Chapter 14

With the invitation sent, Olivia and Virginia threw themselves into the task with a sense of purpose and determination. As they worked tirelessly to ready Bolton Manor to receive their guests, the air buzzed in a way that it hadn't in a very long time. Everyone was hard at work, but it didn't feel that way. They were simply happy to be there.

Together, they meticulously planned every detail. With Virginia"s keen eye for design and Olivia"s meticulous attention to detail, they transformed Bolton Manor into a home more welcoming than the palace itself, ensuring that every aspect of the visit would be nothing short of perfection.

From his vantage point, William couldn"t help but notice the flurry of activity that seemed to follow Olivia wherever she went. Though he had initially been reluctant to acknowledge her presence in Bolton Manor, he couldn"t deny the impact she had made on their household in such a short time.

As he observed her from a distance, William couldn"t help but marvel at the sheer breadth of Olivia"s contributions to their home. Whether she was tending to the gardens with a gentle touch or orchestrating the finer details of their upcoming visit with meticulous precision, Olivia"s dedication to their household was unmistakable. Not only that, but everybody truly did like her. It was possibly even more than that.

It wasn"t just Olivia"s practical skills that caught William"s attention, but the way in which she seamlessly integrated herself into his home. It had bothered him immensely since the moment he met her, but her warmth and kindness towards others was infectious and he could feel it beginning to affect him. He knew that he was jealous; she had seamlessly joined a household that he never felt quite at home in, despite it being his own. From lending a sympathetic ear to Virginia"s concerns to offering a helping hand to the staff whenever they needed it, however, Olivia"s presence had become an integral part of their household, and everyone knew just how important she was.

Everyone but himself, it appeared.

And as he watched her from afar, William couldn"t help but feel a pang of guilt for having underestimated her worth. In his absence, Olivia had stepped into the role of caretaker with a grace and poise that he had never anticipated, her unwavering dedication to his family earning her the admiration and respect of all who knew her, yet he hadn't found a way to do so himself.

"I need to run to the village for an errand," she announced suddenly, "Will you be alright without me?"

"Certainly," his mother smiled, "You have done more than enough for us today as it is. Take all the time you need."

William could not stop himself from speaking.

"I also need to visit my solicitor. Might it be possible for me to join you, Miss Staunton?" he asked.

To the surprise of everyone present, Olivia found herself agreeing with unexpected ease.

"Yes, that is a good idea," she replied, though she did not seem fully certain, "Now, I have no need for a lady's maid."

Virginia, sensing Miss Staunton's apparent hesitation, voiced her concern with a furrowed brow.

"Are you sure, dear?" she asked.

Olivia offered a reassuring smile, her resolve unwavering as she nodded in affirmation.

"Yes, of course I am," she replied, her voice steady.

Soon enough, the carriage pulled away and the two of them were off to town together. He quickly realized that he did not know what to say to her.

As the carriage rattled along the winding road toward the village, William couldn"t help but feel a sense of curiosity bubbling within him.

"I must admit," he remarked after a while, "I"m surprised you agreed to accompany me without putting up a fight."

Olivia, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside, responded with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Would you have preferred if I had?" She countered, her tone light but tinged with a hint of mischief, "Because that can be arranged for the next time."

Caught off guard by her question, William paused for a moment before offering a faint smile.

"No, I suppose not," he admitted, "It"s just...unexpected, that"s all."

"Sometimes, surprises can be quite refreshing," she mused.

He couldn't help but think she was right about that.

"So," he said carefully, "How do you feel about all of this?"

"The idea of marrying your brother?" She asked, "I suppose things have been less frightening, but then they've also been much more frightening too."

"Is he the sort of man you expected?"

"Not at all, no."

"Then tell me, what kind of man do you envision yourself with? What qualities do you find acceptable in a suitor?"

"Well," she began, her voice thoughtful as she carefully chose her words, "I suppose I would prefer someone who is kind and considerate, someone who treats others with respect and compassion. Why do you ask?"

In truth, he did not know. He was simply making conversation.

"Because, should things not go as planned, I should like to find you someone else. And what about other qualities?" he pressed gently, "Is there anything else you look for in a potential suitor?"

"I suppose intelligence and a sense of humor would be important," she admitted, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "But above all else, I think I value honesty and sincerity the most. I want someone who is genuine and true to themselves, someone I can trust and rely on."

As their conversation meandered through the landscape of potential suitors and desirable qualities, William couldn"t help but notice a conspicuous absence in Miss Staunton"s list of requirements.

"I couldn"t help but notice," he began, "That none of your criteria for a potential suitor seem to revolve around wealth or social status. It"s...surprising, to say the least."

Miss Staunton, her gaze still fixed on the passing scenery outside, offered a small smile at his observation.

"Yes, well, I suppose I"ve never been one to prioritize such things," she admitted, "While financial stability is certainly important, I believe there are far more meaningful qualities that one should consider when seeking a life partner."

"I must confess," he confessed, a hint of sheepishness coloring his tone, "I had assumed that financial security would be a priority for you- for most young women. It"s refreshing to hear a different perspective."

Olivia chuckled softly at his admission, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Well, it should come as no surprise to you by now, but I am not one to care about such things," she remarked, "I believe that true happiness and fulfillment lie not in material possessions, but in the richness of human connection and shared experiences."

"And you are sure that wealth does not matter to you?"

"Excuse me?" she asked, "Are you implying that I"m the sort of lady to pretend not to care about such a thing?"

William, caught off guard by Olivia"s sudden reaction, raised his hands in a placating gesture, his expression one of amusement.

"No, no, of course not," he protested, laughing gently, "I apologize if my words came across as insensitive. That wasn"t my intention at all."

With a soft sigh, she relented, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Apology accepted," she conceded, her tone softening as she offered him a forgiving glance, "But let"s try to avoid any further misunderstandings, shall we?"

William nodded in agreement, a sense of relief washing over him at the resolution of their brief conflict.

"Agreed," he replied, "Though I must say, I do enjoy our little debates."

"Yes, well, I suppose there"s no harm in a little friendly chat now and then," she conceded, her tone light but tinged with warmth, "As long as we both remember to keep it friendly, of course. I would hate for your mother to be concerned about it."

"I believe she already is, not that she seems too outwardly upset by it."

"I simply hope to be a good daughter-in-law," she explained, her tone gentle but earnest, "She has been nothing but kind to me since I arrived, and I want to repay her kindness in any way I can. I already do all that I can, but there is always that little voice that tells me I can do even more."

For a brief moment, confusion clouded William"s thoughts as he processed Olivia"s words.

"Daughter-in-law?" he repeated, trying make sense of her statement before realization dawned on him, "Ah, you mean Scott."

"Yes. Who else would I have meant? Regardless, I hope to be a good wife to Scott, if he even wants me to be his wife at all," she admitted softly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the carriage window.

"He will," William promised, "He would be a fool not to."

William"s expression softened with sympathy as he regarded Olivia, sensing the weight of her uncertainty and apprehension. Here was a woman facing an uncertain future, about to embark on a journey into the unknown with a man she scarcely knew, and whose reputation preceded him with whispers of doubt and concern, and her main priority was his mother, and making her happy.

"This isn't easy. Sometimes I wish I'd just gone along with my parents' plan to arrange a marriage in the first place."

"I understand," William replied, his voice gentle and understanding, "It"s not an easy position to be in, marrying someone you hardly know, especially when you"ve only heard negative things about them."

Miss Staunton nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she appreciated William"s empathy and understanding.

"Thank you, Your Grace," she murmured softly, her voice filled with gratitude, "Though I do have a favor to ask of you. Can you tell me about some of Scott"s good qualities?"

William nodded, recognizing the importance of offering Miss Staunton some semblance of comfort.

"Of course," he replied, his tone gentle as he searched for the right words, "Scott is charming, for one. He has a way with words that can be quite captivating, especially when he is talking about his adventures."

Miss Staunton listened intently, her expression softening as she listened.

"And he"s...well, he"s quite adventurous too," William continued, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he recalled some of Scott"s escapades, "He"s not one to shy away from a challenge, that"s for sure."

"That is just as well, because I am a challenge if ever there was one."

"You are fine."

"You certainly act otherwise."

"Perhaps, but I know better than to call you a challenge. I know people that are far more insufferable."

"I shall take that as a compliment."

"You ought to. I do not like too many people."

They looked at each other for a moment, and William noted that whilst he disliked most people, Miss Staunton seemed to like almost everyone. It was quite admirable of her, given the fact that people in William's experience were terrible.

Olivia adjusted the brim of her hat as she stepped out of the carriage, the soft rustle of her skirts accompanying her movements.

"We"re here to visit the local florist," she explained to William, her voice carrying a hint of excitement, "I need to select the flowers for the house."

"That sounds delightful," he replied, his tone tinged with curiosity as they made their way down the bustling street.

"No it doesn't," she laughed, "Not to you, at least, but that is perfectly fine."

The flower shop enveloped the two of them in the scents of flowers as they stepped inside, the gentle tinkling of a bell announcing their arrival.

"These roses are simply exquisite," Olivia remarked, her voice filled with admiration as she delicately lifted a crimson bloom to her nose.

William nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the colorful displays with appreciation.

"Indeed, they are," he replied, "But I must admit, I"m rather partial to the daisies myself."

"Ah, the daisies," she mused, "They do have a certain charm, don"t they?"

"They are so easy to find, yet here they seem different."

As they wandered through the flower shop, William found himself unexpectedly captivated by Olivia"s presence. Her laughter was like music to his ears, her eyes sparkling as she spoke. He couldn"t help but be drawn to her, and he wondered how he hadn't noticed her this way before.

As they discussed the various flowers and their arrangements for the party, William found himself genuinely interested in her opinions and ideas. He listened intently as she shared her thoughts, her enthusiasm contagious as she described her vision for the event.

William couldn"t shake the feeling that he was thoroughly enjoying himself in her company. There was something about her that put him at ease, that made him feel lighter and more carefree than he had in a long time. She had so irritated him before, but now in the shop such disputes were distant memories. Now, she was simply Miss Staunton, a funny and sweet lady that loved flowers.

It was a realization that took him by surprise, but one that he couldn"t deny. At that moment, amidst the colorful blooms, William realized that he was truly enjoying spending time with Olivia, and he found himself not wanting it to end.

"There we are," Miss Staunton smiled, "I chose roses and daisies, and some tulips too. I could not help it; they are your mother's favorite after all."

"An excellent choice."

"Now, you were wanting to see your solicitor?"

"Was I?"

"That is why you accompanied me, is it not?"

He panicked for a moment, realizing that he had, indeed, said that. It was a complete and utter lie, and he had not notified him of his presence.

"Do not worry," she laughed, "Your secret is perfectly safe with me."

"We cannot return home yet," he said suddenly.

"What?"

"Because… Because there will be questions if we return too quickly, and my mother has told you to be gone all day."

"Very well. What do you propose that we do?"

"Lunch. I mean- Would you like to go to lunch with me?"

She smiled at him as he handed over the payment.

"If you insist."

"Oh, I do."