Page 2 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“I had not realised that Peter and Natalie were still unwell. Have they been seen by a physician?” Lady Cotswalts asked, glancing at her cards.
“Yes, they were seen a few days ago, but there has been no real improvement. I think mother plans on taking them to Bath to aid with their recovery.” Olivia glanced at the cards in her handand the ones on the table, carefully plotting out her next three moves. “Apparently the physician was very pleased with this idea.”
“That is a wise decision, at least for the sake of your siblings’ health. And will Marie be joining them too?” Lady Cotswalts swapped a card in her hand for one on the table.
Olivia nodded but didn’t say anything further. Her three younger siblings, Marie, Peter, and Natalie, were all very close to each other. She suspected it was because they were all so close in age and therefore had similar interests. There were only two years between Marie and the twins, whereas she was eight years younger than Olivia.
I remember holding her as a baby. Goodness that makes me feel old.
“Will your mother return for your season?” Rose asked, confusion on her face.
Olivia shook her head, trying to keep her voice casual as she said, “Actually, I rather thought I might join them in Bath.”
Rose’s eyes widened in surprise, and Olivia did her best to avoid her friend’s gaze. “But won’t they be gone for months?”
Olivia fidgeted in her seat. She could hear the unspoken question.The new season is about to start, and you will missthe entire thing — is that really what you want?Across from her, Lady Cotswalts looked thoughtful.
“It is rather unusual for a young lady to be so altruistic as to give up her chance at love to care for her younger siblings.” There was something in Lady Cotswalts’ tone that Olivia couldn’t quite place, not quite an accusation but not far from it.
“Is this why you have been so despondent about your season?” Rose blurted.
Olivia glared at her, and it was only the fact that Rose was pregnant that prevented her from kicking her friend in the shin. That and the look of instant regret on her face.Perhaps her mother will not enquire further.
This hope proved to be a false one as Lady Cotswalts said, “Ah, that explains it. I imagine it would be rather daunting to think of starting the season without the guiding hand of one’s mother. But you would not be completely adrift, after all; you have already had one season.”
Olivia made a noncommittal noise in her throat and stared at her cards.Perhaps if I had not had such a disappointing debut season, I would not feel so depressed about repeating the whole ordeal.She had really hoped that she would enjoy the dancing and all the excitement of entering society, but she had struggled with almost every aspect of it.
Hoping that this would put an end to the subject, Olivia played her last trick, feeling fairly confident that she would win thehand.After all, one of them would need to have the Ace of Diamonds to win, and if they had it, neither would have wagered as they had.
Unfortunately, Olivia was wrong on both accounts. Lady Cotswalts smiled and revealed her winning hand.How on earth can I have been so misguided?
“I have always tried to tell my girls that finding a good match is an art. It takes time. As excited as Jane is for her debut this season, I keep trying to impress upon her that the right match cannot be rushed or forced.” Lady Cotswalts tapped the table, clearly indicating that Olivia should deal out cards for another game.
Beside her, Rose snorted, “And is that why you orchestrated my own match?”
“I simply could see that you were right for each other. All I did was give you a helping hand, my dear.” Lady Cotswalts smiled, looking like a cat who had found the cream. “Now, Olivia — you do not mind if I call you Olivia do you, dear?” Olivia shook her head, and Lady Cotswalts beamed.
“Now, Olivia, tell me. Is there truly no man who has caught your eye?”
Olivia laughed, trying to keep bitterness from her tone. “Plenty have caught my eye, but I find few can keep it.”And fewer still want to.
“Well, I am sure there is someone out there who is perfect for you. All we have to do is find him.” Lady Cotswalts stroked her chin thoughtfully.
“I wish that I had your confidence.” Olivia smiled. “In truth, I would settle for adequate over perfection, and even that seems a vain hope.”
Before Lady Cotswalts could reply, there was a knock at the door. Olivia stood up and went to open it. “It is probably Alexander, coming to check on you again.”
Rose rolled her eyes, but Olivia could tell from the faint flush on her cheeks that Rose adored the way Alexander doted on her. She smiled and opened the door, a teasing remark ready.
But the person on the other side of it was not her brother. A man with sandy brown hair and startling green eyes stood before her.
He smiled and said, “Well, this is rather a surprise. I came here expecting a duke, and instead, I am faced with a lady.”
Chapter Two
Women and Wine
Nigel Maxton, Duke of Glassley, had not been to Emberly Castle for some time. The last time he had visited the castle had been for the birth of his Godson, Arthur. The thought of his friend’s growing family caused a twinge of jealousy and sadness in Nigel.I can never have what he has.
