Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Seated by the window, chin resting on her knees, Olivia stared up at the sky as the first rays of light filtered through the clouds.
Every time her eyes closed, the image of Lady Anne being hugged by Warren reappeared.
It was her punishment for breaking her promise to Ian not to venture out in the evening.
Eyelids heavy, she rested her head against the glass pane.
The care Warren showed Anne knotted her stomach.
It had been torture to be so close to him day after day and not allowed a moment of privacy with the man her heart longed for.
She missed his soft caresses against her cheek, across her back…
Argh. Arms wrapped around her bent legs, she squeezed her thighs close to her chest.
Anne had treated her kindly, like a sister, and here she was steaming with jealousy. It wasn’t that Warren had exchanged heated gazes with Anne, nor with a gleam of physical interest, yet Olivia’s chest ached so deeply she questioned whether she might be having an apoplexy.
Oh, why did I decide to pay him a visit? She should have remained in her chambers as Lady Charlotte had instructed and waited to see if he came to her, but as she gazed out the window, there was still no sign of Warren. With daylight approaching, it wasn’t likely he’d come.
Blast Madame Lennox! This was all the dressmaker’s fault.
If Madam Lennox hadn’t planted the seed of doubt at their last fitting, nothing would have changed.
Warren would visit and spend the day with her, and they would enjoy a meal or two together alongside Lady Charlotte or his mama.
But oh, no, Madame Lennox had to go mumbling to herself, loud enough for all to hear, questioning if Warren was all charm and chivalry with no genuine intent.
Olivia had pushed the absurd thought from her mind, attributing Madame Lennox’s doubt to the dressmaker's previous failed engagement.
Warren was no liar, nor did he act for the benefit of others.
If I am so certain, why did I go and spy on the man?
Weary from the torrid storm of emotions and thoughts, Olivia let her eyes close. Thankfully, sleep claimed her.
“Olivia…” Lady Charlotte’s voice sounded distant yet there was a hand upon her shoulder, shaking her. “O-liv-i-a.”
She forced her eyes open, and Lady Charlotte’s familiar features came into focus. “What time is it?”
“Time for you and I to pay Lady Guernsey and Anne a visit.” Lady Charlotte left her side and marched across the room to open her wardrobe in a flourish.
“Must I accompany you?”
“Of course you must.” The countess pulled out a day dress and held it up in the air in Olivia’s direction. “Blue. Yes, blue shall be the color for the day.”
Blue would match her mood, so she didn’t object to Lady Charlotte’s choice. She shifted and stretched out her legs. A painful tingling ran up the back of her legs as she stood. Lady Charlotte gripped Olivia by the arm. How did the woman move so fast and soundlessly?
“Tsk. Tsk.” Brows knitted together, Lady Charlotte said, “You must be more careful.” Eyes filled with concern, she raked her gaze over Olivia’s features. “I promised Ian I’d look over you. If he saw you in this state… Oh, my ears would be ringing by now.”
Surely Lady Charlotte wasn’t afraid of Ian.
Ian wouldn’t hurt a fly. Well, that wasn’t quite true.
He was good with his fists. Olivia let out a soft sigh.
She missed her good friend, but her ears would be ringing too if Ian discovered she’d broken her word to him.
Best not to think of him, or she would miss him even more.
Olivia took a tentative step forward. The prickling had subsided, and the discomfort was manageable as she crossed the room to her bed where the day gown lay in rumples.
The countess must have flung it in her haste to reach Olivia.
A smile tugged at her lips. Lady Charlotte was a commander at heart, but she was also very loving and tender with those she was close to.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, where did you send Ian off to?”
Lady Charlotte froze as she shook out the day dress. “He didn’t tell you?”
“No.” Olivia reached out to take the dress still grasped tightly in Lady Charlotte’s hands. “When will he return?”
The countess turned her back to Olivia and said softly, “Not anytime soon.”
That was a relief. Ian was extremely good at extracting information from her, and she wanted to keep what she’d witnessed last night a secret for as long as possible.
Arms threaded through the sleeves, she pushed her head through the neckline and tugged her skirts down.
“I hope he’s faring well wherever he is. ”
“Lord Camden will join him as soon as the babe is born.”
“But that’s months away,” Olivia blurted. “What if he falls ill? Who will take care of him?”
Lady Charlotte studied her for a moment. “He’s posted upon an estate. The staff will tend to him if needed.”
“Ian won’t inform anyone if he’s not feeling well. He’s stubborn like that.”
“Calm down. There is no need to fret. Ian will be well cared for.”
“He’s my only family.”
Lady Charlotte’s brows snapped together. “You are not blood related.”
“No, but for the longest time it was just us. Mama, Ian’s papa, Ian, and I. Mama left first, then Ian’s papa, and now Ian’s gone.” She swiped at the tears that had escaped.
The countess wrapped her arms around her and patted her back, much like Warren had held Anne. Lady Charlotte’s affection confirmed Olivia’s fears. Warren cared for Anne, cared for her deeply.
“Perhaps I should send word to Lady Guernsey and inform her we shall not be able to call upon her after all,” Lady Charlotte said in a soothing tone that Olivia had never been privy to before.
She needed to end matters with Warren before he missed his chance with Anne. Olivia shook her head, plastered a bright smile upon her face, and said, “No, neither of us have fallen ill, so there is no good reason not to go.”
“The speed at which you change directions boggles my mind.” Lady Charlotte leaned back and stared directly into Olivia’s eyes. “I see you have decided. I’m sorry if I’ve pushed you to do things you were uncomfortable with.”
“I’m not that easily managed. A part of me had hoped all would fall into place and I’d have a happy ending like Madam Lennox’s sister.
Instead, I’ll have a shared experience with Madam Lennox.
” Olivia took a step back, and Lady Charlotte’s eyes lowered to the floor.
She reached out for the countess’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze.
“There is nothing for you to be sorry for.”
Escorted by the butler out onto the terrace, Olivia focused on the hem of Lady Charlotte’s skirts in front of her. The wind had blown the morning clouds away, allowing the sunbeams to fall unhindered, which was a nice change after days of light rain and being cooped up indoors.
“Charlotte, Olivia, we have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.” Anne’s sweet voice rang clear.
Olivia raised her gaze at Anne’s warm greeting. She stopped in place at the sight of Warren’s face. His left eye was swollen shut and mottled black and blue. The skin along his chin was similarly discolored.
For a brief moment, she wondered if Ian had somehow returned and taken vengeance on Warren on her behalf.
That was not possible; Lady Charlotte had told her Ian was not in London and won’t be for some time.
Warren wasn’t the sort to start a fight, and by the looks of it he wasn’t the best with his fists.
Olivia pinched her lips together and gripped her skirts tight at her side, fighting every instinct within her to rush to him and tend to his wounds.
“A good morn to you, Lady Charlotte, Olivia.” Warren grimaced, his cracked lip oozed with fresh blood.
“Good heavens, what happened to your face?” Lady Charlotte asked.
“Would you believe me if I said I ran into a door?” Warren quipped, but he gripped his ribs tightly as he tried to subdue a chuckle.
If his face was this bruised, was the rest of him black and blue?
Olivia’s gaze shifted to Anne, who was staring at the ground.
Warren had gone and fought with the scoundrel who had upset Anne, much like Ian had fought on countless occasions for Olivia’s honor.
Before Ian’s heartfelt confession, she would have attributed the men’s foolish acts as those of a protective older brother, but now she was all the wiser.
Ian had confessed to loving her in a non-friendship manner. Which meant Warren was in love with Anne and merely hadn’t yet realized his true feelings for her. The stabbing pain in her chest was nearly too much to bear. She wanted to flee, but that would only lead to Warren hunting her down again.
Lady Charlotte motioned for Olivia to come join her.
She obediently moved forward to stand next to the countess.
Lady Guernsey’s gaze flickered between her son and Olivia.
She even opened her mouth once to speak, but then shook her head before clenching her jaw tight.
It was clear no one wanted to break the silence.
Warren cleared his throat. “Olivia, may I escort you about the gardens?”
She glanced over at Lady Charlotte, who gave her the barest of nods.
“You may.” Olivia looped her arm about his bent elbow.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Olivia asked, “Who did this to you?”
“The Duke of Strandon,” he answered with a slight lisp.
At least he didn’t hesitate, nor did he try to make some flowery excuse or attempt to deceive her. She was grateful for that. “Are his injuries as severe as yours?”
“I was informed he is remaining abed today, and the surgeon assured him no bones were broken. Nothing a few days of rest won’t fix.”
“Should you be resting?” Why did she still care? She should be angry at the man for filling her head with nonsense and her heart with hope.
“Absolutely not. I’m exactly where I need to be. Next to you.”
His sweet affirmation was a reminder of Madam Lennox’s mumbled words.
Warren had taken action on Anne’s behalf while he had filled their time together with pleasantries, that is with the exception of the two times they had been left alone.
Her cheeks still heated at the memory of those pleasure-filled hours.
Sneaking a glance up at him, she saw all the evidence she needed to fortify her resolve. “Warren…”
“Yes, my dear.”
“I… I’ve come to a decision.”
He stopped and stepped in front of her. “You’ll marry me?”
“No.” Olivia shook her head to reinforce her words.
“What?” He frowned, making his one good eye appear almost closed. “Why?”
“Must I explain myself to you, or were you really only willing to accept one answer?”
Warren’s shoulders rolled forward. “I see.” He didn’t meet her gaze as he added, “I think I shall remain here for a spell. Can you find your way back?”
“You mean, can I go on without following you about or being led by you? Of course I can, and I will.” She jutted her chin out in an act of feigned bravado.
Olivia turned on her heels and took a step forward.
Would he stop her? Would he call out to her before she was out of sight?
Olivia put one foot in front of the other until she came to the stairs leading up to the terrace.
Heartbroken by the fact Warren hadn’t acted in any fashion to stop her, Olivia lifted her skirts and came to stand next to Lady Charlotte, who was sitting in a chair at the table opposite Anne.
Lady Guernsey was oddly absent. After she scanned the area about them for the matron and discovered she wasn’t within sight, Olivia bent and whispered to Lady Charlotte, “I’d like to return home now. ”
Lady Charlotte popped up to her feet immediately.
“It’s been lovely chatting with you, Anne.
We shall continue our conversation soon.
Until then, do not fret. With two minds at work, we shall resolve the matter.
” The countess led her through the Guernsey townhouse, across the foyer, and out to the Earl of Camden’s awaiting carriage.
She had half expected to be subjected to an inquisition by the countess, but the lady remained deep in her own thoughts.
Why had Anne sought Lady Charlotte’s help?
By the time the carriage came to a stop, the emotions Olivia had bottled up were threatening to surface. She bolted out of the vehicle, ignoring the help of the awaiting footman, ran past the butler, and straight up the stairs until she reached her rooms.
Moments before tears streamed down her cheeks, she opened the door and entered only to lean back against the wood panels as it slammed closed.
Olivia sank to the floor, curled her legs under her skirts, and wept into her knees.
In all the years she’d followed Warren about, Olivia had never once imagined she’d stop…
stop loving the man… stop seeing him daily…
stop hoping that one day he would turn around and notice her…
turn and fall in love with her as she loved him.
Dreams dashed, Olivia covered her ears with her hands and ignored the soft pleas of Lady Charlotte on the other side to open the door.
When there were no more tears left, she stood, opened the door, and she nearly fell backward as Lady Charlotte launched herself at Olivia and wrapped her in a tight hug. “You will always be part of our family. You are not alone.”
The well of tears she thought she’d drained dry overflowed once more as she hugged Charlotte back.
Being cared for and protected was as foreign to Olivia as distant lands in France.
For the longest time, she thought herself undeserving of such treatment, her mother had led her to believe it.
However, after coming to live under the Earl of Camden’s roof, nothing seemed impossible, not even her deepest wish to share her life with Warren.