Chapter 8
When the group reached the picnic area, the ladies who hadn’t participated in the archery contest were arriving as well. If the lively chatter was any indication, they seemed to be enjoying the house party thus far. There were lots of giggles, and Olivia wondered what was so funny.
“I’ll fetch you a glass of lemonade,” Lord Robertson said.
“Yes, please. That sounds delightful,” Olivia said before taking a seat on one of the blankets spread on the grass.
Bett sat next to her while Mr. Hughes joined his friend in fetching their drinks.
“You seem to be getting along quite well with Mr. Hughes,” Oliva whispered.
Bett nodded. “I like him.”
“You’ve only just met.”
“I know, but sometimes there’s an instant spark between two people. I felt that spark last night,” Bett said with a dreamy look in her eyes. “He’s quite handsome as well, don’t you think?”
Olivia nodded, although she preferred the earl’s lighter coloring. “He is indeed.” Things were moving very fast for her friend, and it unsettled her. She didn’t want Bett to make a major mistake by jumping into something too quickly… or was it she who didn’t want to make any major mistakes? Granted, marrying Armstrong had been her father’s choice, but could she trust her own judgment about whether a man was kind and good? It hadn’t taken more than a day for Olivia to realize that her marriage was going to be a nightmare. By then, of course, it was too late. She didn’t want that for her friend.
“Has he tried to kiss you yet?”
Bett was saved from answering when the men returned with the lemonades and a plateful of fruit.
“Here we are. This should hold us for a while. The servants are still setting up the rest of the luncheon,” Robertson said.
Olivia took the glass and drank deeply. “Oh, that’s so refreshing. Thank you, my lord.”
“My pleasure. Would you care to take a stroll before luncheon is served?” Robertson asked. “I’d love to explore the grounds a little more.”
Olivia glanced at Bett. “Do you wish to join us?”
“No. I’m perfectly content to sit here with Mr. Hughes. You go ahead. Enjoy your walk,” Bett said.
Robertson held out his hand to help Olivia to her feet. She took it, feeling an instant connection, like a bolt of lightning had struck her. It was something she’d never felt before, and she liked it. Was this what Bett had been talking about? She certainly felt something when she was around the earl, but was it merely admiration for a handsome man or something more?
“My lady, do you ride?”
“I do. It’s one of my favorite things.”
“Well then, perhaps you’d consent to riding out with me tomorrow morning? I took a ride earlier this morning, and Fleming’s estate is quite impressive.”
Olivia hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Thank you. That sounds quite enjoyable. Shall we ask Lady Williams and Mr. Hughes to join us?”
“If you like, although I must warn you, my friend isn’t keen on rising early,” he said with a chuckle.
“Come to think of it, neither is Lady Williams,” Olivia said.
***
Robertson had been hoping tohave Lady Armstrong’s attention all for himself during their ride tomorrow, but if she felt more comfortable with her friend accompanying them, he was fine with that. Whatever she needed, as long as she agreed to spend time with him.
“Yes, that sounds like fun,” he said. “We can ask them when we return to the picnic.”
“Did you bring your own horse?” Olivia asked.
He shook his head. “No, although I probably should have. I rode one of Fleming’s stallions this morning. I don’t think he gets enough exercise, and I would like to take him out every day. Weather permitting, of course.”
“That’s very kind of you, my lord.”
“Not at all. I enjoy a good gallop, and Hades is a magnificent horse.”
“I’m looking forward to riding tomorrow then.”
Robertson felt such an attraction to Lady Armstrong. She was beautiful, but it was more than that. The night he met her, there’d been something about her that drew him to her. She had been quite timid at first, but today, she seemed much more relaxed around him. Maybe it was mere tiredness from her journey that’d sent her scurrying to her bedchamber last evening. She didn’t seem tired today. As a matter of fact, she seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, if her sweet smiles were any indication of her pleasure. He could definitely get used to that.
They’d walked quite a distance from the picnic area when Robertson stopped and faced her. The sun seemed to form a halo around her, and it took his breath away. “You’re so beautiful.” Her skin seemed to glow, and when her tongue darted out to wet her lips, he leaned slowly toward her, giving her an opportunity to pull away if she wished. She didn’t move, so he lifted his hand to stroke her cheek, but she flinched and stepped back before he could touch her. “My lady, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just—”
“Robertson!”
He snarled inwardly at the interruption, desperate to understand what’d just happened. Why had she flinched? Was it him, or had someone hurt her in the past? Was that why she flinched when he went to stroke her cheek? An anger he’d never felt before unfurled inside his chest. He’d kill the man who hurt her.
He looked up to see Miss Bartlett and Lord Pressley walking toward them. “Pressley.”
“I see we’re not the only ones enjoying a walk on this fine day,” the young lord said as they came alongside them, apparently not noticing Robertson’s scowl.
“It’s been quite pleasant, but we were just about to head back,” he said, holding out his arm again for Lady Armstrong.
She slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. He was glad she hadn’t refused his escort, but her earlier reaction still puzzled him.
“Excellent. We shall join you,” Pressley said.
Robertson was not happy. He wanted more time alone with Lady Armstrong and especially wanted to know why she seemed so afraid of being touched. He felt protective of her and never wanted to see her so frightened again.
“Lady Armstrong, that’s a lovelycolor on you,” Miss Bartlett said. “The green complements your eyes nicely.”
Olivia inclined her head. “Thank you, Miss Bartlett. Are you enjoying the house party?”
“Oh yes. Mama says Lord Fleming is known for throwing grand parties. We don’t live far from here, and I was so excited when we received an invitation this year. Have you been before?”
“No. This is my first time attending.”
“Mine as well. Mama says it’s good practice before I enter the marriage mart next Spring. I’m so looking forward to being in London. Did you enjoy your Season?”
Olivia shook her head. “I didn’t have a Season.”
“What a shame. I can’t wait to attend the balls, musicales, and tea parties. I was too young when my older sister came out to enjoy any of the activities, but I remember everything she told me about them. Finally, next spring, I’ll get to enjoy them too.”
“That sounds lovely. I wish you a most successful Season.”
“I look forward to seeing you in London,” Lord Pressley said to Miss Bartlett.
The young woman gave him a shy smile. “Thank you, Lord Pressley.”
As they walked back to the picnic area, Olivia couldn’t help but feel she owed Lord Robertson an explanation for her earlier reaction. She would have welcomed his kiss, but when he raised his hand, she flinched back without thought, anticipating a slap. She was instantly mortified and wanted to explain that she welcomed his kisses, but they were interrupted, and now the moment seemed to have passed.
Would he try to kiss her again? Or had she discouraged him from even trying? That was the last thing she wanted. She couldn’t stop thinking about his plump lower lip. Would his lips be as soft as they looked?
Perhaps she needed to be bold. It was one thing to say she wanted to be bold, but it was an entirely different thing to actually do it. How did one go about being bold? Should she just ask him to kiss her? What if he declined? She’d be mortified and most likely feel the need to leave the house party if that occurred. That would certainly not help her come out of her shell of isolation, as Bett had so aptly put it.
When they reached the blanket, she noticed that Bett and Mr. Hughes had their heads bent together, talking softly to each other. It seemed that Bett was enjoying Mr. Hughes’s attention a great deal.
“We’ll see you later,” Pressley said as he and Miss Bartlett walked over to their own blanket.
She and Lord Robertson took a seat with Bett and Mr. Hughes.
“Did you enjoy your walk?” Bett asked.
“Very much,” Olivia said. She wanted Lord Robertson to know that she did enjoy his company, despite her embarrassing reaction.
“We’ve made plans to ride out around the estate early tomorrow morning. Would you two care to join us.”
Bett shook her head. “No, thank you. Not this time. You two go ahead and enjoy your ride.”
“Well, I’m starving,” Lord Robertson said. “Lady Armstrong, may I prepare a plate for you as well?”
“That would be most welcome. Thank you, my lord.”
Mr. Hughes stood up as well, and Olivia watched the two men talk as they went to the refreshment table.
Bett looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
Olivia shook her head. “There’s nothing amiss. Why do you ask?”
“Because I know you, and you wear your emotions on your sleeve. Did Lord Robertson offend you in some way?”
“No, he’s been the perfect gentleman. It was me. I had a bad reaction when he tried to touch me.”
“Oh, Liv. I’m so sorry. Perhaps you should tell him it wasn’t because you dislike him but that your late husband’s ill-treatment still affects you.”
“I was about to do just that when Lord Pressley and Miss Bartlett interrupted us. Then the moment passed, and I don’t know how to bring it up again.”
“Was he trying to kiss you?”
“Yes. I would most certainly welcome his kiss, but I think I’ve ruined everything.”
Bett patted her hand. “I don’t think that’s the case. Lord Robertson seems quite enamored with you.”
“Do you think so?”
“I do.”
Olivia thought about what Bett had said. Maybe she hadn’t ruined everything with Lord Robertson. However, she’d have to wait for him to try to kiss her again because she didn’t think she could be bold enough to kiss him first. Would he even welcome a kiss from her, or would he think she was a wanton?
It was certainly something to think about.