Chapter 24

It was not as much as she hoped, but Xavier was correct. Her name on any paper would be dismissed, which was the very reason she published her papers as O. W. Brook. However, she could not do so in this case because then Xavier and everyone else would learn who Brook truly was and she was not ready for that discovery to be made.

At least he was allowing her to write the paper.

“I will begin on it right away while you check on the children,” she advised.

“That is not the only reason I am here.”

“Other than trying to regain our good reputations, I do not believe there is anything further to discuss.”

“Have your concerns been put to rest?”

“Which concerns?”

“The ones that plagued you after our one remarkable night?”

Olivia frowned then recalled how she told him of her worry about the pox and child. “Do you have the pox?”

“No!” he bit out.

“Nor will there be a child.” That concern had thankfully been put to rest a sennight ago. Never had she been so happy for what had always been an inconvenience.

“Very well, then.”

If she wasn’t mistaken, Olivia would have thought him disappointed.

Did he really wish to marry her? A child would have forced her to reconsider her options. She may have thumbed her nose at Society by opening this home with her sister and associating with women considered of ill-repute, but she’d not bring disgrace by having a child out of wedlock. A pregnancy would have forced her to marry Xavier.

“Our indiscretion left no permanent reminders if that was your concern.”

“That is not the only reason I asked to marry you,” he said.

Olivia frowned. “For what other reason would there be?”

“You were an innocent,” he reminded her. “Now, a lack of respectability could still bring harm to Westbrook House.”

It was not the words of love that she wished to hear and until she did, there would be no serious consideration of his proposal.

“It may be too late for that and we will carry on as we must.”

There was a quick knock on her door, but it was opened before she could ask them to come in.

“I have visited the coffee house this morning,” Victoria announced.

Olivia looked to Xavier to explain. “Victoria enjoys the conversation of those who are not dismissive of a woman’s perspective,” she explained.

“The gossip is enjoyable too.” Victoria laughed and settled into the chair beside Xavier. “But truly, I go there for coffee and breakfast and conversation with those who enjoy investments and banking.”

“Women are not allowed in coffee houses,” Xavier said with concern. “How are you granted entrance?”

“I pay the penny admission.” Victoria grinned.

“It is not so simple,” he argued.

“No. It is not, but there is one near Lincoln’s Inn that does not mind women crossing their threshold.”

“What is the name?” Xavier asked.

“That, I shall not tell you.” Victoria removed her gloves and placed them on Olivia’s desk. “Not even my sister knows, as it is a secret best kept. Women are only allowed inside if invited by someone who regularly visits, so there are few of us.”

Olivia never did understand why there was such secrecy, but as Victoria visited the coffee house at least four mornings a sennight, and it made her happy to do so, she had never pressed for more information.

“This morning, however, was a most rewarding visit,” Victoria said as she drew a paper from her reticule and unfolded it. “As you know, gossip sheets often make their way into coffee houses and are shared. I purchased my own as you and Dr. Sinclair would be interested in the contents.”

Olivia’s stomach tightened for fear there were even worse rumors printed than what she had heard.

She held out her hand and Victoria handed it over.

Rumors put to rest.

There has been much speculation as to the relationship between Dr. S and Lady O based on observations but not facts. However, the shock and outrage of both individuals when they learned last night what was being said could not have been feigned. I, for one, witnessed one such reaction and a colleague another, which had us questioning what was the truth. With a few carefully placed questions and a visit to a home for orphans and women, it turns out that the orphans did suffer an epidemic of chincough for which Dr. S worked tirelessly beside Lady O to see that the children recovered. When mention was made of what Society believed, one of the women within the household actually laughed and stated that the two were not involved romantically or intimately and that even if that had been their desire, they were too exhausted to pursue such even if they’d had the time. They reiterated that Lady O never behaved less than respectably, and that Dr. S always behaved in an honorable manner.

Therefore, it is this writer’s conclusion that Lady O and the reputation of a certain home for women and orphans have been sullied for no reason and thus the matter should be put to rest.

Olivia handed the parchment to Xavier. She could only hope that all of Society read the gossip rag and came away with the same conclusion. However, she was concerned that someone within the household had spoken to an outsider and rose from her desk before making her way to the kitchens.

“Which one of you spoke to a reporter?” she demanded.

Only four women knew what had occurred in the parlor or had been present that morning when it was mentioned.

“We all did,” Mrs. Shaw answered.

“Why would you do such a thing?” Would she need to ask them to leave? She trusted them, but now feared she’d been betrayed.

“Oh, we knew who she was when she came knocking at the back door asking for help,” Fern answered.

“Recognized her as being a writer for a gossip rag,” Maeve added.

That was even worse. It was one matter to give a woman shelter, but quite another to knowingly allow someone in who was not in need of their services.

“We knew what was being said about you and Dr. Sinclair,” Corliss said. “I was out in the market the morning after the ball and heard the gossip. When we saw the reporter later that day, we knew why she was there and were prepared to provide her with the very information she sought. Had we not wanted to silence the gossip, she would have been turned away.”

For a moment, Olivia was stunned, then laughed.

“Thank you for trying to protect me, but most of all, for protecting Westbrook House.”

“We would do anything for you and Lady Victoria, if we have a means and a way,” Fern insisted.

“Thank you again.” She turned from the kitchen. “I will inform my sister so she knows how and why a reporter spoke to someone here.”

Olivia returned to the office where Xavier and Victoria waited and told them who had spoken to a reporter and why.

“Let’s hope that this gossip rag makes it into the homes of everyone in Mayfair to put the rumors to rest,” Victoria said as she stood and took her gloves from the top of the desk. “I shall now return to work.”

“I suppose I shall write an informative paper on the treatment of chincough,” Olivia said to Xavier, hoping that he’d leave. It was difficult to concentrate when they were alone, especially when he was relaxed and smiling.

Her heart ached in wishing there was more between them, but to him, she was simply an obligation.

He stood. “Yes, well, I will see to the children.”

When Xavier stopped by to report to Olivia that the children were recovering without difficulty yesterday, she’d practically ignored him, then waved a hand in dismissal.

“She is like that when writing or concentrating,” Lady Victoria attempted to apologize.

“What is she working on so diligently?” he asked as he retrieved his hat by the front entrance.

“Findings with regard to the treatment of chincough.”

He had simply nodded and taken his leave. Xavier had not expected Olivia to begin so soon, but as the epidemic had been recent, perhaps it was best to pen the paper while the situation was still fresh in her mind.

He returned the next day, only to be told that Lady Olivia was not available due to her writing. This time Xavier did not barge into her office but saw to the children and left.

When he returned the following day, her office door was still closed, and again, he did not ask after her but saw to the children. However, when he returned downstairs, the door was open, so he entered.

Olivia was at her desk, sitting back in a chair and smiling.

“It is done,” she announced.

“The paper on chincough?”

“What else would I have been penning,” she countered. “How are the children?”

“Most of them are close to fully recovered and I do not see a need for a daily visit from either me or Dr. Valentine.” It pained him to tell her this because he needed excuses to visit, but he could only use chincough for so much longer.

“With so many children in the house, no doubt you will have cause to return several times for other reasons,” she assured him then sighed.

The only other time that Xavier had seen Olivia so relaxed was after she’d been physically sated after their one passionate encounter. He wished he could see her in that state again, and often, but she had rejected him at every turn.

“If it is finished, may I please read it.”

“Of course.” She stood then gestured to her chair. “I shall retrieve tea for both of us and then we can discuss the paper.”

Xavier settled behind the desk and started to read, stopped, and started again.

There was something very familiar in the writing, but he could not place it.

Of course, most medical papers read in a similar manner, but there was her style of wording and phrasing that was unusual and noteworthy.

He continued reading while being plagued that he’d read her papers before, when it was not possible that he had.

It was also an excellent paper documenting the first of the symptoms, what they were, how long they lasted, how quickly others became infected, when the whooping cough began and the recovery. It was also written from the view of Xavier, as if he had written the document. Of course, he knew why she had written it in that manner, but that isn’t what concerned him. It was the familiarity of the author.

As much as he studied the style, he could not come up with the name of who her writing reminded him off. Therefore, he began skimming through medical journals and other papers that she had collected and stopped when he read one written by O. W. Brook.

He then compared the two, but it wasn’t enough to be convincing, so he found others written by Brook.

She wrote in the same rhythm and style as Brook. Had she read him so much that she had adopted his style? Or maybe she knew Brook. If that was the case, he must ask for an introduction.

Then something else occurred to him. Perhaps there was another reason that Olivia Westbrook had written a paper in a style that was almost identical to the esteemed O. W. Brook.

He went through the papers on her desk, then opened drawers, looking for proof, and then he found it. The handwritten draft of an O. W. Brook paper that he’d already read because it had been published. This document was a draft where she had scratched out words and wrote in the margin to perfect the document.

“Bloody hell!”

“What?” Olivia asked as she entered carrying a tea service. “Did you find the paper not to your liking because I believe it is excellent.”

He stared at her. “The paper is excellent, and honestly, I find no fault, nor would I change anything.”

She beamed and placed the tray on the table.

“Of course, one would expect such when the bloody author is O. W. Brook.”

The color left her cheeks and Olivia glanced about her desk and the open drawers and as she did, her eyes grew wider and her spine stiffened.

“Are you O. W. Brook?”