Page 37 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Well, it is my hope that you shall,” he told her.
Olivia realised that if she proceeded with this union, she would, indeed, be able to spend all her days among these creations. She would have the opportunity to enjoy every moment and every smell and every colour. Yes, in being the wife of the earl, Olivia would find herself able to indulge in the stunning beauty of this garden as it would be hers as well.
She couldn’t believe the dream she had stumbled into. It was too much to hope for. And yet, it was a possibility that lay directly before her.
With a sigh and a smile, Olivia stepped forward. She felt every blossom around her and indulged in it. Yes, this was something quite unique, quite special. She could spend her days out here, reading or sewing.
Or with her husband by her side.
That thought caught her off guard. Was she truly ready to consider the earl as a husband? Of course, that was the purpose of courtship, the goal for the end. But she still had time to end it if she wished. She still had a chance to tell him she no longer wanted to pursue it.
But Olivia no longer knew how she felt. Perhaps she really could consider that this courtship was heading towards marriage. Perhaps the fear of that thought didn’t have to be so frightening after all. Maybe she would be fortunate enough to find herself content.
And if that came to pass, everything truly would change.
Chapter 19
Nathaniel had been thrilled to be able to spend time with Miss Digby. She had shown him time and again that she was happy to be at the house. He watched her through the gardens, saw the awe and joy in her face. It was more than he might ever have allowed himself to hope for.
“Would you like something to eat?” he asked her, once they had reached the other side of the blooms.
In truth, he had tried to rush her through the flowers when he realised she could easily spend the entire day there. Nathaniel wished he had a space for their lunch to be brought out to them so that they might have stayed there.
Making a note to himself, he decided that he would speak with his housekeeper later and have her arrange for a table and chairs to be placed in the middle of the tulips, near the centre of the garden.
“Yes, that would be wonderful,” Miss Digby replied.
He could see that she was excited for the meal now she had seen the grandness of his home. Nathaniel hoped that the meal would live up to her expectations.
He had instructed for something of a small feast to be prepared. There were a few birds and some exquisite vegetables prepared, in addition to the usual treats. He watched her eyes light up when she gazed at the table.
Nathaniel remembered watching her gather a few small vegetables from the garden behind her own home and thought that for all of those to feed her sisters and her father, they must eat very sparsely. Most likely soups and stews, rarely with meat to accompany it.
He hoped the this would be a fine addition to her palate.
“Please, eat as much as you like,” he told her.
Miss Digby was evidently shy in doing so. This led Nathaniel to piling the food on his own plate, trying to set an example for her. He was enchanted when he saw that it did, indeed, encourage her to eat more.
“This is delightful,” she told him after her first bite.
“I am glad you approve. I was quite nervous, not knowing what you enjoy,” he said. It was important to him that he did not make her feel as though he viewed her by her financial circumstances so he ignored the fact that she had likely never tried many of these dishes.
“I have never had anything so delicious in all my life,” she laughed.
“Then you must take some to your home. I know that your father is not aware of your coming, but it would bring me great joy if you should share it with your sisters,” he remarked.
Something in Miss Digby’s face showed guilt and he wondered if he ought not to have said anything.
“I’m sorry. Did I offend you?” he asked.
“No, forgive me. It is only that I should feel terrible at indulging when they cannot. And I should like to take some back for them, but I fear that it is a grave disrespect to my father to do so,” she confessed.
Nathaniel thought for a moment, not wanting to further her predicament. “I do have an idea,” he said, finally.
She looked at him expectantly without a word.
“What if I, without any mention of you having come here, send a feast to your home as an apology for having offended you. Your father heard about my behaviour from before. He cannot reject food sent as a grand gesture of apology, could he?” Nathaniel asked.
