Chapter Twelve

F lorinda sat next to Oliver in his open carriage as they made their way around the park. Looking around it appeared as though all of Society was taking advantage of the uncommonly good weather. The sun shone brightly as she adjusted her parasol as they turned the corner. Couples and families walked the pathways of the nearby park, some stopped by a lake to watch the birds that swam on the surface, and others also took in the warm weather as they rode in their own carriages or on horseback. It was a pleasant day for a stroll.

Until she saw Asher riding in his own conveyance with another man and two women. The gentlemen rode backwards leaving the two ladies the forward view. As their carriages passed one another, Asher didn't even give her the briefest of nods as their eyes met. He continued his animated conversation with those he rode with and Florinda's heart lurched at the snub. It shouldn't have bothered her as much as it did but a little part of her heart cried out for her ex-lover.

"I thought you were over your feelings for Rowley, my pet," Oliver sneered while he examined the sleeve of his jacket with feigned nonchalance.

"I am," Florinda murmured as she masked her face in what she hoped appeared as unconcern. She was becoming increasingly aware of Oliver's jealous side, and it had begun to make her uncomfortable and wary of triggering it. Although Oliver had been generous with his gifts to her of late, his performance while in bed had become a bit rough for her tastes and she wasn't entirely sure she wished to continue their association.

"Your face tells me differently. I must admit I enjoyed taunting the man at the Lyon's Den recently when he lost a fair number of coins to me in one hand of cards, but I was disappointed to learn he did not seem to unduly regret the loss of his funds or the loss of you. He didn't seem to care one bit that you had taken me as a lover," Oliver said with an evil looking smile.

"You told him about us?" she said.

A chuckle rumbled within his chest. "Oh, I did and I took great pleasure in doing so. Rowley has been a thorn in my side since our days together at Oxford. He was always a step or two ahead of me and it made me… well… let us just say I don't like coming in second to him—or anyone, for that matter," he snarled while watching her intently.

But you were second to him , she thought. That can't be changed. Oliver was her lover now, but there was no denying that he had come into her life only after Asher had grown disenchanted with her company—he had been a happy diversion when Asher's absence made her lonely. And he had been a magnificent lover until the last few days. What had changed? Did the confirmation that Asher no longer had any interest in her diminish her value in Oliver's eyes? Everything between them had certainly changed after Asher had given her a settlement and left her the townhouse.

A snort and some other grunt that sounded much like displeasure left the man sitting next to her. "You think of him even now, don't you, my pet?" he snarled in disgust. "But no matter. You are mine to do with as I please. However, I think my patience and our outing for the day are both at an end."

She stole a glance at the man who clearly felt he had some kind of hold on her. Instead of responding to the latter part of his words, she answered the first part. "I never said I was thinking of Lord Rowley."

He reached over to roughly take her hand. "You didn't have to. I am not some simpleton that you can wrap around your finger to get whatever you may want, nor am I foolish enough to think your feelings for Rowley are at an end just because he no longer desires you."

She couldn't help the flinch that followed his assessment and his laughter rang out in the afternoon air. When his fingers tightened around her wrist, she gasped at the pain before she quickly recovered. "I would never call you a fool, my lord."

He let go and Florinda rubbed away the ache from his touch. "Good! Then we understand one another."

Oliver quickly gave instructions to his driver to return to her townhouse. Florinda could only dread whatever the remainder of the afternoon would hold for her. As soon as they returned to her townhouse, she would end her association with Oliver Pitt. If the knowledge that he held some long-standing grudge against Asher hadn't convinced her, then his recent treatment of her certainly did. She would be better off alone than under his dominating control.