“Olivia, beloved Olivia. It is not unusual for gentlemen to have a past. I did love Lucrezia, but since she turned me down, I had been in a state of melancholia, until I met you.”
She looked at him, eyes wide, sparkling in the sunshine.
“You bewitched me in the woods that day. Since we met again at the ball, I’ve been unable to get you out of my mind,” he continued.
“She writes so eloquently, and in such detail. I didn’t know what to think,” explained Olivia.
“You need to believe that she is evil. Look at how she began those rumors, and almost ruined you and Lady Jocelyn. This letter arrives immediately after our engagement is announced, and on the same day I receive a shorter, unpleasant letter from Sir Jonathan.”
“Perhaps they are in league with each other. It is too much of a coincidence,” she gasped. “I cannot believe I took it so seriously.”
“I’m no saint Olivia, but I believe Viscount Leighton had a liaison before he married Marianne. Yet he is devoted to his wife. No one more so. Their joy in each other’s company is evident to all,” Marcus reassured her.
“I believe you. I have no idea why I believed any of it,” she told him. “I read it, read it again, and I began to believe there must be some truth in the allegations.”
“It is because you have been through so much, and you are close to exhaustion.” Marcus stood, raising her to her feet, and then stunning her by lifting her up into the air. She giggled and looked down at him smiling.When her feet were firmly flat on the ground again,he took her hand in his and kissed it gently.
“We should marry next week,” he said decisively. “I’ll get a special license. After the wedding we shall travel to the Villa Montefalconi, and you shall rest under cypress trees in the warm Italian sunshine. Let’s escape for a few months, just you and I together.
She nodded her agreement, and once more he lifted her up high and spun her round in a circle. “Marcus, stop. My uncle might walk in. I’m going to be so dizzy that I won’t be able to stand up,” Olivia declared, laughing.
He placed her gently on the floor, but not till after he had spun her round twice more.
Chapter 27
Wedding plans took over every aspect of daily life in both households. The Viscountess Leighton and the Duchess of Hargrove enjoyed overseeing arrangements. This wedding would be arranged in less than two weeks.
Cook calmly accepted the need to cater for guests at a supper party to be held after the wedding in her stride.
“Are there any further scandal sheets being distributed?” Lady Leighton asked Marcus. “I somehow do not think that this has finished. The sheets are targeted directly at you and Olivia, and everything is planned to drive you from society.”
“There is nothing new circulating, but I do not believe this is over,” agreed Marcus.
“But we have no proof it is Lady Cressida spreading the gossip,” said Olivia.
“You caught her red handed, spreading gossip designed to hurt you at the ball. In my view that’s proof enough,” added Marcus.
“Oh, I know she is the instigator of this vicious campaign,” said Marianne.
“One day we’ll prove it, and I vow that I’ll find a way to humiliate her,” said Marcus.
“Marcus, no,” said Olivia, touching him gently on his arm. “We must walk away from this with our heads held high. Let’s forget about her.”
“I can only try. I intend to keep the investigation open and locate evidence, even if we do not act on it.”
“They deserve public humiliation,” said Marianne. “Look at the hurt they caused you and Jocelyn.”
“Before we change the topic, I will add, that I suspect she has been in contact with Jonathan,” said Olivia. “He sent a letter to you at the same time that I received mine. That seems too much of a coincidence,” she added.
“They have to be in league with each other. The letters were orchestrated,” insisted Marianne. “Now we must bid you farewell Lord Hatfield, as Olivia has a fitting for her wedding dress.”
Marguerite followed him to the door and turned around looking sad. “I don’t believe it. You’d think that dog knew about the betrothal,” said Jocelyn.
“Have you and Colin decided on a date for your wedding, Jocelyn?” asked Olivia.
“I think it will be in August, and we’ve definitely decided to hold it at Silverton Hall. It’s a shame we can’t have a double wedding, Olivia. It could be such fun, and of course it would save uncle some money,” replied Jocelyn.
They all laughed. “He’s being very kind at the moment. No one could ask for a sweeter uncle,” said Olivia.
