Page 45 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Tell you what?” Olivia enquired.
“About these changes that have come over you. Last evening when you read us the new tale you are concocting, I could not help but see the way your expression changed. I thought it unwise to say anything in front of Gemma, but you are positively glowing,” Louise told her.
“Glowing? Truly?” she asked, releasing a small giggle.
“Good heavens, what on earth has come over you?” Louise laughed.
“Do not pretend that you cannot understand it, Louise. You know that I had no intention of indulging in all of this madness. But alas, I cannot help it. This man has changed me. He has shown me not only who he is, but a side of myself that I never knew before,” she remarked.
“And what side might that be?” Louise enquired, teasingly.
“A side that can be cherished. A side that can receive appreciation and even adoration. You cannot imagine what it feels like to be cared for by this man,” Olivia sighed.
Louise nodded. For a moment, Olivia wondered if she had offended her sister. After all, was it wrong for her to say that Louise couldn’t understand it? She certainly hoped that one day she might. One day, a man would come to know what a wonderful woman Louise was.
“You know that what I am now experiencing is something that I dearly hope for you and for Gemma as well,” she quickly added.
“Indeed. But, alas, do you really think that we are each going to have some dowager come to us with no reasoning at all behind it and offer us the chance of being married to dukes and earls? I cannot fathom it,” Louise said with just the slightest hint of bitterness in her voice.
“Do not think that way, Louise. I really do believe that it shall come to pass. Perhaps not like that, but it will. You shall find love, most certainly,” Olivia replied.
“Well, it’s no matter. We need not discuss it yet. First, you must be married off. And it would seem that it shall not be long before it happens,” Louise said with a grin, although perhaps a false one.
“I do have hopes for it,” Olivia confessed.
“And this earl is, of course, the man inspiring the hero in each of your stories?” Louise pressed further.
“Of course! Who else would it be?” Olivia asked.
“Oh, no one in particular. I am simply making sure that I’ve not missed out on anything since you have remained so quiet about all of it,” Louise teased.
“It is not that I wish to keep any of it from you. It is just difficult since Father does not approve. And I hate keeping things from you and Gemma, but I have felt that I must in order to maintain my ability to continue seeing him. Oh, Louise, you must understand that I have never been so happy in all my life,” she expressed.
“I can see that. And I am glad for you. But have you considered that perhaps, with all of these things considered, it might be time that you told Father? He would understand. You are not being reckless. You are following your heart and you ought to be able to share that with him,” Louise encouraged her.
Olivia nodded. But it was not that simple. She knew that her father did not approve of the Earl of Glauston. Indeed, her father seemed not to approve of anyone who came from a noble line. He was frightfully disparaging regarding any and all who sought to obtain power and wealth. But even for those to whom it came by inheritance, he gave a rather harsh exposition.
“It shall not be easy,” Olivia remarked.
“No, it shall not. But it is better than having to hide everything from him. And I want you to be free to tell me things. Myself and Gemma both. You are the one we look up to most and you know it. We have no mother, but we have you and that is enough,” Louise said.
“Oh, dear. I think you give me far too much credit,” Olivia laughed, nervously. She had not wanted to take on the role of mother to her sisters. She simply wanted to look after them as best she could.
“Indeed, it is not enough. You have been quite magnificent since Mother passed away. Allow us to share in your burdens and your joys. Give us the freedom to be a part of it. I should hate it if we are always cast out because Father cannot know,” Louise said.
“All right. I shall,” Olivia conceded, although a dark cloud hung heavily over her as she spoke the words. It could ruin everything.
But Olivia knew that Louise was right. It was time to tell their father. However, she knew that this would be incredibly difficult.
He would not understand. He could quite possibly be angry, having discussed it with her already and telling her not to proceed.
But the time had come, and she knew that she must confess. However she might bring herself to tell him the truth, it would require a great deal of courage.
Olivia had not been the bravest all her life, but she was growing stronger now. She was becoming the young woman she had always longed to be.
Two days passed before their father returned home from a long journey to sell some of his wares. The girls always hated it when he was gone for days at a time, but it had been a blessing for Olivia of late. Nevertheless, when he came home, she knew it was finally time to confess to him that she had proceeded with her courtship.
“Father, do relax,” she urged, helping him with his shoes and he sat in his favourite chair.
