The Duke and Olivia had been in the garden beneath a towering shade tree. They’d talked of their childhoods while enjoying sandwiches and fruit. Once they’d had their fill, he’d reclined on the blanket propping his head on one hand.
Olivia had been searching her mind for something unladylike to do when all of a sudden bird droppings splatted on his trousers.
His gaze went to the white and grey, slimy pile on his trousers then back to her. To the duke’s credit, he did not seem too upset by the event. His mouth quirked then he looked back to the pile of droppings. “It seems I have been assaulted.”
Olivia burst into laughter at his reaction. Unable to contain herself, she continued laughing as she scrambled in the basket for a napkin. Her laughter was so jubilant that she could not cease long enough to speak. Instead, she held the cloth out to him while covering her open mouth with her other hand.
The duke wiped the mess away before pinning her with his stern gaze. “Are you enjoying yourself?” He asked, the playfulness in his blue gaze giving him away.
She only laughed harder.
He gave her a wide grin, then shook his head.
Olivia managed to find her voice long enough to reply. “Very much, indeed.”
His smile gave way to a chuckle, and he said, “Had I known that something so trivial would bring you such joy I would have arranged for it sooner.”
Olivia sobered. “You would willingly allow a bird to poop on you?”
“If it brought a smile to your beautiful lips, I most certainly would.” His gaze moved to her mouth, his eyes darkening as he stared.
Heat infused her, spreading from her cheeks to fan through the rest of her body as he stared at her. She darted her tongue out, wetting her suddenly dry lips. The things he said to her—the way he looked at her was most unsettling. Not because she didn’t like his attention, but because she was coming to cherish it.
She sighed, all merriment leaving her as serious thoughts gathered in her mind. Dare she allow herself to hope for a future with him? Perhaps if there was a chance at happiness, she should at least entertain the notion. Olivia averted her gaze to a nearby shrub, then asked, “Have you ever loved?”
“No. Love has never been an option for me,” all merriment was gone from his voice.
She turned back to find his smile replaced by the firm set of his jaw and straight line of his lips. “Why not?”
He rolled onto his back, placing his hands behind his head to stare up at the passing clouds. “Our marriage has been arranged since we were children. My path was chosen for me.”
Her shoulder’s slumped, sadness creeping into her heart. Of course, Olivia had already known. The same was true for her, but she still believed in love. Experienced it even. Not the romantic kind, but love for her family and friends.
That afternoon, Olivia returned to her bedchamber more determined than ever to avoid a lifetime as his duchess. She’d grown fond of their game, and the time they spent together was pleasant, but she’d not sentence herself to a lifetime with a man who could not love her.
The memory and sorrow it brought weighed on her as she turned her attention back to Juliet. “He told me that he has never loved anyone.”
Juliet screwed up her lips in distaste.
Emma met Olivia’s eyes and gave a tender look. “How unfortunate. But it hardly signifies.”
“How can you say that?” Juliet blurted, her eyes wide. “Love is everything.”
Emma shook her head. “I simply mean that not having loved doesn’t mean that he can’t. It only means that he hasn’t.” She turned to Olivia. “Give him a chance. Perhaps he will love you.”
“I dare say he won’t.” Olivia opened her fan and began waving it. “He resents me, you see.”
“On what grounds?” Emma asked.
Olivia swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. “He has never had the option to love because he has always been promised to me. He said so himself.”
Juliet gasped. “How unfair. You did not make the arrangement. If anyone should be resented, it is your parents…yours and his.”
“There you have it.” Emma pointed one finger toward Olivia. “He said that he has never had the option because he has always been promised to you.”
Juliet coked her head to one side, he eyes narrowed in speculation. “What are you getting at, Emma?”
Emma glanced between Juliet and Olivia before settling her gaze on Olivia. “Don’t you see, he was speaking of romantic love.”
