He’d spent his time at Dumpkins Manor admiring her quiet good looks and loved how she was just at home in the library as she was tromping around the manor’s grounds. He’d had the thought, within the first week of watching her practice archery with his sister, —howdidAthena manage to keep avoiding theseFriday night entertainments?—that Olive L’arbre would make an excellent adventure partner.
Not just on his upcoming journey to the Mediterranean, but in the adventure oflife.
But how could he convince her of that? Especially now when he’d apparently alienated her so thoroughly?
What a miserable dinner.
Olive had had such high hopes for her time with Phineas Oliphant, only to discover Athena’s brother was nothing but a—a—afraud!
How dare he think he could tell her such a story? He likely expected her to be impressed or titillated by such a tale of adventure, little realizing she was one of the few in England who would recognize its origins!
Swallowing down her irritation and the bone-deep disappointment that such an intriguing man had turned out to be a liar, Olive spent the remainder of the meal pretending interest in the opinions of the older woman beside her. It was nearly impossible to care about, “styles girls these days are wearing,” when Phineas—and hiskilt—were sitting near enough on her other side that the man’s bare leg occasionally brushed against her skirts.
The fact he kept trying to gain her attention again with conversational sallies or offers of more food—when her appetite had completely disappeared—didn’t help.
It was agony to wait until their hostess signaled the end of the meal, but Olive somehow managed. Instead of taking Phineas’s arm and allowing him to escort her to the informal dancing the countess had arranged for the evening’s entertainment, Olive snubbed him—terribly rudely too—and hurried out of the room. When her brother caught her eye, she gestured upward, and he nodded, obviously thinking she was going to her room to repair her gown before the dancing or some such excuse.
In reality, she had every intention of hiding there with her journal for the remainder of the night.
The remainder of thesummer.
Drat the man for getting her hopes up.
He’d seemed so interesting, and interested in her and what she had to say, which rarely happened outside of her close friends and parents. His love of his family was commendable, and he laughed at himself. He had shared opinions and asked for her own on topics she enjoyed speaking about, and when he’d claimed to have traveled, her heart had skipped a beat.
A handsome and admirable man, who adventured and was interested in the same things she was?Be still, my heart.
And then…he’dlied. He’d looked her right in the eyes and hadliedto her.
Muttering quietly to herself, Olive gathered her skirts in her hands and prepared to stomp her way upstairs where she could spend the rest of the evening ensconced in something much more comfortable while reading her journal.
Reading therealadventures of Aberdeen Jones, by Zeus!
But her name was called, and she swallowed down her irritation and slapped a false smile on her lips just as Lady Dumpkins latched onto her elbow. “There you are, Olive, dear! I was just speaking your praises to the duke—the Duke of Cashard. You know, our honored guest?” The older woman’s voice grew sharper. “He is expecting to share the first dance with you.”
“Do forgive me, Countess?—”
“Call me Millicent, dear. When the Duke agreed to grace my humble house party with his presence, I did my best to bring together as many eligible young women.” The older woman was practically dragging Olive away from the stairs. “He refuses to participate in our daytime activities—estate business must be so draining—but hedoesjoin us to dance with a different lady each night. Tonight is your turn.”
“Such a shame.” Olive made a show of rubbing her forehead. “I fear I am not quite feeling well and?—”
“Nonsense!” Lady Dumpkins was already tugging her toward the ballroom where the dancing would take place. “The duke is waiting. Aduke, Olive. You can hide in your room after you have danced with the man.”
“But—”
“One does not turn down a duke, dear. Oh, Your Grace, allow me to present one of the most accomplished of our crop of young hopefuls.”
Young hopefuls?As if every female here was ready to throw herself at a Bonafide duke.
As Lady Dumpkins made the introductions, Olive managed not to roll her eyes. Instead, she tried to surreptitiously glancearound the room. Bonnie was deep in conversation with Willow, Ash was already disappearing into the game room, but Phineas…?
Well, not that she’d admit looking for the man, but Olive didn’t see a kilt anywhere. Which made it a little easier to allow her not-quite-wanted partner to lead her into position.
The Duke of Cashard was really quite handsome. Tall, with blond hair styled immaculately and eyes as cold as his personality. His conversation was stilted enough to make a lady feel unwanted, but of course, he was rumored to be richer than Midas.
Olive had met him during the first Friday evening entertainment, when Lady Dumpkins had announced that each week he would dance with a new lady. Tonight, apparently, it was her turn.
“Dancing does not appear to be one of your accomplishments, Miss L’arbre.”
