Page 39 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
She would have to come up with something to say to her sisters again. It was getting difficult, trying to get out of the house without suspicion. She could not always send them away from home, but she also could not leave so often herself. They would begin to wonder and it might come up around their father once more.
Gemma had apologised to Olivia when she realised that she had not been supposed to say anything to their father, but it was clear that the child had little understanding as to why it was wrong of her to have done so. Olivia wished to avoid any further incidents in the future and chose instead to simply try and hide everything.
Louise knew that something was happening, but she did not push it, understanding that Olivia had no desire to share it with them.
“You look very beautiful these days,” Louise had remarked, a knowing grin on her face.
Olivia smiled shyly in reply, trying not to alert her to the reality, although it was clear her sister knew and supported it.
“Olivia,” Louise began that morning.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I was thinking that it might be good for me to take Gemma to the park. What do you think is better, today or tomorrow?” she asked.
Olivia knew that Louise was trying to give her another opportunity to be free from their sight.
“Tomorrow would be ideal,” Olivia replied.
Louise nodded, their mutual understanding sealed.
“Oh, and Louise,” Olivia began in reply.
“Yes?” she echoed.
“Do not worry too much to prepare for dinner this evening. I think it shall not be needed,” Olivia told her.
Louise looked at her in confusion then, but also with excitement. Olivia was looking forward to seeing the response of her family when the food arrived.
Indeed, just two hours after luncheon, there was a knock at the door. Their father was not yet home, but the three daughters were, and Olivia rushed to answer.
A footman stood before her with a letter in his hand. There were two coaches, both led by drivers, and a footman in the second coach as well.
“My lady, a letter for your father from the Earl of Glauston,” he said to her.
“My father is not yet home,” she replied.
“Then please give him this upon his arrival. A gift from the earl has been sent to you,” he replied.
Olivia saw that heads popped out of windows and doors surrounding their home, amazed at this spectacle. She wondered what they must all be thinking but tried her best not to worry. This was certainly unusual, but she hadn’t entirely thought it through.
Dish by dish, the footmen brought food into the parlour and placed it on the small table. When he table was full, they took the remainder into the equally small kitchen. There was barely enough space for it all, but they managed to make it work and Olivia giggled in delight.
When the men departed, her sisters stared between Olivia and the food in complete awe.
“It would seem that the earl wishes to apologise for having upset father,” she told them, trying to keep the smile from her lips.
When Mr. Digby arrived home to the smell of delicious food wafting through the door, he was immediately overcome. “What is all of this?” he asked in shock and surprise.
“Father, please sit,” Olivia said in concern.
“Not until I know what is going on here,” he demanded.
“Father, it is an apology from the Earl of Glauston. He knows that he upset you and he sent a letter to you. The footman told me that the earl wishes that if you will not dine with him, that your family may enjoy the experience that would be had,” she told him, even though it was a lie. It seemed a decent enough explanation.
Her father took the letter from her hands with a swift pull of annoyance. He read it and crumpled it in his fist, throwing it on the ground.
“We do not need that man’s charity,” he said with venom.
