Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Olivia knew that spending time away from London was doing Jocelyn good. Soon they would stay with Marianne at Leighton Manor for a few days before returning to town.

One day Marianne drove over and spent time with them at Belvedere Abbey. They climbed to the top of the tower and stood together on the battlements, gazing out across the county.

"It's an awesome sight," said Marianne. "Look there's Leighton Manor, over there. I can see the river, and the church spire in Longhamsted."

"Jocelyn, you're very quiet", said Olivia "Are you feeling faint?"

"Oh no, I was just wondering which direction is Lord Ludlow's Granville estate. I think it is too far away to see."

"I believe it is to the southwest," said Marianne, "so over in that direction."

"You're still thinking about Lord Ludlow?" asked Olivia gently.

"Oh yes. I think of little else if I'm honest," Jocelyn disclosed. "I've been thinking about this a lot, as I know Uncle Harold would be delighted if I accepted the Marquis of Hastings' offer."

Marianne gasped in surprise and looked at Olivia, who nodded.

"The difficulty is that I know what I want, and it may not happen, but I must wait and see. I've been watching you and the earl, Olivia, and you and the viscount, Marianne and I can see what love is," said Jocelyn.

Olivia stared at her niece in obvious surprise. "I had no idea. The earl and I are not engaged. He hasn't proposed."

"Oh, that's all irrelevant," said Jocelyn, very seriously. "It's clear to anyone that he loves you and that you love him."

"Jocelyn, stop this now," said Olivia.

"Oh, very well Olivia. I won't say any more, but I shan't change my views. Anyway, it's made me realize that I don't want to marry Ethan, the Marquis, just so Uncle is happy, and I have a comfortable home, and a doting husband. I need to marry for love,"explained Jocelyn.

Marianne stepped in. "You've obviously been doing a lot of soul searching."

"I have. I know that even if Lord Ludlow never proposes that I can't marry Ethan. I like him, but I don't love him. When I'm with Colin it feels warm, like being at home, and I don't think about anything but being with him. I love Lord Ludlow, even if he can't love me back."

"Listen Jocelyn," continued Marianne. "Lady Hargrove told me this morning that Colin's mother had a dreadful accident, and they thought she might die or be paralyzed. She is an accomplished rider, but something went very wrong, and she fell from her horse. It's exactly as we heard. Lord Ludlow must have been beside himself with worry, but Lady Hargrove tells me that Lord Ludlow will return to London within a fortnight."

"I was never sure," said Jocelyn. "I should have known he was telling the truth. It's just that Jonathan jilted Olivia, and I thought Colin might have done something similar."

"You know, Granville Hall is not far from Leighton Manor. Perhaps he could come to dinner while you are staying with me. I'll ask Charles to ride over and find out how things are at Granville."

"Oh Marianne, Would the viscount do that?" said Jocelyn, with excitement.

"Of course he will. Now let's go back down. I need to take my leave of the duchess and return to Leighton Manor. I'll send the carriage for you the day after tomorrow. Enjoy your last day here."

She looked curiously at Olivia. "I hope the earl proposes. And yes, I know that you don't want me to say any of this, so I'll stop there."

Next morning, Marcus was waiting for Olivia at the stables, and they set off together riding Moonbeam and Hector. The horses had got into a routine and easily moved from trotting to galloping across the heath. Olivia didn't realize that her hair had fallen loose from its ribbons and was streaming out behind her.

Somehow, when she spent time with Marcus, she never thought about those scars. As they drew close to the far side of the lake, where they had seen the kingfisher, Marcus stopped Hector and tethered him to a tree, then helped Olivia down from Moonbeam.

As usual her body longed to fold against his, and this time she almost thought he pulled her a little closer. It was most probably her imagination. As they walked together by the lake he stopped and stood staring across the shimmering lake.

"Olivia, enchantress of the forest, you've bewitched me since the first time I set eyes on you. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Olivia felt a pang of sadness as he said the words. Her heart raced and she felt excitement coursing throughout her body, but she knew she must say ‘no'. They should not be forced into marriage by malicious gossip. She believed that Marcus only proposed through a sense of duty and to retrieve her from ruin.

As she wondered what to say she saw a flurry of green feathers and a kingfisher flying down the bank. She recalled their first meeting in this same woodland grove and how she had felt a connection with Marcus that very first day.

When she turned back, she found herself gazing, into the earl's intense honey-brown eyes.It was impossible to look away.

What was it Jocelyn had said about Lord Ludlow? That when she was close to him that it felt like home. As she melted into Marcus' gaze, she knew she had found her safe harbor and refuge from the stormy seas of life. This feeling that she had come home.

"Marry me," he said. "I can't live without you."

Before she knew it, she smiled and said simply, "Yes."

Olivia gasped with surprise as she heard the words come out of her own mouth. She had fully intended to say ‘no'. Yet her answer felt right, and Marcus drew her into his embrace.

"Dearest, delightful Cendrillon" he murmured, as she felt his breath close to her ear. "I've dreamed of this day for so long."

His lips found hers, and everything spun around as her lips tentatively responded to his. They stood alone together apart from the world around them.

All that mattered to her was the need to be held close in his arms. She clung to him, wondering if she would ever feel steady again. She reached for his hand, and he responded by stroking her palm gently, before lifting his hand and running it through her hair. She gasped as she felt the tiny kisses along her forehead and hairline.

"You're so beautiful, and I mean that all of you is beautiful," he told her. She gasped as she felt tears of joy forming in her eyes as he kissed the damaged skin to the side of her face.

Olivia felt a warm, melting sensation spreading through her mind and body like soothing balm, as she relaxed in a safe haven of love.

***

When they arrived back at the Abbey, Marcus raced into his study and re-appeared with an antique wooden box.

"I'm not going to give you chance to change your mind," he said laughing and took her hand and slipped an exquisite, glistening, moonstone ring onto her finger.

"It was my grandmother's ring," he said. "Do you like it?"

"I do, very much. It reminds me of the shimmering surface of the lake."

They ate a quiet supper with the duke and duchess, and Jocelyn. Jocelyn was so excited she could hardly sit still.

"We've decided not to discuss our engagement in public yet. It is partly because we do not want Lady Cressida to gloat about forcing us into marriage. We're going to leave it a fortnight before making the announcements," said Marcus.

"I'll tell Marianne, and Uncle Harold," Olivia said. "It isn't a secret. We just don't want to announce it formally yet."

"And I'll visit and speak to him as soon as I get to London in about ten days' time. I plan to travel to town with Colin," said Jocelyn.

"We'll be in London before you then," said Olivia. "And it makes sense to announce this when we are both in town."

"My dear Olivia, we are both delighted to welcome you into our family," said The Duke of Hargrove.

"And I am so looking forward to having a daughter," added the duchess.

Olivia felt tears welling up in her eyes and embraced them both. She could hardly believe that Belvedere Abbey would soon be her home.

***

After a few days at Leighton Manor, they returned to London. Olivia had been glad to have the time with Marianne, and the chance to walk quietly on the Leighton estate. She felt content, yet exhausted, after all the emotion of the last few days. Marianne held back from discussing wedding plans, and limited herself to looking at Olivia's ring and saying it was one of the most beautiful that she had ever seen.

As soon as they arrived back in London, Olivia spoke with Uncle Harold. He surprised her by kissing her on the cheek and telling her that he hoped she would be happy. "Marcus, the Earl of Hatfield, will come and speak with you as soon as he returns to town."

He soon began to talk of Silverton Hall and his visit there. Olivia listened to all he had to report about the new furniture, and artwork, which he was purchasing for the newly rebuilt wing.

When she settled by the fire in the library to go through her correspondence, she was surprised to find at least six messages from Mr. Rawlings, the family solicitor. She vaguely remembered her uncle had mentioned that Rawlings had been trying to contact her.

There had been a letter too. She had pushed it into a drawer and forgotten all about it and so she went to find it.

Jocelyn and her uncle had retired to bed. The house was empty with candles casting shadows around the library.

After Olivia opened the letter, she spent many minutes staring at the candle flames around her, unable to move.

There was a gentle rap on the door, and she called to enter. Mrs. Jennings smiled and asked if she needed anything, before she retired for the night.

"I know not," said Olivia. "I am in a state of total confusion. I'm glad you're here Mrs. Jennings because I don't particularly want to be alone."

Mrs. Jennings came over and took a seat across from Olivia. "What on earth is the matter?" she asked. "Olivia, I've known you for many years and I can only say that you are behaving very oddly."

"Here," said Olivia and handed the torn envelope and its contents to Mrs. Jennings.

"Oh, my dear. This must be the arrangements that your papa talked about. He always stipulated that he had made very specific arrangements for your future. He said there would be a sizable settlement. That's why we were all so confused when your uncle said that you were penniless."

"I know. I was surprised too. I even wondered at times, if uncle were mistaken or had absorbed the money into his own purse."

"It looks as though you have a sizeable fortune, which has been left in trust, until you are twenty-four years of age."

"And why twenty-four? It's so strange. Why did Papa and Frederick cloak this in secrecy?"

"You look exhausted," said Mrs. Jennings. "I shall send a footman tomorrow to summon Mr. Rawlings here as soon as he can."

"Now go to bed and get some rest. There's a hot brick in your bed so you should sleep well."

***

Olivia stared in disbelief as Mr. Rawlings went through the details of her inheritance.

"But Mr. Rawlings. I've been under the impression for the last three years that I am penniless. Does Uncle Harold know about this?"

"No, Lady Olivia. The instructions were very specific. No one was to know about this bequest, except your brother Frederick. I don't believe your father ever thought that Frederick would die so young. When your family perished, I wanted to tell you about the settlement, but the terms were legally watertight, and I could not reassure you about your future."

"Why the secrecy?" asked Olivia.

"It seems your father was a romantic. Yes, I know, it seems strange to believe that such a successful businessman should believe in love. It seems he did though. He had loved your mother and felt strongly that love was the most important thing in life.

He was concerned that, if it was known that you were an heiress, you might attract suitors who were only interested in your money. He believed that the inheritance should be shrouded in secrecy until you were twenty-four, or you were married. He trusted Frederick to ensure you were protected until then."

He paused and shuffled through various papers. "If you had married Sir Jonathan Ellington then you would have received your inheritance after your wedding day."

"I see," she said faintly.

"If you reached the age of twenty-four without marrying and that will happen in a few weeks' time, then you would receive the full settlement at that point. It seems your father didn't want you to have to rely on a husband and you should have enough money to live a comfortable, and independent life, should you choose to do that."

"I truly don't know what to say. I'm stunned by this news and this amount of money."

"You're a very wealthy woman," said Mr. Rawlings.

"Yesterday I thought I was penniless, and totally dependent on my Uncle Harold. Today I'm an heiress."

"If you don't mind me saying Lady Olivia, you will know that I am fully aware of this gossip, this cruel scandalmongering. I set the enquiries in motion which located the printer and prevented the second sheet from being circulated."

"I am aware, and indeed, I am truly grateful for your efforts."

"I hope this inheritance means that the gossip no longer has the same impact," Mr. Rawlings continued. "In my experience those in high society put money before most things. I believe you will find that some of those who cut you from their acquaintance will be keen to include you in their circles again."

"I suspect you are right Mr. Rawlings. However, I may not be quite so keen to admit them to my circle of friends and acquaintances," replied Olivia.

Soon after this meeting Jocelyn—who had also now returned to London—Uncle Harold, and Marianne gathered in the drawing room at Swanbourne Place to listen to the news and celebrate together.

Uncle Harold was stunned that he'd had no knowledge of the terms of the inheritance."I'm delighted for you, my dear niece, truly delighted."

***

Within a couple of days the callers had returned. The gossip didn't seem to matter anymore. A steady stream of calling cards piled up on the silver salver in the hall.

Marianne laughed out loud when she received a letter from Lady Golightly informing her that they were welcome again at Almack's Assembly Rooms.

"I almost wish I'd kept this quiet for a while, I didn't realize word could travel so quickly," Olivia told Marianne.

"Absolutely not. You and Jocelyn should never have lost your place in society," replied Marianne.

"I feel sorry for some of these men. They are forced to marry into wealth to save their crumbling family estates. I know what it's like to be penniless," Olivia said compassionately.

She looked at Marianne with a sense of bewilderment. "No one seems to even consider me disfigured anymore.What a difference being a wealthy woman makes to so many things in life."

"Some always saw beyond the scars and inheritance," commented Marianne.

"I'll be glad when my engagement is announced. I can't tell these young men that I am already engaged to Marcus.".

Olivia was eager for Marcus to arrive in town, and for word to spread about their betrothal.

After Marianne had left, Olivia settled to read poetry to Jocelyn who was embroidering a linen cloth.

They were interrupted by Mrs. Jennings, and as soon as Olivia saw her face, she knew that something was wrong. She stood and went towards the housekeeper, who looked as if she was in need of strong smelling-salts.

"Jocelyn, run and get my salts," Olivia called. "Mrs. Jennings, what on earth is the matter, you look faint."

"There is another caller Your Ladyship, and this one refuses to leave his card."

A tall, dark figure loomed behind Mrs. Jennings, and without being invited he entered the drawing room.

"Olivia. I heard that you had returned to town. I came immediately. I simply had to tell you that I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met that day in the street."

"I have come to ask you to give me a second chance. There has been nobody since you. Let's resume our engagement and marry. I'll go speak with your uncle now," Sir Jonathan said, seemingly certain of Olivia's answer.

Here she was, listening to the words which for almost three years she had longed to hear. Now she felt strangely empty. Sir Jonathan Ellington's words meant nothing. She just wanted him to leave the premises and leave her to some peace and quiet.

Behind her she saw Jocelyn staring in disbelief. However, her niece surprised her by stepping into action. "Ah, Sir Jonathan," she cooed. "How pleasant of you to call, but did Mrs. Jennings not tell you that we are unable to accept callers today? "

Mrs. Jennings moved her body between Jonathan and Olivia and together with Jocelyn they shepherded the baronet to the door.

"I must ask you to leave. Please feel able to return and present your card another day."

Olivia sighed with relief and sank into a chair. Oh for a quiet day!