Page 73 of His Grace, the Duke
Rosalie came to a halt behind her, chest heaving from their short sprint. She covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter as Olivia did another jump. “Olivia, please.” She put her hand on her shoulder. “Let me go for help.”
“I’ve nearly got it,” Olivia said through gritted teeth. “If the wind would just dislodge it a bit more—”
Suddenly, a deep voice chuckled behind them. “Why are you always losing things up trees?”
Rosalie and Olivia both spun around. Rosalie gasped. Standing before her was a giant of a man in a navy captain’s uniform. He had deeply tanned skin and dark eyes, with a square jaw. His hair was trimmed unfashionably close on the sides, with the rest hidden under his hat. A long, thin scar marred his right eye in the corner, extending down to mid-cheek, giving him a rugged, dangerous look.
He smiled at Olivia, his eyes flashing with mirth. “Hello, Livy. It’s good to see you again.”
Rosalie’s mouth opened in surprise as she glanced from the mysterious captain to Olivia, who was now white as a sheet. Not wasting another breath, Olivia stepped forward and slapped him across the face.
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Rosalie
The captain barkeda deep laugh, rubbing his jaw. “Aye, I suppose I deserved that.”
“That and more,” Olivia hissed.
“Olivia—” Rosalie put a hand on her arm as the lady dared to wind up for another strike. “Come away,” she whispered. “Leave him and come away.”
Olivia’s antics with the parasol had already drawn attention. Several people were watching, whispering to their neighbors with narrowed eyes. Rosalie forced a smile, adjusting her bonnet with her left hand while still holding onto Olivia with her right.
Olivia stepped back, chest heaving and eyes glassy with angry tears.
The captain grinned, dropping his hand from his jaw. “I knew you’d remember me. I certainly remember you.”
His smile put Rosalie in mind of a hungry wolf. She fought a tremor as she tightened her hold on Olivia’s arm. “We should rejoin our group,” she murmured.
“Is Henry here?” He glanced over his shoulder withinterest as he surveyed those on promenade. “I’d love to see him.”
Olivia spoke at last, her voice clipped. “Henry is in Deal.” Rosalie could only assume Henry must be her brother.
She was starting to put the pieces together. This captain couldn’t be more than five and thirty. No doubt, they all grew up together in some way. All that was left to discover was whether Olivia’s animosity for this man was rooted in some childhood dislike... or the reverse.
“I heard he’s married now,” said the captain. “I was sorry to have missed it.”
“That was six years ago,” Olivia replied. “He has three children.”
“Aye, well I’ve been abroad for quite a long time.” He glanced at Rosalie and smiled again. “I’m sorry, miss. It doesn’t appear that Livy’s going to introduce us—”
“Stop calling me ‘Livy,’” she hissed.
“Captain William Hartington, at your service,” he said with a tip of his hat.
With a huff of indignation, Olivia crossed her arms.
“Rosalie Harrow,” Rosalie replied automatically.
“It seems as though you ladies are in a bit of a situation.” He gestured to the parasol. “May I assist?” Not waiting for their answer, he stepped between them and reached up, wrapping his huge hand around the slender handle of the parasol. He jiggled it gently, freeing it. Then he turned with a smile, offering it out to Olivia.
She took it wordlessly, snapping it closed.
His mouth tipped into a wry grin. “Is this all the welcome I am to receive, then? Surely, after ten years, you can’t still be salty—”
“I am not salty,” Olivia replied. “What I am isleaving. Come, Miss Harrow.” She looped her arm in with Rosalie’s, determined to drag her away.
Before they could take a step, new voices called.
