Chapter 9
“How was your walk with Lady Armstrong?” Noah asked as they made their way to the food table.
“Not nearly long enough,” Robertson said.
“Oh? What happened?”
“It’s what didn’t happen that concerns me.”
“That’s quite cryptic. Care to elaborate?”
“Not at the moment. I need to figure something out first.”
“I’m glad Miles suggested coming to the house party. I’m enjoying my time with Lady Williams.”
“I see. Are you developing a tendre for the lady? You seem quite enamored with her.”
“I’m not sure I’d say that, but I am enjoying her company immensely. She’s quite an interesting lady with her clever wit.”
“Well, then, I wish you luck in your endeavors. By the way, have you seen Miles? I haven’t seen him since the archery contest.”
Both Robertson and Noah looked around the picnic area while they filled plates for the ladies.
“Oh, there he is, talking with Fleming. Those two seem to have a budding friendship,” Noah said.
“That’s surprising. I wonder what they have in common,” Robertson said.
“No idea, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it had to do with new investment opportunities. You know Miles—he’s like a ferret, finding these deals. Perhaps he’ll enlighten us after the picnic.”
With full plates, the men headed back to the blanket to join the ladies.
“I wasn’t sure what you preferred, so I got a little of everything,” Robertson said as he placed a plate in front of Lady Armstrong.
“Oh, this looks delicious. I adore lobster patties.”
Robertson filed that information away for later. It was one more little tidbit in getting to know Lady Armstrong better.
“Lady Williams, I understand Lord Fleming has arranged boat rides on the lake after luncheon. Would you care to accompany me?” Noah asked Lady Williams.
“I’d be delighted, Mr. Hughes. Thank you.”
Rowing on the lake would be the perfect way to have some time alone with Lady Armstrong, but before Robertson could open his mouth to ask her, something bumped his shoulder, and the next thing he knew, Miss Bartlett was tumbling into his lap.
“Oh, noooo!”
Robertson acted instinctively, catching and holding her tight. “Miss Bartlett, are you hurt?”
The young woman’s face was beet red from embarrassment. “Oh, Lord Robertson, I’m deeply sorry. I was getting some more lobster patties and tripped on the way to my blanket. Please forgive me,” she said, struggling to stand.
Just then, Lady Bartlett came bustling over. “My darling, whatever happened?” She speared Robertson with a stony stare. “Lord Robertson, there’s no need to manhandle my daughter.”
Robertson helped Miss Bartlett to her feet and stood beside her. “Lady Bartlett, I assure you, I did nothing of the sort. Your daughter tripped, and I caught her. That’s all there is to the story.”
“Mama, he’s—”
“Hush,” Lady Bartlett said, pulling her daughter next to her. “A boat ride this afternoon should go far in smoothing over this embarrassing situation. Don’t you agree, Lord Robertson?”
The last thing he wanted was to spend any more time with Miss Bartlett, but with Lady Bartlett talking louder than necessary, too many eyes were upon him. “I suppose that can be arranged.”
“Excellent. Come along, my dear. After luncheon, you can join Lord Robertson for a boat ride around the lake.”
That fiasco put a damper on the conversation for the rest of the luncheon. Noah tried to make light of the mishap, but Robertson was in no mood for teasing. Rowing on the lake had been his opportunity to spend some time alone with Olivia, not babysit Miss Bartlett.
“Lady Armstrong, would you care to join us for a ride?” Noah asked. “I would be delighted to row two beautiful ladies around the lake.”
Olivia shook her head. “No, thank you, my lord. I’ll be joining Lady Fleming this afternoon.”
Robertson was fuming. Another opportunity to be with Lady Armstrong had been thwarted through no fault of his own. Were the fates playing with him again?
Damn that Lady Bartlett for ruining the perfect afternoon I had planned.
Olivia didn’t really want to spend the afternoon with Lady Fleming and the other ladies. She’d very much wanted to go rowing with Lord Robertson, and she’d been sure he was about to ask her when Miss Bartlett tumbled into his lap. She hadn’t seen whether the young lady actually tripped, as she’d claimed, or if it was a ploy of Lady Bartlett to corner Lord Robertson. It was of no concern of hers, or so she told herself. Lord Robertson could spend time with whoever he liked.
“Lady Armstrong, are you sure you don’t want to come with Mr. Hughes and me?” Bett asked again.
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to intrude. You go ahead and have fun. I’ll see you at dinner.”
Bett hesitated a moment longer, but eventually, she and Mr. Hughes wandered down to the lake.
“Lady Armstrong, could I speak to you in private for a moment?” Lord Robertson asked.
“I’m afraid it’ll have to wait for another time, my lord. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to head back to the house. Enjoy rowing with Miss Bartlett.”
Olivia had almost decided to go with Bett and Mr. Hughes but realized she didn’t want to witness any more interactions between Lord Robertson and Miss Bartlett. She knew it was unfair of her to be upset, but somehow, the disappointment over not going out on the lake with him took center stage. She stood and headed back to the house. She was nearly there when someone grabbed her arm, and she squeaked in fright.
“Lady Armstrong, forgive me. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Lord Pressley said. “I was calling to you, but you apparently didn’t hear me.”
“Lord Pressley, I do not like to be grabbed. Please refrain from doing it in the future,” she said, finding the courage to stand up for herself for the first time in years. It felt good to assert herself for a change.
“My sincerest apologies, my lady. I meant no harm and wanted to ask if you’d like to go rowing with me.”
“No, thank you, my lord. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Pressley stepped in front of her. “Come now, Lady Armstrong. Why so coy? This is a house party, after all. Let’s have a little fun together, shall we?”
Panic rose in Olivia’s breast and her heart began to pound. Her breathing became rapid. Pressley had a dangerous look in his eyes like she was some kind of exotic prey he’d just captured. She looked behind her, but most everyone else had wandered down to the lake. “Please step aside, my lord, and let me pass.”
Pressley tried to reach for her again but was yanked backward and stumbled, nearly falling on his arse.
“The lady said she didn’t desire your company, Pressley,” Mr. Walker said. “Now, do us all a favor and leave the lady alone. I’m sure you wouldn’t want our host to find out you were harassing one of his guests.”
Lord Pressley smoothed down his coat and glared at Mr. Walker. “How dare you place your hands on me? Get out of my way, Walker. I’m having a private conversation with the lady.”
Olivia was impressed with Robertson’s friend. Several stones heavier than Pressley and towering over him, Miles Walker didn’t seem like someone who’d back down. He scowled at the young buck before turning to her and asking, “Lady Armstrong, are you well?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Walker. I’ll be heading inside now. Good day, gentlemen.” She hurried away from the two men, but not before hearing Mr. Walker say something about Pressley’s vowels. Was Pressley a gambler? It wouldn’t surprise her, but all she wanted right now was to be free of the young lord. She would be forever grateful for Mr. Walker’s intervention. After that scare, she decided she’d rather spend the afternoon alone, reading in her bedchamber. She wasn’t in the mood for any more company.
Her hopes for a delightful afternoon with Lord Robertson had been dashed, and Lord Pressley’s unseemly behavior had shaken her badly. She needed some peace and quiet to decide exactly what she wanted to do from here. Should she leave the house party? She certainly didn’t want to have any more encounters with Lord Pressley. He’d seemed nice at first, but he was far too aggressive for her liking, and she wanted nothing more to do with him. From now on, she had to make sure she stayed far away from him.
She retreated quickly to her bedchamber, her heart still pounding at the close call, and spent half the afternoon barely able to settle down, her nerves cracking and her mind racing as she relived the moment of him grabbing her. She worried about what would have happened if Mr. Walker hadn’t been there and what Pressley might try next. She paced her bedchamber, breathing deeply, trying to regain her sense of calmness.
You are safe. You are safe she repeated over and over again.
A few hours later, Emma entered the room. “Lady Armstrong, I didn’t realize you were here. Are you well?”
“I am. I merely wanted some time alone before dinner.”
“I’ll order you a bath. Do you have a preference for what dress to wear this evening?”
Olivia stood up from her chair by the window and went to the armoire to look over the dresses she’d brought with her. She wanted to look her best for Lord Robertson this evening. “I think the yellow silk.”
“Perfect. Would you like a cup of tea while the footmen bring up the hot water?”
“Yes. Thank you, Emma. That’s very thoughtful of you.”
“My pleasure, my lady. I shall return shortly.”
By the time Olivia was dressed and headed downstairs, most of the guests were already in the parlor. She spotted Bett talking with Mr. Hughes, Lord Robertson, and Mr. Walker and headed toward them.
“Good evening, all,” she said.
Lord Robertson turned around and gave her a brilliant smile. “Good evening, Lady Armstrong. You look exceedingly beautiful this evening.”
Olivia blushed at the compliment. “Thank you, my lord.” She could definitely get used to such things.
“Would you care for a glass of sherry?” he asked.
She nodded and watched him go to the sideboard to fetch one. She moved closer to Mr. Walker. “Mr. Walker, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness earlier this afternoon.”
He nodded. “You’re most welcome, my lady. I don’t believe you’ll be bothered by Lord Pressley anymore. I have warned him off.”
“What’s this about Pressley?” Robertson asked as he handed Olivia the glass of sherry.
“Nothing. Merely a bit of a miscommunication on the young lord’s part,” Miles said.
Robertson looked at Olivia. “My lady, did something happen this afternoon?”
She shook her head. “No. All is well. No need to worry. Thank you for the sherry.” She was saved from saying anything further about the unsettling incident by the butler announcing dinner.
“May I escort you into dinner, my lady?” Robertson asked.
“I’d be delighted, my lord,” she said, placing her fingers on his outstretched arm.
At least now she’d have the opportunity to converse with him, although there would be no chance to explain her reaction when he’d tried to kiss her. That conversation wouldn’t be appropriate at dinner, and the last thing she wanted was for anyone else to overhear her confession. It was too embarrassing and not for public knowledge that her late husband used to beat her.
That conversation would have to wait for a more private setting. She wasn’t looking forward to explaining her earlier reaction. Anything to do with her late husband left a bad taste in her mouth, but she felt she owed Lord Robertson an explanation.
Would she ever be free of Armstrong’s evil influence?