He watched as yet again as myriad emotions raced across her face.
It really was a lovely face.
She didn’t deserve it, the little harpy.
“Fine,” she eventually bit out, bringing his thoughts back to the problem at hand. “I shall help you. What do we do?”
Three
Olivia rose exhausted froma distinct lack of sleep the night before.
Why had she allowed Alexander Stratford to bother her so, when she had promised herself that it wouldn’t happen?
He was an arrogant cad, but he was so handsome. She had known, even flirted with plenty of handsome men. Well, some. Well, one. But he hadn’t compared to Alexander, unfortunately. Worse still, he didn’t seem to possess whatever magical powers Alexander did that drew her in.
Until he’d almost kissed her that fateful day, Olivia had carried a healthy dose of dislike for the man.
But that one moment of closeness had changed more than she liked to admit, even to herself.
Now the hatred she felt for him was based on the humiliation she had felt upon overhearing that conversation he’d had with his mother afterwards.
A knock on the door heralding the arrival of the one upstairs maid Papa had retained distracted Olivia from her dour musings, but whilst Ellie set about dressing her hair with a pink ribbon to match the long sleeved, pale pink muslin she wore, Olivia couldn’t help but worry about Alexander’s words the previous night.
Could it really be that Jane was in danger from Mr. St. Clare?
Impossible. Jane might be a little infatuated, but she wasn’t so stupid as to get herself completely ruined, was she? A few months ago, Olivia would have said not. But father’s gambling had made Jane reckless. Still naïve however, wherein lay the danger. Alexander had promised to keep an eye on his friend but had warned that it would be far too easy for the cad to seduce Jane should he really put his mind to it. Jane knew better though. She had to. She would never allow herself to become embroiled in anything so damning.
Yet, she appeared to be blinded when it came to Mr. St. Clare. Olivia had gotten the measure of him from the off. But Jane – Jane seemed to think there was a chance for real affection between them.
It wasn’t long before Ellie had pulled Olivia’s hair into a creation of twists and curls that Olivia had paid no attention to. Good or bad, it would do. She hadn’t time to be worrying about such things, in any case. She needed to ascertain whether or not Jane was in danger.
There was no one in Jane’s room when Olivia rushed in there however, so she could only assume that her sister had already gone to break her fast. Unusual in and of itself. Jane never surfaced before noon if she could help it. Especially on a cold, grey December day.
Stepping back into the hallway, Olivia collided with the family’s ageing and long serving butler.
“My apologies, Miss,” the old butler wheezed, the silver tray in his hands wobbling alarmingly.
“No apology necessary, Sterling, it was my mistake,” Olivia answered with a smile, reaching out and steadying the tray.
“The Earl of Fincham sent a footman this morning Miss and asked that I deliver invitations to you personally.”
Olivia took the proffered envelope from Sterling with her thanks, ignoring the old man’s frown of disapproval then dashed off in the direction of the breakfast room.
She tore open the envelope. Fincham should know better than to send her invitations! But if it would help Jane, then she shouldn’t complain. And while Sterling might not approve, he was fiercely loyal and would never spread gossip about Olivia.
Meet me at Hyde Park, by the tree where you pushed me into the Serpentine. I’m sure you remember the scene of your crime. I’ll be there at eight. Don’t be difficult about it. Tis for your sister’s sake. We might have a problem. A.
Olivia’s temper boiled over at the imperious words and if the dratted man had been standing in front of her, she would have done bodily harm to the oaf. As it was, she scrunched up the paper and threw it at the wall with a shriek of annoyance.
He was going to drive her to Bedlam. Or Newgate if she murdered him which felt like a distinct possibility.
She would ask Jane to come with her, not least because she couldn’t very well go meeting a man alone in the middle of Hyde Park.
Olivia glanced out the window at the dull, grey day. It looked freezing out. Frost still coated the roads and rooftops. Hmm. It was unlikely that anyone else would be mad enough to walk in such weather. And so close to the dinner hour. But needs must. And she wasn’t going to risk being alone with Alexander Stratford.
Besides it would give them a chance to talk since Jane had been suspiciously quiet in the carriage that Lord Fincham had insisted the ladies take last night to return home. Jane had thanked him profusely. Olivia grudgingly.
If Jane agreed to come with her this evening, she would be able to determine if Alexander’s concerns were legitimate or just another way for the man to cause Olivia trouble. And it wasn’t as though the sisters had invitations to anywhere.
