Bursting into the dining room, Olivia found Jane sitting at the table, as she had assumed.
“Jane, I wondered if – what’s that?”
Was that a blush?
Olivia felt a little as though the wind had been taken out of her sails as she watched Jane hastily fold a letter of her own, a furious blush staining her cheeks.
Had she received her own missive from Alexander? The thought made Olivia’s stomach twist painfully.
Last night she’d wondered if Jane was developing feelings for the earl. But when she’d seen her sister with the lascivious Mr. St. Clare she’d assumed that’s where Jane’s interest lay.
Was Jane interested in Lord Fincham? Was – Olivia had to swallow a sudden lump – was Alexander Stratford interested in pursuing Jane? Was that why he was so insistent on keeping her from St. Clare?
“What is it, Livvy?”
“Er – I wondered if you’ like to join me for a walk this evening in Hyde Park? I-I thought a stroll in the cold night air would be refreshing,” Olivia managed to mumble.
“A walk? At night? In Hyde Park?”
Jane’s scepticism was understandable.
“Er, yes?” Olivia answered feebly. “Why not?”
Jane frowned at her for a moment before her expression cleared. “Well, I can’t this evening, Livvy. I – I need to – to, um, write to an old acquaintance.”
Olivia’s stomach churned once more.
Jane was a terrible liar.
“Writing to an old acquaintance? Surely that can wait!”
“It can’t. I’ve put it off for far too long. Just take Ellie with you. I won’t be needing her services. If you’ll excuse me.”
Olivia kept her mouth firmly shut as she watched Jane stand and hurriedly leave the room.
She lifted the cup of coffee that had been poured for her when she’d entered the room. Though she was loathe to admit it, Alexander was right. Something needed to be done.
Now she just needed to figure out if he was part of the problem.
“Are you out ofyour mind?”Alexander asked, making sure his tone reflected his outrage.
He was worried about Jane. Not because he wanted to protect Olivia from gossip and upset. Of course not that. She didn’t want his protection and he didn’t want to give it.
He didn’t.
But Scandal Lane was no place for an innocent lady and Elliot knew that.
The place had earned its moniker because it was notorious for secret assignations and debauchery among theton.Many a married lady had engaged in illicit affairs there, many a gentleman had met a mistress, an opera singer, a dancer – and many a foolish young lady had met her demise.
Elliot merely grinned and shrugged his shoulders in response.
“What do you think you’re playing at?”
“I’m notplayingat anything. Not yet anyway,” Elliot grinned, every inch the rake.
“Please, spare me the details of what you do when you’re alone with a woman.”
“Why should I? You could pick up some tips.”
