Page 58 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
Eliza nodded, appeased by this.
The two joined the dance with their separate partners, although their gazes continually landed upon one another.
It was evident that Lord Kensington was being quite a gentleman and Olivia laughed as she danced with him. They must have been having an enjoyable conversation, which gave Eliza ease and comfort, for she knew that her grandson was concerned about her feeling out of place.
Nathaniel danced with Miss Louise Digby, who was growing less and less shocked and more comfortable. It was as though she were blossoming for the first time, being able to indulge in the events of the evening and all the men fawning over her.
Having seen the young Gemma earlier in the evening, Eliza was certain that these young women could each enjoy a life bigger and better that the one that they had had thus far. They deserved more, and she intended to see them have it.
Everything had been beautifully arranged to ensure the young women had the best of everything while they were at the estate that evening. And as the dance progressed, she hoped that the proposal would go without a hitch.
Within a few moments, she watched as Miss Digby and Nathaniel came together for their second dance of the evening.
Eliza stepped away then. She was determined to watch from afar without interrupting. It was simply enough to know that everything was working to plan.
Chapter 29
Returning to the earl’s arms for another dance was exactly where Olivia felt she belonged. She was glad to come to him for another dance and be able to indulge in the joy of him.
This was where she belonged. Nothing could be better than this. her father would see one day that this was right. This man was her future. They would be happy, always.
The Earl of Glauston gazed down at her with those eyes of his that consistently captivated her. She remembered back to that day they had bumped into one another and wondered how she had not known then that this would be the man she would marry some day. The way he gazed upon her, Olivia was confident that he was thinking the same thing.
The music began and the couples engaged in the dance. It was different, dancing with the earl than it had been dancing with Lord Kensington. That was a man she didn’t know, a man she cared nothing about other than his friendship to the earl. He had been nice enough. But he was not someone she loved.
But the Earl of Glauston knew her, truly and deeply. And as they had come to know one another so well, their feet stepped together easily and readily. With each movement, each measure, each beat of the tune, they were able to follow one another’s motions.
No words needed to pass between them. They knew the thoughts of each other. Olivia was confident in that. She was thankful that they were able to read one another’s expressions so easily and not have any real concern over anxieties that other couples might be facing.
They needn’t wonder if there was love or care between them. They were already confident that it was there.
But then, just as she thought it, Olivia saw a wave of nerves pass over the earl’s face. She looked at him with curiosity and he tried to mask it immediately with a smile. It left Olivia with a sudden fear.
“Would you be willing to join me for a moment after the dance?” he asked, as the music still played around them. She spun when the time came and landed back in his arms, nodding.
“Of course, my lord. If you wish it, I should be glad for a moment with you,” she replied.
Relief flooded his cheeks and it gave Olivia a little more peace as well, assuming that it meant there was no reason to fret. He was only nervous about something small.
And that was when her own stomach roiled, suddenly realising that it was very possible after all that a proposal would come that evening. And if it did, she would be ready, just as Louise had urged her to be.
When the dance ended, the earl bowed and Olivia curtseyed, as was the custom. He led her from the floor towards the door where they might be able to go out and have a moment to speak.
But in that moment, Olivia bumped squarely into a woman who had the appearance of a Grecian statue. Exquisite blonde hair that boasted perfect waves, a figure that any woman might envy, and a face so beautiful that it could shock a man upon first glance.
“Oh, please forgive me,” Olivia scrambled.
“Youare not the one who must beg my forgiveness,” the woman hissed at her, turning to face the earl.
“Miss Hawthorne…” the earl greeted in a hushed and worried tone.
“It is my turn to speak. You are not at liberty to do so until I have had my opportunity to say my own part. How dare you. You cease our courtship and now, so readily gallivant around with your new woman? Have you no thought to propriety? To my reputation? To your own?” she accused.
Olivia took a step back, uncertain of the spectacle playing out before her. Who was this woman? Why was she accosting them like this? It was entirely unnecessary and embarrassing to occur at a ball of all times.
She glanced around, curious if anyone was noticing. The majority of the faces were distracted by the dancing and others they wished to engage with. But Olivia noted that Louise was watching her and it made her feel that they were exposed in that moment. She had no idea what was occurring, but she didn’t like it.
“I cannot believe you would be so callous as to flaunt her in front of me like this,” she continued.
