a mulish look on her face. “A goodbye gift, my lord?”
He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a black velvet jewelry box. Selena’s eyes lit with pleasure when she opened it to reveal a beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelet. “Thank you, my lord. It’s truly a beautiful piece.” Considering him under half lidded eyes, she added, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? I really need to thank you for such a thoughtful gift. We could retire upstairs.”
“No, my sweet, I must be off.” He ran his knuckles across her cheek.
Selena stood straighter and walked him to the door. “Then I will wish you good day.”
Jason kissed her hand and left. He bounded down the steps feeling lighthearted, unlike previous liaison endings. This time he had something to look forward to. Once Parliament granted his annulment, he had every intention of pursuing the lovely Lady Olivia. Not for nefarious purposes, but with matrimony in mind. Had the old Earl only waited a few months to turn up his toes, both he and his son would have been satisfied.
Whistling softly, he started off toward home.
Chapter Ten
Olivia reclined in the tub, enjoying the relaxation of the warm, scented water. In the letter from her solicitors, they’d assured her a generous settlement would be arranged when Parliament granted the annulment. Olivia squeezed the cloth to allow the water to dribble down her extended leg. With Coventry’s money and the legacy from her father, she could continue her studies in music, which would most likely mean returning to Italy. Or she could purchase a small home here in London, but the endless rounds of parties, balls, and routs year in and year out did not appeal. Neither did the foul air and crowds of the city.
Of course, she could consider an offer from one of the gentlemen who gathered around her each evening. Not having any male family members, she would be the one to accept or decline any offers made. She smiled as she imagined sending prospective suitors to Jason for his yay or nay on offers. He could also negotiate the settlements on her behalf.
Olivia sighed, and gazed out the window across the room, at the billowing clouds drifting by. Unfortunately, of all her suitors, the only one who fired her blood, and brought heightened awareness of his presence, was the husband who didn’t want her. She swallowed the hurt, and stepped out of the tub to dry off. Not used to being naked in front of anyone else, she didn’t utilize the services of her maid to assist in her bath. She had done for herself most of her life, anyway. She slid into a dressing gown and sat in front of the fireplace, drying her hair.
As always, her thoughts returned to her predicament with Lord Coventry. How would they have progressed if he hadn’t left her the morning after their wedding? As he seemed to be attracted to her now, they could have gone on quite well. She imagined him bedding her. With all his experience, no doubt it would be a pleasurable experience. Then she chided herself. Despite the longing she felt in his presence, with their history she had no intention of encouraging his advances. The further she kept herself from Lord Arrogant, the better for her state of mind.
Setting her concerns aside, she rang for the maid to assist her with dressing for another undoubtedly long and uninteresting evening. Lord and Lady Banbury would be their hosts tonight for a musicale. Notwithstanding her feeble attempt to convince Elizabeth that she’d prefer to remain at home with a good book, the disappointment on her friend’s face had quickly persuaded her to change her mind.
The Banbury musicale was immensely better than Olivia had expected. She sat in the front row, allowing the soothing music to float over her. Three professional musicians hired for the evening had performed several familiar pieces. After a short intermission, a few young ladies followed, displaying their skills on the pianoforte, harp and flute.
He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a black velvet jewelry box. Selena’s eyes lit with pleasure when she opened it to reveal a beautiful sapphire and diamond bracelet. “Thank you, my lord. It’s truly a beautiful piece.” Considering him under half lidded eyes, she added, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? I really need to thank you for such a thoughtful gift. We could retire upstairs.”
“No, my sweet, I must be off.” He ran his knuckles across her cheek.
Selena stood straighter and walked him to the door. “Then I will wish you good day.”
Jason kissed her hand and left. He bounded down the steps feeling lighthearted, unlike previous liaison endings. This time he had something to look forward to. Once Parliament granted his annulment, he had every intention of pursuing the lovely Lady Olivia. Not for nefarious purposes, but with matrimony in mind. Had the old Earl only waited a few months to turn up his toes, both he and his son would have been satisfied.
Whistling softly, he started off toward home.
Chapter Ten
Olivia reclined in the tub, enjoying the relaxation of the warm, scented water. In the letter from her solicitors, they’d assured her a generous settlement would be arranged when Parliament granted the annulment. Olivia squeezed the cloth to allow the water to dribble down her extended leg. With Coventry’s money and the legacy from her father, she could continue her studies in music, which would most likely mean returning to Italy. Or she could purchase a small home here in London, but the endless rounds of parties, balls, and routs year in and year out did not appeal. Neither did the foul air and crowds of the city.
Of course, she could consider an offer from one of the gentlemen who gathered around her each evening. Not having any male family members, she would be the one to accept or decline any offers made. She smiled as she imagined sending prospective suitors to Jason for his yay or nay on offers. He could also negotiate the settlements on her behalf.
Olivia sighed, and gazed out the window across the room, at the billowing clouds drifting by. Unfortunately, of all her suitors, the only one who fired her blood, and brought heightened awareness of his presence, was the husband who didn’t want her. She swallowed the hurt, and stepped out of the tub to dry off. Not used to being naked in front of anyone else, she didn’t utilize the services of her maid to assist in her bath. She had done for herself most of her life, anyway. She slid into a dressing gown and sat in front of the fireplace, drying her hair.
As always, her thoughts returned to her predicament with Lord Coventry. How would they have progressed if he hadn’t left her the morning after their wedding? As he seemed to be attracted to her now, they could have gone on quite well. She imagined him bedding her. With all his experience, no doubt it would be a pleasurable experience. Then she chided herself. Despite the longing she felt in his presence, with their history she had no intention of encouraging his advances. The further she kept herself from Lord Arrogant, the better for her state of mind.
Setting her concerns aside, she rang for the maid to assist her with dressing for another undoubtedly long and uninteresting evening. Lord and Lady Banbury would be their hosts tonight for a musicale. Notwithstanding her feeble attempt to convince Elizabeth that she’d prefer to remain at home with a good book, the disappointment on her friend’s face had quickly persuaded her to change her mind.
The Banbury musicale was immensely better than Olivia had expected. She sat in the front row, allowing the soothing music to float over her. Three professional musicians hired for the evening had performed several familiar pieces. After a short intermission, a few young ladies followed, displaying their skills on the pianoforte, harp and flute.
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