Page 14 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
She rushed towards the entrance of the home. Just as she reached for the door handle, it turned from the other side.
Stunned and unable to move, Olivia stood dumbly. Her father entered the home, eyes glued to the newspaper in his hand. When he looked up at her, a vision of shock took its place in his eyes.
“Where exactly do you think you are going in that dress? And how on earth did you come by it?” he asked, his face an assortment of confusion and perplexing pain with just a hint of anger lying underneath.
For a moment Olivia said nothing. How could she speak? What was there to say? She had been caught wearing a gown that it seemed no one knew about. Except, perhaps her father. She was still trying to discern the look in his eyes and figure out whether or not he was angry at her or merely confused by her.
“I-I found it amongst mother’s belongings,” she confessed.
“Yes, well, I imagined as much. I just never thought that you would go through those things. I certainly never have. Aside from those I put away after her…after we lost her…she was always very private about the belongings she brought into this home when we married,” he said.
“Why was that?” Olivia asked, not having ever known any of this before.
Her father took in a deep breath. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve put on a dress that I imagine came from among those belongings and I cannot fathom why you would be wearing it, about to leave the house.”
Olivia looked down, embarrassed that she would now have to explain herself. “Well, Father, I received a letter a few days ago. An invitation, actually,” she began.
“Good heavens. Are you falling for one of those letters from noblemen? Olivia, tell me, have you behaved in a manner that is…improper?” he asked, his eyes stern and unwavering.
“Of course not!” she exclaimed in protest. “Father, I would never do such a thing. And this letter was not from any man. On the contrary, it was from an elderly woman.”
Mr. Digby narrowed his eyes, not quite believing her.
Olivia sighed and pulled the letter from her dress and handed it over to him. He took it in his hands and read through it silently.
“The dowager? Lady Kirby?”
“The very same,” she replied.
“But how can you be sure?”
“Honestly, I cannot. But if I go to her home, then what have I to lose? After all, if it was not from her but I appear at her home, it is not as though anyone with ignoble designs is going to be there,” she pointed out.
“True. The Manning Estate is quite well fortified. But nevertheless, I cannot imagine why this woman would be inviting you and I don’t know that I trust it,” he told her, concerned.
“I do not know the reason either, Father. But what harm is there in my going?”
“Possibly a great deal. Do not be a child about this, Olivia. A woman, one of the wealthiest, most noble families in all of England, has called upon you. It is not as though I do not find you worthy and extraordinary. But there is absolutely no precedent for this. That is my concern. There is no reason for her to call upon you.”
“Which is precisely why I must go,” Olivia interjected. “I must learn why it is that she wishes to see me. Father, this could be a grand thing for our family. And I wish to make an impression upon her. Can you not see that this might change everything for us? That this could open doors for our family that have never been open to us before?” she asked.
“Or it could be something simple. Perhaps she knows a distant friend or relative of ours and thought you might be a decent housekeeper, Olivia,” he noted, the hint of anger rising in his voice.
Olivia knew the anger was merely a part of his suspicion. He was not mad at her, simply concerned for her. She was his eldest daughter and he wished to keep her safe.
“True though that may be, Father, it is not a bad option. You know as well as I that the time has come for me. I must marry or I must work. And as I know no man who might be an option for marriage, it makes sense that I find employment. If I am able to secure it from a woman such as Lady Kirby, do you really believe that it would be bad for our family?” she challenged him.
Olivia’s father had no response to that. He knew the truth as well and Olivia could see it on his face. “My dear, I cannot help but feel a great deal of concern. However, I understand that this is your life and the choice must be made. You must go, even if I do not feel confident about it. Just promise me that you will give her nothing unless she is willing to give you time to consider it. Do not accept employment or anything else from her. Not until you think first,” he urged.
“I promise, Father. And please, do not be concerned. I see in your eyes that you are worried for me. But there is no reason. I shall be fine.”
“Yes, well, it is going to be quite some time before I am comfortable with this. I am sorry, Olivia, but I cannot trust this woman just now. I cannot refrain from my suspicion. So don’t promise anything, that is all I ask,” he said again.
“I shan’t. And I shall come home to you this evening and enjoy our dinner and all shall be at peace,” she guaranteed.
Olivia only hoped that she was right.
Chapter 8
