Chapter 5
The country air did wonders for Robertson’s disposition. How could one be miserable surrounded by such spectacular beauty? He had no idea how large Fleming’s estate was, but he planned on riding around this week to explore it more thoroughly. He regretted not bringing his horse, Perses, especially since the stallion loved to run. The meadow beyond the formal gardens was perfect for a good gallop. He hoped Fleming had a mount he could borrow.
After a good long stretch of the legs, Robertson headed back to the manor house. He had no idea how long he’d been gone, but he wasn’t worried. Over the next ten days, there would be plenty of time to meet all of Fleming’s guests. In truth, he wasn’t particularly keen to meet anyone new—he wanted a respite from courting. He knew the gossip would soon start in London when Lord Evans announced his betrothal to Miss Grandier. He could imagine some of the comments:
Wasn’t Robertson courting Miss Grandier?
Is something wrong with Lord Robertson?
Has the Earl of Ice been thrown over?
He’d never been the subject of gossip before and wasn’t looking forward to reading the news about himself in the coming week or whenever that betrothal announcement was made. Noah was right—he was running away but it was a strategic retreat, and he planned to enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible. Even his lungs felt better in the clean country air. He didn’t feel any of the familiar tightness in his chest as he walked back to the manor.
The butler opened the door before he had a chance to knock. “My lord, the guests are meeting in the parlor for tea. Please follow me.”
Robertson nodded and followed the butler, who knocked on the parlor door before opening it.
“No need to announce me,” he said to the man before walking into the room. There were more people sitting around enjoying tea than he’d expected. As he looked around, he noticed a stunning dark-haired lady sitting on the far side of the room. She was quite beautiful, and when he walked in, he noticed her eyes widen slightly.
That was a curious reaction. Did he know the lady? He didn’t recognize her, and he doubted he’d forget such a lovely face. He gave her a nod as he walked over to Noah and Miles.
“I see you noticed the lovely lady in blue sitting over there,” Noah said quietly.
“Who is she?” Robertson asked.
“She was introduced as Lady Armstrong, although I’ve not yet had the pleasure of conversing much with her.”
“Armstrong? Why does that name sound familiar?” he asked.
“I seem to remember, a number of years back, Viscount Armstrong boasting at the club about the beautiful young woman he had married. That must be her.”
“I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting Armstrong,” Robertson said, disappointed to learn that the lady was married.
“And you won’t now. The man died of heart problems two years ago. From what I understand, he was quite disagreeable, cruel even, and I can’t understand why the lady’s father would approve of such a match. Armstrong was as old as my grandfather when he married her.”
Why indeed?
Robertson digested the news and could think of only one reason why a father would approve of such a match. It had to have been about money. The young woman certainly wouldn’t have chosen such an old man to wed on her own, he was sure of that.
“You must introduce me,” Robertson said to Noah.
“Really? I thought you’d sworn off women for the time being?”
“Perhaps I was a bit hasty.”
Noah chuckled. “Well, that’s an improvement over the grumpy man I rode in the carriage with this morning. It’ll be my pleasure to make the introduction. Walker, do you wish to join the conversation?” Noah asked their other friend.
“No, I’m fine here for the moment, enjoying my brandy. There will be plenty of time to converse with everyone during the house party,” Miles said.
Robertson and Noah leisurely strolled around the room until they reached the far end, where Lady Armstrong was seated with another young woman.
“Good evening, ladies,” Noah said with his winning smile. Not too many women could resist his charm, and Robertson hoped these two wouldn’t be immune.
Both young women stood and curtseyed. “Good evening,” they said.
Noah indicated Robertson. “Ladies, may I present the Earl of Robertson? Lord Robertson, these lovely ladies are Lady Armstrong and Lady Williams.”
Robertson bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“The pleasure is ours,” Lady Williams said.
“Lady Williams, would you care to see the garden?” Noah asked. “I hear it’s quite spectacular.”
“I would, indeed. Thank you, Mr. Hughes,” Lady Williams said. She turned to her friend. “I’ll return shortly.”
Noah held out his arm, and he and Lady Williams strolled off toward the French doors and the garden beyond.
Robertson took the seat Lady Williams had vacated, wanting to prolong his visit with the dark-haired beauty. “Lady Armstrong, did you have a pleasant journey here?” He inwardly cringed. He’d wanted to say something witty but had frozen when she turned her unusual green-gold eyes to him. She had the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen, and he couldn’t stop staring at her. Her sweet orange blossom scent invaded his senses, and he wanted to breathe it in.
“I did, thank you,” she said. “And you, my lord? How was your journey?”
“Long,” he said with a chuckle. “Three men couped up in a carriage for hours on end isn’t my idea of a good time.”
“I see.”
“I did take a short stroll around the grounds earlier—they’re quite lovely.”
“I hope to take in the views myself in the coming week.”
“May I have the honor of escorting you into dinner this evening?” Robertson saw the lady momentarily frown before she smoothed her face into a neutral mask.
“I was planning on taking a tray in my room this evening,” Lady Armstrong said. “It’s been a long day, and I’d like to retire early.”
Robertson was surprised at how disappointed he was by her answer. He wanted to spend more time with her this evening and had hoped to sit next to her at dinner. It was unusual that he should be so interested in her, especially since the debacle with Miss Grandier was still fresh in his mind, but there was something special about Lady Armstrong that drew him to her.
What was it? He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
She was certainly beautiful, but it was more than that. Though she put on a brave face, there was a sadness about her—a sadness that he wanted to banish. No one so young should be so sad. He longed to see her smile.
“I see. Perhaps we’ll meet again at breakfast and can take a stroll together then.”
“Yes, perhaps,” she said.
There wasn’t much else to say, as the lady was clearly not showing any interest in him. “Well, I wish you a pleasant evening then, Lady Armstrong,” he said, standing and making his way toward the refreshment table. He wasn’t in the mood to eat, but he didn’t want anyone to think that he’d been rebuffed by Lady Armstrong.
Had she rebuffed him, though?
He honestly didn’t know. Maybe she really was tired from her journey. Tomorrow would be a new day, and he could try to engage her in more than brief conversation then.
“That didn’t seem to go well,” Miles whispered in Robertson’s ear when he joined him at the table.
“What did you say?”
“I was watching you. Did Lady Armstrong dismiss you out of hand? The great Earl of Robertson rebuffed within mere minutes?”
“No, of course not. She merely said she was tired from her journey and planned to take a tray in her room this evening.”
“I see. No matter then. There are other beautiful young women attending the house party. I have no doubt another one will catch your eye.”
“Indeed,” Robert said, although he didn’t really want to meet any of the other women, and especially not after talking with Lady Armstrong. He wanted to get to know her better and hoped there would be more opportunities tomorrow.
***
Olivia could have kicked herselffor saying she’d take a tray in her room. Being formally introduced to Lord Robertson had put a name to that fine form—those broad shoulders, that narrow waist, and the most expressive brown eyes she’d ever seen. His masculine beauty nearly overwhelmed her. She’d thought he was handsome, looking at him from a distance, but up close, he was magnificent. Like a Greek god. His deep voice had vibrated through her, creating a warm glow inside, and it scared her how much he’d affected her during their brief conversation.
Oh, why did I say that? I’m such a coward. I should be staying downstairs and enjoying his company.
From the moment she’d seen Lord Robertson taking long strides across the garden toward the meadow, he’d struck a chord in her that she’d never felt before, and its power frightened her. She’d assumed she would never want to be with another man after her husband’s cruel treatment, but something about Lord Robertson made her want to get to know him better. She hoped she hadn’t offended him. That was the last thing she wanted to do.
Unfortunately, what was done was done. She needed to be brave going forward. After all, wasn’t that why she’d decided to attend the house party? To gain some self-confidence around people again? Tomorrow, she hoped to find a way to be close to him during the activities.
She looked around the room, wondering where Bett had gone, but she apparently hadn’t returned from her walk with Mr. Hughes. Should Olivia wander out to the garden and check on her? Or should she mind her own business? Bett was a grown woman who’d told her that she wanted to attend the house party because she wished to meet someone new. Had the Honorable Mr. Hughes piqued her interest? He certainly was handsome, with his dark hair and startling blue eyes, but Olivia found herself comparing him to Robertson’s fair looks. She definitely preferred the earl.
She chastised herself for being so hasty in her reply to the handsome lord, but she was too embarrassed to change her mind now. She needed to think more about her reaction to him. Could she let go of the past, as Bett had counseled her, or would she forever be scarred by what Armstrong had done to her during their two-year marriage? Would another man’s touch feel different, or would she once again be disgusted by it as she’d been by Armstrong’s touch?
She had no answers, and ten minutes later, when Bett still had not returned from the garden, she set her teacup down on the low table and discreetly left the parlor. She wanted to take one last look at Lord Robertson before leaving, but her courage failed her.
Tomorrow would be time enough to see if her attraction to Lord Robertson stayed the course. When she entered her bedchamber, Emma was there putting away the last of her things.
“Lady Armstrong, did you forget something?” she asked.
“No. I find I’m quite tired after the day of traveling. I’d like to have a dinner tray in my room this evening.”
“Of course. I shall see to it right away,” Emma said, exiting her bedchamber.
Olivia walked to the vanity by the window and began to unpin her hair, dropping the pins in a crystal bowl. She admired the spectacular view, its raw beauty inspiring her to be open to the possibilities the house party could offer, including getting to know a particularly handsome earl.
She was done being afraid. For the entirety of her marriage, she’d been afraid. Afraid of Armstrong’s glare, his biting words, his palm against her cheek in punishment for whatever infraction he deemed she deserved, but most of all, she’d been afraid when he came to her bed with his favorite riding crop. How she survived two years with him, she’d never know, but through sheer will and probably a little bit of luck at finding new hiding places when he was in a rage, she’d persevered.
It had taken more than a year after her husband’s death before she stopped being startled by every sound in the house. Through sheer determination and forcing herself out of her bedchamber to attend to the estate business, she’d finally achieved a level of peace she hadn’t felt during the years of her marriage.
Maybe Bett was right and it was time to try new things.
She had no idea exactly what she felt about Lord Robertson, but she knew from her short interaction with him that he intrigued her. He seemed so stoic, but it was his eyes that had held her captive. They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and when she gazed into his, she got the feeling he had a very damaged soul. She had no idea why she thought Robinson was damaged. Perhaps it was one damaged soul reaching out for another? Was it possible that they could help heal a little of each other’s past suffering?
The question now was: would she have the courage to explore a deeper connection with the earl, or had Armstrong scarred her for life?