Chapter 16
Richard strolled at a measured pace along the graveled paths of Vauxhall Gardens, his hands clasped behind his back, the soft crunch beneath his boots a quiet counterpoint to the distant strains of music and laughter.
Colorful glass lanterns flickered above their heads, suspended like stars caught in a whimsical net of wire and silk.
He watched Miss Theodosia with veiled intensity, noting the way her eyes shimmered with unabashed wonder as she took in the fantastical scene around her.
When his mother had first suggested that he accompany Olivia and Miss Theodosia on this excursion, he had scoffed.
The very idea had seemed absurd. He had more pressing matters to attend to—accounts to review, correspondence to manage, and Mr. Smith to unmask.
But then he had recalled the gleam in Miss Theodosia’s eyes when she spoke of Vauxhall Gardens, and against his better judgment, he had agreed to go.
And here he was, entirely at odds with himself.
Botheration.
His heart was becoming far too entangled with Miss Theodosia.
It was dangerous—foolish. Perhaps the wisest course would be to send her away altogether, to sever this growing attachment before it bound him too tightly.
But that would also mean forfeiting the only remaining link to Mr. Smith.
No, he needed her still. At least until Smith returned to claim her. And Richard would be waiting.
Miss Theodosia might present the image of innocence, all bright smiles and eager curiosity, but Richard remained unconvinced. She knew more than she had admitted. He was certain of it. It was only a matter of time before he would uncover the truth.
His thoughts were interrupted by Olivia’s voice. “You are being awfully quiet, Brother.”
“I am merely enjoying the gardens,” he replied, keeping his tone light in hopes of deflecting her scrutiny.
Miss Theodosia turned towards him, her face alight with excitement. “Aren’t they magical? I have never seen anything quite like them.”
“They are rather extravagant,” he admitted, though his eyes lingered more on her than their surroundings. “But you’ve yet to see the stone and thatched pavilions. They are quite a sight.”
She pointed towards a nearby sham castle, where ladies swung from ropes and umbrellas were tucked neatly beneath ivy-laced trellises. “Look at that! And those umbrellas—how quaint.”
“They’re for shelter,” Olivia explained with a smile. “In case of sudden rain.”
But Miss Theodosia barely acknowledged her. She had already turned her attention to the colorful lanterns strung from the branches above, their hues dancing like fireflies across her face. “I feel as though I’ve stepped into a fairy tale,” she declared.
“Wait until you see the Grand Walk,” Richard said, unable to resist responding to her delight. “A wide avenue flanked by elms, with even more lanterns overhead.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh! I must get a closer look,” she said, darting off.
Richard chuckled under his breath. “Her enthusiasm is remarkably contagious.”
“Good heavens,” Olivia muttered with a shake of her head. “We shall never leave if Dosia insists on inspecting every lantern and flowerbed.”
“I think it’s rather endearing.”
She turned a narrowed gaze on him. “I daresay you’re blinded by affection.”
He stiffened. “I do not hold affection for Miss Theodosia.”
“Of course not,” Olivia replied, feigning innocence. “You always volunteer for outings to crowded pleasure gardens. And you certainly do not hate people.”
“I do not hate people,” he said defensively. “Merely… most of them.”
“Mm.” Olivia raised a single brow. “It’s still telling that you’re here.”
“Mother suggested that I accompany you, for propriety’s sake,” he replied. “It was a far better option than Mother’s proposed Hyde Park excursion.”
“Regardless, do you not recall that I am a married woman? I require no chaperone.”
Richard cast a glance towards Miss Theodosia, who now stood beneath a cluster of lanterns, her hand lightly touching one as if to test its reality. “I know I don’t ask it enough, but how are you, truly?”
All humor faded from Olivia’s expression. “I am well.”
“The truth, Olivia.”
She looked away, her voice soft. “It’s been difficult… but I’ll survive.”
He turned towards her fully, his tone more earnest. “I’ve no doubt. You’re one of the strongest women I know.”
She blinked at him. “Was that a compliment?”
“It was.”
Olivia smirked. “Dosia said you’ve been rather free with compliments lately, but I hadn’t expected to receive one myself.”
He looked heavenward. “You’re making a fuss over nothing.”
“Perhaps. But thank you, Brother. It means a great deal to know I have your support.”
“You have it. Always.”
Just then, Miss Theodosia returned, her cheeks flushed from the cool night air. “There’s a hedge maze just ahead. Shall we try it?”
“We could,” Olivia said. “Or we might go see the tightrope performers. I believe they’re starting soon.”
“Can we do both?” Miss Theodosia asked eagerly.
“We most certainly can,” Richard said, smiling. “We have the whole night ahead of us.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she said brightly, and with that, she was off again.
He watched her go, amused. “I’ve never seen anyone so excited over a hedge maze.”
Olivia nudged him playfully. “You’d best keep up.”
As they followed the winding path, Olivia glanced sideways at him. “And how are you faring?”
“I’m well.”
She arched a brow. “Truthfully?”
He hesitated. “I’ve no right to complain.”
“Nor do I,” she said wryly, “but I manage it just fine. Do you still believe Dosia is hiding something?”
“I do.”
Olivia tsked. “I think you’re wrong. I don’t believe she’s capable of deception.”
“She knows more than she admits.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Olivia pressed.
Richard exhaled in exasperation. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
She came to a halt and turned to face him. “Because I see the way you look at her. It’s not suspicion, but rather, love.”
He scoffed. “Don’t be absurd. I do not love Miss Theodosia. She is—she is a liar. A deceiver.”
Olivia didn’t flinch. “I’ve been in love before. I know what it looks like.”
“And what do you know of love?”
She gave him a wistful smile. “I was in love once and it didn’t end well.”
Furrowing his brows, he asked, “Did you love Mr. Smith?”
“Heavens, no,” she said with a laugh devoid of mirth. “I barely knew the man.”
“But you eloped with him?”
She looked down at the gravel. “It was a mistake. One I regret.”
He stepped closer. “I will fix this. When Mr. Smith comes for Miss Theodosia, I’ll be waiting. I’ll challenge him to a duel for what he did to you.”
“You don’t need to fight my battles.”
He met her gaze with firm resolve. “It’s a brother’s duty to defend his sister’s honor.”
Olivia gave a dramatic roll of her eyes. “And what if Luke proves to be an excellent shot and manages to kill you?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of jest and genuine concern. “I might complain about you often, but I’d rather like to keep my brother alive.”
Richard gave a half-smile, hoping to reassure her. “You’re not going to lose me so easily. I’m not that obliging.”
“Good. Because I suppose you aren’t a terrible brother.”
He tilted his head, scrutinizing her with mock suspicion. “That may be the highest praise I’ve ever received from you. But, pray tell, who was this mysterious man you once loved? And how did I not hear a word of it at the time?”
Her smile faltered, and she gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “It is of little consequence now.”
“It is not,” he said more gently. “You can trust me with the truth, Olivia. You know that.”
She paused, her eyes flickering with old pain. “Very well. I was foolish enough to fall in love with Lord Harwood.”
Richard’s jaw clenched. “Harwood? That scoundrel? He’s a rake of the first order.”
“I know,” she whispered, blinking rapidly. “But he made me feel seen. As though I were the only woman in the world. I know it sounds foolish, but I believed him. I believed we had a future together.”
“You deserved far better than that preening popinjay,” Richard said firmly, his brows drawing together in a frown.
“I don’t know what I deserve anymore,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve made one disastrous decision after another. And now I fear I’ve ruined everything. My reputation. My prospects. My life.”
He placed a hand on her sleeve. “The past is set in stone, Olivia. We cannot alter it, no matter how desperately we might wish to. But the future… the future is still yours to shape.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she asked, “Do I even have a future? Truly?”
“You do,” he asserted. “But only if you refuse to surrender to despair. Do not let one mistake—or even several—define your worth. You are stronger than that.”
“I wish I could believe you,” she murmured.
“Then believe in me,” he countered. “Let me believe on your behalf until you can do so yourself. I will fight for your future. I swear it.”
She gave a small, shaky nod, blinking away tears. “All right. I can do that.”
He released her arm and reached into his jacket pocket, producing a crisp white handkerchief.
“There,” he said, extending her the handkerchief. “You’ve been spared the rest of the speech I had so carefully prepared. It was quite moving, I assure you.”
A laugh burst from her lips. “Spare me, I beg you. I’ve endured enough theatrics for one evening.”
Just as Richard’s lips quirked with amusement, he glanced around—and froze. His amusement vanished in an instant. “Wait… where is Miss Theodosia?”
Olivia turned to look and then shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry. She’s likely wandered into the hedge maze.”
Still, an uneasy sensation tugged at him, one he could not dismiss. “I do not like not knowing where she is.”
Olivia arched a brow. “You’ve grown quite protective.”
He didn’t reply to that. Instead, he took a purposeful step forward. “Come. We should go find her.”