In fairness, he had tried to warn her. Desire was fickle. His heart made of stone. He lacked the capacity to love. The words a testament from his own mouth. Words she had knowingly ignored.
A knock on the door broke the silence.
Mrs Boswell entered a moment later, breathless, her eyes wide with concern. Her chin trembled slightly as she spoke. “My lady, Daisy told me what happened. That she feared she caused some upset. She’s a young girl whose mouth works faster than her brain.”
Olivia gathered herself, drawing up what composure she could. She trusted Mrs Boswell to speak plainly. “Is it true? Did Gabriel propose to the countess? Did he make her the same offer he made me? Friendship? A safe haven from trouble?”
To fight to the death to protect her?
Mrs Boswell’s hesitation was answer enough.
“I’ve known him since he was a boy, my lady. And I swear to you—he’s in love with you. I’ve never seen this kind of devotion. It’s you, only you. Whatever was in the past meant nothing.”
For a second, she almost believed it.
So desperately wanted to.
But doubt had already taken root.
“You’re avoiding the question, Mrs Boswell. Just tell me, did Gabriel ask the countess to marry him?”
The housekeeper wrung her hands, as if the gesture might soften the blow. “He did, my lady. But only because he feared she’d ruin her life with Mr Chance. In the absence of family, he felt a duty to her brother. And his lordship …” Her voice wavered. “His lordship never expected to find love.”
The drum of her heartbeat drowned out everything else.
A single tear slipped down her cheek. Then another.
Mrs Boswell stepped closer, her voice gentle. “It’s clear you love him too, my lady. I beg you, please don’t let his noble gesture taint what’s happening between you.”
Olivia straightened, her mind in tatters, her emotions frayed.
He was waiting for her, making love the only thing on both their minds. Now, those intentions seemed painfully naive, swept aside by the weight of uncertainty.
“Thank you, Mrs Boswell. It’s late. That will be all for tonight.”
The housekeeper dipped her head but hesitated at the door. “At least let him explain. I assure you, if he hasn’tmentioned it, it’s because it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters more to him than you, my lady.”
And how quickly he’d become her world, too.
Olivia nodded. “I just need time to think.”
“But you do love him?” Mrs Boswell asked, hope shining in her rheumy eyes.
More than she could express in words.
“Yes, but please don’t mention this to him. I prefer to speak to him myself.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
Alone now, she tried to make sense of it.
It might have stung less had their circumstances been different. But Gabriel’s reasons for offering marriage were practically identical. Was she merely a convenient replacement for a man whose life had been marred by rejection?
She paced the room, arms wrapped around her middle, but nothing eased the hollow ache in her stomach. She wouldn’t sleep until she’d spoken to him, and he was already waiting for her in bed.
It was more than lust.
It had to be.
