her eyes.
'Unfortunately, I do have business that takes me from Brighton,' Jack said. 'But I shall return for
our dance, and then I hope to be free to accompany you to your sister's home, and to spend some
time with you there.'
Olivia nodded. She wished that he need not leave Brighton at all, but there were only five days
before the dance, and they would soon pass.
'Then I shall try to be patient,' she said a little wistfully. 'You must not neglect your business for
my sake.'
'Once we are married, we shall have all the time in the world to get to know one another,' Jack
said. He turned her hand over to kiss the palm and the look in his eyes set her heart racing like the
wind. 'I thought we might travel for a while—to the continent, perhaps Italy? If you would care for
it?'
'To Italy?' Olivia stared at him in surprise. 'Could we really do that?'
'I see no reason why not.' Jack laughed. 'And now I must leave you. I have arrangements to make
before I leave Brighton.'
'You will dine with us this evening?' Beatrice asked.
'Forgive me, but I cannot,' Jack apologised. 'I have a prior engagement I must keep.'
Olivia was disappointed by his refusal. She had hoped to have a little time alone with her fiancé
before his departure, but it was obviously not to be. There was nothing for it but to smile and put a
brave face on things. Accompanying him to the door, she gave him her hand to kiss. In her heart,
she hoped that he might sweep her up in his arms and kiss her as he had at the ball, but she was
disappointed. Jack kissed her hand, gave her another heart-wrenching smile and left.
Olivia sighed. She was happy to be engaged to the man she loved, but something in her was
waiting for more—a passionate declaration of undying love perhaps? Her sense of humour came
to the rescue, and she smiled at herself. Jack was behaving like a perfect gentleman, and she was a
wicked wanton to wish that he would not! It was very wrong of her to want so much more than the
chaste kisses he bestowed on her, but she could not help the way her body responded to his merest
touch.
Returning to the parlour, she found her sister waiting for her. Beatrice was full of plans for the
wedding, and Olivia's disappointment was soon forgotten in the excitement of discussing new
clothes and the list of friends whom she planned to invite.
They did not go out that evening, and since most people were feeling a little lethargic after the
excitement of the Regent's ball the previous evening, only a few of Beatrice's particular friends
came to call. It was not until the following night that Olivia began to receive the congratulations
and good wishes of her acquaintances.
They attended a soiree given by Lady Rowlands, and Olivia spent the first part of the evening
happily listening to the vocalist and talking with friends. She was about to follow her sister into
supper at nine o'clock when she heard her name mentioned by someone close by.
'Naturally he had no choice but to offer,' the sharp, spiteful voice said. 'She set her cap at him from
the start, of course, and I dare say he was caught in her toils. But Reginald saw him with his
mistress the very next morning. They were embracing. On the promenade! I ask you, is such
behaviour decent?'
'Well, what would you expect? I understand it is a long-standing affair between them, and that he
would have married her years ago if she were free. He is hardly likely to...'
Olivia resisted the temptation to glance round. She was well aware that one of the voices
belonged to Lady Clements, and refused to give her the gratification of knowing she had been
heard. Keeping her head high, she walked on into the supper room, not bothering to listen to the
remainder of their gossip. She had obviously been intended to hear their spiteful words. Lady
Clements must wish to cause her distress, perhaps to precipitate another broken engagement.
Well, she would be disappointed! Olivia's first reaction was one of anger. She would have liked
to inform Lady Clements of exactly what she thought about her schemes! She could not, of course.
It would create a terrible scandal. Far better to ignore her, to pretend that she had heard nothing.
Olivia's pride carried her through the rest of the evening with a smile on her lips, though she was a
little thoughtful on the carriage ride home.
'Is something wrong, dearest?' Beatrice asked once they were inside the house and alone. 'You
seem slightly distant—as if your mind were elsewhere?'
'Nothing is wrong,' she replied and smiled. 'I suppose I am simply missing Jack.'
'Already?' Beatrice teased. 'My poor sister! I do not know what is to become of you if you cannot
spend even one day apart, my love.'
Olivia shook her head, refusing to be drawn. She pushed the unpleasant incident from her mind as
she went upstairs to undress. She would not dwell on the cruel words of others. Lady Clements
had meant to inflict pain because her own plans had gone awry. Olivia would not give her spiteful
gossip another thought!
Although it was a while before she succumbed, sleep claimed her at last, and her dreams were so
pleasant that she awoke refreshed and more determined than ever not to allow herself to be
swayed by gossip or spiteful tongues. She had broken off her engagement to Lord Ravensden
because of a jealous girl she had once thought her friend, and though she could not regret having
done so, she was determined never to be led into such foolishness again. If she had any reason to
believe the tale was true, she would ask Jack for his explanation, she decided, but she had no
reason to think ill either of him or of Lady Simmons.
She clung to her determination not to be upset by any fragments of gossip she might hear during the
next few days, and, when she met Anne Simmons at a dinner given by a mutual acquaintance,
greeted her warmly as the friend she had always been. Let the gossips make what they would of
that!
The morning of Olivia's dance arrived. Flowers and gifts were delivered at intervals throughout
the day, including some lovely white roses from Jack and a wonderful gift sent by special
messenger. Opening the large velvet box, Olivia exclaimed over the beautiful diamond and pearl
choker necklace inside.
'How lovely,' Beatrice said when Olivia showed it to her. 'It is just what you need with your new
gown. You must wear it this evening, dearest.'
'Yes, I shall,' Olivia replied, her face glowing with happiness. 'Jack asked me to wear it for him.'
His message had been brief but signed with a kiss. Olivia's heart was suddenly racing like the
wind, her excitement intense. She could hardly wait for him to come to her.
He arrived half an hour before they were due to leave for the assembly rooms Lord Ravensden
had hired for the evening. Beatrice having delayed Harry so that they could be alone for a few
minutes, Olivia greeted him in the parlour.
'I am glad to see you safely returned, sir,' she said, a faint flush in her cheeks. 'I hope your
business was successful?'
'Jack,' he reminded her, a gleam in his eyes. He took her hand and held it, his eyes going over her
with approval. She was wearing a gown of pale lemon silk; it had a high waist, and short sleeves
with epaulettes of Italian gauze with a wreath of his white roses at th
e shoulder. Her hair, was
caught back from her face with a band of more roses sewn to velvet, and she wore the necklace he
had sent around her throat; tiny diamond drops given to her by Beatrice hung from her earlobes.
'My business was tiresome, Olivia. Lawyers, contracts and other matters I would prefer to forget,
but necessary I fear. However, I was able to see my mother and acquaint her with my intention to
marry. She has sent gifts for you and a letter, which I shall give you tomorrow. She hopes to be at
our wedding, but her health will not allow her to travel at the moment.'
Olivia nodded her understanding. 'Perhaps I could make the journey to see Lady Stanhope, to save
her the trouble?'
Jack's brow creased in a frown of denial. 'Mama is seeing no one just now. If she is well enough,
you will meet her at the wedding. However, my grandfather has indicated that he would like to
visit Camberwell prior to the wedding to make your acquaintance. If Lady Ravensden would be
prepared to receive him?'
'Yes, of course she would,' Olivia said. 'I am sure Beatrice will be very happy for the Earl to visit
us.'
'Then I shall send word immediately.' Jack's frown deepened. 'My father will not attend. As you
may have heard, he is dying, albeit slowly.'
Seeing the harsh line of his mouth, Olivia refrained from making any comment, and in another
moment the stern expression had gone, replaced by one of his enigmatic smiles that she found so
intriguing.
'But I am remiss! You look beautiful, Olivia,' he said, reaching for her hand. 'Allow me, if you
please.'
Her heart fluttered as he slid a ring on to the third finger of her left hand. The ring was shaped like
a flower, the diamonds beautifully cut and sparkling with a deep fire in the light of the
chandeliers.
'It is lovely,' she said, gazing up at him a little shyly. She touched the pendant at her throat. 'Thank
you, and for the necklace you sent. You are spoiling me, Jack.'
'You deserve to be spoiled,' he replied, his eyes much warmer now as they rested on her lovely
face. 'Olivia, I want to...'
Whatever he had meant to say was lost as the door opened and Beatrice entered, followed by
Harry.
'I am sorry to come so soon,' she said, 'but I fear we must be leaving if we are to be ready when
our guests begin to arrive.'
'We are quite ready,' Jack said, inclining his head to Lord Ravensden. 'We have some business,
sir, but it will keep until tomorrow. I believe you will find my lawyers have prepared the
contracts to your satisfaction.'
'I am sure I shall,' Harry replied agreeably. 'But we must not bore the ladies with business. As you
said, the morrow will do well enough. And now, we really should be leaving if we are not to be
late...'
That evening was to be the happiest Olivia could ever remember. Since everyone knew that it was
now her engagement dance, friends and acquaintances feted her, making a great fuss of her. Many
of them had brought small gifts for her, which all added to the excitement. However, it was Jack's
behaviour towards her which brought the radiant smile to her face, making her more lovely than
ever before.
He was so attentive, so thoughtful, his manner that of a gentleman but also of a lover. They danced
together for most of the evening, though some of Olivia's friends did insist on stealing at least one
dance, one or two of the gentlemen declaring themselves to be heartbroken. She found a great deal
of pleasure in all of this, but it was the way Jack looked at her, the possessive pride in his face as
he stood by her to receive the good wishes of their guests, which made her feel so happy.
'You are so lucky,' one of the other young ladies said to her. 'It is obvious that Captain Denning
cares for you.'
Olivia only smiled and nodded, but her heart was singing like a lark. Jack's manner had certainly
been all that she could have asked that evening, and she could not resist a triumphant glance in
Lady Clements's direction. Surely now that lady could not imagine that Jack had a mistress!
Lady Simmons was not at the dance. She and her brother's family had left Brighton the previous
day, but she had sent a kind letter and the gift of a silver rose bowl for Olivia.
'I shall hope to be at your wedding,' Anne had written, 'but much depends on my being able to
travel.'
Lady Clements's sour look told Olivia that the lady was still feeling annoyed that her nephew had
not succeeded in seducing her into an unwanted marriage. She turned away, her head high. It might
be that some people would always be ready to whisper spiteful tales, but she did not care for that!
She would not allow anything to spoil her happiness.
'My dance, I believe?' Jack swept her away as the musicians struck up the waltz before supper. He
looked down at her, his eyebrows raised as if sensing the slight cloud that Lady Clements's sour
look had brought to her. 'Is something wrong, Olivia?'
'No, nothing at all,' she replied, giving him a smile that banished all doubts. 'I am very happy.'
'Then that is all I could ask,' Jack said. 'I do pray that you will always be as happy as you are this
evening, my love—and that I shall never do anything to cause you grief.'
'I am sure you will not,' Olivia replied. 'Why should you?'
'I would never do so intentionally,' he said, an odd expression in his eyes. 'But should I ever do
'Of course,' she said, a little puzzled by his odd words. 'But if we love each other, all our hurts
must be small ones, do you not agree?'
'Yes, you are perfectly right,' he replied and he was smiling again. 'I think a man would have to be
a fool indeed if he could not love you, Olivia. You are as lovely inside as out, and that is
something rare.'
His compliment left her breathless, all doubts gone in an instant. To say such a thing to her, he
must indeed love her with all his heart, and if that was so then nothing else mattered. She was
beginning to be aware that there might be a secret in Jack's heart, a secret hurt that had the power
to change him from the charming, romantic, teasing man she adored into a brooding stranger. As
yet she had no idea what that secret might be, but perhaps when they were married he would find a
way to tell her.
'You called me a minx, sir,' she reminded him. 'Can it be that you have changed your mind?'
'No, I have not,' Jack said, the corners of his eyes crinkling with laughter. 'You are indeed a
wicked jade, my love, but I shall tame you once we are wed.'
His eyes seemed to promise so much. Olivia's heart beat like war drums, pounding so hard against
her ribs that she could scarcely breathe. As she gazed up at him, she saw something in his face that
made her long for her wedding night, for the moment she could be truly his.
It was gone in an instant, the teasing, enigmatic expression back as he whirled her round and round
the floor to the music, but Olivia held the memory in her heart. If Jack could look at her like that,
she had no need to concern herself that he would take a mistress!
They spent two more days in Brighton before leaving for Camberwell, but Jack was with her so
often that Olivia's time was filled and she hardly had time to say farewell to her friends. The
journey ba
ck to Camberwell was broken once more at the home of Lord and Lady Dawlish, who
were very kind to Olivia and her fiancé.
'We shall come to the wedding, of course,' Merry Dawlish told her. 'I would not miss it for the
world. Besides, I can never find enough excuses to stay with Harry and Beatrice!'
Once back at Camberwell, Olivia found her father immersed in his project of making the house a
warmer place to stay in winter. He greeted her and Jack kindly, gave his permission for their
union at once, and promised to return to Abbot Giles to bring Aunt Nan back in time for the
wedding.
'I know she will agree it is the best thing for you,' Mr Roade told his daughter. 'You have only to
look at Beatrice, my dear. Had your sister been a man she might have been a scholar, made her
mark in some profession or other—but she is as happy as a lark wed to Ravensden, and I am sure
you will find yourself in much the same situation.'
Olivia smiled and agreed as she kissed her father's cheek. Each day that passed made her more
sure that she had been fortunate in her choice of a husband. As they grew more comfortable with
each other, they had found much to interest them in each other's company, and she had discovered
that Jack shared many of her pleasures, including reading poetry.
'It was often a solace to me in Spain,' he told her once when she had been reading to him aloud
from one of her favourite volumes. 'The beauty of a poet's words can sometimes help a wounded
soul.'
There had been a look of such sadness in his eyes at that moment! Olivia had longed to reach out
and touch his face, to offer her love and understanding, but something made her hold back.
Whatever Jack's secret was, she must wait patiently for him to share it with her. Such confidences
must not be rushed.
They did not know one another well yet; they had met only a few weeks earlier, though to Olivia it
sometimes seemed that she had known him all her life. Indeed, in some ways he was an open book
to her. She knew when he found something amusing; their eyes often met in shared appreciation,
and she knew he liked to tease her—though not as Harry teased Beatrice. Jack was gentler, more
considerate of her feelings. He was a very sensitive, thoughtful man, and she sensed that he had