Page 6 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
Yes, this was exactly the sort of story that her sisters would love. And when she sewed the ribbon to a dress for each of them, it might bring a little excitement into their own lives. It might bring a hint of magic to the difficulty of their situation.
At least, that was what Olivia hoped for. What would truly come to pass she couldn’t say. But she would make this effort. She would do something for her sisters, even if it was a small thing.
Olivia heard the tolling of the tower clock in the square and knew she still had two more shops to go to on her way home. She had spent more time enjoying her story than she ought to have and it was time for her to go.
She stood and grabbed her things, in a rush to get to the post office to drop a letter her father was sending. But just as Olivia turned the corner, she found herself colliding with a firm, tall object.
“Oof!” she exclaimed, bouncing backwards in the shock.
“Are you all right?” came a concerned voice.
Before she looked him in the eye, Olivia took in the shoes. Polished black leather. The shoes of a wealthy man. The trousers hemmed at the perfect length above them. Not too long or too short like most Londoners, wearing leftovers from other family members.
Her gaze trailed upwards, to the finely cut coattails and pearl buttons on his shirt. Yes, this was a man of standing.
But when her eyes reached his face, that was the moment that Olivia was truly caught off guard.
His eyes were a light grey and his hair the shade of sand peeking out from under the top hat he wore. Gentle freckles dotted his nose in a way that made him look youthful despite his rather masculine frame.
She had never seen such a man so handsome as this. Of all the men in the world for her to encounter in this way as a result of her clumsiness. But this man, standing before her was the last man she would wish to embarrass herself before.
“Miss?” he asked, prompting a response to his earlier question.
“Oh, yes. Do forgive me, my lord,” she answered, looking at the ground and giving a curtsey. She had no idea what sort of title this man held, but it was clear that he had one. She hoped that she had addressed him appropriately.
A gentle chuckle came from his beautiful lips. “There is nothing that needs to be forgiven. I simply fear that I might have hurt you. It is I who must apologise. I was not looking as I walked,” he remarked.
“Nor was I, my lord.”
“Well, that is a fine thing then. We must both be more careful in the future, Miss…” he trailed off, waiting for her answer.
“Digby, my lord. Olivia Digby,” she said, still keeping her eyes on the ground.
Olivia had never interacted with nobility before, but she was already quite surprised by the behaviour of this man. Men of society were rude and invested in their snobbery. But this man was kind and gentle, apologising to her as she had to him. This was a strange thing and she wished she could decipher his actions.
“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Digby. I am…” he paused for only the briefest of seconds. “Mr. Nathaniel Norton.”
Olivia looked up at him then, confusion twitching in her brow. But she quickly masked it. This man was clearly titled, and yet he had chosen to share with her his given name. Was this a game? What reason might he have for speaking so freely with her?
“I am very sorry to have caused you any delay, Mr. Norton,” she apologised yet again.
“You have done no such thing, Miss Digby. And it has been a delight to meet you. I thank you for not being angry with me for my clumsiness,” he said to her kindly.
He gave a slight bow and Olivia replied with a graceful curtsey. He departed and she felt foolish. A young woman of her age was not to be running around, writing fairytales and humiliating herself before noblemen. She was to be working, or finding a husband, or doing something of use.
As she made her way home, stopping at the final two places she needed to visit, Olivia continued to wonder about a great many things. Certainly there were her thoughts of work that consumed her. What could she do other than become a housekeeper?
Clever and intelligent though she was, Olivia had not the formal education required to become a governess. So even though that was her preferred position, it was not a possibility for her.
Indeed, she would have to seek a position as a housekeeper. Most likely she would find herself working at an inn or some other such, but if she were truly fortunate, she could find work in the home of a wealthy employer.
Perhaps even someone like Mr. Norton.
Olivia had been trying to keep her thoughts away from the man, but it was very difficult. After all, he was quite magnificent in every way.
He was handsome and kind, certainly not what she would have expected from someone in his station. He had been gracious with her, forgiving. Olivia had seen street urchins beaten by nobility for lesser offenses, and yet he chose instead to bestow her with the casual form of addressing him.
That was not the sort of thing that was ever to occur.
