Page 49 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
The door creaked open, and he was about to yell at the intruder to go away when a red brindle corgi poked her head through the doorway. Dandelion wagged her tail gently and walked towards him.
“At least I have you.” Nigel smiled at the dog as she curled up beside him, resting her head in his lap. “You’re the only company I need.”
Dandelion wagged her tail in agreement, nuzzling her head against his hand and snuffling happily. Nigel leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes and letting the tiredness steal over him.
In the morning, this would seem like nothing more than a distant memory. His cousin would no doubt pursue Olivia, and she would live a life of pleasant happiness. And he would never see her again.
This is the way it has to be.And with that thought sleep claimed him.
Chapter Seventeen
In the Light of Day
The next day, Olivia woke with a heavy heart. The sky outside was grey and overcast which suited her mood. After Alexander had banished Nigel from the house, she had left the ball. She had not felt like dancing.
She went through the motions of the morning without thought, feeling as though her mind and her body were entirely separate entities. She could tell Jane wanted to talk to her, to ask what was wrong, but she found she could not bear to tell her friend about the night before.
How can it have been ruined so quickly?Olivia idly poked at her toast, lost in her own thoughts.
“My Lady.” A voice brought her back to the present, and she turned to see the butler looking at her. “You have a visitor. A gentleman.”
Her heart leapt.Nigel. It must be Nigel.“Where is he?”
“I bade him wait in the hall —” the butler began, but Olivia did not listen to the end of the sentence as she pushed past him into the hall.
Her heart seemed as though it would burst with joy as she saw a figure standing waiting for her. Then he turned around, and Olivia’s hopes came crashing down around her.
Lord Briston stood before her, holding a bouquet of the pinkest roses Olivia had ever seen. Her heart sank, but she tried to keep her disappointment from her face.
“Lord Briston, I was not expecting you.” Olivia could not quite bring herself to smile, but she hoped her voice was warm enough.
“My Lady.” Lord Briston bowed and handed her the flowers. “These are for you.”
“Thank you.” Olivia took them, feeling a pang in her chest as she thought of her conversation with Nigel.It is more about the thought I suppose which is why I do not care for roses.
Belatedly, she realised Lord Briston was speaking. She shook her head, trying to banish Nigel’s image from her mind. “I am sorry, I did not catch that, Lord Briston.”
Lord Briston smiled. “I was saying that never in my wildest dreams had I expected such happiness. Such good fortune to befall me.”
“And what good fortune is that?” Olivia asked, confused.Why is he telling me this?
“My Lady, you need not be coy with me.” Lord Briston beamed. “My cousin told me everything.”
Olivia’s confusion deepened. “Pray, what exactly did your cousin tell you?”
“That you do not care for him. That you care for me.” Lord Briston grabbed Olivia’s hand, and she was so shocked by his words that she did not think to pull it away. “Truly, I had never expected anyone to consider me first. To want to be with me above all others.”
Olivia shook her head, her sluggish mind finally understanding Lord Briston’s words. “Sir, I believe you are mistaken. I did not say any such thing to your cousin.”
“But—” Lord Briston frowned.
“I am sorry if I have given you the wrong impression.” Olivia pulled her hand from his and stepped away, feeling lightheaded. “I did not mean to.”
“What are you saying? Do you not wish to marry me?” Lord Briston’s shook his head.
“I think you are a wonderful man, and I am sure you would make a most wonderful husband but not for me.” Olivia took another step away. “I have no doubt that you will bring great happiness to another. That you will both know such joy, and truly I wish it for you. I am sorry, My Lord, but your cousin should not have said what he did.”
Olivia felt a spark of rage as she thought of Nigel intimating anything of the sort to his cousin.How dare he presume to speak for me? To encourage his cousin so. It is cruel.
