Mary was doing all sorts of new things with her hair as well. Olivia almost felt like a lady.
Her slippers, however, were most impractical for a late-night walk down a dirt path. Made of delicate silk, they were quite femininely whimsical. The same style ribbon as on her bodice, tied in crisscrosses up her ankle. She lifted her dress to peer down at them and sighed. She would need to be careful not to ruin them. They were so very lovely.
Even if the soft leather sole made it so that she could feel every rock and lump almost as though her feet were bare.
She picked her way along the path, determined to get to the top. It was her last evening here. She wanted to drink it all in, create a memory so that in the future she could imagine him looking down with pride at his estate, sooth herself knowing he could be content.
She’d never hate him, although it might have made her future seem less dismal.
She loved him and always would. She could no longer deny it.
Upon reaching the folly, she simply stood at the edge gazing down at the manor, the distant fields, and all the trees that had not yet begun to flower. More stars than she could ever count sparkled above. They seemed almost close enough to reach out and touch.
A lazy cloud drifted so that it partially blocked the moonlight.
She would sit on the bench for a moment and then make her way back down. She was quite alone and farther from the manor than she ought to have gone.
Just as she lowered herself onto the ornate wooden bench, a rustling sound drifted through the leaves. An animal?
She shivered. She’d meet her death for certain if it was a wild boar. Perhaps it was only a squirrel… or a bird.
But then definite footsteps, heavier than an animal. Perhaps if she sat very still, no one would be the wiser.
Perhaps it was Gabriel.
“My horrible little liar. Weary, indeed. I thought this was what you had in mind.” The voice was not Gabriel’s. Olivia’s spine shot up straight when she realized she might not be as safe as she’d assumed she would be.
Lord Lockley had finally managed to get her alone.
* * *
After her blatantlie about being tired, Olivia had withdrawn from the room but most definitely had not turned in the direction of her chamber. Gabriel had watched her exit to the left, but then just as quickly change direction. Her yellow gown was difficult to miss as she’d tiptoed past the open door.
This might be his best opportunity to speak with her privately.
And his intentions were honorable. He’d noticed that she’d done everything possible to avoid Lord Lockley over the course of the house party.
Was it possible the man had said something to her? Offended her? By God, if he’d laid so much as a finger upon her…
But if he was not mistaken, she had avoided the man quite successfully.
He wished Prissy had the same instincts.
With a quick examination of the room, he wondered if his own departure could go unnoticed.
Victoria was familiarizing herself with the pianoforte while Gil appeared for all the world as though he’d turn the pages for her. Gabriel vaguely wondered if Gil would play. An excellent musician in his own right, he tended to hide it, as many considered it an unmanly pursuit.
Victoria would not miss him if he were to go after Olivia.
His mother sat in an aminated conversation with Lady Shelton. Most of the younger set, including Nathaniel and Prissy, were taking part in a flurry of activity in deciding how they would utilize the improvised dance floor. Some of the older guests looked interested in participating as well.
Seeing this might be his best chance, Gabriel slowly backed out one of the French doors onto the veranda.
The party was to end tomorrow and in less than three weeks’ time, he and Victoria would marry.
Gabriel tugged at his cravat.
Stepping away from the terrace, he contemplated whether the minx would have taken the path that descended to the brook that ran across the property or the more difficult climb to the folly.
