“I do.” Olivia drew a shaky breath before his mouth came down on hers, warming her to her toes. She broke away quickly and pushed him back. “Enough. You must go. What will everyone think?”
“Their thoughts will be far more interesting than what has occurred. I intend to rectify that when you are well.”
She frowned, despite the thrill of his promise. “Not until we are married.”
Redcliffe’s gaze swept over her face. “Then it must be as soon as you are well.” He sobered. “You promise to marry me, Olivia?”
She sighed. “Yes, Redcliffe. Now, will you please go?”
He smiled and kissed her nose. “I’ll return this afternoon to see how you are after I’ve spoken to the vicar.”
When he’d gone, she realized she hadn’t asked him about Pike and Mrs. Hobbs, and Sam, in whom she hadn’t confided, because she didn’t want to burden him with a secret, and oh, everything she’d left at Redcliffe Hall. It had felt like cutting off a limb. The house was so much a part of her now. Although Meg would see to the servants’ welfare, she couldn’t easily relinquish her role. She lay back on the pillow, fatigued, but more pleasantly so, as Helen came in.
“Well. His lordship is indeed a force to be reckoned with.”
“He is,” Olivia said weakly.
“I gather you resolved your differences?”
“Helen.” She laughed. “I’ve agreed to marry him.”
Helen’s brown eyes widened as she slipped into the chair beside the bed. “You have?” She buried her surprise with a delighted smile. “He obviously adores you, Olivia. I confess to being a little envious. I can see you’ll be happy together.”
“Lord only knows what will happen once our marriage has been announced in the London newspapers,” Olivia said.
“People get over things quickly, I find.”
“I hope you’re right. A countess has many duties to perform. I fear I’ll be out of my depth.”
Helen shook her head. “In that, my dear? I am confident you will excel at the role.”
“You are such a good friend. I am blessed to have you and Meg.”
“We have missed seeing you since…well, working for Lady Lowry made it impossible. I wonder what the horrible woman will have to say.”
“I can imagine.” Olivia’s spirits drooped. Then she told herself nothing would spoil her wedding day. “Will you be my attendant? I shall also ask Meg.”
“We’d love to. Will you have time to have a gown made?”
“Knowing Redcliffe, I doubt it.” Olivia bit her lip and put a hand to her spinning head. “I shall have to purchase a ready-made gown.”
“Oh, what a shame. I might have something in my wardrobe. When Papa lived, we attended many functions. You and I are about the same size, although I’m shorter. My seamstress can let down the hem. I recall a lovely blue silk. Shall I fetch it?”
“Oh, please do, Helen. It would be perfect.”
After Helen left the room, Olivia pushed back the covers and left the bed. She felt so much better as she walked to the window. The sky was the color of delphiniums. How poetic of Redcliffe. Her eyes weren’t that shade of blue. She smiled and shook her head, then she thought of what lay ahead and covered her face with her hands.
Helen came in. “Are you all right?” She smiled. “Oh, you’re up. That is a good sign.”
“Yes, I feel so much better. I’m eager to get on with things.”
Ready to tackle the world? She shivered with excitement and a heavy dose of trepidation.
Chapter Twenty-Three
In the morning,Dominic spent an hour with his secretary, dealing with urgent matters, then rode to Miss Caldicot’s home, a stone country mansion on fifty acres, several miles beyond the outskirts of the village. Did Miss Caldicot live here alone? A place this size, it would not be easy. She must be the capable sort.
Leaving Onyx with a groom at the stables, he strolled through the gardens to the front porch, flanked by Doric columns.
