Chapter 35

The sun was finally shining on Kingsby Street when the Cloverton carriage turned onto the broad lane. The ever-present blanket

of smoke swirled in the humid air, and the noisy sounds of a London afternoon met Olivia when the carriage pulled to a stop.

She angled her head to see the shingle boasting the Brannon name through the window. Even though it was nowhere near as lovely

as Cloverton Hall, there was something comforting about coming home to what was familiar. Normal life would resume.

"Is this your home?" Tabitha, eager-faced and bright-eyed, leaned forward to see through the mud-streaked windows.

"This is my family's business. We live in the apartments above it."

Memories of how she used to love coming to this shop with her father each day flooded her as her first foot stepped down to

the dusty road. And even though she was excited to see Laura, reservation slowed her.

Uncle Thomas had been opposed to the entire endeavor. Russell had tried to talk her out of it as well. And while she had completed her assessment and could provide her uncle and Russell with a thorough report, her professional prospects were no better off than when she left. If anything, she was worse off, for now she nursed a bruised ego and a wounded heart.

Olivia summoned her courage, placed her hand on the receiving room door's brass handle, turned it, and stepped inside. A bell

signaled her arrival, and shortly thereafter her uncle appeared from the back room through to the receiving parlor.

"You're back." His eyes held no warmth, his expression no affection. "We weren't expecting you for at least another week."

Russell, no doubt drawn by her uncle's voice, also appeared. "So, how did it go?"

"It went well." She feigned as much enthusiasm as she could. "I've cataloged a number of promising items. The ledger's in

my trunk."

"Why are you back so early?" her uncle asked.

"The evaluation went smoothly, like I said, but Mr.Wainbridge wasn't pleased I was there in an antiquities agent capacity.

He and Mrs.Milton do not see eye to eye, and when he found out that Father had been the one to broker many of the deals with

his uncle, Mr.Wainbridge wasn't comfortable with my presence."

Her uncle turned his attention to Tabitha. "And who is this?"

"This is Tabitha. She works for Mrs.Milton and was kind enough to accompany me on the return journey. The carriage will not

return to Cloverton until the morrow, so she'll stay the night here."

"Olivia!"

Laura, bright-eyed and eager, burst down the corridor and through the door and flung her arms around her sister's neck. "I've been dying for you to return!"

When she finally released Olivia's neck, Laura clutched her hands and squeezed. "Come on. You must be exhausted, and I want

to hear absolutely everything!"

Olivia looked back at her uncle's somber face and Russell's bleak one. She had no idea how they were going to respond when

she shared the full extent of what had occurred, but based on the reception, she was in no hurry to disclose the details.

***

Olivia placed her candle on the small table next to her bed and turned to draw the curtains over the windows that overlooked

Kingsby Street. It really was pleasant to be home. For the first time in days, she could truly breathe deeply and move about

completely freely. The familiar feeling of the uneven wooden floor felt heavenly beneath her bare feet, and her favorite wool

shawl, although patchy in places, was the most comforting feeling in the world.

Outside the windows, the common sounds of the London evening floated on the breeze: men calling to one another, carriage wheels

on the dirt road, a baby crying somewhere in the distance.

It was not perfect, nor was it as fine as Cloverton Hall, but for the time being contentment settled over her.

"I saw the chambermaid in the hall," Laura announced as she entered the room, a blanket in her arms. "She said that Tabitha

is all settled downstairs."

"Good." Olivia wished she could have offered the young woman a proper bedchamber, but the only spare bed was with their servant girls. "I hope she'll be comfortable."

"Oh, I'm sure she will," mused Laura as she doffed her dressing gown, donned her sleeping cap, and crawled into her side of

the bed. "It's been terribly lonely without you here."

"I thought you said I kick too much," Olivia teased as she moved the candle from the bureau to the small table beside the

bed. "I assumed you'd like having the bed all to yourself."

"Sharing a chamber is a small price to pay for having someone to pass the evenings with besides Uncle. He is positively droll."

Olivia laughed at her sister's dramatic description and pulled back her covers. She'd not realized until now just how much

she had missed her sister.

"I want to know every single detail." Laura propped herself up on her elbow, her golden eyes wide. "Surely you must have a

dozen stories to share."

Anticipation glimmered in her sister's eyes, but Olivia hesitated.

Would she tell her about the beautiful gowns and elegant rooms and dashing gentlemen, or would she tell her about the curious

stares, manipulative women, and flirtatious men?

Olivia decided there would be time enough for the world's harsh realities, so she told Laura about the luxurious chamber she'd

stayed in. What it was like to have a lady's maid dress her hair. How exhilarating it was to dance at a ball.

"And the gentlemen?" Laura inquired eagerly. "I've yet to hear you mention anyone in particular."

For the millionth time Lucas Avery flashed in her mind.

The memory, however sweet, incited pain. Each time she thought of him, she was reminded afresh that it was simply not to be.

"No one in particular, but it was an interesting time. But it is true what they say. Home is the dearest place of all."

"I don't believe you," teased Laura.

"Well, you should." Olivia rolled over, blew out her candle, pulled the blanket over her, and settled against her pillow.

"Cloverton Hall was beautiful. It was elegant and pristine. Even the servants were elegant and refined. You would have loved

the gardens. But even for all of its loveliness, nothing compares to the comfort of being home."