Chapter 5

Today was the day Olivia's entire life was going to change.

She could feel it as surely as she could feel the misty rain clinging to her eyelashes and the fine wool of her new traveling

gown against her skin. Inside, her nerves were trembling, but she was not frightened. It was the anticipation of something

new—the anticipation of an adventure.

Colorless daylight crested over the London rooftops as a carriage turned down Kingsby Street. Four black horses, sleek and

glossy from precipitation, effortlessly conveyed the pretentious vehicle, and the crunching wheels and jingling harnesses

reverberated along the row of shops.

Laura wrapped her arm around Olivia's and leaned her head on her shoulder. "If you do not make this journey memorable enough

for the both of us, I shall never forgive you."

The carriage swayed to a stop in front of the sisters, and the next several moments sped. Russell appeared in the receiving room doorway from the storeroom. Two liveried footmen descended from the carriage and lifted and secured her trunk and valise. One of the ebony horses whinnied, tossed its head, and stomped its hefty hoof against the cobbles.

Employing every ounce of tenacity she could muster, Olivia squeezed her sister's hand and kissed her cheek before she stepped

toward the waiting vehicle. The footman turned the carriage's brass door handle and opened it, revealing a stern-faced Mrs.Milton

inside.

"Oh good. You're ready." Mrs.Milton's snipped words were barely audible above the swirling activity. "And I'm glad for it,

for I despise tardiness. Don't dawdle, then. Bid your farewells and we shall be off."

Olivia paused to glance back to where her trunk had been to ensure nothing was left behind, then she turned to wave a farewell

to Laura and Russell before she accepted the footman's assistance. Once inside, she was enveloped by the opulent crimson velvet

interior and overwhelming scent of lily of the valley and peppermint. She settled on the tufted seat across from Mrs.Milton,

acutely aware of the older lady's sharp stare, the tiny black-eyed Pomeranian nestled on her lap, and the somber-faced maid

sitting to Mrs.Milton's right.

Olivia spied her sister through the rain-streaked window, noting the sad arch of her brows and the way her teeth clamped over

her lower lip.

Olivia was not an emotional creature, yet the moment's significance raged within her. This role she was playing—this glimpse into a different existence—started now. All the planning and contemplating of the past week was finally set into motion, and very soon the consequences of this decision would make themselves known.

The carriage lurched into motion, and her family's shop faded from view.

"This is my maid, Teague." Mrs.Milton's tone rang flat, as if discussing a mundane transaction. "Since you travel with no

maid of your own, Teague will assist you as needed."

Olivia smiled at the wiry, dark-eyed woman, who merely nodded curtly in response. She gripped her fingers together in her

lap. It would hardly be the time to mention that she'd never had a maid of her own, let alone a lady's maid. She and Laura

always helped one another with any dressing needs, and if necessary, the chambermaid would aid her. The thought of a true

lady's maid assisting her was as daunting as the assessment that was before her.

"And the modiste?" Mrs.Milton stroked the top of the dog's fur with her pudgy, ring-adorned fingers. "She provided you with

five gowns and the necessary finishings, did she not?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Excellent. She's by far the very best in London." Mrs.Milton's orotund voice echoed with authority.

The carriage hit a rut, and the entire conveyance tilted sideways before it righted itself.

"I do wish the driver would take care." Mrs.Milton clicked her tongue. "'Twill be a wretched journey if not. Have you traveled

to Yorkshire before, MissBrannon?"

"No, ma'am."

"A beautiful bit of earth. Different from London in every way conceivable. Cloverton Hall will be a fine introduction to the county for you. It is an impressive place—nearly two hundred years old."

A comfortable silence descended, for which Olivia was grateful. Mrs.Milton even managed to doze off, in spite of the uneven

road with its jarring bumps and dips. By the time they left the busy streets of London behind and reached the open countryside,

surrounded by verdant grass, ancient ash and oak trees, and open dirt road, a fresh wave of interest rushed over Olivia. This

entire journey would be what she made of it, regardless of what she encountered at Cloverton Hall. And she would not allow

a single opportunity to pass her by without exploring it to the fullest.