“Youare.”
“Olivia…” His blue eyes searched hers, drawing her into someplace she wasn’t sure she wanted to go. “I’m not.”
“If my mother put you up to this-”
“The only thing the Duchess of Abercorn did was extend an invitation to a summer house party that I am now infinitely glad that I accepted.”
Her gaze darted to the side. She felt… she felt… well, she couldn’t describe how she felt. Hot and cold, all at once. Happy - was this what her parents had wanted? - but also nervous. Excitedandfrightened.
If this was love, she didn’t want anything to do with it.
“I have to go,” she said, bolting past him down the gazebo steps.
“Olivia,” he called after her. She couldhearhis grin. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
***
She did see Hoyt at dinner. That night, and seven consecutive nights after. During the day, he found all kinds of ways to annoy her.
He brought her flowers.
He read her poetry.
He went riding with her.
And when no one was looking, he kissed her.
She liked the last part.
She liked the last partverymuch.
But the rest… the rest she wasn’t sure about.
Even though her mother was elated.
“Oh, Olivia,” the duchess gushed on the ninth morning of the house party. Yesterday it had rained, trapping everyone inside. But today had dawned bright and beautiful, with a clear blue sky that matched Hoyt’s eyes and a light breeze that stirred the downy curls on Olivia’s nape as she stood on her mother’s balcony overlooking the stables. “Mr. Culpepper is just wonderful, isn’t he? So very polite and attentive. The bouquet of flowers he brought you were lovely. Dahlias. Your favorite.”
“I like them better when they’re growing in the ground instead of slowly dying in a vase,” she grumbled under her breath, and even to her own ears her words sounded catty and ill-mannered. “Yes, you’re right. They’re beautiful.”
And she did love waking up to them beside her bed every day. The colorful pink and yellow blooms were the first thing she looked at when she woke and the last thing she saw before she went to bed. But just because she loved the flowers Hoyt had picked for her didn’t mean that she lovedhim.
Did she?
Honestly, she wasn’t sure anymore.
“How did you know?” she asked suddenly.
“Know what, dear?”
“That you and father were meant to be together.”
“What an excellent question.” The duchess smiled. “I’m glad that you thought to ask it.”
“It doesn’t mean anything. I’m merely… curious.”
“Of course. You always were a curious child.”
“Mother–”
