Page 38 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Excitement or trepidation
“Olivia, have you heard a word that I just said?” Lady Cotswalts’ voice broke into Olivia’s thoughts.
Olivia was sitting in the carriage with Jane and Lady Cotswalts on their way to Rose and Alexander’s ball. She shook her head, trying to clear it. Her cheeks reddened as she tried to recall the other woman’s words.
“My apologies, Lady Cotswalts, I was distracted.” Olivia smiled, hoping to hide the odd roiling sensation in her stomach.
She had felt this way for the last three days. Ever since Lady Cotswalts had read the invitation to Rose and Alexander’s ball. When it had arrived, Olivia had felt a peculiar thrill run through her. This strange feeling had been immediately followed by a nausea so strong she had feared she would be sick.
The feeling had only intensified as time went on. Nigel’s face swam to the forefront of her mind, and Olivia felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips.No. What are you doing?
“I was asking if you and the Duke had managed to put all your unpleasantness behind you?” Lady Cotswalts gave Olivia a flat look. “Jane tells me that you both seemed quite cordial on your promenade.”
Olivia felt her colour deepen. “Ni— the Duke and I do seem to have reached an accord.”
“Excellent.” Lady Cotswalts smiled and then carefully adjusted Olivia’s necklace. “That will make everything much, much more straightforward.”
Olivia swallowed the guilt rising in her and looked away. “Yes, it will.”
How do I tell her that I think she may have been mistaken?Olivia glanced at Jane and then at the Duchess, losing her nerve. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to tell anyone anything. After all, she had not heard from Lord Briston or Nigel since that promenade.
“Once we are announced, we shall greet Alexander and Rose, and then we shall go about finding your quarry for the evening!” Lady Cotswalts nodded to herself.
“Oh! It will be so lovely to see Rose. But do you think this ball might be too much exertion for someone in her… condition?” Jane frowned worriedly as she said this.
“I am sure Alexander will look after her.” Olivia squeezed Jane’s hand reassuringly. “Besides, I am quite sure that Rose will enjoy the ball and probably could do with a break from his protectiveness.”
“Do not worry, your sister is a sensible woman. She will not over-exert herself, and she can always retire early should the festivities prove too much for her.” The carriage drew to a halt as Lady Cotswalts spoke, and she glanced out of the window. “Ah good, we have arrived. Jane, Olivia, are you both ready?”
Olivia swallowed. The jolt of the carriage had felt like a jolt through her soul. She glanced at Emberly House, her family’s London home, and tried to calm herself. Nigel’s face swam before her eyes again, and her heart quickened in response.
Jane took Olivia’s hand and squeezed it, bringing her back to the present as they left the carriage. “You seem rather distracted this evening; are you quite well?”
Olivia glanced around and slowed down slightly so that Lady Cotswalts was out of earshot. “I am not sure. I… I keep thinking about… Well, I keep thinking about the Duke. About… Nigel.”
To Olivia’s surprise, Jane did not seem taken aback by this revelation. “Well, you will probably see him shortly. He is a close friend of your brother’s, is he not?”
Olivia nodded. “But I am not sure if I evenwantto see him.”
Jane frowned. “Why ever not?”
“Well, I am supposed to be getting his cousin to pursue me for a start.” Olivia sighed. “And for another thing, Nigel is completely wrong for me. And even if he wasn’t, he has already made it abundantly clear that he will never think of me in that way.”
Jane opened her mouth to reply but was halted by Lady Cotswalts beckoning them forwards. Together, they sped up and waited to be announced in silence. Olivia could sense that Jane wanted to continue their discussion but was not willing to do so within earshot of her mother.
“Announcing, Lady Olivia Rokesby, Lady Cotswalts, and Miss Jane Pembleton.” The booming voice rang out, and Olivia felt all eyes turn towards her.
Unlike the season before, there was less hostility in the gazes she felt upon her. Less open scorn and suspicion. Instead, the gazes felt more appreciative and intrigued.
She found herself scanning the ballroom for Nigel’s messy, sandy brown hair and found him in a distant corner with his cousin beside him. Their eyes met briefly, and Olivia looked away. Her heart seemed to thunder in her chest. When she glanced back at the spot Nigel had been, she found only Lord Briston.
He waved at her, and Olivia smiled back. Beside her, she was aware of Lady Cotswalts, already subtly guiding their party through the crowds.I wonder where Nigel went — perhaps he has no wish to see me.The thought stung though she did not understand why.
“Little Olive!” The familiar voice of her brother, Alexander boomed out, and Olivia turned to face him, smiling.
Her brother was striding towards her, an enormous smile on his face and his arms stretched out wide. Rose walked beside him, the cut of her dress almost completely hiding her round stomach. Yet it was the person to the right of her brother who caught her gaze.
Nigel.His green eyes met hers, and her chest tightened.She smiled in greeting, but before she could say anything else, Alexander had embraced her.
