Page 19 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
Her father left for work and within a few hours Olivia was surprised to have a response from Lady Kirby. It contained details about the carriage that would come to pick her up the following day. There would be a private tea party, a chance for Olivia to meet the Earl of Glauston. Not only that, but it would be a chance for her to see the fullness of the gardens at the estate.
Olivia opened the large box that had arrived with the letter, wondering if she might risk getting caught again.
As her sisters were outside once more, enjoying the beauty of the summer, she was safe to pull out the gown that had been sent by Lady Kirby for her to wear to the event.
Olivia was stunned by the beauty of the dress. It was not like her mother’s, which was of an older fashion and far too rich for a woman in her position. But it was youthful and charming and held an air of status without the condescension of arrogance. Olivia also loved that the soft shade of peach caused her green eyes to pop in contrast. She felt as though she might never look so beautiful as she would wearing this gown.
Quickly, she returned the dress to the box and placed it behind the dresser, hoping that her sisters might not find it. She would find a way to get them out of the house the following day so that they could not share her secret with their father.
Indeed, when the morning came, Olivia pretended to be ill and gave Louise a lengthy list of inexpensive items to purchase in the market, claiming that she ought to take Gemma with her as Olivia was feeling too weak to watch over their youngest sister.
Their father was gone and her sisters soon left.
By the time the carriage arrived, Olivia was dressed, primed and ready for whatever might come next.
Chapter 11
Nathaniel was waiting in the parlour at his grandmother’s house. She had asked him to remain there until the butler came to call for him as she wanted a moment alone with Miss Digby.
He had finally committed her name to his memory, but still had no intention of giving chance to the young woman and having to marry her. When he heard the sound of the carriage coming close, he watched through the window to catch a glimpse of his sudden betrothed. He was not easily visible and maintained a cover by peeking only as far as he could without her seeing him.
The young woman was led out of the carriage by the driver and Nathaniel found himself caught slightly off guard.
He had not expected her to be quite so beautiful. Or quite so familiar. Had he seen her before? There was something about this young woman, this Miss Digby, that he sensed he had seen or known before.
She was quite beautiful. But he was reminded that beauty was not the only thing he sought in a wife. He wished for more than mere beauty. So he had to stick with his original idea, the plan he had shaped for himself to ensure that he remained free to marry only when he found love.
It was a short time before the butler came for him, telling him that his grandmother had instructed him to join the ladies in the garden.
Straightening his coattails so that he might at least appear as though he were making an effort, Nathaniel began to walk the short distance to the garden. When he reached the beautifully carved structure that they could sit under to enjoy an afternoon tea, he greeted his grandmother and the young woman.
“Miss Dingy,” he said, intentionally getting it wrong.
“Digby,” his grandmother hissed in a frustrated scold.
“Oh, forgive me. Miss Digby. Nice to meet you,” he said, awkwardly giving her his hand.
She looked up at him with beautiful green eyes and he tried to ignore the pull of a memory. No matter how beautiful she might have been, he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted by her.
“It is nice to meet you, my lord,” she replied shyly. A charming blush formed in her cheeks and she seemed resigned to give him a chance.
Nathaniel knew that being rude to this young woman was unkind, he knew that trying to drive her away was not the sort of man he wished to be. But he couldn’t do this. He simply could not allow for such a situation as marrying her. So it was his only option.
“Yes, well. I suppose it is,” he answered her disinterestedly.
Lady Kirby stood by and he recognised that she was already less than pleased with him. He would have to make a better effort of being kind until she left the two of them alone. After all, he did not wish for her to know that his behaviour was going to be less than gentlemanly.
“Please, do have a seat, Miss Digby,” he instructed. The young woman took her place and he sat in the third and final chair at the table. Tea was brought and served, with her taking only what his grandmother took.
Yes, she had been trained well, it seemed.
Nathaniel didn’t speak much. He thought that offering a show of friendliness would pull things in one direction and when his grandmother left, he would have to be utterly rude. It was best to simply remain quiet for now.
“My grandson is glad to finally be meeting you,” his grandmother remarked, to Nathaniel’s dismay. He didn’t want her giving a false impression to the girl.
“I am honoured to meet him as well,” she replied, not quite making eye contact.
“Nathaniel,” his grandmother urged him quietly, trying to get him to speak.
