Laura Matthews (10 page)

“Heavens no! You
don’t have to be with us every moment, Olivia. Noah told us that your eldest brother is to be married and I imagine you wished time to think about how that would change things for you at Stolenhurst,” she suggested, her eyes full of curiosity.

“Oh, Julianna, you are a pet. It’s wonderful how you can sit there burning up with questions and ask none but with your eyes, all the while intimating that it is all my own business and you would not intrude for the world.”

“It would be most unseemly for me to ply you with questions,” Julianna retorted pertly. “I should not dream of asking if you like the Earl’s fiancée. Or if you think you will get along with her. To say nothing of never questioning you on whether you think it a suitable match for your brother, and whether it will settle him.”

She gave an exaggerated sniff deploring such behavior. “It would be indeed improper if I were to wonder how you will feel about Stolenhurst having a new mistress, for I know you have assumed that role for several years. You would never hear
me
putting such impertinent questions to you, of that you may be sure.” Her giggle and twinkling eyes mocked her own propensity for ferreting out what information she could on anything that interested her.

Olivia shook her head sternly. “No, no, I am sure you would not. But, Julianna, I would rather discuss another matter, fascinating as the subject of my brother’s betrothal is.” Her friend’s disappointed countenance provoked her into a laugh. “Your brother and I are going to be married, my dear. I should think that of more immediate concern to you.”

Julianna gave a squeal of delight and hugged Olivia ecstatically. “Oh, that is famous! Does Mama know? When was it decided? Is the wedding to be soon? Are you to be married at Stolenhurst? Will you have a honeymoon?”

The answering of her questions took a considerable time, and Olivia was rushed in dressing for dinner. She chose the most becoming gown she could find and presented herself slightly breathless in the Drawing Room.

Chapter Nine

Noah, his sister and his mother were already there, and he came forward to take Olivia’s hand. With a solemn formality that was somehow not in the least awkward he led her to his mother, who rose and kissed her cheek. “I am extremely pleased to hear this news, Olivia, and welcome you into our family. I feel sure you will not regret your decision.”

The piercing eyes were indeed softened by approbation, and Olivia instinctively curtsied. Julianna again began to proclaim her own excitement on the occasion, only to be interrupted by the announcement of dinner.

Noah had ordered that champagne be served with the meal, and with his first glass he silently toasted her, seated to his right. “I will want Mother to see that you have a proper wardrobe of brideclothes.”

When Olivia demurred, saying that she had everything she needed at Stolenhurst, Julianna waved aside such a paltry reason for not enjoying a spree of buying. “Nothing will do but to have all new gowns, my dear. We shall have a glorious time in Norwich for Mama prefers it to Cambridge. Our dressmaker is every bit as fashionable as one you would find in London. Do you not suppose, Mama, that Olivia would appear to advantage in that cherry-red velvet we saw at the linen-drapers? It would make into the smartest evening cloak.”

“I have no doubt it would be very becoming,” Lady Lawrence agreed.

“And there was a gold satin with the most intriguing design, almost Indian. Olivia, you must have it! Oh, dear, you do not think it will be sold do you, Mama?”

“I would doubt it, at that price,” her mother retuned dryly.

Noah was watching Olivia’s bemused face, which now became alarmed. With a grin he reassured her. “Mother thinks any material that costs more than five shillings the yard is exorbitant, my dear.”

“Not for a satin, Noah! But Julianna
will
fall in love with the most mundane muslins at five and sixpence the yard. You need not fear that we will find Olivia just what is proper.”

“Proper!” Julianna protested. “No, Mama, for Noah’s bride it must be the very first style of elegance.”

“And so it shall.” Lady Lawrence turned to Olivia and surveyed the raven-black hair and creamy skin. “There are very few colors which will not become you, I think. Shall we make a start the day after tomorrow?”

Olivia glanced nervously at Noah, but he was beaming his approval. There had never been any reason (nor excuse, as she would have phrased it) for Olivia to purchase more than a few items at a time for herself, and the thought of a spectacular new wardrobe was exciting, if a trifle alarming. “I should enjoy it of all things, ma’am.”

“Then it is settled,” Noah declared cheerfully as he summoned a footman to refill Olivia’s glass. “Can she be outfitted properly by mid-March, Mother?”

“Certainly, if we put our minds to it. If you would not mind, Olivia, I should like to have a look at what you have here before we begin, and you may tell me what remains at Stolenhurst
.
We can fill in and extend your wardrobe without the necessity of duplicating.”

Olivia smiled gratefully. “Yes, I cannot like to be wasteful. Many of my clothes are useful yet.”

“Useful!” Julianna snorted. “Just once you should have something really outrageous. I can see you now presiding over your first ball in a gown of white lace over shimmering satin, with a crimson ribband in your hair. We shall have any number of balls and routs when you’re married. Have I shown you the ballroom? We seldom use it, you know, but all that is at an end! Noah will wish to show you off to everyone. The ballroom will be so crowded that there will be gentlemen standing on the galleries surveying the company through quizzing glasses and murmuring, ‘Really, the most enchanting hostess, Lady Olivia,’ in those dreadful bored voices they use for their praise. And Noah will lead you in the minuet, because it is so very graceful, and people will exclaim, ‘What a handsome couple!’ “

Embarrassed by such extravagant plans, Olivia blinked and surreptitiously scrutinized Noah’s countenance. She could detect no hesitation, and though he laughed at his sister’s exuberance, he did not discourage her. In fact he had begun to tease Julianna. “And where shall you be during all these festivities, my girl? Surely not hiding away in some corner?”

“Never. I shall be dancing with all the handsomest and richest men in the room, so that everyone will be jealous of me, except Olivia, of course.”

Lady Lawrence regarded her daughter with fond exasperation. “By the time we return from London I dare say you will be more than exhausted by all the entertainments, Julianna. I must take Olivia on a thorough tour of the house, though, so that she may know how to
find
this ballroom you paint so exquisitely. I have no doubt it is in need of a thorough cleaning.”

The more champagne she drank, the more Olivia found all this talk exhilarating. She felt Noah’s eyes warm on her and basked in the glow of such a welcome into his family. The upset of being denied her old home faded into the background. “I could be in charge of seeing the ballroom cleaned. We have just done it at Stolenhurst.”

Noah laughed. “Ever practical! You will have to take her in hand, Mother.”

“I intend to do so right now, Noah,” Lady Lawrence assured him as she rose to lead the ladies from the room. “We will leave you to your wine.”

“Not on such a special occasion! We shall all withdraw, and have more champagne in the Drawing Room.”

After Lady Lawrence had proposed a toast to the newly engaged couple, Julianna declared, “I shall accompany Olivia and Noah on the harpsichord. Have you ever heard Noah sing, Olivia? He has the most impressive voice.”

Although Noah protested that it was not so, laughing at his sister’s high spirits, he did indeed join his voice with Olivia’s. It seemed the sweetest music she had ever heard, and all the sweeter for her own brothers never being willing to join her.

Julianna, her head in the clouds, continued at the harpsichord, humming as she played and frequently missing notes altogether, but superbly unconcerned by her mistakes. When Olivia wandered over to inspect the available music, with a thought to the next choice, Noah regarded the two unsteady young ladies with amusement.

“I think we had best call it a day, Mother.”

“High time,” she said, as she coaxed her daughter from the stool. With an arm about Julianna’s waist, she led her from the room.

Intent on the sheets of music, Olivia was oblivious to their departure, and she found herself slightly swaying in the middle of the room with Noah shaking his head doubtfully at her.

“Have I done something wrong?” she asked anxiously, peering owlishly about the room as though the answer might come to her.

“No, my dear, but you and Julianna are both a trifle disguised. My mother will see to her.”

“And you will see to me?”

“Yes, I will see to you, young lady,” he replied firmly as he took her hand and drew her toward the door.

“I think I am perfectly capable of seeing to myself,” she announced stiffly as she stumbled and he caught her.

“Do you? I think not. I should not have been so liberal with the champagne.”

“I have had champagne before,” she declared firmly as she made a great effort to put one foot before the other on their progress down the hall.

“I do not doubt it, but perhaps not in such quantity.”

Olivia nodded her head sagely. “That would explain why I do not feel
completely
in control of my feet. Is it much further to my room?”

Noah laughed delightedly. “No, my poppet, only a few more steps.”

When they reached her room he opened the door and rang for a maid. “You are like to have a fuzzy head tomorrow, Olivia, but I want you to remember this.” He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her once, but with a deal more intent than earlier in the day. As he released her, she blinked up at him and said gravely, “I shall remember,” before wandering to the bed where she flopped down heavily and curled into a ball before falling fast asleep.

Olivia’s head felt more than fuzzy the next morning; it ached abominably. There seemed little use in rising early, so she closed her eyes again and awoke late in the morning. When she rose she became aware for the first time that she was wearing her chemise rather than her usual night dress. Despite her attempts to recall how this circumstance could have arisen, her only memory was of being kissed by her prospective husband. She dressed herself rapidly and descended to the breakfast parlor, which was deserted, though dishes of food remained on the sideboard.

A servant brought hot tea and toast in response to her ring, and she had just begun to consume her repast when Noah peered around the door. “Ah, there you are. I had begun to think you meant to sleep through the day,” he remarked cheerfully.

Olivia flushed painfully at sight of him, and put a hand to her aching brow. “I... I had too much to drink last night,” she stammered. “I apologize, sir. It will not happen again.”

He smiled sympathetically. “Your head hurts, does it? Julianna is not even up yet.” Noah became aware of her embarrassment and cocked his head questioningly. “Why do you blush so, Olivia? Surely not because I kissed you last night.”

Olivia studied her plate intently. “Is .. . that all? You did not... When I awoke this morning I was not... in my night clothes.”

Noah took a seat beside her and placed a hand over hers where it rested on the table. “Goose! Do you not remember my ringing for the maid? No, I imagine you don’t. When Marie came I instructed her to do what she could, but I warned her that she would not likely be able to awake you.” He frowned at her downturned face. “It disturbs me that you could think I would take advantage of your condition, Olivia.”

“It was just that the last thing I could remember was that you kissed me. You did not ask me if you might,” she defended herself feebly.

“I thought we were agreed that I might... now and then. I should not like to have to ask you each time, my dear.”

“Of course not,” she replied with an unsuccessful attempt to appear sophisticated. “I did not mean to offend you, S ... Noah. It’s just that not being able to remember what happened last night has put me in some confusion. I have no doubt of your behaving properly toward me, or that I would behave correctly even in my cups,” she proclaimed with a defiant tilt to her chin.

“Enchanting,” he murmured as he rose to leave the room. “Would you like to ride with me this morning? It would help to clear your head.”

“Very well,” she replied, almost crossly.

Noah had not forgotten, bribe or not, his promise to take Olivia to dig up his strongbox in the woods. He mounted her on one of his own mares and took a shovel with him, but Olivia maintained an aloofness from his project which was in marked contrast to her enthusiasm of the previous day. The rusted keys were retrieved from the summerhouse before they galloped across the meadow to a heavily forested area where Noah explained to her his system for remembering the location of the box.

“I would always enter on this path and count the trees on my left. Five trees forward, four to the left and then six to the right. Being fifteen was my goal when I was twelve,” he laughed, “and the trees added up to that.”

When they had followed these instructions, they found themselves in a small clearing where the sun penetrated to the undergrowth. There was a sprinkling of crocuses coming into bloom not far from the spot under an ancient oak Noah indicated as his hiding place. In spite of herself Olivia could not prevent the anticipation which arose in her at the sound of the shovel striking the shallowly buried strongbox.

Noah removed his gloves and wiped the dirt off the box with his hands before offering the keys to Olivia to open the treasure chest. She was touched by the gesture but shook her head. With a shrug he bent and inserted the rusted key, scraping it about until it served its purpose. Noah lifted the lid to reveal the contents, surprisingly intact for the years they had rested in the damp forest.

There was a small cache of guineas and a broken watch and chain which he explained his father had given him. A collection of toy soldiers occupied the largest part of the box, a remarkable assortment of intricately detailed figures, which Noah gazed on with a reminiscent smile and remarked, “Julianna could not resist them when she was playing with her dolls, and it upset me to see them casually pushed about her dollhouse as servants.” He laughed at the memory. “Shall we put them away somewhere safe and save them for our son, Olivia?”