Page 56 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Now. Now is the time to do it.Nigel opened his mouth, his heart hammering in her chest. He knew this was the right thing to do. He took a deep breath, preparing to tell Olivia everything.
“I need to tell you something —” Nigel began but a voice calling out from across the garden cut him off.
“Olivia! Olivia, do you know what time it is?” Jane called as she ran towards them. “It is nearly one o’clock!”
Olivia’s eyes widened. “What? No, that cannot be true. It was not even eleven when we came into the garden.”
“You have been out here for hours.” Jane wrung her hands.
“Oh goodness.” Olivia paled and then glanced at Nigel. “I completely lost track of time!”
Jane shook her head. “Come on, we must leave if we are to make your appointment at the modiste! Although, perhaps it would be best if you washed your face before we leave.”
“My face?” Olivia touched the side of her face.
“You have paint on your face, dearest,” Nigel explained.
“And you didn’t tell me!” Olivia exclaimed. “Oh my goodness.”
“Do not panic. I shall have a runner send word to the modiste that you have been delayed.” Nigel caught Jane’s eye. “And I am sure your mother has some connections that might allow Olivia some time to tidy herself before you leave?”
Jane nodded. “Yes. Though I would not like to keep her waiting longer than necessary.”
Olivia glanced at Nigel. “You had something you wished to tell me?”
His heart squeezed, but he shook his head. “It does not matter. You must get to your appointment.”
“Are you sure?” Olivia asked.
Nigel nodded, trying to smile reassuringly.I will tell her later. Let her enjoy this afternoon with her friend.“Yes, it can wait.”
Olivia nodded. “Will you return to your house?”
“Yes. I would not wish to outstay my welcome. And there are some things I must attend to at the house.” Nigel gently pushed Olivia towards the house. “Now go. You are already late.”
Olivia hesitated a moment more before turning on her heel and running with Jane towards the house. Nigel watched them go, a sinking feeling in his chest.
He shook his head. He would tell her tonight.Let her have this perfect afternoon. It is not as though a few hours delay will make a difference. The curse is not so strong as that.At least, he hoped it wasn’t. Vaguely, he wondered if his cousin had managed to find him a cure.
Though perhaps he will be less keen to help me after all this.With that thought, Nigel put his hands in his pockets and began to make his way home.
Chapter Nineteen
Wedding Surprises
“Ithink I could marry Nigel in rags and still feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.” Olivia twirled in the dressing room of the modiste, beaming at Jane and Lady Cotswalts behind her.
“Well, this is a far cry from rags; you will both feel andlooklike the most beautiful woman in the world.” Jane smiled at Olivia as she gestured to the dress she was wearing. “Once the final alterations are made, of course.”
Olivia stopped twirling and looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was alight with a giddy confidence, and as she took in her full reflection, she felt as though she could fly.
She had chosen a dress made of delicate white satin hemmed in silver lamé. She had chosen short, puffed sleeves, and her dresshad a wide neck. Jane, who was rather skilled at embroidery, had worked with the modiste to create the swirl of embroidered flowers and leaves that decorated the gown.
Her train was made of delicate white muslin, and her shoes were white to match.It is everything I imagined when I was a little girl.As she stared at her reflection, she imagined herself walking towards Nigel, her brother Alexander by her side before he took up his place as best man.
“You look wonderful, darling Olivia.” Lady Cotswalts wiped a tear from her eye. “You shall be the envy of every woman in the ton! Not least because few of them could afford such decadence.”
“I do not care what they think. Just that I am to be married to a man that I love in a dress that is perfection.” Olivia twirled again, loving the movement of the fabric as she did so. “I never want to take it off.”
