Page 13 of An Innocent Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

He held up a finger. “I believe I ’ave jus’ th’ thing t’ win ye’re fair lady’s ’eart.” He walked over to a small box and withdrew a key from inside, and then he walked over to a glass case and unlocked it.

Inside was a pendant on a delicate gold chain, although Miles couldn’t quite make it out. However, the moment he spied the intricately painted design, he hadn’t hesitated with his decision. “I’ll take it.”

The shopkeeper lifted a bushy gray brow and chuckled. “I ’aven’t told ye ’ow much it is yet.”

“I don’t care,” Miles announced firmly. “I’m prepared to pay, whatever the cost.”

Of course, the man had been eager to conclude the sale, and Miles had patted his jacket that held the prized item as he’d strode out of the jeweler’s shop, eager to present Lady Olivia with it.

Now, as she slowly lifted the lid, he found that he was holding his breath in anticipation.

“It’s… lovely.” Her words faltered, and he wondered if it meant anything, or if she was merely awestruck by the gift.

He watched as she ran a finger along the gilt-edged frame that boasted a winter scene with a lady standing against a tree and looking out across a frozen pond. The instant he saw it, he hoped that it might remind her of the day he’d saved her from the Thames and rushed her to see his personal physician. Dr. Thierry Haimlin was the only man he could trust when it came to a London sawbones. He had made it possible for Miles to talk again, and even though he had warned him it would never be the same as before his injury, he had been relieved to have some sort of vocal ability left.

But while he waited for recognition to strike, other than a flicker of melancholy in her eyes, there was no further reaction.

She shut the lid and handed it back to him. “I appreciate your kind thoughtfulness, Mr. Stone, but truly, there is no need. I am aware of a commoner’s wage, and I don’t want you to think that you had to spend anything on me in order to make amends.”

Miles frowned and made no move to take the box from her. “I know what I can afford, Lady Olivia, and while I might lament my actions toward you earlier today, I can assure you that it is not a bribe in order to regain your good graces. This is a Christmas gift freely given and I want you to have it.”

Her cheeks pinkened slightly. “You have to know it’s not proper to accept such an extravagant gift from a man who is not my intended.”

He winked. “It can be our personal secret.” When she still hesitated, he swallowed thickly, as he wasn’t used to asking much of anyone, but in this case, he couldn’t be denied. “Please, Lady Olivia.”

* * *

Olivia’s heartwas thudding so loudly in her chest that she was surprised Mr. Stone couldn’t hear it. “I don’t have anything for you,” she said in a final attempt to refuse the present.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love it. On the contrary, not even her sisters had offered her something so personal. They knew she didn’t like the cold, so they generally eschewed anything that might remind her of winter. What they hadn’t realized was that looking at a scene like this, where it appeared so serene and… harmless, was exactly what she had been needing to push past her nervousness when it came to the fears she harbored.

Mr. Stone shook his head. “There is nothing that I require of you, my lady, unless it might be another dance?”

Olivia’s lips slowly curved into a smile. “I am more than happy to accommodate that request.”

Another reel was played, and Olivia found that her enjoyment of the evening was complete. She still regretted not spending this time with her sisters, but it wasn’t a complete disaster as she’d imagined it would be.

When supper was called, Mr. Stone offered his arm to her and led her into another section of the assembly rooms where a veritable feast had been laid out on a sideboard. The women of the village stood off to the side, their faces wreathed in smiles as the crowd offered their thanks and compliments on the meal. It was a celebration that Olivia hadn’t expected, and one that would have been tame compared to the overflowing abundance of wine and food in London, but she certainly wouldn’t be leaving hungry.

As some of the crowd began to disperse afterward, Mr. Stone got to his feet. “Do you want to stay longer, or are you ready to retire?”

It was a simple enough query, but one that made Olivia blush at the subtle intimacy in that statement. Nevertheless, she rose from her chair. “As much fun as I’ve had, I think I’m ready to return to the inn.”

Mr. Stone offered his arm. “I shall escort you back. I daresay I’m ready to get some rest myself.”

As they were preparing to depart, Mrs. Evans rushed over to them. “Don’t say you aren’t leaving yet?”

Olivia glanced at her companion who inclined his head. “I regret that we are. It’s been a long day.”

The innkeeper’s face fell, but she recovered with a warm smile. “I understand. The holidays can be quite an exhausting time.” She reached out and took Olivia’s free hand in hers. “I appreciate your help today, Mrs. Stone.”

Again, Olivia couldn’t help the warmth of guilt that spread across her face, for she wasn’t this man’s wife, or even his intended, but merely a lady he’d happened to assist along the road. “I was glad to do so.”

Olivia and Mr. Stone said little as they walked across the snow-covered landscape and returned to the inn. It was nearly deserted inside, for most were still enjoying the festivities.

However, when they walked upstairs and Mr. Stone unlocked the door to their rooms, Olivia noted that someone had been there recently, for there were several steaming buckets of water awaiting the bath and a warm fire was roaring in the hearth, removing the chill from the air.

“I have a feeling Mrs. Evans is responsible for this,” he noted.

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