Chapter 16
Olivia was glad when Mr. Walker asked her to dance, as she felt safe with Everett’s friend. She was able to catch glimpses of Everett dancing with Miss Bartlett now and then, and true to his word, he seemed polite but aloof with the young lady. He was right—Miss Bartlett really was quite young, and Olivia hoped her mother would give her time to mature over the summer and fall before she entered the marriage mart next Spring.
The music wound down.
“Thank you for the dance, Mr. Walker,” she said.
“It was my pleasure, Lady Armstrong,” he said before escorting her to the side of the floor. He leaned toward her. “Don’t be nervous, my dear. I won’t leave you until Robertson returns.”
Olivia had never been more grateful to anyone as she was in this moment. While it appeared Mr. Walker’s warning to Lord Pressley to leave her alone was working, she didn’t trust the young lord. He watched her incessantly, and it made her uncomfortable.
“Are you enjoying the house party, Mr. Walker?” she asked.
He nodded. “I am indeed. Lord Fleming and I have quite a bit in common. He has a keen interest in investing and has invited me to return in the fall to discuss some opportunities I know about.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It’s a beautiful estate.”
“It is indeed.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lord Robertson escort Miss Bartlett back to Lady Bartlett and Lord John before heading back toward her.
“I do believe I’ll take my leave now, Lady Armstrong,” Mr. Walker said with a bow.
“Thank you, Mr. Walker,” Olivia said.
Robertson stopped in front of her and nodded to his friend. “Thank you for escorting the lady.”
Mr. Walker nodded and walked to the other side of the room to talk with Lord Fleming.
“Lady Armstrong, would you do me the honor of partnering with me for the next dance?”
She looked up into his expressive brown eyes, and her heart melted. She knew she needed to protect her heart from this devastatingly handsome man or she could be in big trouble, but tonight, she wanted to dance with him. “I’d love to, my lord.”
Robertson took her hand while Bett played the opening strains of a waltz. He winked at her before pulling her close.
“Did you arrange for a waltz to be played next?” she asked.
“I did indeed, and Lady Williams was quite accommodating. I couldn’t wait to dance with you, my sweet Olivia,” he whispered in her ear. He swept her around the room, and she was dizzy with the excitement of being in his strong arms. She hadn’t felt this safe since she was a small child, and she liked it. “My lady, I need to kiss your sweet lips again,” he said as he spun her.
His hot breath on her neck made her shiver with delicious anticipation. “After this dance, I’m sure to need a bit of fresh air,” she said, surprising herself with her boldness. What was she doing? One minute, she was trying to protect herself from falling for the earl, and the next, she was inviting him to kiss her again. It was all so confusing. She’d never had a Season, so she had no experience in the rules of courtship.
Wait?
Was Everett courting her? Or was he merely playing with her because she was convenient? All these thoughts rolled around inside her mind as the last strains of the waltz faded away.
“My dear, your dancing is divine. Would you care to take in some air?”
“Yes. I’m feeling quite flushed.” What she didn’t say was that it wasn’t the dancing that made her hot and bothered but the man himself. For so long, she’d kept herself hidden from any undue attention. She had felt numb after Armstrong’s death, and it’d taken her a full year to even enjoy the simple pleasure of riding around the estate again.
Lord Robertson had upset her careful balancing act, and she was powerless to stop seeking his company. Her nerves were on edge, and she blurted out the first thing that came to mind as they walked outside. “Miss Bartlett seemed to enjoy your dance together.”
Robertson chuckled. “Funny thing about that. The young lady told me in no uncertain terms that she prefers Lord John to me.”
“What? Is that so?”
He nodded. “It is indeed. She seems determined to thwart her mother’s insistence that she spend time with me.”
“Bravo, Miss Bartlett.”
“My dear Olivia, I didn’t bring you out here to talk about Miss Bartlett.”
“No?”
They’d walked to the far end of the balcony. The moonlight lit up the garden, and the flowers scented the air. It was a perfect night.
“May I kiss you, my dear?”
She didn’t want to waste any more time, so she leaned into him, pressing her lips against his. This was what she’d been missing—desire—the desire to be with a man who made her heart race and sent shivers down her spine.
Robertson pulled her close and deepened the kiss.
She couldn’t get close enough. She felt starved for affection, and if Robertson’s kisses were any indication, he felt the same. At least, she hoped he did. She wanted to stay out there for the rest of the evening, but their interlude was cut short when they heard voices on the balcony.
“Seems our time has come to an end, Olivia dear. I’d very much like to have more private time with you. Would you care to join me for a ride in the morning?”
Olivia nodded. “I’d love to, Everett.”
He held out his arm to her, and they rejoined the rest of the guests in the parlor.
Olivia volunteered to play the pianoforte next so Bett could dance with Mr. Hughes. She loved seeing her friend so happy and wondered if Bett was falling in love with him. It wouldn’t surprise her, especially given her friend’s stated desire to meet someone. Was Mr. Hughes the man to sweep her off her feet?
From the little Bett had told her about the man, Mr. Hughes’s uncle was Viscount Fletcher, and his cousin was the heir. Mr. Hughes adored them both and spent most summers at their country estate. He owned a small townhouse in London and had been quite successful with his latest investments. He was probably more well-off than most noblemen, but he never flaunted his wealth. Olivia was happy to see that he was such an upstanding gentleman, especially with the way he acted toward her friend. The last thing she wanted was for Bett to fall for a fortune hunter.
Everett didn’t leave her side for the rest of the evening, even after she finished playing the pianoforte. She knew something wonderful was happening to her.
She felt self-confident for the first time in her life, and she liked it.
When she finally retired for the evening, she fell asleep dreaming of kissing Everett’s lips again and again.