Page 60 of My Secret Duke
“Well, I know he was enamored with you. You just had to send him one of your come-hither looks, and he was at your side. But I’m sure if you were in love with the prince, you wouldn’t be kissing Northam.”
Roberta’s gaze was direct. As if Olivia’s answer genuinely mattered to her.
“Even if I wanted him to, he’s not going to marry meafter everything that happened at Grantham. And you didn’t help when you stole his horse.”
Roberta tried not to smile. “Stallion, Olivia.”
They turned into the mews behind Ashton House, and Olivia’s voice was thoughtful. “Marrying the prince would be like trying to fit into a box that is completely the wrong shape. Ivo told me that once, but I didn’t want to believe him. Now I know it’s true.”
“What about the others Grandmama has paraded in front of you? That old man with the caterpillar eyebrows? Will you marry him?”
“No. I thought I might, but… No.”
“You know Grandmama will keep trying to marry you off to someone suitable until you tell her not to?”
Olivia frowned. “I suppose you’re right.”
“You’ll just have to marry Ivo instead, and then she’ll wash her hands of you,” Roberta said, and yawned. “I hope we don’t have to work too hard today, or I’ll never stay awake for the ball.”
Olivia was silent. Marry Ivo? As if it was that simple. And did she want to marry him? That was a question she couldn’t answer. But one thing she did know was that she wanted to spend a night with him. She wanted to be his and for him to be hers. Was that wrong? Probably. Grandmama would say it was. But Olivia knew if she had to marry a sensible sort of man, a wealthy man, as the dowager wanted her to, then first she was going to experience what it was like to be with the man of her dreams.
One night together. Something to remember.
Would he agree to it? Could she persuade him? Or had he become too much of a gentleman? There was only one way to find out.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Justina’s coming-out was a much smaller affair than the grand ball that had been Olivia’s entrée into society. Being the second daughter had its disadvantages, but Justina didn’t seem to mind. After a final visit to Madame Annabelle’s, she had been both nervous and excited, but she said again that most of the people who loved her would be there to celebrate with her, and that was all that mattered. Gabriel and Vivienne had arrived from Grantham, although the younger girls had remained in Sussex with their governess.
“Antonia, Georgia, and Edwina were naturally upset,” Vivienne said after their greetings. “I promised them a special afternoon tea party when we get home again.”
Edwina would be happy with that. As long as her dolls were welcome.
The dowager had invited the usual crowd, as well as some other guests she felt could be relied upon to make an appearance. This far into the Season, every host or hostess was eager for as many guests as possible, just as everyone was hoping their event would be a huge success. Olivia was surprised that so many people had accepted what was a minor occasion on the social calendar. She couldn’t help but think that the Ashtons’ reputation for disgrace had played its part, and that tonight, their guests would be breathlessly expecting yet another scandal.
Well, for Justina’s sake, she hoped they would be disappointed.
There was one addition Olivia knew was for her benefit.Viscount Carey, a plump gentleman with a round face and beaming smile who, when introduced to her, blurted out, “But you are so pretty, Lady Olivia! Why have we not met before?”
“My granddaughter was away for part of the Season,” the dowager said coolly.
“Well, she is here now,” the viscount said, smiling as if his face might split in two. “Will you dance with me, Lady Olivia?”
“I would be honored.”
What else could she politely say? She suspected he was another suitor her grandmother had picked out for her, and any doubts she might have had vanished when the dowager waited until they were alone, and then whispered in her ear. “He is very busy socially, you would never be bored, and he is wealthy enough to indulge you. He has a house in the country, as well as a town house here in London. I think he is the ideal choice for you, Olivia.”
Olivia wanted to object, but Grandmama looked so pleased with herself. Was Viscount Carey really “the ideal choice”? Perhaps she might have thought so once, but now all she wanted to do was ask her grandmother to please stop. Not right this moment though, it would be selfish of her to make waves during Justina’s coming-out.
Gabriel and Justina danced the first dance, moving carefully about the room. Dancing had never come naturally to Gabriel, but he had practiced, and Justina was always graceful. Olivia found herself a little weepy at the sight of them. It brought back memories of her own debut and the overwhelming and rather naïve emotions of that night. She had expected so much, hoped for even more, and then Ivo had held her in his arms.
It occurred to her to wonder what she would say ifthe dowager introduced Ivo to her as “the ideal choice.” She wouldn’t be trying to come up with excuses to avoid him. She would probably happily agree. A pity that was never going to happen.
Soon, the orchestra started up again, and everyone took to the floor. The prince was Olivia’s next partner, and she was rather surprised to find him so affable. She suspected that since the expectation of them making a match had been removed, they could both relax in each other’s company. Nikolai must have been under pressure too, worried about his future. Olivia was sure they would have been at daggers drawn within a day of the nuptials. And while Princess Olivia of Holtswig had a nice ring to it, she was not sorry to set that burden down.
Charles Wickley was her subsequent partner. As usual, he was easygoing and charming, but she noticed the glances he shared with Justina across the room. It was obvious Justina had her heart set on Charles, and although Ivo seemed to find him good company, she was still of two minds about his character. Remembering their joint venture at Cadieux’s, she asked him how the gaming club was going.
“Exceptionally well! I am thinking of hiring more staff.”
