“I cannot remember,” he said. “How can I think at all when that dimple is entrancing me so?”
Olivia blushed. “Izzy told me you were a dreadful flirt, sir, and I can see that she was right.”
“A flirt? Me?” he said. “You wound me to the heart, my lovely ghost. What have I said of flattery? Is not every word true?”
“I do not think a gentleman should comment on a lady’s dimple, sir,” she said severely. “Ah, there is Papa!”
Osborn’s sigh was audible as she jumped up and hurried across the room to tuck her arm into Papa’s.
“How glad I am you have come at last!” she cried. “You must tell Lord Kiltarlity he is not to flirt with me.”
“Kiltarlity, eh? I had no idea he was staying here.”
“He is not, I think, but—”
The Bucknells descended to sweep Papa away to be introduced, and although Osborn watched Olivia relentlessly, he made no move to follow her as she processed around the room on the earl’s arm.
Eventually, inevitably, they came round to Osborn, who rose to make his bow. The earl, having excellent manners, exchanged some conversation with the simpering Lady Douglas first before turning to Osborn.
“Kiltarlity. It is a while since I have seen you. You have suffered some tragedies in your family since last we met. My condolences. How are you?”
“Well, sir, I thank you. Sadly grieved by the loss of my brothers and father, but we must soldier on, must we not? You have suffered some reverses yourself of late, I understand, and far more challenging than mine.”
Papa looked suddenly stricken. “True, but as you say, we must soldier on and find what comfort we can.”
“In your daughter I am sure you find great comfort,” Osborn said, with a smiling glance at Olivia. “A man whose spirits cannot be lifted by so lovely a companion is a man without a heart.”
“Indeed.” Papa’s face softened, and he patted Olivia’s hand where it rested on his sleeve. “Olivia has barely left my side since the dreadful events first unfolded. She it is who has dragged me away from home for the first time, and now that I am here, I find myself already looking forward to getting out with the hunt. There is a meet tomorrow, I understand?”
“There is, at Chilford, where I am staying with Marsden.”
“Marsden, eh? Another of Izzy’s court. Is Davenport here as well?”
Osborn laughed easily. “I fear not. He is recently married and cannot tear himself away from his beloved, even for the hunt. But we shall have good sport, I am sure. You have your hunters with you? You will need a good string, for there is a meet almost every day just now. Do you still have that big bay you used to boast of?”
They were soon deep into a discussion of horseflesh, and Olivia’s attention wandered. Looking around the room, she saw Osborn’s sisters waggling their fingers at her invitingly, so she made her way there.
“Lady Elizabeth. Lady Lucilla,” she murmured as she curtsied.
“We did not expect to seeyouhere,” Lady Elizabeth said, looking at Olivia with a somewhat supercilious glare.
“We should have guessed,” her sister said. “Robert was so insistent, there had to be a reason.”
“Yes, but how did she get an invitationhere?”hissed Lady Elizabeth. “The Duke of Camberley’s hunting box is for the Bucknells.”
“And their guests,” Olivia said calmly. “Lady Esther Franklyn is a Bucknell herself. She is chaperoning me.”
“Who is that older gentleman talking to Robert? Do you know, Lucy? Oh, I recognise him now. It is Lord Rennington.”
Lady Lucilla gasped. “Oh! He is… a very well looking man, is he not? For his age, that is, and they do say…”
The sisters turned in unison towards Olivia, who was trying very hard not to laugh.
“Is it true?” one said.
“That he is looking for another wife?” the other said. “For we heard rumours.”
“It is true,” Olivia said, smiling at them. “He is looking for someone young and pretty, who is not a bluestocking, not excessively pious, will not fuss over him and can ride well, but not recklessly. Do you know anyone like that?”
