“Nothing, I just fancy a walk.”
Elliot’s eyebrow rose in disbelief.
“You? Walk?”
“Yes, me walk,” Alexander huffed. “It’s not that bloody unusual.”
Elliot frowned but thankfully didn’t question him any further, and Alexander swept from the room and dashed toward the garden.
Just what was the little hoyden up to now?
“What took you so long?”Olivia snapped more sharply than she intended. She’d been trying to get Alexander’s attention for an age, watching furtively from the bushes like a thief in the night, not to mention getting tangled in twigs and branches.
“A thousand apologies, my lady,” he responded sarcastically, “but I couldn’t very well announce to Elliot that there was a young woman desperately awaiting me in the bushes, could I?”
Olivia’s temper flared at his tone.
“How nice for you, to finally have a woman actuallywantyour attention,” she said sweetly.
His answering grin could have melted the frost surrounding them and Olivia suddenly felt unaccountably warm.
“Believe me, sweetheart,” he said softly, “I’ve never had a problem with women not wanting me.”
The arrogant swine.
This ridiculous conversation had gone on long enough.
“Much as I enjoy tales of your exploits whilst stuck in your shrubberies, I would rather speak plainly, farther away from the house,” she bit out snippily, refusing to acknowledge his inappropriate and wildly flirtatious comment. “And I’m not your sweetheart.”
He seemed to know he’d affected her however, as he chuckled softly before offering Olivia his arm.
Olivia placed her hand lightly on his bottle green superfine and fought valiantly to suppress the shiver of awareness that coursed through her body.
Gracious. This wouldn’t do. The last thing the man by her side and his ego needed was to be made aware of her reaction to him.
They walked in silence until they reached the walled garden beyond the shrubs and flowers.
This would afford them privacy to talk.Justtalk.
“So.” Alexander was the first to break the silence. ”Why were you watching me from the bushes?” he asked casually.
Immediately, Olivia’s teeth were set on edge.
“I was not ‘watching’ you,” she responded hotly. ”I was trying to get your attention to discussyouridea about the problem.”
“Hmm and you were so desperate to see me again you simply couldn’t wait until tonight. I’m flattered. So, does that mean that you admit that your sister is a problem?”
Olivia dug in her heels, forcing him to stop walking and spun to face him, snatching back her hand.
“’Tis you and your odious friend who are the problem, Fincham.Notmy sister. And the only person desperate here is you. Just what are you about sending secret missives to Jane?”
His face was a picture of confusion.
“I saw her hide it,” she continued, ignoring the ridiculous sting of hurt. “And I don’t know what you’re about, sending usbothletters and – and trying to throw me off your scent by pretending she’s in danger from that St. Clare fellow. But if you think to distract me while you – while you –“
Olivia trailed off, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
She could hardly just blurt out such things with Alexander Stratford.
