Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"He's here," called Jocelyn.

"I could ask who ‘he' is," laughed Olivia. "But I suspect there is only one person."

Jocelyn had been looking out of the window for the last hour.

"Is anyone with him?" asked Olivia.

"I'm not saying," said Jocelyn. "You have been laughing at me for looking out of the window, and now you are asking me if the Earl of Hatfield is calling."

"Soon after Lord Ludlow arrives, Mrs. Jennings will come and ask if we can go and confer with your uncle. That means we can give Lord Ludlow the opportunity to propose to Jocelyn," said Marianne.

The door opened and Mrs. Jennings announced Lord Ludlow.

He smiled widely and openly at Jocelyn, who gazed back. Marianne greeted him and asked him if the Earl of Hatfield would be visiting later.

"Indeed. I'm tasked to tell you that he will be here as soon as he has finished a meeting with his solicitor." He paused and looked at Olivia. "And might I offer you my congratulations, Your Ladyship, on your betrothal to my cousin. Welcome to the family!"

And so the news of her engagement to Marcus was out in society. True to his word, Marcus had made the announcement and was working on the news spreading throughout the ton. She was formally engaged to the Earl of Hatfield.

"I happen to know he sent an express to Belvedere Abbey, so we expect the Duke and Duchess of Hargrove to arrive very soon to congratulate you both," said Colin.

Of course, I should have realized that there would be appearances and parties linked to our engagement s he thought.

She hoped they could keep those events to a minimum, but the duchess and duke would want to be involved in celebrating their son's betrothal.

Mrs. Jennings appeared and requested that the Viscountess and Lady Olivia join her to consult on an issue with the cook in the kitchen. Olivia touched Jocelyn's arm, gently, for reassurance as she walked past.

Everything went like clockwork. Lord Ludlow and Jocelyn went out on to the terrace, and then for a walk around the garden.

Marianne watched them out of Mrs. Jennings' window, which faced the garden. "They are going down to the rose garden," she said with excitement. "Oh my, he's kissing her."

"Marianne, come away," urged Olivia.

"I certainly will not! I began this chaperonage to see Jocelyn through to a proposal of marriage and it is happening now. It is my duty as chaperone to make sure this happens."

"Oh, very well. Has she accepted him?" asked Olivia.

"I believe so," said Marianne. "They are out of view now. No wait… I can see Lord Ludlow coming back to the house. I believe he is going to speak to your uncle."

"And Jocelyn?"

"Heading this way." Marianne opened the sashwindow and waved frantically at Jocelyn.

"Let's go back to the drawing room. Come and join us for a cup of tea Mrs. Jennings, and some honey cake. I believe you and I have another wedding to plan," Marianne said.

"At Silverton Hall?"

"Yes, at the newly re-opened Silverton Hall. It's going to be a joyful celebration for the village," confirmed Marianne.

Jocelyn appeared, her face beaming with joy. Olivia felt tears welling up in her eyes at the sight of her niece looking so happy.

"Come, my dear. Let's go to the drawing room where we can take tea and you shall tell me all about your proposal of marriage," said Marianne.

Marianne smiled and took Jocelyn's hand in hers. "I trust you are accepting him?"

Jocelyn giggled and nodded. "He's gone to see uncle. I hope Uncle Harold is in a good mood today."

Soon after they began their tea and cakes, Lord Ludlow and Uncle Harold joined them.

"Come and join us. I believe congratulations are in order," said Marianne. "And, Lord Ludlow, I am going to defy tradition and give you both a small kiss. I am delighted that you are to marry Jocelyn. I have met your dear mama, and look forward to meeting her again very soon."

She stood and went over to kiss Colin on his cheek.

"Well, my dear Harold, you have both your nieces engaged and soon to be married," declared Marianne.

"All thanks to you Lady Leighton, as chaperone during the season," said Uncle Harold, smiling broadly. "I believe I might retire to Silverton soon. I find it peaceful when I visit. I'd like it to be a place for family to visit in the future."

"We are still in choppy waters, as we can't be certain the gossipmonger will stop distributing those sheets now the engagement of Olivia to the Earl of Hatfield has been announced. The next week will be interesting. However, today we have much to be grateful for, two weddings on the horizon and Olivia's fortune restored," added Marianne.

Lord Ludlow departed, assuring Uncle Harold that he would return with Marcus, and his parents, for a family meal that evening.

After he'd gone Olivia spoke quietly with her uncle, asking if she should give him any money towards her and Jocelyn's expenses. "You took us in and have acted as guardian. I know you have been conscious of the expense at times. I have the means now to make that right."

The elderly gentleman looked at her with an affectionate gaze. "I believe I have not always been fair or kind to you and Jocelyn in the past. I believe I realized—when the rumor mill began grinding out that vile gossip, and you faced ruin—that I cared for you both, as a fond uncle."

He poured her a glass of his fine Madeira wine and topped up his own glass before continuing. " I hope I have acted differently since then my dear. I have tried to mend my ways. What was it you called me? A miser?"

Olivia blushed. "I'm so sorry uncle. It wasn't polite to use that expression."

"I shall always count the pennies, Olivia. I haven't changed my character totally."

"I'm not convinced," she said, smiling. "You seem to me to be very much changed uncle. I am grateful for your kindness and feel we are good friends now."

"Absolutely dear niece." He offered her a plate of ratafia biscuits, and she took one, enjoying the crunch as she took a bite of one of Cook's delicacies.

"I know we had our fiery exchanged in the past, but as I've said, I believe that may be because you take after me in temperament," added her uncle.

Olivia had to reach for her glass of wine as she began to choke in stunned surprise. He really does think I resemble him. If it makes him happy then I shall not disagree. She took a deep breath and regained her composure.

Their guests arrived soon after, and when Marcus walked into the drawing room with his parents Olivia's eyes met his. He smiled in the loving way she had begun to recognize as special between them, and her heart glowed with the warmth of contentment.

He walked across and took both her hands in his. "You are well today?"

"I am. Very well indeed," she replied. "It's been an exciting day here with news of the engagement of my niece to Lord Ludlow."

"And now you must come and meet my parents again. They are delighted at our news," said Marcus, as he offered her his arm, and guided her to meet his parents who were talking with Marianne and Charles.

"Olivia. We set off for town as soon as Marcus sent word of your engagement. We've been hoping he would find a young lady to bring home to Belvedere Abbey for many years now. I began to think it would never happen. And now we have you joining our family as Countess of Hatfield," said the Duke of Hargrove.

The duke took her hand and told her how happy she had made them both and they looked forward to the wedding.

"Have you decided on a date yet?" asked the duchess. "I hope it will be soon. There is still time for a summer wedding. Marcus told me he thought you might be married at Silverton Hall?"

"I think it likely Your Grace," replied Olivia. "My uncle is hoping there can be a celebration of the re-opening after the renovations at the hall. It would be lovely to combine that celebration with a wedding. I'm sure the whole village would join us."

"It sounds excellent. You must tell me if I can help in any way. I've always longed to have a daughter."

Olivia felt touched by such kindness. When the duke and duchess moved on to talk to other guests, she found herself alone with Marcus. "You mother is so kind," she said quietly. "I'm looking forward to getting to know her better."

"I'm glad you like her. She likes you very much," replied Marcus.

"She is keen to know more about the wedding. She thought I might want it at Silverton Hall. It's a lovely idea, but I truly won't mind if we don't," said Olivia.

"We can decide this week. In some ways I'd rather we married sooner, to give you greater protection against the gossipmonger."

"I think Jocelyn will choose to marry at Silverton Hall. Uncle does seem keen to combine a wedding with a celebration of the re-opening after the fire," added Olivia.

"I'd like to see your childhood home. However, my immediate priority is to offer to take a turn in the garden with you, before we are called into supper," said Marcus smiling.

Olivia nodded, and took his arm, as they walked out onto the terrace and down into the sunken rose garden. The scent of honeysuckle hung in the air as they walked together, just enjoying each other's company.