“Olivia. We set off for town as soon as Marcus sent word of your engagement. We’ve been hoping he would find a young lady to bring home to Belvedere Abbey for many years now. I began to think it would never happen. And now we have you joining our family as Countess of Hatfield,” said the Duke of Hargrove.
The duke took her hand and told her how happy she had made them both and they looked forward to the wedding.
“Have you decided on a date yet?” asked the duchess. “I hope it will be soon. There is still time for a summer wedding. Marcus told me he thought you might be married at Silverton Hall?”
“I think it likely Your Grace,” replied Olivia. “My uncle is hoping there can be a celebration of the re-opening after the renovations at the hall. It would be lovely to combine that celebration with a wedding. I’m sure the whole village would join us.”
“It sounds excellent. You must tell me if I can help in any way. I’ve always longed to have a daughter.”
Olivia felt touched by such kindness. When the duke and duchess moved on to talk to other guests, she found herself alone with Marcus. “You mother is so kind,” she said quietly. “I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.”
“I’m glad you like her. She likes you very much,” replied Marcus.
“She is keen to know more about the wedding. She thought I might want it at Silverton Hall. It’s a lovely idea, but I truly won’t mind if we don’t,” said Olivia.
“We can decide this week. In some ways I’d rather we married sooner, to give you greater protection against the gossipmonger.”
“I think Jocelyn will choose to marry at Silverton Hall. Uncle does seem keen to combine a wedding with a celebration of the re-opening after the fire,” added Olivia.
“I’d like to see your childhood home. However, my immediate priority is to offer to take a turn in the garden with you, before we are called into supper,” said Marcus smiling.
Olivia nodded, and took his arm, as they walked out onto the terrace and down into the sunken rose garden. The scent of honeysuckle hung in the air as they walked together, just enjoying each other’s company.
Chapter 25
Cressida’s maid came to tell her that she had a visitor.
“Who is it, Eloise?”
“That gentleman who visited last week, Sir Jonathan Ellington.”
“Ah, he must have news for me. Let’s hope my plan is working.” She drew her shawl around her shoulders. “I’ll see him in the parlor. Can you ask Mr. Johnson to bring us some tea and fine cognac?”
“Very good, your Ladyship.”
Her skirt rustled around her as she entered the parlor to greet her visitor. “You return again, Sir Jonathan. You have news for me? Good news I hope.”
She waved for him to sit opposite her and smiled encouragingly.It is so easy to bewitch these poor deluded Englishmen. Yet the one I wish to entrance seems to have fallen for that mawkish Lady Olivia Sherwyn. This one is a bore, but he’s useful for now.
“I’m afraid there is no good news. Olivia refused my offer of marriage a few days ago. I’d hoped to speak to her uncle andenlist him to make her see sense. However, news reached me this morning that she is engaged to marry the Earl of Hatfield.”
Fury fired through Cressida’s body. She almost snarled as she spoke. “Lady Olivia Sherwyn is engaged to the Earl of Hatfield? Why would he offer for that milksop of a girl with a scarred face?” She stopped, remembering that the man before her had hoped to marry Olivia himself.
“She rejected you?”
“Yes, turned me down flat, then within days this announcement is made.”
“I believe it is a marriage of convenience to protect her reputation,” declared Cressida.
“She is rich now and her uncle, the Earl of Riversmead, has influence,” replied Jonathan.
She stood and began pacing the room. “I’d go to see her, but I know they suspect I am behind the gossip sheets. It was very unfortunate when I was overheard talking about her at that ball. I don’t think they would invite me for tea if I called at Swanbourne Place.”
She stopped and spoke calmly and directly to Sir Jonathan. “We need to re-double our efforts. I shall write to Olivia and pourout my heart. She may not believe me, but her feathers will be ruffled. That’s all I need. I plan to sow seeds of doubt about her betrothed.”
“And if that doesn’t work?”
“You have staff you trust? Your house is secure?” Cressida enquired of Jonathan.
