Page 52 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Olivia laughed. “I shall take that as my dismissal. I will return tomorrow or perhaps this afternoon. Actually, perhaps it would be better if you were to visit Pembleton manor. After all, we have much to plan.”
“Do we?” Nigel raised an eyebrow at her.
“Of course.” Olivia felt that same odd giddiness rise within her and grinned mischievously at Nigel. “We have a wedding to plan. And an engagement ball to throw.”
And with that, she slipped out of the study, leaving Nigel gaping after her.
Chapter Eighteen
Caught Up in the Moment
“Igive up!” Nigel exclaimed throwing his hands in the air in frustration. “How anyone does this is utterly beyond me.”
It had been three days since Olivia had arrived at his house, professed her love, and somehow extracted a proposal from him. And in those three days, he had known such happiness that he felt as though he were in a dream.
He was sitting in the garden of Pembleton Manor with an easel and canvas set up before him. Beside him, Olivia sat with her own easel and canvas, her tongue between her teeth as she dabbed at her work with a paintbrush.
“I am sure it is not nearly as bad as you think,” Olivia murmured, not glancing up from her work.
“It is an abomination. Every time I go to paint something…” Nigel shook his head.
Olivia ran a hand through her hair, accidentally wiping paint across her brow as she did so. Nigel smiled, his heart twisting with joy as he watched her.
“You’ll never manage anything if you continue staring at me like that.” Olivia glanced at him, her eyes dancing with mischief. “After all, you are supposed to be painting the garden, not me.”
“Perhaps I find you a more intriguing subject.” Nigel grinned. “After all, the beauty of the garden cannot compare to you.”
Olivia flicked her paintbrush at him. “Flatterer. Do not try and distract me.”
“I am doing no such thing.” Nigel clutched his hand to his chest in mock offence. “I would never try and distract an artiste such as yourself.”
Olivia chuckled. “Of course, you wouldn’t.”
Nigel stood up and moved closer to Olivia. Unlike his odd mishmash of shapes and colours, Olivia had recreated the gardens in all of their glory.She has somehow even managed to capture the very feel of the air. Is there anything she cannot do?
Something tugged at his chest, and a small stab of guilt swept over him.I should tell her. This is not fair. I need to tell her about the curse.
“Why are you lurking over my shoulder like that?” Olivia asked, glancing up at him.
“I am not lurking.”
“You most certainly are.”
“Perhaps I am simply trying to get a few pointers by watching you work.”
“Go back to your easel, and stop distracting me.” Olivia shook her head, dabbing at a spot on her canvas.
“Or what?” Nigel felt a strange mischief swirl within him as he leaned close to Olivia.
“I shall stab you with a paintbrush.” Olivia laughed and playfully swotted at him with the brush in her hand. “Go on.”
“Will you always send me from your side with such threats?” Nigel danced out of reach of her arm.
“Only when you deserve them.” Olivia stuck her tongue out.
“Perhaps I should have found myself a more biddable wife.” Nigel cast a sidelong look at Olivia, darting out of the way as she threw her paintbrush at him.
“I am not your wife yet, good sir.” Olivia retrieved her paintbrush and peered at Nigel’s canvas.
