Page 24 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“No. There is no way it’s going to make it.” Olivia’s voice was a whisper as she took another step towards the ball.
Their eyes were transfixed. The small blue sphere was slowing, slowing. It was almost at the hoop.
“Come on. Just a little further.” Nigel clenched his fist. “Just a little further.”
The ball slowed, rocking, and for a moment Nigel thought it would stop just shy of the hoop. Olivia clearly thought the same for she turned towards him until they both saw the little ball take its final tumble — through the hoop.
“Oh my God!” Olivia cried a mix of frustration and delight. “That was utterly ridiculous!!”
Nigel let out a cheer and clapped his hands together in almost childlike joy. Olivia rolled her eyes, but even as she did so, she smiled. Without thinking he caught Olivia in his arms and spun her, laughing delightedly. She laughed with him, shaking her head in wonder.
“You truly are one lucky man,” Olivia murmured as he spun her around.
The words brought him to his senses, and he realised what he was doing. Hastily, he put her down and stepped away. “My apologies.”
Olivia’s cheeks were red. “No apologies necessary.”
For a moment, they stood in awkward silence until Jane called, “Is it over?”
“Yes.” Nigel answered, turning away from Olivia and heading back to the main garden party. “Yes, it most definitely is.”
What on Earth just happened?
Chapter Nine
A Masquerade at Last
“Imust say it is a relief that Lady Danterberry has decided to do a masquerade for her theme this year,” Olivia said as she tried to convince herself to look in the mirror. “Last year, I believe it was fruits of the Empire, and everyone was assigned a fruit in advance.”
Jane laughed. “What fruit did you get?”
“Pineapple.” Olivia grimaced. “And yellow really is not a flattering colour on me. Honestly, I looked most unwell.”
“Well, you look utterly radiant this evening.” Jane beamed at her friend.
“As do you,” Olivia replied. “Honestly, that blue really does wonders for your complexion, and it is such a flattering cut. The modiste really has done outstanding work.”
Jane smiled and twirled. Her blue dress was very much a modern cut, well fitted and with beautiful silk gloves to accompany it. Her hair was made up, and her face was the picture of perfection.I hope I look as beautiful as she does.
“Come now, you cannot keep putting this off. Look at your own reflection. I want to see your face when you see how stunning you are.” Jane gently tugged on Olivia’s arm.
“But what if I do not look stunning?” Olivia’s voice was an uncertain whisper.
“You will,” Jane insisted as she gently turned her around. “Just look.”
Olivia took a deep breath and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She gasped and clapped a hand to her mouth. She looked at Jane her eyes wide with surprise and then back to her own reflection.
“Oh. Oh!” Olivia turned to Jane, wanting to say more, but the words would not come.
Jane smiled encouragingly at Olivia as she turned back to the mirror and took in the vision before her. It wasn’t that Oliviadidn’t recognise the woman before here — in fact, it was the opposite.
This is the most like me I have ever looked. I did not realise I could look so beautiful and so like myself.Her dress was a rich indigo made of silk. It draped across her beautifully, sweeping elegantly as she moved. Her sleeves were short, and the wide neck of her dress revealed a diamond chandelier necklace on a fine gold chain.
Her gloves were also a beautiful silk and felt delightful against her skin. She felt tears begin to form at the corners of her eyes and hastily wiped them.
“I told you that you would be pleased.” Jane looked like a cat who had just found the cream. “You look radiant.”
“We both look radiant, my dearest Jane.” Olivia took her friends hands and gave them a squeeze.
