Chapter 15
“Stop fussing, my lord. I’m nearly done,” Bryer said as he put the finishing touches on Robertson’s snowy white cravat.
Robertson tried his best to hold still, although he was most anxious to get downstairs early. He wanted an opportunity to speak to Olivia before everyone arrived for dinner. He had to explain that he had no desire to spend time with Miss Bartlett but had been trapped into partnering with her today just as he’d cornered into taking her on a boat ride. It wasn’t the young woman’s fault. She was probably relying on her mother’s advice. Lady Bartlett had been pushing her daughter toward him since the moment he arrived, and he was done with her machinations. He didn’t want a young woman barely out of the schoolroom. He didn’t want Miss Bartlett. He wanted Olivia.
Bryer nestled an emerald stick pin in the folds of the cravat and stood back to admire his handiwork. “Perfection, my lord.”
Robertson chuckled. His valet took his duties very seriously, and usually, he was happy to wait patiently while Bryer fussed over him. Not tonight. “Thank you, Bryer. I shall see you later,” he said, rushing out the door and down the stairs.
He walked into the parlor and immediately saw Olivia talking with Lady Williams and Noah and hurried over to them. “Lady Armstrong, it’s a pleasure to see you this evening. I hope you enjoyed your trip to the village this afternoon?”
The last thing he wanted to talk about was her shopping trip, but he felt he had to ease into the conversation with her. He’d seen her shiver when he greeted her and hoped it was because she was affected by him as much as he was by her and not because she felt repulsed by him.
When she turned toward him, he saw her inhale sharply. “Good evening, Lord Robertson,” she said after a moment’s hesitation.
“Good evening, Lady Williams, Mr. Hughes.” He caught Noah’s eye and wasn’t happy to see how closely his friend watched him with Olivia. He had no doubt Noah would have something to say about his growing interest in the lovely lady. His friend never missed an opportunity to comment, whatever the occasion, but he was usually correct, so both Robertson and Miles put up with his commentary.
Olivia merely stared at him, her lips slightly apart. What was she thinking? He wished he knew. She was so beautiful, it took his breath away.
After an awkward silence, Noah spoke. “Robertson, congratulations on shooting the most birds this afternoon. I dare say we’ll have a sumptuous feast this evening.”
“Indeed.”
“Then I suppose I should thank you, Lord Robertson, because I adore grouse,” Lady Williams said.
Robertson nodded. “I’m glad to be of service then. Lady Armstrong, may I speak to you for a moment in private?”
Olivia looked at her friend, who nodded.
Robertson would forever be grateful to Lady Williams for encouraging Olivia to talk to him. He held out his arm, feeling her scorching touch through the fabric of his jacket as he escorted her to the far end of the parlor, well away from the few people who’d assembled for dinner thus far.
“My lord, I hardly think we need to speak in private,” she said as they walked.
She held herself apart from him, and her posture was very stiff. He had to change that, and quickly, before the whole situation got out of hand.
“There’s every reason, my lady. I fear you may have misinterpreted the scene this morning at breakfast.”
“I hardly think so. It was quite evident you were enjoying Miss Bartlett’s company.”
“My dear lady, that’s where you’re wrong. I have no desire to spend any more time with Miss Bartlett.”
“Is that so? I saw the brilliant smile you gave her.”
“You think I have a brilliant smile?” he asked with a cheeky grin.
“That’s not the point, my lord.”
“Everett, please call me Everett. And you must know that smile was meant for you. Only you.”
“Really, then why were you smiling at her?”
“Olivia, please believe me. My back was turned, and I thought you were the one greeting me. You cannot image how much I regretted that one small action when I saw it was Miss Bartlett and not you. I still don’t understand why she was breathless when she spoke to me. I most certainly have recognized her voice otherwise.”
“That smile was meant for me?” Olivia asked, her posture relaxing a fraction.
“Indeed it was. You’re all I can think about. Not Miss Bartlett. She’s a child in my eyes, barely out of the school room and I have no designs on her. I only want you—the most desirable woman I’ve ever met.” Robertson held his breath while he watched a series of emotions cross Olivia’s face. Would she believe him? What would he do if she didn’t? What else could he do to convince her of his growing admiration?
After several moments, she spoke. “Well, I suppose there might have been a small chance that I jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Really? Olivia, you must know I would never intentionally hurt you. I enjoy your company more than I can say. You’re the sunshine on a rainy day, and I cherish our time together.”
For the first time since they began their conversation, Olivia smiled.
“I need your help, though,” Robertson said.
“Oh? What do you need?”
“I need to discourage Lady Bartlett from pushing her daughter on me. Every time I turn around, there she is.”
“From what I understand, I’m afraid all marriage-minded mamas are a very determined lot, and you are an earl—a very desirable catch.”
“I have to say, I don’t like it. Not at all. And I honestly didn’t believe I would be hounded at a house party like I am in London.”
“I didn’t have a Season, so I don’t have any direct experience with this, but Lady Williams did, and she’s told me stories about how Lady Bartlett guided her eldest daughter through the marriage mart that makes me cringe. Unfortunately, she’s not the only mother like that. Surely you must have encountered this many times before.”
“I have to a certain degree, but I’ve always tried to discourage certain behaviors… although I can see how I’ve failed with Lady Bartlett. I have not been forceful enough and she doesn’t seem to want to take no for an answer.”
“Perhaps she’s trying to marry her daughter off before her Season next spring. Not surprising, considering the cost of one.”
“Perhaps that’s true, but it would be better for Miss Bartlett if her mother would relax and let her enjoy the house party. It may be the first time she’s had the opportunity to enjoy the company of gentlemen.”
He watched as Olivia looked around the parlor. No sign of Lady Bartlett and her daughter yet, and time was of the essence. He needed Olivia to understand his position before the mother daughter duo arrived.
“Olivia, could you please find it in your heart to forgive my lapse in judgment? I promise you that I have no designs on any other woman here—only you.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Designs, my lord? What kind of designs?”
Robertson leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “For a start, I would very much like to kiss you until we’re both breathless.”
“Hmmm, I think I would enjoy that very much.”
For the first time since he entered the parlor, he felt hope that he hadn’t ruined his chances with Olivia. “I need to kiss you, my dear, right now. I’m on fire with wanting you. Will you take a stroll on the balcony with me before everyone else comes down to dinner?”
Olivia nodded. “Yes. I’d like that very much.”
“I’m so glad.” He held out his arm and escorted her through the French doors to the balcony beyond. They walked to the far end, and Robertson wasted no time in pulling her into his arms and kissing her with all the pent-up frustration of not being with her all day.
His mouth fit over hers with ease, and when she sighed, his tongue swept in, tasting every luscious inch of her mouth. When she leaned into him, he deepened the kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her. He wanted to strip her bare and kiss every delectable inch of her body. The kiss went on and on, neither of them wishing to stop, but eventually, Robertson stepped back.
“My darling Olivia, I needed that so much. I’ve missed being with you today.”
Olivia reached out and touched his cheek. “I’ve missed you too, Everett.”
“You did?”
She nodded. “Yes, and against my better judgment.”
“I hope I can change your mind about that. I think your judgment is perfectly fine.”
“Everett, let’s not waste time talking. Kiss me again before we must go inside.”
“My pleasure, my lady, my absolute pleasure,” he said and lowered his head to take her lips once more. She was so responsive in his arms, although he could tell by her tentativeness that she didn’t have much experience kissing. He wanted it to be the best experience he could make for her.
She groaned, and he pulled her closer, her soft body melting into his hard chest, but their pleasure couldn’t last forever. His head snapped up when he heard voices come near, and he stepped away from Olivia.
Lady Bartlett and her daughter had stepped out on the balcony, and it was all he could do to hold in a groan.
He gave Olivia one last quick kiss. “Seems you were right about match-making mamas. Looks like she’s at it again,” he whispered. He would not let Lady Bartlett ruin another moment so he did the only thing he could think of and laughed out loud.
Both Bartlett women turned in his direction.
“Lady Armstrong, you’re quite amusing,” he said, a little louder than necessary, hoping that Olivia understood what he was doing.
She nodded before taking his arm, and they began to walk back toward the parlor door. She understood perfectly. “My lord, I hardly think kittens are merely soft and cuddly. You must be wary of their sharp claws as well.”
That made Robertson laugh again. “Touche, Lady Armstrong.” As they came out of the shadows, he said, “Good evening, Lady Bartlett, Miss Bartlett.”
“Lord Robertson, I didn’t expect to see you out here,” Lady Bartlett said, her eyes widening when she saw Olivia on his arm.
“It’s a lovely evening and we’re just getting some fresh air. Now, if you’ll excuse us, Lady Armstrong and I are headed back inside to enjoy a glass of sherry.”
Lady Bartlett’s eyes blazed. She obviously thought her daughter had captured his attention. “I see. Come along, my dear. It’s rather chilly out here tonight, and I don’t want you to catch a chill,” she said, turning with a huff. Poor Miss Bartlett shrugged and dutifully followed her mother back inside.
Robertson and Olivia entered the parlor and walked over to Noah and Lady Williams.
“There you two are. How was the night air?” Lady Williams asked.
“Delightful,” Olivia said with a smile.
Robertson saw Noah glance over his shoulder. “Seems Lady Bartlett doesn’t share your opinion, Lady Armstrong.”
“I suspect she doesn’t,” Robertson said. “That woman is single-minded in her determination to partner me with her daughter.”
“Matchmaking Mamas are like that it seems,” Noah said.
“I understand that. However, I didn’t know I’d be hounded here.”
The butler announced dinner then, and there was no more time to discuss the situation. Robertson held out his arm to escort Olivia to the dining room. There was no way he was going to let any other gentleman sit beside her this evening. With Noah and Lady Williams on her other side, he felt dinner was going to be very pleasant indeed.
When he saw that Lady Bartlett and her daughter were sitting at the other end of the table with Lord John, Robertson was able to relax and enjoy a lively conversation with his companions.
When dinner was finished, Lord Fleming clinked his glass. “I must remind everyone that it was Lord Robertson and Miss Bartlett who won at bowls this afternoon, so they will decide what we do this evening for entertainment. Lord Robertson, do you have any suggestions?”
Robertson cleared his throat. “I’ll leave the choice of activity up to Miss Bartlett,” he said.
She squealed with delight. “I choose dancing and would like the first dance with my winning partner.”
Robertson saw Lady Bartlett smile smugly. It was obvious she’d coached her daughter on what activity would best suit her scheme. He’d walked right into her trap, but he wasn’t about to let her win. “I’d be delighted to partner with Miss Bartlett for a country reel.”
“Good, that’s settled,” Lord Fleming said. “The gentlemen will join the ladies in a little while.”
Lady Fleming rose from the table, and the women followed her to the parlor, where she addressed the footmen. “Clayton and Edward, we will have dancing this evening, and the furniture needs to be pushed to the side.”
The footmen nodded and began moving the furniture out of the center of the room.
A maid brought in a tea cart piled high with delicious desserts.
“Anna, tea can be laid on the far table.”
The maid pushed the cart to the side and began arranging the service on the table. “Will there be anything else, Lady Fleming?”
“No, you may go.” She turned to Bett. “Lady Williams, I understand you play the pianoforte.”
“I do.”
“Would you consider playing for a little while, and then we can switch to another?”
“I would be honored, Lady Fleming.”
When the men returned to the parlor, Robertson went to Miss Bartlett to lead her in a reel. He saw Miles walk to Olivia and ask her to dance. His friend would look after her, and he was grateful for Miles’s quick action in claiming the dance to keep her safe from the clutches of either Lord John or any other man.
Lady Williams played a lively tune and everyone was having a grand time. Miss Bartlett clearly enjoyed dancing, and he was glad she was enjoying herself, but he planned on keeping his distance from her for the rest of the evening.
“You dance very well, Lord Robertson,” she said.
Robertson nodded, keeping conversation to the bare minimum. The last thing he wanted was to encourage the young woman.
She leaned into him. “May I confide something?”
“My lady, I hardly think I’ll make a good confidant.”
His answer didn’t seem to sway her, and she plunged ahead. “Mama says I must stay close to you, but I confess that, while you’re a fine gentleman, I’d rather spend more time with Lord John. He’s quite entertaining, and I enjoy his company.”
That got Robertson’s attention. Perhaps Miss Bartlett wasn’t in the dark about how things worked as he’d thought.
“Well, then. I’ll try to help make that happen more often then.”
“Oh, thank you, Lord Robertson,” she said with a smile that lit up her face.
“Of course. I shall endeavor to do my best.”