Page 60 of An Innocent Little Scandal (Sensual Scandals)

Her sister nodded her head. “I promise.” With a smile of reassurance, she stepped to the ground and Olivia soon followed.

She walked beside Calliope, and after a lingering glance back at the carriage, she stiffened her backbone and pressed forward.

Vauxhall Gardens was just as magical as many had claimed during her time in London. Lights of various colors flickered all around, turning the area into a romantic, winter wonderland, except for the “dark walks,” where no respectable lady ventured to go, unless she wasn’t concerned over her virtue.

The outdoor Orchestra and the coordinating supper boxes were empty this night, as all of the activity would be taking place inside the Rotunda, the large, enclosed structure that boasted plenty of room inside for music and dancing. Although the Gardens were generally reserved for the Season, Olivia learned that if some of the fashionable set were in town after the holidays, it would be opened up to allow for special events to take place—such as a masquerade ball.

“Don’t forget your mask,” Calliope whispered to Olivia as they walked into the Rotunda. Holding it up to her face by the stick, the first thing Olivia noticed when she entered the enclosure was the massive chandelier hanging overhead, and tiers of supper boxes lining the circular dome. People milled about in their finery, and as Olivia and Calliope handed over their outerwear, it was obvious her sister was quite enthralled. “I had no idea it would be such a crush!” she gushed, her green eyes flashing with excitement behind her disguise.

“Indeed,” Olivia said weakly.

“Let’s take a turn about the room,” Calliope said, and before Olivia could dispute the idea, she had already threaded her arm through hers and was practically dragging her along.

Olivia pursed her lips together, because the last thing she wanted was to prance about with the attempt of impressing theton, when all her heart ached to do was see Miles. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d made a terrible mistake in leaving him, but how could she have possibly remained if Miss Stillwater’s claim turned out to be true?

You should have trusted him.Olivia sighed, but then, she had been faced with this same argument time and time again. When her tears had dried and she was wide awake staring at the canopy above her bed, all she could see was the duke and the swirling emotions within his gaze as she’d walked out the door—and quite possibly, out of his life.

Her throat ached now with renewed emotion, but she refused to give in to her heartbreak, allowing Calliope this moment to revel in celebration. Heaven only knew that she had been patient enough with Olivia while she’d closed herself off in her chamber and prayed that she would soon hear word from Araminta.

As yet, there had been nothing.

“Shall we get some refreshment?” Calliope asked her.

Olivia grasped on to the idea. “Some punch would certainly not be amiss.”

As Calliope led them over to the table, she paused and said, “I actually need to…ah, use the ladies’ retiring room. I’ll be right back.”

With that, she walked away and became lost to the crowd.

Olivia swallowed nervously, as she had never been comfortable on her own, but she told herself that Calliope would return soon enough. She just had to remain by the refreshment table until she did.

Once she had a cup of punch in her hand, she turned to survey the rest of the ball while she waited. She took a sip and allowed her gaze to scan the room. Several times she thought she caught a glimpse of a towering man with cropped hair the color of midnight, but they would soon be dismissed from her mind, because they didn’t have the right stance, or confidence that she had come to associate with Miles.

Miles. She closed her eyes briefly and allowed his name to slide over her skin. Her lips parted slightly, for she could almost feel his touch upon the bare flesh between her cap sleeve and the top of her gloves.

Olivia shook her head, and her eyes flew open.

She gasped. For there, standing a short distance away, was a man in black and white formal attire. He was leaning against a nearby column and wearing a simple, black domino mask that concealed the top half of his face.

His onyx eyes were locked on her.

Olivia’s pulse began to race as he made his way toward her. Her throat closed up and words failed her, but in this moment, none needed to be spoken. This was not the time for talking. It was for action.

She stepped forward when he was nearly upon her, and he didn’t even break his stride as he grabbed hold of her hand and drew her up against that solid warm chest and held her close. She dropped her mask to the floor, unforgotten, as she wrapped her arms around him and exhaled on a shudder, as he buried his face against her neck.

“Miles…” It was the first time she’d allowed herself to speak his name aloud since she’d left him. She vowed that whatever occurred, she wouldn’t do it again.

It hurt too much to walk away the first time.

“Olivia,” he breathed in that familiar, raspy voice that she had come to adore. “I’m here to tell you that—”

She shook her head as her eyes stung with emotion. “Whatever it is can wait. You’re here and that’s all that matters.” She swallowed hard. “I was afraid I would never see you again.”

He pulled back and tenderly stroked her cheek. “I told you that I wasn’t going to give up on us.” He bent down and kissed her gently, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted so much more, everything that he had promised. “I want to be alone with you, but I fear that if we were, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”

She put her hand over his heart where it beat with strength and vigor. “I’m so sorry, Miles. It was wrong of me to ever doubt you. My heart kept telling me that you were innocent, but I was so quick to believe the worst. I want you, Miles, and all that I care about right now is being withyou.”

He kissed her again, in full view of everyone, but Olivia didn’t care. She relished being in his arms and she promised herself she wouldn’t let him go ever again.

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