Chapter 28
Two months later, Hampshire, England
Olivia stood by Xavier on the back terrace of Wyndhill Park. Her brother and his wife had arrived just yesterday, as had her sister, Victoria. Unfortunately, two of her dearest friends could not be present as one resided in Italy and the other was in Greece, which left one more, but Olivia was not certain if Eliza had even received the invitation.
Tomorrow she would wed Xavier, not even a year after they’d met.
She chuckled, recalling those first days when they’d argued, and she was certain that she never wanted to see him again. So much had changed.
“Olivia!”
She turned and a smile broke to see the last of her dearest friends step from the house, Miss Eliza Weston.
“What is she doing here?” Lucian, the Earl of Garretson, and Xavier’s older brother, demanded.
“I invited her to the wedding,” Olivia answered.
“She is forbidden from setting foot on Wyndhill Park,” he informed her.
“A rule you put in place ten years ago when she was barely out of the schoolroom,” Xavier reminded him.
“That does not mean she belongs here.”
Olivia knew that Lucian held unpleasant feelings for Eliza but certainly he could put them aside for the wedding. She would be gone in a couple of days and then he could ban her from the estate again.
“I am so happy you could make it.” Olivia held out her hands to Eliza, who had been a friend since they attended school together.
“Of course I would be here,” Eliza proclaimed. “You are marrying one of the Sinclairs that I do like.” She grinned at Lucian.
“You are to confine yourself to the manor and formal gardens and terrace, Miss Weston,” Lucian insisted. “No going off to where you do not belong.”
“I would not dream of trespassing,” Eliza answered, but Olivia knew her too well to trust those words.
Yet, she did not understand the animosity between Lucian and Eliza, or why she was not allowed at Wyndhill Park.
“Excuse us for a moment.” Xavier tugged on Olivia’s arm and pulled her away.
“Do you wish to escape?” she asked, hoping that he would sneak off with her where they could be alone.
“As much as I would like to, I believe our guests would find it most improper.”
“Am I supposed to be concerned?” she asked.
“To think I thought you a proper, respectable spinster when deep down I think you are wicked.”
“Only because you introduced me to delights that I had never experienced,” she reminded him.
Xavier chuckled. “Soon, we will be man and wife and won’t need to ever leave our bedchamber if we do not wish to do so.”
“That would be highly improper, especially since we do have responsibilities.”
“Then each night we will retire early and shut out the world until we are summoned back to our duties.”
“That sounds absolutely delightful.” Olivia sighed. “If you did not wish to sneak away, then why did you bring me over here?”
“To apologize for not warning you beforehand.”
“Of what?”
“My brother, Lucian, has an extreme dislike for your friend, Miss Weston.”
Olivia nearly snorted. “I noticed. I simply do not know why.”
“She trespassed some ten years ago in search of a mummy.”
This time Olivia did snort. “Yes, for some time the location preoccupied Eliza. It had been taken from a home in Mayfair and never recovered. For the longest time, Eliza was determined to find it and learn why anyone would take it in the first place.”
“Yes, well, her quest brought her to Wyndhill Park, and circumstances nearly saw her ruined by Lucian, though it would have only been because of appearances and not any improper act.”
“I wish I was surprised, but Eliza does have a way of finding herself in scrapes when she allows her imagination to take flight.”
“Yes, well, he has never forgiven her.”
“Hopefully they can put their differences aside so that we can enjoy a few days of wedding celebration with our friends and family.”
“I will speak with him if you will speak with Eliza.”
“I promise.” Olivia went up on her toes to kiss her soon-to-be husband and wished that they were already wed and in the privacy of their bedchamber.
He pulled away. “If you do not stop, I will forget that we have guests.”
She simply grinned at him before she leaned in to kiss Xavier again. He pulled away. “You are a dangerous woman. Now, let us return to our guests.”
Olivia slipped her hand onto his sleeve and allowed Xavier to escort her back to the gathering.
“You what?” Lucian nearly yelled at Eliza.
“I said that I have taken Greenhaven Cottage for the summer. We are to be neighbors.”