscilla after her.
Olivia curtsied a welcome, and the expression on Lady Jackman’s face showed an agony of indecision. She could hardly cut Olivia, but it was obvious she wanted to. After a few seconds she nodded curtly in recognition and pulled her daughter away from Olivia and Ellen.
Ellen opened the door and as they made their way back to the carriage.
“I am ruined,” said Olivia, feeling strangely calm, even though she had now experienced being cut by an acquaintance she had known for many years.
“I don’t think I quite believed it till today,” she continued as much to herself as to Ellen. She was lost in a world of her own and didn’t hear the voice at first. Ellen nudged her arm and Olivia returned to reality with a jolt. She looked up and gasped with surprise.
Jonathan … Sir Jonathan Ellington … stood before her on the pavement.
The one person she had hoped never to see again stood in front of her.
She felt a moment of satisfaction as she noticed that Sir Jonathan Ellington looked as shocked as she did.
She nodded and curtsied in greeting.
At the same time she became aware that her hands had begun to tremble and her palms felt sweaty with panic. A wave of nausea swept through her body.
