Page 43 of My Secret Duke
But not only did the prince nod politely to them, his entourage was forced to part as he made his way toward the three Ashton sisters.
“You don’t have Leopold,” Roberta informed him, obviously disappointed.
Nikolai frowned in that manner he seemed to reserve only for her—as if he was irritated and puzzled at the same time. “No, I don’t. He is not fond of crowds. Why? Are you intending to steal him again?”
The tone was sharp for the socially appropriate prince, but Roberta laughed. “No, I am on my best behavior,” she assured him.
Olivia tried not to let her doubts about that show on her face.
The prince’s frown deepened, and he turned his attention to Olivia. “You are back in London? Will you beremaining for the rest of the Season?”
His interest in her answer seemed more than polite—there was a hint of concern. Did he think their disgrace was like a cold? Catching?
“I hope so,” Olivia said brightly, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Perhaps we will see you at some of our engagements, sir?”
Justina shot her a look that saidWhat engagements?but Olivia ignored it. The trick was to put on an act, to pretend to be popular and busy, even if one was not. It was a lesson her grandmother had taught her.
The prince’s manner was guarded as he murmured, “Indeed.” He bowed politely, signaling their conversation was at an end.
The sisters curtsied and went on their way. In hindsight, Olivia was relieved they had bumped into the prince. It had taken away some of the awkwardness that might have occurred if they had met at one of those fictious engagements.
Roberta was watching her curiously. “Do you still want to marry him?” she blurted out.
“Shush,” Olivia hissed angrily. “He will hear you.”
Roberta shrugged and looked away, but there was something in the way her shoulders stiffened, and the pugnacious jut of her chin, that made Olivia wonder what her sister was thinking. Was she annoyed? Jealous? Or did she want the prince as her brother-in-law so that she could ride his horses? Olivia did not understand it, and then she decided not to bother trying. Roberta was just being Roberta. Besides, it was unlikely she would see the prince again, not in a social setting anyway, because although Justina would soon be “out,” Roberta would not.
They had almost reached the gate and their waitingcoach when a familiar voice called Olivia’s name.
Just for a moment, she thought about quickening her steps, leaping into the safety of the vehicle, and shouting for the driver to speed away. It might still have been possible to ignore him… until Justina turned with a smile of greeting. Then Roberta turned too, and was skipping toward the approaching couple before remembering herself and, with an “oops” glance back at Olivia, slowed to a sedate walk.
Ivo had his sister Adelina on his arm, wearing a pretty bonnet to protect her complexion. His smile faded slightly when he caught sight of Olivia’s unwelcoming expression, but any hope she had that he might pass them by was checked by Adelina, who clasped Justina’s hand and began a long conversation with her.
Roberta shot Olivia a sly look. “I think I will wait in the coach,” she said. “I am tired.”
It was so obviously untrue that Ivo raised an eyebrow, but Roberta was already gone, and Olivia’s voice came out sharper than was polite. “Our grandmother has brought Roberta to London to gain some polish.”
“And is it working?” Ivo asked.
“So far today, she has called out to Prince Nikolai to ask him about his horse… sorry,stallion. And now she has rudely declared herself too tired to speak.”
“The prince is here?” Ivo’s gaze was on her face.
Before she could answer, Adelina said, “Roberta is still young. I can remember being lamentably self-centered at that age.”
Olivia doubted anyone was as self-centered as Roberta. She looked to Ivo again, but he was staring into the distance now, as if the conversation bored him.
Soon, Justina and Adelina were chatting about thelatest fashions, and unless Olivia wanted to stand in silence, or join Roberta in the coach, she had to speak to Ivo. Even if she felt oddly tongue-tied. A quick glance at him showed him to be his typically handsome, perfectly dressed self, and if that ache in the vicinity of her heart would just go away…
But memories of their rendezvous at the archery targets were already crowding her head. The warm evening and the fading light. The press of his lips on hers and the deep murmur of his voice as he held her close. He had stayed with her despite Gabriel’s insistence that he go, because he was concerned for her. He had tried to tell her that the prince was wrong for her, because he knew she would be miserable, and she had refused to listen.
Ivo wasn’t perfect, she wasn’t pretending he was, but he had been her friend. She just hadn’t realized how much she valued that friendship until she pushed him away. But could they be friends again without those other tangled emotions getting in the way?
When the silence had dragged on far too long, Ivo said politely, “I was sorry to miss the picnic at Grantham.”
“Were you? It was very uncomfortable after Annette—” She stopped, aware he looked puzzled. “Didn’t Viscountess Monteith spread the news to your mother? I was sure it would have reached London by now.”
Bemused, he shook his head. “The viscountess is in Devon, I believe, and as far as I know, my mother has not heard from her since. Is there something I should know?”
