Lady Olivia's Undoing by Anne Gallagher Page B

Ariana was in
love with Mr. Summerville. And it did seem that the young man had
more than a passing interest in Ariana. However, in the middle was
Bella, a headstrong girl likely to follow in her mother’s
hysterical footsteps if she ever heard such as a whisper about
Ariana and Stephen. Or perhaps Bella did know and that was why she
repeatedly danced with Edward – to find a reason to cry off their
engagement. If so, Bella played a dangerous game. Edward
Perrington, Duke of Straford was not someone to trifle with.
    Outside, Henry waited for her by the
carriage. “You were not going to say good-bye?”
    Olivia glanced at Mr. Summerville who helped
Ariana into the carriage. She walked with Henry to the gate. The
night had been perfect. Henry had been perfect. She had not wanted
to ruin it by a long drawn out leave-taking. Ariana had been the
ideal excuse to escape. She had planned to write Henry a note as
soon as she returned to Caymore. How could she say good-bye?
    “I love you, Henry. With all of my heart.
Godspeed and safe journey.”
    “I shall be home before you know it.” He
kissed her. “I do love you, Olivia. Be well.” He leaned in for one
last kiss.
    Olivia touched his face, memorizing the lines
and contours.
    He broke away and looked at her. “I love
you.” Then he returned to the house.
     
    At Caymore House, Manning helped Olivia
settle Ariana in her bedchamber and then Olivia returned
downstairs. Her mind was a muddle of thoughts – Henry Wade had
asked her to marry him. She said yes. What would she say to John?
She couldn’t possibly tell him. John needed to be reconciled in his
mind, clear-headed and sober when he went to Spain. He did not need
the complications of a love triangle to interfere with his duty to
the Crown. If something happened to him because of her, she would
never forgive herself. She stood outside the kitchen door. Would
Henry tell John about the proposal? That was a horrible
thought. But if it happened, there was nothing she could do about
it. She pushed open the kitchen door.
    John sat at the long plank table.
    “ Oh .” Olivia said. “What are you doing
here? I thought you’d gone upstairs already.” Olivia stepped inside
the warm kitchen. Seeing they were alone, she touched his cheek.
“How are you? You must be exhausted. Come to bed.”
    John took her hand and brought it to his
lips. “Do I not always wait for you?”
    “Yes, you do.” Olivia tugged on his hand. “I
am going to miss you so, John. Must you really go?” John followed
her up the servants’ staircase.
    “Yes, I must, and you know it.” John mimicked
her footfalls on the treads as he followed behind her. Olivia
continued down the hall to the bedroom as John disappeared behind
the wall. She opened her bedchamber door and stepped inside, closed
the door and locked it. John stepped out from behind the armoire.
Their little charade had not fooled any of the staff, but the
servants were loyal and would not gossip.
    Olivia laid her gloves and reticule on the
edge of the small table, took off all her rings, and dropped them
in a tray on the dresser. She picked up the buttonhook and walked
over to John. “Would you mind?”
    John took the implement from her and turned
her around. His hands worked deftly to undo the twenty or so
buttons down the length of the gown. “I’m afraid Jennings is going
to have to undress you from now on,” he said. The last button
unfastened, he parted the silk and placed a gentle kiss between her
shoulders.
    “Yes, poor Jennings will have to wait up for
me now.” Olivia let the gown fall to her feet and stepped out of
it. “Come to bed.” She slipped out of her shoes and unfastened her
bracelet as she walked to the bed. Dropping the bracelet on the
table, she lifted the covers and patted the other side of the
bed.
    John stripped down to his drawers and climbed
in beside her.
    “How was your day?” Olivia asked.
    “It was all very well.” John sat up against
the