His mother and father stood together, arms linked. “Very well Marcus. We’ll leave you to make your own decision, but we know that we are right,” said his mother.
“And you’ll realize it soon,” added his father.
Chapter 19
Olivia knew that spending time away from London was doing Jocelyn good. Soon they would stay with Marianne at Leighton Manor for a few days before returning to town.
One day Marianne drove over and spent time with them at Belvedere Abbey. They climbed to the top of the tower and stood together on the battlements, gazing out across the county.
“It’s an awesome sight,” said Marianne. “Look there’s Leighton Manor, over there. I can see the river, and the church spire in Longhamsted.”
“Jocelyn, you’re very quiet”, said Olivia “Are you feeling faint?”
“Oh no, I was just wondering which direction is Lord Ludlow’s Granville estate. I think it is too far away to see.”
“I believe it is to the southwest,” said Marianne, “so over in that direction.”
“You’re still thinking about Lord Ludlow?” asked Olivia gently.
“Oh yes. I think of little else if I’m honest,” Jocelyn disclosed. “I've been thinking about this a lot, as I know Uncle Harold would be delighted if I accepted the Marquis of Hastings’ offer.”
Marianne gasped in surprise and looked at Olivia, who nodded.
“The difficulty is that I know what I want, and it may not happen, but I must wait and see. I’ve been watching you and the earl, Olivia, and you and the viscount, Marianne and I can see what love is,” said Jocelyn.
Olivia stared at her niece in obvious surprise. “I had no idea. The earl and I are not engaged. He hasn’t proposed.”
“Oh, that’s all irrelevant,” said Jocelyn, very seriously. “It’s clear to anyone that he loves you and that you love him.”
“Jocelyn, stop this now,” said Olivia.
“Oh, very well Olivia. I won’t say any more, but I shan’t change my views. Anyway, it’s made me realize that I don’t want to marry Ethan, the Marquis, just so Uncle is happy, and I have a comfortable home, and a doting husband. I need to marry for love,”explained Jocelyn.
Marianne stepped in. “You’ve obviously been doing a lot of soul searching.”
“I have. I know that even if Lord Ludlow never proposes that I can’t marry Ethan. I like him, but I don’t love him. When I’mwith Colin it feels warm, like being at home, and I don’t think about anything but being with him. I love Lord Ludlow, even if he can’t love me back.”
“Listen Jocelyn,” continued Marianne. “Lady Hargrove told me this morning that Colin’s mother had a dreadful accident, and they thought she might die or be paralyzed. She is an accomplished rider, but something went very wrong, and she fell from her horse. It’s exactly as we heard. Lord Ludlow must have been beside himself with worry, but Lady Hargrove tells me that Lord Ludlow will return to London within a fortnight.”
“I was never sure,” said Jocelyn. “I should have known he was telling the truth. It’s just that Jonathan jilted Olivia, and I thought Colin might have done something similar.”
“You know, Granville Hall is not far from Leighton Manor. Perhaps he could come to dinner while you are staying with me. I’ll ask Charles to ride over and find out how things are at Granville.”
“Oh Marianne, Would the viscount do that?” said Jocelyn, with excitement.
“Of course he will. Now let’s go back down. I need to take my leave of the duchess and return to Leighton Manor. I’ll send the carriage for you the day after tomorrow. Enjoy your last day here.”
She looked curiously at Olivia. “I hope the earl proposes. And yes, I know that you don’t want me to say any of this, so I’ll stop there.”
Next morning, Marcus was waiting for Olivia at the stables, and they set off together riding Moonbeam and Hector. The horses had got into a routine and easily moved from trotting to galloping across the heath. Olivia didn’t realize that her hair had fallen loose from its ribbons and was streaming out behind her.
Somehow, when she spent time with Marcus, she never thought about those scars. As they drew close to the far side of the lake, where they had seen the kingfisher, Marcus stopped Hector and tethered him to a tree, then helped Olivia down from Moonbeam.
As usual her body longed to fold against his, and this time she almost thought he pulled her a little closer. It was most probably her imagination. As they walked together by the lake he stopped and stood staring across the shimmering lake.
“Olivia, enchantress of the forest, you’ve bewitched me since the first time I set eyes on you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Olivia felt a pang of sadness as he said the words. Her heart raced and she felt excitement coursing throughout her body, but she knew she must say ‘no’. They should not be forced intomarriage by malicious gossip. She believed that Marcus only proposed through a sense of duty and to retrieve her from ruin.
