I don’t want to be here. I never wanted to see Jonathan again.
All the time she maintained a polite, yet distant expression on her face.
“Olivia, you look well,” he said. “I hadn’t expected to see you in town.”
Does he mean that he didn't want our paths to cross, or that he didn't expect me to be out and about due to the scandal?
“Thank you, so do you, Sir,” she murmured indistinctly in response, noticing that he was not making eye contact with her. Instead, his eyes were fixated on her hairline, the side of her face where the scars were hidden.
She took a deep breath. “Are your family well?” she enquired with politeness.
“They are all in good health,” he replied and then he smiled that familiar smile, where the dimple in his chin stood out.
I used to find it so endearing,she thought.And now?
I certainly feel strange. There is a tug of something within me. I feel that pull towards past memories. If nothing else we are old friends with a shared past, we grew up in the same part of the country. We planned a life together. There was something between us, once, long ago.
“It was a pleasant surprise to see you, Olivia. I’ll bid you good day as I am expected elsewhere within a half hour,” said Jonathan, excusing himself as he continued on his way.
After she had said farewell to Jonathan, she climbed into her waiting carriage and the feelings of agitation diminished. She felt her feet firmly back in the present day.
***
Next day Olivia and Jocelyn were back in the barouche carriage, traveling to Belvedere Abbey. Uncle Harold had wished them well and disclosed to them that he was taking the household staff, including Mrs. Jennings to visit Silverton Hall to see the renovations and begin to make plans for the re-opening.
“Did you have a pleasant time with Lord Hastings when he visited yesterday?” asked Olivia, with a gentle smile. “I admirehim for continuing to visit our family, when so many appear to have ostracized us.”
“Yes, I did have a pleasant time. He is a very genteel and solicitous gentleman. I agree with what you say. We had a steady stream of guests calling before the gossip began. Now we have few visitors and Ethan, the Marquis of Hastings, is the only man who now calls regularly.”
“Is there any news of Lord Ludlow?” Olivia asked with interest. She noticed that Jocelyn’s cheeks flushed at the mention of that gentleman’s name.
“He is still out of town,” Jocelyn said quietly.
“Has he written at all?” Olivia continued.
“No, not after that first note.”
She saw an expression, almost of pain, cross Jocelyn’s face and knew instinctively that something was wrong.
“Josie, what is it? I can see there is something troubling you?” Olivia said.
Jocelyn fidgeted and shifted her position on the long bench in the carriage. After a few seconds’ silence she spoke in a hoarse voice, so quiet that Olivia struggled to hear her words.
“He proposed. He made me an offer of marriage.”
“Colin? Lord Ludlow?” Olivia asked in surprise.
“No, the Marquis of Hastings. Yesterday, while we were walking in the garden. He told me that he loved me and hoped I would agree to be his wife,” clarified Jocelyn.
“Oh Josie. A proposal of marriage,” Olivia said, clapping her hands.
“Indeed. I was taken quite by surprise.”
“Has he spoken with Uncle?” Olivia asked.
“I’m not sure. Uncle hasn’t said anything,” Jocelyn replied.
“I don’t like to pry, but I have to ask if you accepted his offer.” Olivia couldn't hide her curiosity.
