“I don’t believe your mama could live without her ride every day. She’s a renowned horsewoman in the county.”
“I know. I’m still concerned she will take another fall. But as she said to me, the last time she fell was in her twenties and she hasn’t fallen since.”
“Lady Jocelyn will understand about the accident. And you’ve written to her since that first letter?” asked Marcus
Colin grew quiet and looked away. “I haven’t been in touch since I left London.” he said almost inaudibly.
Marcus spoke automatically, and without thinking. “Colin, you idiot, you mean you didn’t write or send a note once?”
“I didn’t, and even when I knew she was at Belvedere Abbey, I held back. I thought she might wonder why I had written but didn’t come to visit. I can’t explain it. Now we’re talking about it, I can’t see any logic to my actions. I think I was more distracted by Mama’s accident than I realized.”
“Of course you were. Aunt Eleanor was unconscious for several days. You were distraught. We all thought she might die.”
Marcus clapped Colin on the back. “Come on, let’s go and find your Jocelyn. We’re invited to stay for dinner at Swanbourne Place.”
As they walked along the pavement, in the warm early summer sun he felt a spark of excitement at seeing his Olivia again. His Olivia sounded so right.
“Olivia and I are engaged,” he told his cousin.
Colin stopped walking and stared at him. “Engaged? To Olivia?”
“Why does everyone find this so hard to believe?”replied Marcus.
“I don’t find it hard to believe, I’m just surprised it hasn’t been announced. Is it because of the gossip? You’re doing the truly decent thing, and marrying her to save her from ruin,” suggested Colin.
Marcus knew that had been the impetus for his offer of marriage, but he knew it was far more than that.
“It’s true that her uncle, the Earl of Riversmead came and asked me to consider marrying Olivia. I told him I wasn’t sure. The reality is that nothing happened between us, well nothing of the magnitude of that gossip sheet, and I refused to be forced into marriage in that way.”
“Go on,” encouraged Colin.
“I always felt something for Lady Olivia, from our very first meeting I’ve felt drawn towards her. I love her. I didn’t realize it was love, but I love her with all my heart, all my being,” continued Marcus.
“Then congratulations cousin. I am already looking forward to the wedding. Your father and mother will be delighted, I’m sure.”
“Mother hoped I’d marry Lady Cressida.”
“Thank the stars that you didn’t. We all know she is the gossipmonger,” replied Colin.
“And I suspect frustrated ambitions and jealousy to be the motivation behind her trying to ruin Olivia,” added Marcus.
“We’re almost there. Here we are, both going into the same house to meet the young ladies who have stolen our hearts,” said Colin with a grin.
A footman showed them in and then Mrs. Jennings came to greet them with a wide smile of welcome. “Lord Hatfield and Lord Ludlow. How pleasant to see you both. I hear your mother is fully recovered?”
Lord Ludlow nodded. “We were extremely concerned, but Mama has rallied and proved the doctor wrong.”
“The Viscountess Leighton, Lady Olivia and Lady Jocelyn are at home. The earl is out on business but will return for dinner. I’ll show you through.”
And there she was … hazelnut locks with a scattering of tiny strands of ribbon, like colorful cobwebs, draped through her hair. Her day gown of coral pink swayed around her body as she came to greet him.
He took her hands in his and felt that connection, and he knew he had been missing her, ever since he took leave of her at Belvedere Abbey. They were back together again, and he felt as if he had returned home.
She bobbed the formal curtsy, he bowed, and her eyes met his with a welcoming smile.
Lady Leighton came to welcome him, and she took Colin aside to enquire about his mother. Lady Leighton took Colin’s hands in hers and led him to sit beside her, to tell her about his mother’s recovery. She beckoned Jocelyn across to join them.
Olivia suggested they go across to a window seat, pointing out the view of the roses, scrambling over an arbor, blooming in the garden beyond.
