Excitement skittered through her. “I should like that, but I don’t see how…”
“Tomorrow. I will take you back to the house. Move into one of the guest chambers until the wedding.”
She glanced at the door and moved slightly away from him. “Redcliffe, it is better for me to remain here with Helen. The gossip will be bad enough without stirring up more.”
He sighed. “If you must.”
It would be impossible to resist the force of his will and her own desires should she stay there. “I consider it wise.” She smiled at his annoyed expression. Everything went full steam ahead with Redcliffe. He was like one of those new locomotives she’d heard about.
“You do want children?” she asked shyly. She remembered how supportive he’d been when Mrs. Graves gave birth.
“I do. But first I would prefer time with my wife before the nursery claims all your attention.”
Could she give him an heir? Another thing to worry her. Oh, to hold their baby in her arms! How much she had longed for a child, and not just one—a nursery full. She smiled. This was one argument she wouldn’t engage in. Let nature take its course.
He stood. “I’ll return in the morning, and if you are well enough, we’ll hunt for Alberic’s pot of money. Shouldn’t be too difficult to find.” He shrugged. “If it is where he says he put it.”
“Do you think he might have been confused?”
“He seemed quite certain. I imagine we’ll find something. But I doubt it will be much.” He bent and briefly kissed her lips. “Tomorrow, my love.”
Left alone, before Helen came in to hear the news, Olivia sat quietly, considering the extraordinary events since she came to Redcliffe Hall. She had fallen in love and was about to become a countess, which she could still hardly believe. It thrilled and terrified her in equal measure.
The door opened, and Helen slipped inside. “He didn’t stay long.”
“I’ll return with him to the hall tomorrow for a few hours. I prefer to remain here with you until my wedding night if you’ll have me.”
“Of course I will,” Helen smiled broadly. “We have much to do to prepare.”
Olivia smiled back at her. How wonderful it was to see her good friends again, lost to her during that awful time. When she and Redcliffe returned from London, he had told her he planned to hold a hunt ball. Helen, an attractive blonde approaching thirty, had never married, instead, remaining at home to care for her invalid parents. Might there be a suitable bachelor among Redcliffe’s acquaintances whom they could invite?
“You appear deep in thought,” Helen observed.
“I must confess I get nervous when I think of what lies ahead of me in London.”
“Be yourself. People will take to you. You will make a wonderful countess. You’ve read widely, speak French, and can converse on many subjects. And you are generous.”
“I intend to use my position to help the less fortunate.”
“I am certain you will make your mark on society. The way you’ve taken some of those poor unfortunate servants under your wing at Lady Lowry’s and at Redcliffe Hall,” Helen said fondly.
“Redcliffe has received a letter from his sister, Lady Trelawny. The village gossip concerning lost treasure at Redcliffe Hall could prove true. And it may not remain a mystery for long.”
Helen leaned forward, her eyes alight. “Do tell.”
“Well, the ghostly candlelight sighted moving through the house was Pike searching for the old earl’s money. And the earl’s letter may have revealed its hiding place.”
“My goodness. I can’t wait to hear what you find.”
Olivia laughed. “I can’t wait to tell you.”
*
Midmorning on thenext day, Olivia wore her blue pelisse over her lemon muslin gown and tied the blue ribbons of her straw bonnet beneath her chin. In the mirror, her cheeks were pink, and her eyes sparkled with anticipation. What would they find today?
Redcliffe had eyed her approvingly as he assisted her into the phaeton which bowled along the country road.
She glanced down at the passing road. “This seat is far from the ground.”
