Chapter Seventeen #2
Aunt Petunia smiled up at Lisbeth. “You don’t look like a bird at all.”
Lisbeth looked to Oliver before she smiled down at his aunt. “Well, thank you.
Aunt Petunia took her hand and pulled her down closer to her. “Bellamy said there would be sandwiches but I haven’t seen any.”
Lisbeth nodded. “I am sure there are sandwiches. In fact, I saw some not that long ago. I shall ask a footman to fetch you some.”
Oliver’s aunt patted her hand and let go of her. “You are a good girl, and so pretty. Just like your mother.”
Lisbeth sat on the small stool next to Lady Mortimer. She had to admit to being a little shocked. “You knew my mother?” She must have looked how she felt for the old lady gave a little chuckle.
“Oh yes. She didn’t look like a black bird either or have one as a pet. You really should get a dog, you know.”
Lisbeth looked up at Oliver, but he only shrugged. She looked back at Oliver’s aunt. “I shall consider it. Thank you for the suggestion.”
“I’ll explain everything later,” he whispered in her ear.
“You have your mother’s eyes. Such a lovely singing voice she had. Do you sing?”
“Not very well, I’m afraid. My sister Marie inherited my mother’s voice. If we are lucky, she may sing for us today.”
“Well, don’t fret about it. As long as you can sew a straight stitch you may get yourself a husband yet. Bellamy is free, you know.”
“Aunt,” Oliver said in a warning tone.
“Well, you are and you’re not getting any younger. And the nursery has been barren these thirty long years. You must do your duty, my boy, and do it soon.”
Thankfully, sandwiches soon arrived and his aunt was delighted to see such a variety of fillings. Thankfully, she completely forgot about barren nurseries.
Oliver steered Lisbeth away once his aunt was happily sipping punch.
“I’m so sorry about all that,” he said as soon as they were alone.
“She is charming. I wish I had an aunt like her. It is obvious she adores you.”
“She is dear to me, and I confess I worry over her health.”
“Because then you’ll be alone? You won’t be, you know. You have friends who care about you.”
He raised a brow. What did she mean by that?
Did that include her? He wanted to believe that what they had between them was more than passion, more than an arrangement.
He had avoided thinking about the end of the season, their so-called agreement about the wagers, and what it would mean when it all ended.
Could he hope that she meant something else? That she cared?
She looked away, playing with an earring. When she looked back at him, he paused. The question he really wanted to ask stuck on the tip of his tongue. Do you care for me, Lisbeth?
Her expression was guarded, unreadable. Her Black Raven mask firmly in place, only he knew the woman underneath. Could he be mistaken in how she felt about him? He wouldn’t accept that she felt nothing. He wouldn’t accept that she would simply walk away from him at the end of this blasted season.
His heart dropped at the possibility he was yearning for something that could never be. He wanted to say, what if I want more. What if I want forever?
But he couldn’t.
Instead he kissed her and wished for the season never to end.
*
Lisbeth spent her time between Oliver, his aunt, her sister, and her grandmother. All in all, it hadn’t been as bad as she had thought. Her grandmother’s guests were wary but polite and although there was still the occasional whisper and wary look, she was learning to ignore them.
Oliver was entertaining a group of older ladies who had gathered around his aunt.
It was pleasing to see him so attentive.
When she had first seen him earlier, she’d had the unladylike urge to run across the room, hurl herself into his arms, and kiss him senseless.
Such a wanton she had turned out to be! Who would have guessed?
“Lisbeth,” Marie whispered next to her. “You are staring at him again. He is not going to disappear if you pay attention to someone else… like me.”
Lisbeth turned toward her sister. “I’m sorry, Marie.”
Marie steered her over to a corner. “Now you can stare at Bellamy in a less conspicuous way.” They both stared at him. Marie sighed. “He is very handsome.”
“I think I love him,” Lisbeth blurted out. She put her palm over her mouth. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud. She looked at Marie. Her hand was over her mouth, too.
Then Marie started giggling. “Well, of course you do. Anyone can see it. He is totally smitten with you, too. He looks at you like you are the most delicious dish on the table and he a starving man. It would be sickening, if it weren’t so romantic.”
Lisbeth turned away from the crowded room. “Oh Lord, what am I going to do?”
“Why, marry him of course!” Marie suggested.
She clutched at her sister’s hand. “I can’t. I mean, he doesn’t want to marry me.”
“Has he told you this?” Marie looked surprised.
Lisbeth closed her eyes briefly. “No, but we have this agreement, although he… it’s complicated.”
“I don’t think so. Have you told him how you feel?” Marie’s face clearly showed her concern.
Lisbeth shook her head. “No! I couldn’t.”
“Why not? Men are simple creatures, Lisbeth. It is best to deal with them directly. Tell him in easy, short sentences that you love him and wish him to marry you.”
Her eyes widened. “And if he says no?”
“He won’t.”
“I can’t.” Lisbeth looked back over at Oliver; he was offering his aunt more sandwiches.
“You can,” Marie urged.
“I’m not sure.”
“Then test him. I think he will do anything you ask him.”
“I think you’re wrong,” she said, thinking of the wagers he refused to collect on.
“If you love him, isn’t it worth taking a risk? At least then you will know for sure.”
Could she take a risk on Bellamy? Could she put her heart in his hands and hope he didn’t crush it into dust?
*
When the luncheon was over Lisbeth waved off Oliver’s aunt and her companion. Oliver returned to her and kissed her hand and said, “I’ll hire a hack to Vauxhall. Do you think you can bear it? Dalmere will be waiting, and we do not want to miss the balloon ascension, do we?”
“A hack will be fine. It is only a short trip. I must confess I am looking forward to tonight. Afterwards, you must come home with me, for I have something important to discuss.”
He frowned. “What is it?”
“I don’t want to get into it now. It will be more appropriate to show you later, when we can be alone.”
“Alone? I too am anxious to have you alone. Naked and alone,” he whispered in her ear, the soft sound sending sparks of desire through her whole body.
She wanted nothing more than to be naked and alone with Oliver.
Pretending the outside world and all its problems didn’t exist was so easy when they were together.
She would show him the ledger and maybe together they could decide what was the best way to handle this new situation.
She had already organized for her solicitors to meet with her tomorrow.
She wanted the ledger to be dealt with in a legal manner and all monies returned as soon as was possible to those who had invested.
She touched his cheek briefly as a footman hailed a passing hackney.
The trip to the gardens was pleasant and they laughed and kissed the whole way there.
They were to meet Dalmere at the front gates where there was already a crowd of people milling about.
She felt so at ease in Bellamy’s company.
She longed to be with him always. It was strange.
She thought she would never feel this way with a man.
Nathaniel had tried to beat any sense of contentment out of her.
She was happy to see that maybe, just maybe, he hadn’t succeeded after all.
They alighted, paid their entrance fee, and waited for Dalmere. It was no chore as there was much to see and take in.
“Lord Bellamy! Is there a Lord Bellamy here?”
“Over here!” Oliver shouted. A young lad came scurrying up with his cap in his hand.
“Ever so sorry m’lord. I’ve a message for ye. I was told you were coming here. It’s Lady Mortimer, she’s taken ill and the doctor wants you right quick.”
Just then Dalmere arrived. “Something amiss, Bellamy?”
Oliver paid the lad who ran off into the crowd. “I have to go. My aunt has taken ill.” He looked pale and worried.
Lisbeth touched Oliver’s sleeve in comfort. “I hope she didn’t overdo things today,” Lisbeth said, her tone matching his expression.
“I hope so, too.” He took off his hat, ran a hand through his hair, and put his hat back on.
“I’m happy to be Lady Blackhurst’s escort until you return,” Dalmere offered. “You wouldn’t want her to miss out on the balloon ascension, would you? There will not be another one until next season.”
Lisbeth smiled. “I really don’t mind, Lord Dalmere. I’m happy to return home. Bellamy, please give your aunt my well wishes and let me know how she is when you can.”
“Ah, but I insist,” said Dalmere. “It’s a mild night. We should make the most of the weather.”
Bellamy patted her hand that was still on his arm. “I’m sure my aunt is fine. She probably had one too many sandwiches. That’s all. I’ll return as soon as I can.”
“Are you sure?” Lisbeth asked. Oliver nodded and she released his arm and turned towards the other man. “Then I would be pleased to have you escort me, Lord Dalmere.” For what other course did she have without offending him?
“The pleasure will be all mine, I assure you, Lady Blackhurst.” Dalmere bowed in front of her and offered her his arm.
Bellamy turned to leave but looked back. “I hate to leave you.”
“I’ll be fine. Go,” she replied, giving him a smile of reassurance even though she did not feel it. How would he be if his aunt died? She did not want to think about it. She watched as he strode off towards the entrance and was gone.
“He is very protective of you,” Dalmere said. “It’s very… sweet.”
Lisbeth gave a small laugh. “Yes. He is very attentive.”
“I can’t blame him. You are a beautiful young lady, and beautiful things should always be kept safe.” He smiled and then pointed towards a large, half-filled balloon. “It looks like it will be some time before it is ready to lift off the ground. Shall we walk around and enjoy the sights?”
Lisbeth smiled. “That would be delightful.” She had not been to Vauxhall in an age, before she was married if she remembered correctly.
She did need to talk to Dalmere about his part in the speculation. She could even reveal to him that she had found the ledger. She planned to go public with the matter on the morrow, anyway.
He would no doubt be very pleased to know she intended to return the investors’ capital even though she legally did not have to.
She had decided last night to do this so she could help those who had lost their loved ones because of Nathaniel, and to help Bellamy.
Giving him back the money his brother, Henry, had invested would mean that in some small way she could atone for the trouble she had put him through, and he could forget about the wagers and their agreement.
Lisbeth looked around her as Dalmere pointed out the sights. She did not realize how far from the entrance they had wandered until he led her to a small marquee.
“I thought we might take some refreshment before heading back to the balloon.”
“Oh, that sounds very nice. Thank you.”
He smiled at her before opening the flap of the tent and ushering her through. “We wouldn’t want you to miss out on your just desserts, Lady Blackhurst,” he said, his tone low and quiet.
Unease filled her, quickly followed by fear when she saw the look in Dalmere’s eyes. “What do you mean by that?” Her heart was beating so loudly she could hear it echoing around the tented room.
“Let me show you, you Blackhurst witch!”