Uncle Harold was stunned that he’d had no knowledge of the terms of the inheritance.“I’m delighted for you, my dear niece, truly delighted.”
***
Within a couple of days the callers had returned. The gossip didn’t seem to matter anymore. A steady stream of calling cards piled up on the silver salver in the hall.
Marianne laughed out loud when she received a letter from Lady Golightly informing her that they were welcome again at Almack's Assembly Rooms.
“I almost wish I’d kept this quiet for a while, I didn’t realize word could travel so quickly,” Olivia told Marianne.
“Absolutely not. You and Jocelyn should never have lost your place in society,” replied Marianne.
“I feel sorry for some of these men. They are forced to marry into wealth to save their crumbling family estates. I know what it’s like to be penniless,” Olivia said compassionately.
She looked at Marianne with a sense of bewilderment. “No one seems to even consider me disfigured anymore.What a difference being a wealthy woman makes to so many things in life.”
“Some always saw beyond the scars and inheritance,” commented Marianne.
“I’ll be glad when my engagement is announced. I can’t tell these young men that I am already engaged to Marcus.”.
Olivia was eager for Marcus to arrive in town, and for word to spread about their betrothal.
After Marianne had left, Olivia settled to read poetry to Jocelyn who was embroidering a linen cloth.
They were interrupted by Mrs. Jennings, and as soon as Olivia saw her face, she knew that something was wrong. She stood and went towards the housekeeper, who looked as if she was in need of strong smelling-salts.
“Jocelyn, run and get my salts,” Olivia called. “Mrs. Jennings, what on earth is the matter, you look faint.”
“There is another caller Your Ladyship, and this one refuses to leave his card.”
A tall, dark figure loomed behind Mrs. Jennings, and without being invited he entered the drawing room.
“Olivia. I heard that you had returned to town. I came immediately. I simply had to tell you that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since we met that day in the street.”
“I have come to ask you to give me a second chance. There has been nobody since you. Let’s resume our engagement andmarry. I’ll go speak with your uncle now,” Sir Jonathan said, seemingly certain of Olivia’s answer.
Here she was, listening to the words which for almost three years she had longed to hear. Now she felt strangely empty. Sir Jonathan Ellington’s words meant nothing. She just wanted him to leave the premises and leave her to some peace and quiet.
Behind her she saw Jocelyn staring in disbelief. However, her niece surprised her by stepping into action. “Ah, Sir Jonathan,” she cooed. “How pleasant of you to call, but did Mrs. Jennings not tell you that we are unable to accept callers today? “
Mrs. Jennings moved her body between Jonathan and Olivia and together with Jocelyn they shepherded the baronet to the door.
“I must ask you to leave. Please feel able to return and present your card another day.”
Olivia sighed with relief and sank into a chair.Oh for a quiet day!
Chapter 20
Marcus took a different route to London for the last part of his journey back to Tewkesbury Crescent. He abandoned the Great North Road, choosing instead to canter and gallop across the fields, and enter the city close to the royal parks. Hector enjoyed the journey, and they often stopped at the streams wending their way down towards the river Thames.
Every time he sat by a stream, gazing at the flowing water, his thoughts carried away to his enchanted Cendrillon, and the day they met. Now he had further memories, and a contentment about the engagement he had been unsure about. He remembered when the Earl of Riversmead had called to demand an immediate engagement.
I wonder when we’ll be married. Late summer perhaps? Or maybe linked to the Harvest celebrations?
Marcus assumed the wedding would be in the chapel at Belvedere Abbey, but there was a possibility it might be at Silverton Hall. The earl had told him the renovations were nearly complete, and the family planned a grand re-opening.
I must remember to ask Olivia where she would like the ceremony to be.
He noticed a red squirrel daring to come close to him, hoping for a crumb of bread perhaps? The blue sky promised the warmth of a summer day, and he laid down on the grass, smelling the heady fragrance of the summer’s day, while the sun warmed his face and body.
