Page 19 of Deceiving an Earl
“He is French, as is his daughter, Amelie.”
“What information? Who asked you to do this? Why you?” Her questions came one after the other with barely a breath in between.
Oliver held up his hand. “Who asked is none of your concern. Why me, is none of your concern, either.”
She sat back and folded her arms across her chest, pouting. “Then I won’t help you.”
He contemplated her, testing the angles he needed to take to get her to do what he wanted. “Very well. I’ll find someone else to help me.”
He stood, not an easy task when he feared the chair would collapse beneath him. “Tell Mother I’m sorry I missed her.”
“She’ll be angry if you don’t stay until she returns.”
“I have business to attend.”
She was watching him warily, trying to decide if he would follow through with his bluff. “Business with this Bertrand?”
He tweaked her nose and grinned. “None of your concern, since you said you wouldn’t help me.”
She blew out a frustrated breath. “I’ll tell Mother you were here, and you will feel her wrath that you didn’t stay.”
He shrugged. “I’ve heard it before. Besides, I really do have a business meeting.”
He made it all the way to her door, stopped, hesitated, then pulled it open and walked out.
She held out longer than he thought she would. He’d made it almost to the front door before she came barreling down the steps, skidding to a stop in front of him, practically flinging her arms out to block his exit.
“What would you need me to do?”
He barely concealed his satisfied grin.
Chapter Six
Oliver was making his second round through Hyde Park, feeling like a lovesick fool. Kitchener insisted that Miss Hillgrave told him to meet her here. Oliver had interrogated him over and over, and his friend’s story never changed.
So here Oliver was, riding through Hyde Park, staring intently at any gaggle of chits that happened by him. But no Ellen. It was close to one o’clock and he’d not laid eyes on her.
He felt strangely bereft. Like he’d missed a life-changing opportunity.
And then he saw her. He wasn’t even that close, but he would know the curve of her neck, the slope of her shoulders, anywhere.
His heart slowed and a calmness overcame him, as if her presence soothed him.
He slowed his horse as they approached and tipped his hat to her. “Ladies.”
She was with what appeared to be a maid. It was just the two of them. None of the chits from the night before were with her. Had she planned it that way?
“Lord Fairview, what a surprise to see you here.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement, and she pressed her lips together as if she were trying not to laugh.
Oliver grinned. “Just taking my usual stroll through Hyde Park.”
“Would you care to join me?”
His heart leaped in an uncharacteristic way. “I would be honored to join you, my lady.”
He turned his mount around until they were side by side. They rode in silence for a bit, but it wasn’t an awkward silence, more companionable.
“Did you enjoy yourself at the ball last night?” she asked.
