Lady Priscilla seemed smitten with the man, who, despite appearing well into his fourth decade, was handsome indeed. “I vote the younger guests ride up to the ruins tomorrow. If the weather holds, that is. Do you ride, Miss Redfield?”
Olivia forced herself to concentrate on what was being said. Did she ride? Her first thought was that of riding in front of Gabriel on his mare along an isolated country road. How she’d felt with his arms around her for safety, his breath warming the nape of her neck when he bent his head to speak to her.
“Miss Redfield?” All eyes were upon her.
“Oh, um. Yes. Riding. That sounds lovely.” She couldn’t help stealing a glance at Gabriel. Something in his gaze suggested that he was remembering too. She shivered and just as quickly dropped her lashes.
“So many beautiful ladies, sitting atop the finest of horseflesh. What gentleman could resist such an outing?” Lord Lockley offered.
Lady Priscilla giggled.
“What gentleman indeed?” Gabriel’s words sounded clipped. When Olivia had the courage to look up again, she caught him glowering at his sister. Miss Shipley released Olivia’s elbow and stepped back to allow another gentleman to enter the conversation.
“Mr. Fellowes,” Lord Lockley greeted the new arrival, seemingly oblivious to the tension radiating from his host. “Lady Priscilla has suggested a ride to the ruins tomorrow morning. With this bevy of ladies, can you imagine any place you’d rather be on a fine spring day?”
“Indeed not.” If Olivia hadn’t guessed by his name, she would have known him to be one of Gabriel’s brothers by his looks. Same height and build, same dark eyes and inky black hair. His eyes didn’t dance, however, as she’d seen Gabriel’s do on so many occasions.
Although Gabriel’s eyes weren’t dancing this evening.
“Gilbert Fellowes, May I present Miss Olivia Redfield. Miss Redfield, Mr. Fellowes is Lord Kingsley’s younger brother.” Miss Shipley made the polite introduction. The younger man bowed, and Olivia dipped into a scant curtsey. At that moment, she determined to practice her curtseys. Louella was unwavering in her longing to take Olivia along when she and Crawford left for the Season and Olivia would rather not feel so awkward every time she was introduced to somebody new.
“My pleasure, Miss Redfield.”
Conversation covered other possible entertainments they’d embark upon over the next ten days, and then dinner was announced, effectively stirring the various clusters of guests to seek out their escorts. An older gentleman Olivia did not recognize was to escort Lady Kingsley, and Olivia was surprised to see Gabriel take Louella by the arm.
But of course, she was a duchess.
Olivia could not help but feel out of her depth.
“May I?” Lord Lockley offered his elbow, and Olivia had no choice but to take it. The man pulled her close to him and patted her hand. “I look forward to becoming well acquainted with you over the next week, my dear Miss Redfield. Where have you been hiding all this time?”
A chill slid down her spine, but she merely nodded. Had she been hiding as much as she’d been hidden?
She turned her head and offered a tentative smile.
Something in the way Lord Lockley looked at her had her feeling far more exposed than she liked. He hadn’t quite met her eyes, rather his gaze settled for too long upon her lips… and lower.
Hiding hadn’t been so bad after all. It was better than feeling… naked.
* * *
As much as he tried,Gabriel could not keep his gaze from straying to Olivia. He hadn’t thought she could be any more beautiful than she was in his memory, but somehow… she was.
She’d told him she was a guest. His mother, likely, had invited her sister who was now the Duchess of Crawford. If he’d known she was coming would he have done anything differently?
He glanced to the right, where Victoria had been seated. A place of honor, since his mother held court at the opposite end of the table.
“Are you and Miss Redfield acquainted already?” Victoria inquired. “She is Crawford’s sister-in-law, after all, and lives near Ashton Acres, from what I have gathered.”
Gabriel nodded, sensing Olivia’s gaze upon both of them. “We have met on a few occasions. The mine is on her father’s property.” He’d not make any further explanations.
“Such a horrible tragedy,” Victoria responded.
“Ah, yes. But I understand the mine is virtually spewing gold now. Last I heard, anyhow. Are you invested?” Lockley was emboldened enough to ask him.
“Never.” Although, Gabriel could not deny the truth of Lockley’s declaration. It was one of the only mines in all of England ever to produce any significant amounts of gold. With no additional mishaps, thank God.
Gabriel was happy enough for Crawford’s good fortune, but he, himself, could never benefit from the project. He’d told Crawford just that when he’d been asked.
