Page 82 of My Secret Duke
Olivia went to follow him and then turned back to Ivo. She looked alight with happiness, and Ivo grinned back at her. Then he watched as she skipped away, more like Roberta than her usual self.
He was relieved and happy, but he reminded himself that this was only the beginning. Now he had to find Rendall and make sure he could never threaten them again.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The Ashtons were making the long-awaited visit to Whitmont. The Fitzsimmonses had been adamant they host the formal celebration of Charles and Justina’s engagement. Adelina had said that once the shock had worn off, her family united in enthusiastically welcoming Charles into their ranks. It didn’t hurt that he was charming and grateful for their attention, and when they learned of the years he had spent in an orphanage, it was a done deal.
Although Ivo wished it could be the announcement of another engagement entirely, he wasn’t about to encroach on his brother’s happiness. Besides, Gabriel was still holding firm on the subject of any announcement.
As the guests began to arrive and disembark from their vehicles, a cold wind blew across the salt marshes and rippled through the shrubs at the edge of the driveway. It was a small event, with close friends and family only, and despite his resolution to be the perfect host, Ivo was hoping for some time alone with Olivia.Ifhe could escape her brother’s watchful eye. Gabriel couldn’t, he told himself, be everywhere at once, could he?
Ivo’s mother broke away from her family to greet the Dowager Duchess of Grantham, being helped down from her coach by Gabriel. Olivia was just about to step down herself when Edwina dived past her, almost knocking her over, and skipped toward Ivo.
One of the other sisters—Georgia?—pulled a face.“You should make her say sorry,” she declared loudly. “She gets away with everything.”
Olivia looked slightly frazzled, and Ivo imagined how it must have been, cooped up with the noise and bickering between her younger sisters.
Edwina dropped into a low curtsy and announced proudly, “This is my best ever. Do you like it? I can stay down for ages too, and with hardly a wobble.”
“Exceptional,” Ivo agreed seriously, hiding a smile.
Olivia had reached them and took her sister’s hand, scolding her that she should have waited.
“Why?” Those big blue eyes turned on Ivo. “He doesn’t mind, do you?”
“I don’t mind,” he assured her. “It is a pleasure to see you, and all of your sisters.”
“Edwina!” Vivienne called, and the little girl ran off.
Olivia’s smile had a wicked slant. “Should I curtsy too?”
Ivo glanced beyond her. “Your brother is watching.”
“He can’t be watching all the time,” she said with a pout.
“Exactly what I was thinking.”
“Perhaps you can find him something to do that keeps him busy for an hour or two?”
Ivo groaned softly. “God, don’t tempt me. I am trying to be on my best behavior.”
“There’s no fun in that.”
He wanted desperately to kiss her. Just at that moment, a gust of wind caught at her white bonnet, and sent it sailing across the driveway.
Ivo didn’t think. He chased after it. The bonnet rolled several yards, until turning abruptly into the shrubs that bordered the driveway, where it was trapped. Ivo bent,plucked it out, and brushed it off. The white hat was made of stiffened cloth, with an uptilted brim, and was decorated in fashionable lace and satin ribbons, with a drooping feather.
“Thank you!” Olivia was right behind him, sounding a little breathless. “This is the first time I have worn it, and it would be a shame if it were the last.”
She was holding out her hand, and he presented the bonnet to her. “I don’t think it’s damaged,” he said.
She smiled, but did not replace it, holding it at her side where the wind tugged at it again. Ivo could hear the voices of the others, but they were a little removed over here. Olivia looked about her.
“Everything is just as you described it,” she said with a sort of wonder. “The house and the marshes.”
Ivo was remembering that day in the park when he had spoken about his home. “Whitmont is not to everyone’s taste.”
“I suppose not. At least you do not have holes in your roof. That is… I assume not?” she finished, making her eyes big. “One day, the east wing of Grantham will fall down, and I think it will be a relief when it does.”
