Page 35 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Truly? He was so upset?” the dowager asked in surprise.
“Indeed, my lady. I disobeyed him and he does not take kindly to that, as you might understand. He is a good father and it was wrong of me to disobey. However, I did not think it would be such a distress for him. I believed that he would come to terms with how this union would benefit not only myself, but our family,” she said.
Olivia hoped that the dowager did not take this to mean that Olivia was only agreeing to the match for the sake of financial gain, but the look of understanding in Lady Kirby’s eyes told her that she was not misunderstood. They were of the same mindset and wished for the same thing.
“Well, I cannot say what is best for you, Miss Digby, but I would urge you to continue this courtship if it is what you wish.”
Olivia had hoped to hear this. Yet, she had also feared it. Was it truly the right thing to do?
“You think so?” she asked, needing confirmation.
“I do. If you are willing, I deem it the best route that you are able to pursue and I urge you to follow that,” Lady Kirby told her.
Olivia nodded. So it was decided. She would continue this pursuit of a courtship. She would allow the Earl of Glauston to woo her and try to make her his wife. And when her father found out, furious though he would be, she could explain to him that it had been the right decision, no matter the consequences.
“Well then, if you believe so, I must allow it to continue,” Olivia said aloud.
“I am pleased to hear it,” the dowager replied, a lilt of joy in her voice.
“Might I write to the earl from your home? In order to avoid it being seen by my father?” she asked.
“Please do, my dear,” Lady Kirby replied.
Olivia was brought a pen and paper and she was able to write out her decision to the earl. With each word, she felt more anxious than the last. But even with that, she was content to write it.
My lord,
Having met with Lady Kirby, it has become clear to me that we must pursue this courtship as you so desire. For the time being, my father cannot learn of it. As previously, please be sure that all correspondence comes to my home when my father is out. He works a great deal and, thus, this should not be a problem.
While I do not like this disobedience and I feel that I am quite a poor daughter for him to have, I do look forward to our getting to know one another better and enjoying this season. Please keep me informed of any graces that I may be lacking as a woman without title or wealth. I should not like to behave without the manners you are accustomed to.
Sincerely,
Olivia Digby
She did not write with the same hint of affection that had been in the letter from the earl, but Olivia was not yet ready to be so free. She sealed the letter and the dowager called for her footman to take it to her grandson.
Olivia sat awkwardly for a moment until the dowager made it clear that their business was concluded.
“Thank you for your time, Lady Kirby,” Olivia said.
With that, she departed and returned home, arriving when her father was not there and her sisters were outside. She had told them that she would be going into town so she returned with tea, as they had been running low.
The next morning, when her father, who had remained cold towards her, left for work, Olivia saw a man across the street. He was the same who had brought her the previous letter and she knew that it was the earl’s footman.
Under the pretence of cutting some herbs, Olivia left her sisters and made her way to the front of the house. As she bent down to cut the mint, the man walked past and subtly dropped the letter over the small fence.
When she read it, she saw that the earl was arranging to see her the following day. Olivia was excited by this and prepared herself.
The next morning, she sent her sisters to pay a call on a sickly friend outside of the city when her father was at work. It gave her plenty of time to meet with the earl.
When she arrived at his estate, Olivia could scarcely believe her eyes.
The dowager had a magnificent home, but this was unlike any other. True, her estate was the grander. Well known throughout the empire, it was a sight to behold. But the Earl of Glauston lived in a home that she could not quite imagine for a man of his age. It was beautiful in every way. Marble seemed to be the key ingredient and the carvings, the artwork, the majesty of it all, was enough to take her breath away.
She was led inside and taken to the drawing room, where she could see it was typically unused.
The earl came in soon after. “Miss Digby,” he greeted with a sigh of relief.
