Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Marcus watched Olivia as they made their way around the lake path. He'd been impressed with the way she had ridden Moonbeam and held her own as they galloped across the heathland. Few women he knew were as skilled at riding. Olivia rode because she enjoyed riding and not because it was expected of a young lady.

He'd laughed out loud when she had told him that for many months she had thought he was the son of one of the local farmers. He'd been honest when he told her he thought that was a compliment.

Olivia made him laugh and said exactly what she thought. How refreshing to spend time with someone who treated him as an equal, an ordinary person, and not the heir to a Dukedom. She had liked him when she thought he was a farmer, and it made no difference to her whether he was a farmer, an earl, or a duke. The contrast with Lady Cressida, and the other young ladies whom his Mama had invited to Belvedere Abbey over the years, was clear.

There was something different and special about Cendrillon.

His thoughts drifted to Contessa Lucrezia Fiorella and how he had been drawn to her for several years. Looking back he didn't recognize himself. The man who had loved the Contessa seemed young and insecure. He was a very different man now, confident and secure in his own identity.

"I think we need to speak about what your uncle wants," he said, as they made their way to the far side of the lake.

"Please, let's not spoil today," Olivia said. "I have spent the last three years hiding away and adjusting to loss and my changed appearance. I want to feel like an ordinary person, just the same as everyone else, and to be treated normally," she said with quiet forcefulness.

"Impossible," came Marcus' immediate reply.

He immediately noticed her crestfallen expression and knew that he'd been clumsy with his words.

"Olivia, I can't treat you the same as everyone else. You are far too individual. You are brave and strong. You have lived through traumatic loss, and supported your niece, helping her overcome her own loss and grow into a delightful young woman. I look at you and see Olivia, dearest, brave Olivia. I told you that night of the ball, your scars are something I don't notice. Your character is so bright that it scatters the scars into the shadows."

Olivia gasped as she listened to Marcus.

"We both know what your uncle has asked. I was angry about feeling forced into marriage by an evil woman, spreading slanderous gossip. You might have noticed that I like having my own way, and I don't like being told what to do."

Olivia laughed, "I am so surprised to hear that," she joked. "I had no idea."

"You can laugh, but we both know it is quite true. What I'm going to say now is that I don't want your first visit here to Belvedere Abbey to be just about your uncle's demand that we marry. Let's just forget that and get to know each other as we were before the scandalmonger struck."

"I like that idea," said Olivia. "I felt we were just getting acquainted when the scandal sheet was circulated, and we've been unable to meet since that time."

"Exactly. Let's spend time together and enjoy each other's company."

"I must tell you, my Lord, that I have plans in place to make my own living. I intend to set up my own establishment, close to our family estate at Silverton, and live quietly there. In short, I have no intention of marrying you or anyone else, no matter what my uncle wants."

Marcus stopped walking and looked into Olivia's blue eyes.

"You certainly have that independent spirit. Thank you for being honest and telling me that you have no intention of marrying me. I'd like to kiss you, Cendrillon, but it would be quite inappropriate in such an isolated place. So, as you have told me that you have no intention of marrying, I shall hold back."

He noticed how her eyes widened as he spoke of kissing her. He smiled to himself, knowing that there was a closeness, a connection between them and it grew stronger every time that they spent time together.

"Now let's walk a little further and see if we can spot a kingfisher. I've often seen one at this part of the lake."

"A kingfisher. I've always wanted to see a kingfisher." He offered Olivia his arm and they made their way around the lake path.

***

As the days passed, Olivia fell into a routine of going out for daily rides with Marcus and then spending the rest of the day with his mother. Jocelyn, and sometimes his mother, accompanied them on the rides and Marcus was sorry that there was no opportunity to spend time with Olivia alone again.

The Viscount and Viscountess Leighton also joined them several times and Marcus reflected that it was the best type of company, and why would anyone want the formal society events of a season in London.

They had seen a kingfisher that day. The ethereal blur of green feathers flying at high speed over the water close to the bank of the lake. The look of wonder on Olivia's face was a memory which he would carry with him for a long time.

Then one day it rained, and Marcus suggested that he show Olivia the house. Jocelyn had expressed a wish to look at some fashion plates with his mother, who had a French maid, and a keen eye for fashion trends. His mother had suggested they spend the afternoon emptying some old chests, and seeing if the garments could be re-worked. It looked to be a project which would last several days.

He was delighted when Olivia smiled at him and said that she didn't want to turn down the chance of a tour of the Abbey, and she would join Jocelyn and the duchess later.

Marcus guided her to the long corridor which ran the length of the house, and served as an art gallery. He pointed out portraits of his family, including the duke who had been a manservant of King Henry the Eighth.

"We are unsure how he managed to keep his head," laughed Marcus. "Somehow he evaded the axe."

"And that's my grandfather," he told her, pointing to another portrait.

"I do see a family resemblance," she told him. "You have the same eyes."

When they came to the more recent section of the gallery, Olivia gasped in surprise to see several portraits of Marcus and his parents.

After the long walk through the gallery, Marcus was pleased to see Olivia show her delight at the library. There they found themselves joining his father, who showed Olivia some of his precious historical books.

Marcus relaxed into his chair as Olivia read his father passages from Gulliver's Travels. He listened as they shared their ideas, and found they were in agreement in their views on the need to see people as individuals, and not let differences lead to pointless battles.

"Mr. Swift does a good job of helping us see the absurdity of some very strongly held opinions," said his father.

"He writes in a way which is easy to understand too. I enjoy his work very much," added Olivia.

Olivia asked what side the family had taken in the English Civil war. They were close to Oxford, and she knew there had been many battles in this region.

"Oh, they were always changing sides," his father told her. "I don't condone it. They survived and kept the estate in the family. One of my uncles left to live in France in exile."

As they left the library the duke took Olivia's hand. "My dear you have made me laugh on a wet and dreary afternoon. While you are staying with us I hope that you will visit the library many times and read to me."

"Of course," she smiled. "I'd love to."

After that Marcus noticed that Olivia found time every day to join his father and read to him. They debated philosophy and talked about history. Both seemed interested in the new field of archaeology, and he thought to himself that he would not be surprised if they didn't start excavating a strange shaped earthwork that existed in the park.

He came across them one day having an in-depth conversation about Shakespeare, and whether he might have visited Italy.

"I don't believe he could have written those plays without being in Italy," said his father.

"The source material is very detailed," said Olivia. "I can't make up my mind. He does make me imagine that I am standing in Verona or Venice."

"Venice is truly beautiful," said the duke.

"You've been to Venice?" she asked in wonderment.

"Indeed, I have. In the days before that wretch Napoleon filled in some of the canals and destroyed their monastery cloisters. It is safe to return there now, but I fear I am too old."

"Nonsense," she said. "It will do you good to visit a warmer climate."

Marcus smiled and felt a surge of warmth for Olivia, who seemed to give his father energy through their animated conversations.

It struck him, as he watched them, engaged in a lively debate, how seamlessly Olivia had slipped into not only his life, but that of his family. He knew the visit was coming to an end and there were decisions to be made, but for now he just wanted to relax and enjoy the remainder of her visit.

If he had to marry, then he could not think of anyone he would prefer to Olivia. He'd been growing closer to her before the gossip began. In some ways her uncle's demands had slowed down their courtship, as he'd been determined not to be backed into a corner and forced to marry.

She'd told him that she planned to retire into seclusion and live life quietly, where she could write and enjoy the countryside on her family's estate. He felt a moment of fear at the thought of never seeing her again. He couldn't let her be ruined by vicious, wagging tongues, and he made his decision to ask Olivia to marry him.

Later that evening, when Olivia and Jocelyn had retired to bed, his mother came to find him in his study, where he was catching up on estate business.

"Marcus. I've brought you something," and she handed him a wooden marquetry box. The box looked very old, and when he lifted the lid he saw a ring with a glistening silvery moonstone.

"It was your grandmother's ring. I never wore it because she was very much alive when your father proposed to me. However, it is a very special ring, and I know she would want you to give it to your future bride.

"I know a little of this complicated situation, but putting that aside, you really do seem to suit each other. If you decide to make her an offer of marriage, then it would be a decision which makes sense in every way."

Marcus stared at his mother open mouthed. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean," he said uncertainly.

"I've seen you with Olivia, I can see that you are drawn to her, and she clearly has feelings for you."

"Mama, I know you mean well, but I have never had so many people telling me who to marry in such a short space of time. No doubt Papa will join in soon."

He jumped when his father spoke. He'd clearly come in close behind his mother and had been standing in the shadows.

"I will certainly add my two pennyworth. You'd be a fool not to marry Olivia. I don't remember ever meeting such a thoughtful, cultured, and intelligent young lady. I can't believe she is the subject of such unscrupulous gossip and, as it is about time you married, and she is perfect for you, then I hope you will make her an offer."

"Dammit," said Marcus. "This isn't one of your Shakespeare plays, father. It is up to me to decide who I marry and when I marry."

His mother and father stood together, arms linked. "Very well Marcus. We'll leave you to make your own decision, but we know that we are right," said his mother.

"And you'll realize it soon," added his father.