Page 20 of Mentor to the Marquess
It wasn’t that Olivia hadn’t been fooled before—she’d willingly married a monster—but she found it difficult to believe that Constance could secretly hate her. Olivia had not spent much time with the girl, but she seemed the kind to wear her emotions openly, even when it earned her reprimands from adults.
A booming sound somewhere in the house made her drop her book on her chest. Not that it mattered. She had read the same page three times.
Constance rose from her seat on the other side of the room. “Callers?”
The doors burst open, and several figures hurried inside.
“Grandmother!” Constance cried. She leaped from her seat and ran toward an older, blonde woman in a mustard-yellow muslin gown. A man in a gray suit with a matching yellow shirt stood behind her, his expression speaking of fondness. He opened his arms and Constance flew into them.
Strange, sharp sensations swirled in Olivia’s chest. Neither of her parents had ever invited her embrace. They had remained abstract concepts throughout her childhood. Her governess had raised her in their place, hammering the rules of society into her one lesson at a time.
Don’t slouch. Don’t rock back and forth. Don’t stare into the distance when someone is talking to you.
What if Thel’s parents disagreed with their son and wanted to find a husband for Constance themselves? She would have a hard time countering their wishes.
She clutched her hands tightly at her waist, relieved she had chosen a demure outfit for the day. The deep-purple morning gown had a high neckline, long sleeves, and jet buttons down the front. The cuffs had small tufts of lilac knotted lace, and the bodice came to a V in the front. It was one of her favorites for its comfort—it was lined with the softest silk faille—and because it allowed her to blend into a crowd rather than stand out.
At last, Thel’s mother met her gaze. “You must be Lady Allen.”
Olivia dropped into a deep curtsey. “I am pleased to meet you, Your Grace.”
The Duke of Hestia squinted at her. “Who is this, then?”
The duchess tutted. “Dear, this is the woman who will find our darling Connie a husband.” She turned her bright smileon Olivia. “It is a beautiful day. Why aren’t you out enjoying the company of potential suitors?”
Now was the difficult part: telling them that her reputation was the reason for their lack of options, while avoiding any mention of their granddaughter’s involvement.
Constance beat her to it.
“We have nowhere to go,” the girl said.
The duchess’s fine eyebrows flew up. “Nonsense. No one would ever deny us entrance.”
“Do not tempt her,” Thel said, entering the room.
The sound of his voice sent Olivia’s heart thundering and when his gaze met hers, shivers went down her spine. He was even more handsome than he had been the previous day in a beige suit atop a checkered navy shirt. The color accentuated the fine, silver hairs at his temple and in his beard and drew her attention to the width of his shoulders.
“Oh, Thel,” the duchess said. “As always, you spoil our fun.”
Olivia looked back and forth between mother and son, not quite understanding what was happening. Were they suggesting they show up at an event without an invitation? It would be the height of rudeness.
Then again…
Lately, she had felt like a circus animal, forced to go against her nature and perform elaborate acts for the enjoyment of society. If they were going to call her scandalous, perhaps she would be truly scandalous.
“Let’s do it,” she said.
Constance squealed.
The duchess clapped her hands. “Wonderful!”
Thel shook his head. “I appear to have been outvoted.” Then he walked to Olivia’s side and offered his arm. “Shall we discuss our options?”
She nodded and allowed him to lead her back to his office. Except this time, when he led her into the room, he paused and glanced behind him. “I should have a servant inform Mrs. Quill that Constance will require her. Wait here a moment.”
When he left, she wandered over to his desk and picked up a leatherbound book. She flipped it open to the first page and immediately recognized it for what it was. How many times had she lain awake, re-imagining the endings of her favorite books? In this handwritten story, which took place in the world ofLady Audley’s Secret, the main character, George, shared a tender moment with his wife, who was still alive.
She had almost finished the first chapter when the book was snatched out of her hands by a red-faced Thel.
