Chapter 3
Olivia rose exhausted from a distinct lack of sleep the night before.
Why had she allowed Alexander Stratford to bother her so, when she had promised herself that it wouldn’t happen?
He was an arrogant cad, but he was so handsome. She had known, even flirted with plenty of handsome men. Well, some. Well, one. But he hadn’t compared to Alexander, unfortunately. Worse still, he didn’t seem to possess whatever magical powers Alexander did that drew her in.
Until he’d almost kissed her that fateful day, Olivia had carried a healthy dose of dislike for the man.
But that one moment of closeness had changed more than she liked to admit, even to herself.
Now the hatred she felt for him was based on the humiliation she had felt upon overhearing that conversation he’d had with his mother afterwards.
A knock on the door heralding the arrival of the one upstairs maid Papa had retained distracted Olivia from her dour musings, but whilst Ellie set about dressing her hair with a pink ribbon to match the long sleeved, pale pink muslin she wore, Olivia couldn’t help but worry about Alexander’s words the previous night.
Could it really be that Jane was in danger from Mr. St. Clare?
Impossible. Jane might be a little infatuated, but she wasn’t so stupid as to get herself completely ruined, was she?
A few months ago, Olivia would have said not.
But father’s gambling had made Jane reckless.
Still na?ve however, wherein lay the danger.
Alexander had promised to keep an eye on his friend but had warned that it would be far too easy for the cad to seduce Jane should he really put his mind to it.
Jane knew better though. She had to. She would never allow herself to become embroiled in anything so damning.
Yet, she appeared to be blinded when it came to Mr. St. Clare. Olivia had gotten the measure of him from the off. But Jane – Jane seemed to think there was a chance for real affection between them.
It wasn’t long before Ellie had pulled Olivia’s hair into a creation of twists and curls that Olivia had paid no attention to. Good or bad, it would do. She hadn’t time to be worrying about such things, in any case. She needed to ascertain whether or not Jane was in danger.
There was no one in Jane’s room when Olivia rushed in there however, so she could only assume that her sister had already gone to break her fast. Unusual in and of itself. Jane never surfaced before noon if she could help it. Especially on a cold, grey December day.
Stepping back into the hallway, Olivia collided with the family’s ageing and long serving butler.
“My apologies, Miss,” the old butler wheezed, the silver tray in his hands wobbling alarmingly.
“No apology necessary, Sterling, it was my mistake,” Olivia answered with a smile, reaching out and steadying the tray.
“The Earl of Fincham sent a footman this morning Miss and asked that I deliver invitations to you personally.”
Olivia took the proffered envelope from Sterling with her thanks, ignoring the old man’s frown of disapproval then dashed off in the direction of the breakfast room.
She tore open the envelope. Fincham should know better than to send her invitations! But if it would help Jane, then she shouldn’t complain. And while Sterling might not approve, he was fiercely loyal and would never spread gossip about Olivia.
Meet me at Hyde Park, by the tree where you pushed me into the Serpentine. I’m sure you remember the scene of your crime. I’ll be there at eight. Don’t be difficult about it. Tis for your sister’s sake. We might have a problem. A.
Olivia’s temper boiled over at the imperious words and if the dratted man had been standing in front of her, she would have done bodily harm to the oaf. As it was, she scrunched up the paper and threw it at the wall with a shriek of annoyance.
He was going to drive her to Bedlam. Or Newgate if she murdered him which felt like a distinct possibility.
She would ask Jane to come with her, not least because she couldn’t very well go meeting a man alone in the middle of Hyde Park.
Olivia glanced out the window at the dull, grey day.
It looked freezing out. Frost still coated the roads and rooftops.
Hmm. It was unlikely that anyone else would be mad enough to walk in such weather.
And so close to the dinner hour. But needs must. And she wasn’t going to risk being alone with Alexander Stratford.
Besides it would give them a chance to talk since Jane had been suspiciously quiet in the carriage that Lord Fincham had insisted the ladies take last night to return home. Jane had thanked him profusely. Olivia grudgingly.
If Jane agreed to come with her this evening, she would be able to determine if Alexander’s concerns were legitimate or just another way for the man to cause Olivia trouble. And it wasn’t as though the sisters had invitations to anywhere.
Bursting into the dining room, Olivia found Jane sitting at the table, as she had assumed.
“Jane, I wondered if – what’s that?”
Was that a blush?
Olivia felt a little as though the wind had been taken out of her sails as she watched Jane hastily fold a letter of her own, a furious blush staining her cheeks.
Had she received her own missive from Alexander? The thought made Olivia’s stomach twist painfully.
Last night she’d wondered if Jane was developing feelings for the earl. But when she’d seen her sister with the lascivious Mr. St. Clare she’d assumed that’s where Jane’s interest lay.
Was Jane interested in Lord Fincham? Was – Olivia had to swallow a sudden lump – was Alexander Stratford interested in pursuing Jane? Was that why he was so insistent on keeping her from St. Clare?
“What is it, Livvy?”
“Er – I wondered if you’ like to join me for a walk this evening in Hyde Park? I-I thought a stroll in the cold night air would be refreshing,” Olivia managed to mumble.
“A walk? At night? In Hyde Park?”
Jane’s scepticism was understandable.
“Er, yes?” Olivia answered feebly. “Why not?”
Jane frowned at her for a moment before her expression cleared. “Well, I can’t this evening, Livvy. I – I need to – to, um, write to an old acquaintance.”
Olivia’s stomach churned once more.
Jane was a terrible liar.
“Writing to an old acquaintance? Surely that can wait!”
“It can’t. I’ve put it off for far too long. Just take Ellie with you. I won’t be needing her services. If you’ll excuse me.”
Olivia kept her mouth firmly shut as she watched Jane stand and hurriedly leave the room.
She lifted the cup of coffee that had been poured for her when she’d entered the room. Though she was loathe to admit it, Alexander was right. Something needed to be done.
Now she just needed to figure out if he was part of the problem.
“Are you out of your mind?” Alexander asked, making sure his tone reflected his outrage.
He was worried about Jane. Not because he wanted to protect Olivia from gossip and upset. Of course not that. She didn’t want his protection and he didn’t want to give it.
He didn’t.
But Scandal Lane was no place for an innocent lady and Elliot knew that.
The place had earned its moniker because it was notorious for secret assignations and debauchery among the ton. Many a married lady had engaged in illicit affairs there, many a gentleman had met a mistress, an opera singer, a dancer – and many a foolish young lady had met her demise.
Elliot merely grinned and shrugged his shoulders in response.
“What do you think you’re playing at?”
“I’m not playing at anything. Not yet anyway,” Elliot grinned, every inch the rake.
“Please, spare me the details of what you do when you’re alone with a woman.”
“Why should I? You could pick up some tips.”
Alexander snorted.
“The day I need tips from you on what to do with a woman, is the day hell freezes over.”
Elliot didn’t respond with a witty rejoinder the way Alexander expected him to. He watched Elliot closely.
Something was… off.
And he suspected it had a lot to do with the innocent Jane Darington.
“Elliot,” Alexander began hesitantly, not entirely sure how to broach the subject. “You’re starting to seem – almost obsessive about the lady. Like your interest lies in something other than mere trifle.”
Alexander watched a flash of something dark flare in his friend’s eyes before Elliot schooled his features into impassivity once more.
“You’re wrong,” he said softly, and his tone told Alexander more than anything else that he was most definitely not wrong.
Damn it all to Hades. This was a bloody disaster.
Olivia would be fuming when she found out that Elliot had seriously dishonourable intentions toward Jane Darington.
Alexander groaned aloud and shook his head, knowing that somehow the little nuisance would find a way to lay the blame at his feet. He’d introduced them, after all.
“Just make sure that you don’t do anything to ruin the girl, St. Clare. Because -.”
“Oh, calm down Alexander. You are becoming hysterical.” Elliot was enjoying this more than he should.
Alexander snatched the tumbler of brandy that Elliot held out to him and downed the contents in one gulp.
“You’re asking me to turn a blind eye while you seduce an old friend, St. Clare. There’s only so much I’ll tolerate.”
Elliot’s smile widened.
“Come now, what’s brought on this hero complex, old friend? I was rather thinking that you could keep the girl’s watchful sister occupied.”
Alexander managed a strangled sound of protest but not much else.
“You’re not going to try and make me believe it will be a hardship?
A whole Christmas season of moonlight, darkened corners, nobody around to witness your actions?
” Elliot asked cajolingly. “I’ve seen your interest in her, Alexander.
The way you watched her last night. You may as well have a sign painted. ”
Alexander suppressed a shudder.