Chapter 11

A Walk in the Park

"Ow!" Olivia exclaimed looking at the red droplet of blood forming on her thumb. "Well, I suppose I can cross needlework off Jane's list."

Olivia was sitting in the drawing room of Pembleton house with the booklet of hobbies Jane had made for her. She had been attempting to try some needlework and had quickly remembered why she had given it up in the first place.

"Honestly, this is what modistes are for." Olivia frowned out of the window.

Echoes of the Danterberry ball the night before ran through her mind. The odd but strangely nice interaction she had had with Nigel sat at the forefront her memory. Why do I keep thinking of Nigel? It should be Lord Briston I am thinking about.

She tried to recall some of her conversations with Lord Briston but could only remember the discomfort between them. She shook herself. It was only because they had spent so little time together, that was all.

A knock sounded at the door, and Olivia went to open it. The Pembleton's footman, Mr. Stapes bowed to her.

"I have a message for yourself and Miss Jane. It is an invitation." Mr. Stapes handed Olivia a small, folded note.

It must be from Lord Briston! Olivia smiled, but as she opened the note, she saw with surprise that it was not from Lord Briston but rather from Nigel instead. She read:

Dear Lady Olivia and Miss Jane,

My cousin and I would be most honoured if you would join us for a promenade about Hyde park this afternoon? Perhaps two o'clock would suit you well?

Yours,

Duke Nigel Glassley

P.S. You will note, I have not sent you flowers of any description — whether it is to create some semblance of mystery, I leave to your discretion.

Olivia bit back a laugh as she read the note and scribbled a hasty reply.

Dear Duke,

Miss Jane and I would be delighted to promenade with yourself and your cousin this afternoon. We shall meet you at two o'clock.

Sincerely,

Lady Olivia Rokesby

P.S. One could perhaps argue that an air of mystery is harder to achieve if one states that this could in fact be one's intent.

She folded the note and handed it to Mr. Stapes. "Please send this to His Grace, the Duke of Glassley."

"Of course. The boy who brought it is waiting in the foyer for the reply," Mr. Stapes noted.

"Mr. Stapes, before you leave, do you know where Jane is? I have not seen her this morning?" Olivia glanced at the clock.

It was nearly ten, and usually, Jane would have joined her in the drawing room by now.

"I believe Miss Jane is still in her chambers. Her maid brought her breakfast there this morning." Mr. Stapes bowed. "If that is all, My Lady?"

"Yes Mr. Stapes, thank you." Olivia frowned and made her way to Jane's bed chamber. I hope she is not unwell.

She knocked on the door, and after being bade to enter, Olivia walked into her friend's bedroom. The curtains were open, and the bed was made. Jane was sitting in a chair, staring out of the window.

Her eyes seemed puffy, and there was a definite slump to her shoulders. When she saw Olivia, she gave her a smile though it seemed rather unconvincing.

"Jane, are you quite well?" Olivia rushed to her friend's side. "Whatever is the matter?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Jane shook her head, but her voice was shaky.

"Well clearly it is something. You look as though you have been crying." Olivia let her concern show in her voice. "Please, you know you can tell me most anything."

"It is nothing. I expect I am tired, that is all." Jane smiled wryly. "I did not sleep very well last night I am afraid, and it has thrown me rather out of sorts."

Olivia sensed that her friend did not want to discuss the subject further and decided not to push. I have learned too often that people will tell you something only when they wish to do so. "We have received an invitation."

"Really?" Jane brightened. "To what? And with whom?"

"Oddly enough, the invitation came from Duke Glassley." Olivia frowned. "I suppose this is his attempt at mending things between us."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Mending things?"

"Last night, when your mother held me back, she told me I needed to let this animosity between the Duke and me go." Olivia shrugged. "So, when we were dancing, I told him that we could not keep on as we have, and we agreed to be more civil to each other."

Jane said nothing. Olivia swallowed. "I mean, if I am to court his cousin, I can hardly be feuding with the Duke the entire time."

"No, that is true." Jane looked thoughtful. "So, the Duke has invited us to go somewhere?"

"On a promenade in Hyde Park. With him and his cousin." Olivia bit her lip. "I have already accepted the invitation, but if you are not feeling well enough, I am sure we could cancel the engagement."

Jane shook her head. "No, no. I am sure a promenade will be just what I need. What time are we meeting them?"

"Two o'clock. So, we have some time yet to prepare, and we will not need so much time to dress for a promenade." Olivia was thinking of the many hours of preparation they had taken for the ball yesterday. "Though perhaps I underestimate your mother and her perfectionism."

Jane laughed, and Olivia felt some of the tension in her chest ease at the sound. "Mother would probably say that we need to look good but not as though we were trying to. Even if we use two or so hours, we still have some time free this morning."

Olivia knew what Jane was about to say and was glad she had brought her hobby booklet with her from the drawing room. "I have decided that needlework is another activity that is not for me."

Jane canted her head, and Olivia showed her several tiny pricks on her thumb. "You know, you are supposed to put your needle through the fabric, not your own skin."

"I know that." Olivia scowled. "I tried using the thimble, but I found it nearly impossible. I think my hands are just not delicate enough."

"Ah, well. There are plenty more hobbies we can try." Jane took the booklet from Olivia and began thumbing through it. "We have tried music, well the piano forte and the harp."

"Yes — though given how talented your sister Emily is, that was rather a damper on the experience." Olivia liked music, but it was hard to enjoy playing either piano or harp when Emily played both so beautifully that it could make the hardest heart weep.

"She is sickeningly good." Jane nodded in agreement. "Although, she does also play them practically every waking hour of the day."

"That is true." Olivia smiled. "I rather like it. It was one of the nicest things when you all came to stay with us at Emberly — to hear the castle so full of music and sound."

"It was rather a lovely time, wasn't it?" Jane said fondly.

"It was." Olivia couldn't help but think how much simpler everything had seemed a year ago. I thought I would end the season with at least a suitor, if not a husband.

"We have tried painting which you did seem to care for, and we do not have time to try again before a promenade. Archery, but mother has now forbidden us from trying that again after the incident with the shepherd," Jane whispered.

"We promised never to speak of that." Olivia glanced around the room.

"And we never shall." Jane made a shushing symbol across her lips. "Hmm… Well, we could try fencing, but I would need father's assistance for that, and I am not sure where he is."

"Would your mother approve of that?" Olivia raised an eyebrow. "It is hardly ladylike."

"Probably not, but it is rather a useful skill in my opinion. And very enjoyable." Jane brightened. "We could visit the stables!"

"The stables? Do we have enough time to change for a ride?" Olivia canted her head.

"No, not for riding. One of the dogs has had puppies, and they are in the stables!" Jane's eyes were brimming with excitement.

"Oh, I love puppies. I love dogs in general. But puppies are just so very sweet. I could play with them all day." Olivia bit her lip thoughtfully. "Does playing with puppies count as a hobby?"

"I don't see why not. Besides, there is rather a lot to learn about dogs. Different breeds, different temperaments. You could even show if you had a good enough sire and dam, and the dog was of a good enough standard." Jane began rattling off several facts about puppies and the appropriate way to choose the best one.

Olivia did not interrupt her, seeing that her friend was visibly brightening with every step they took towards the stable. The next few hours were spent playing with the several beagle puppies. Jane's melancholy had all but vanished, and as they made their way to Hyde Park, Olivia found herself quite looking forward to the afternoon.

When they arrived at Hyde Park, she spotted Nigel and Lord Briston standing by the Eastern Entrance. Lord Briston was dressed in a dark grey coat and britches, his hair immaculately combed beneath his top hat. Nigel was wearing an emerald green coat and dark britches. His hair was characteristically messy although his hat hid some of it.

Nigel raised a hand in greeting, and both men doffed their hats and bowed to Jane and Olivia as they approached.

"Lady Olivia, Miss Jane, I am so glad you accepted our invitation," Lord Briston said. "And it seems as though fate has also favoured us, for the weather is utterly perfect for such an adventure."

"Indeed, it is." Olivia agreed. "The sun is shining, and there is a pleasant breeze. Who could ask for more?"

"Indeed." Lord Briston nodded enthusiastically.

"Well, one could ask for a picnic." Nigel grinned at Jane and Olivia. "And if it is not presumptuous, I have in fact arranged for one."

"Oh, that is very thoughtful!" Jane beamed. "There is nothing quite like a picnic and a promenade."

"Wonderful." Nigel fell into step between Jane and Olivia. "I have had my man set it up a little further into the park. I thought we could walk a little to whet our appetites."

"An excellent plan." Olivia smiled at Nigel and turned to Lord Briston. "And I assume you also had some part to play in this?"

Lord Briston flushed lightly. "No, I confess, I had not thought about food."

"My cousin rarely thinks with his stomach," Nigel teased as he looked at his cousin.

"I find that a stomach is not necessarily the best mechanism with which to make decisions." An odd tension played across Lord Briston's smile. "You will forgive my inadvertent thoughtlessness."

"Oh, think nothing of it. A promenade with or without food is lovely. A picnic is just an added bonus," Olivia said, attempting to cover up her inadvertent blunder. Who does not think that a walk might merit food?

"And what have you young ladies been doing this fine morning?" Lord Briston asked.

"Oh, um. Well, we visited the stables —" Olivia began, but in his enthusiasm, Lord Briston cut her off.

"Oh, I do love a good morning ride. Though I am rather impressed you managed to fit one in before joining us. Unless this is an entirely different kind of riding wear than I am used to?" Lord Briston's eyes twinkled.

"Actually, we did not go out riding. One of Lord Cotswalts' beagles has recently had puppies, and we went to visit them." Olivia felt her cheeks redden. "Though if we had had more time, I am sure a ride would have been lovely."

"Ah. Yes. Well. I am sure visiting puppies was just as good a use of your time." Lord Briston tugged at his collar.

"Does one always have to use one's time well?" Nigel asked.

"I suppose it depends on what you mean by a good use of time," Olivia replied before Lord Briston could. "Perhaps your cousin simply meant productive."

"Well, surely any use of one's time that brings one joy is a good use of it?" Nigel countered.

"I would say I have to agree." Olivia nodded. "Time is well spent when one is not aware of how much time has passed. In truth, we were a little behind in our preparations as we got rather caught up in the whole affair."

"It is easily done. I remember spending several hours with the corgis when Dandelion whelped her last litter."

"Dandelion?" Olivia canted her head.

"My dog. When she was still a puppy, and I had not chosen a name, she stumbled into a field of them and came back covered in bits of them, and I just thought, yes, that's your name." Nigel looked slightly embarrassed.

Olivia found the image of Nigel following a small puppy through a field of dandelions rather endearing "I had not realised you kept corgis."

"My cousin is obsessed with them." Lord Briston shook his head. "But rather than use them as working dogs or to show, he keeps them as pets."

"I enjoy their companionship. And they do have such wonderful spirits." Nigel shrugged.

"Do you keep Cardigans or Pembrokes?" Olivia asked, surprising herself. "My aunt used to keep both, but I have always preferred the Cardigans over the Pems."

Nigel's eyes widened but only for a moment. "I had forgotten that you had an aunt who used to breed them. But in answer to your question, I have Cardigans. I just like their colouring. In particular, the red brindle and white ones — I think they are stunning."

"Please do not get him started on his dogs." Lord Briston shook his head. "He will talk of nothing else."

Olivia frowned. "Do you not like dogs, Lord Briston?"

"I love them. I just do not wish to have one as a house pet." Lord Briston shook his head. "Besides, when you have listened to my cousin prattle on about his dogs for hours, it does get rather wearing."

"Then I shall try my hardest not to bore you with further discussion, dear cousin." Nigel said though Olivia thought she could detect a hint of irritation in his voice.

"And what have you two amused yourself with this morning?" Jane asked, clearly trying to steer the conversation back to more neutral ground.

"Oh, I had some errands to run. A few last-minute affairs to settle," Lord Briston answered. "I would not want to bore you with the details."

Olivia held in a sigh. He may not want to bore us with the details, but he does not give us a lot to work with to make conversation.

"And you, Duke, what did you occupy yourself with this morning?" Jane asked.

Nigel smiled. "Well, I was rather preoccupied waiting for the reply to a rather important invitation."

"Were you indeed?" Olivia raised an eyebrow. "I did not think our response took quite so long as to make you wait all morning."

"Rather presumptuous to assume it was a response from you I was waiting for, don't you think?" Nigel raised his own eyebrow at Olivia, but his voice held a teasing note.

"Ah, forgive me — it was bold of me to assume we were the only ladies you invited on such a promenade." Olivia glanced around dramatically. "Do you have several more we are expecting to join us, or were we the only ones to accept?"

Nigel shrugged. "I suppose I deserved that. And to be kept waiting for your response."

"I hardly kept you waiting. Any wait cannot be laid at my feet. I penned a response almost immediately." What are you doing? You should be talking to Lord Briston. Catching herself, she turned to Lord Briston and said, "Do you not think that if your cousin so eagerly awaited our response, he might perhaps have entrusted the invitation to a speedier messenger?"

Lord Briston nodded, but before he could say anything Nigel said, "Yes the penmanship did rather suggest the note was written in some haste."

Nigel met Olivia's gaze briefly, mischief in his eyes.

"Well, next time, I will take my sweet time penning you a reply." Olivia laughed. "Or I shall simply not reply at all."

"Lady Olivia, it is clear my cousin does not understand that women, like most good things in life, are worth waiting for." Lord Briston smiled at her. "After all, one should not rush perfection."

"Thank you, Lord Briston," Olivia replied. "Though, I would hardly call my hasty scrawl anything close to perfect."

"I am sure most anything you do is close to, if not actually perfect," Lord Briston answered.

"You are too kind." Olivia hoped that she looked touched rather than disquieted by his words. I am sure I should be flattered by such a compliment — why then do I feel so uncomfortable with his words?

As they continued their walk, an odd, unsettled feeling swept over her. Frowning, she realised with a start that try as she might to engage Lord Briston, she found it far easier to talk to his cousin. Even more enjoyable.

The thought pulled her up short. She knew there was no future for her with Nigel. Not after what he had said to her. She would not want to be with a man who did not think she was good enough for him. The idea would be utterly ridiculous.

But that did not change the nagging feeling growing in the back of Olivia's mind. What if Lady Cotswalts was wrong?