Page 77 of House of Thorns
“It’s…it’s not like we’re engaged, Deborah,” she replied, biting her bottom lip. “Such a thing could never be.”
“I understand.” Deborah sighed. “Come. We must join the others.”
They descended the stairs and returned to the drawing room once more, but it wasn’t long before Olivia rose from the settee and approached Nicholas.
“I must be going,” she said. “Mrs. Lambert cannot stay past ten.”
“Then I’ll have the carriage brought, at once,” he replied, his cheeks creasing with a smile.
The expression in his eyes reminded her at once of his earlier comment. She couldn’t help but smile in anticipation.
Farewells were said. The duke grunted and retired to his private study, but Deborah and Lord Deveraux followed them outside and stood on the steps.
“Good night, Olivia.” Deborah enveloped her in a hug and whispered, “How can I be so happy and yet so worried at the same time?”
“There’s naught to fret over,” Olivia assured. She turned to Lord Deveraux. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“The pleasure is mine, Miss Mackenzie,” he replied, kissing her hand. “We shall speak again. Soon.”
Then, Nicholas escorted her to the carriage and handed her inside.
Olivia smiled, pleased with Deborah’s outcome, and glanced out the window as the carriage dipped under Nicholas’s weight.
A shadowed figure stood directly across the street, under the trees. Was it a man? A shiver raced down her spine.
“I say, are those two kissing in the eyes of everyone?” Nicholas chuckled.
Olivia glanced through the open carriage door. Lord Deveraux and Deborah stood on the steps, locked in a kiss.
“Good Lord,” he continued in mock disdain. “They’ll have to wed. Soon. Especially after that scandalous display.”
He closed the door and the carriage began to roll.
“You did that,” Olivia said with a prim smile. “You arranged her marriage.”
She could sense him grinning in the darkness. “Nay, they arranged it betwixt themselves. I merely put them in touch, once again.”
“Must you always solve others’ problems?”
“I must admit, I’m taking a liking to it,” he replied easily.
For a time, the banter continued and then a pleasant silence fell. To Olivia’s disappointment, he didn’t sit by her side but remained in his seat. By the time she arrived at her door, she discovered that to have been a good thing. No doubt, he would have gotten her overly heated and wanting more, but from the looks of the shop, she hadn’t the time for such distractions.
Every window was lit. Even from the street, she could hear her father’s voice.
Quickly, Olivia hurried inside.
Her father stood by the shelves, searching through the music.
“Lordy, Olivia,” Mrs. Lambert heaved a sigh of relief. “Am I glad to see you, lass. He’s been nigh on a handful this past hour. Looking for his music, he is.”
“I’ve lost the score, Olivia,” her father turned to her, visibly upset and his hat askew.
“What score?” Olivia asked in soothing tones, hurrying to loop her arm through his.
Her father focused his gaze over her shoulder. “And you? Who are you?”
Olivia glanced back. Nicholas had followed to stand by the door.
