His Wicked Heart (33 page)

“Yes, but could he sketch gowns? Don’t think
I’ve forgotten your promise to show us your drawings.” Lady Lydia
untied her bonnet as she inspected the room. She ran her fingers
over tables and knick-knacks, and paused to study the garden
through the windows.

Olivia ignored Lady Lydia’s odd behavior.
“How are you, Audrey?”

“Oh, she’s a bit excited, I daresay.” Lady
Lydia finally landed on a cream and rose-striped chair adjacent to
the settee where Olivia and Audrey sat. “Mr. Evensrude called on
her yesterday.”

Audrey blushed. Olivia had no idea who Mr.
Evensrude was, but if Audrey was pleased by his attendance, then
Olivia would be too.

“Oh, he’s no Saxton, of course, but he’s no
Lyle, either.” Lady Lydia cast Olivia a superior glance, perhaps
meant to remind Olivia that she’d been silly enough to dance with
Lyle. “Still, I hope you don’t encourage Evensrude too much,
Audrey. You can do so much better. After all, Saxton isn’t
betrothed yet, and there may be a way you can attract him.”

Surprisingly, Audrey glared at Lady Lydia. “I
highly doubt that. You’re cruel to even suggest it.”

“Nonsense. You’re a lovely girl from an
impeccable family. I know the wagers say he’ll marry Lady Philippa,
but I can’t imagine her agreeing. As staid as Saxton might be,
she’s even moreso.”

Bernard entered with the tea tray just then,
interrupting further conversation—at least for the moment. As soon
as he’d settled the service on the table and departed, Lady Lydia
started back up. “No, I don’t think that way is closed. Leave it to
me to come up with something.” She smiled as she leaned forward.
“Do you mind if I pour out?”

Olivia shook her head, and Lady Lydia
proceeded to serve the tea.

“What would you do to encourage Saxton’s
attentions, Lady Lydia?”

Lady Lydia glanced up as she poured the third
cup. “Oh, listen to me. I’m afraid I was a trifle overzealous. He’s
your cousin, of course. I mean him no harm. I’m sure he’ll marry
whomever he wishes.”

Audrey leaned close to Olivia. “She really
does mean well. It’s just that sometimes her mouth moves faster
than her mind.”

Olivia would have to trust Audrey’s judgment.
After all, she seemed to enjoy Lady Lydia’s company, else why would
she spend so much time with her? “Audrey, do you possess a fondness
for Mr. Evensrude?” Olivia asked.

“Well, that’s not really a pertinent
question, now is it?” Lady Lydia asked as she poured milk into all
three cups and added liberal dollops of sugar. It seemed Olivia’s
preferences for her beverage were not to be taken into account.
Lady Lydia continued on, “It’s quite natural to develop a
fondness
for an inappropriate male. Surely you’ve harbored a
tendre for someone for whom you shouldn’t?” The corner of her mouth
quirked up.

Olivia kept her face impassive, but of course
she was harboring just such feelings at present. Was there a chance
Lady Lydia knew that? But how could she? No one was aware of what
had transpired between her and Jasper, not even Louisa. And they’d
conducted their liaisons right under her nose, much to Olivia’s
shame.

Lady Lydia leaned forward conspiratorially.
“I have.” Her eyes sparkled with suppressed glee. “Do either of you
know who Lord Sevrin is?”

Olivia shook her head.

Audrey’s eyes widened. “You can’t mean…”

Lady Lydia nodded, her lips curving into an
almost seductive smile. “Tell me you don’t think he’s
handsome.”

Audrey plucked up her cup. “Of course, he’s
handsome, but he’s also a scoundrel. Why, you know the rumors about
him.”

“They make him all the more delicious, don’t
you think?” Lady Lydia picked up her cup for a brief sip.

“What rumors?” Olivia felt compelled to ask,
though she didn’t really care to hear gossip, especially about
someone she didn’t even know.

Lady Lydia peered at them over the rim of her
cup. “He
ruined
his brother’s fiancée a few years ago.”

Olivia was glad she hadn’t yet picked up her
tea for the shaking of the fine china might have revealed the faint
tremor now coursing through her—
ruined
—body. Good heavens,
what would they say about Jasper and the secret buried deep in his
past?

“And can you believe, he’s been seen with
Saxton of all people!” Lady Lydia remarked with exuberance.

Audrey’s mouth gaped. “Never say so!”

“Yes, but it’s yet to be decided if the
pairing will harm Saxton or help Sevrin. I, for one, believe it
will do the latter.”

“Which is why Sevrin’s captured your
interest.” Audrey shook her head, a half smile curving her lips.
“There’s no such thing as a reformed ruiner of young women,
Lydia.”

Olivia wanted to know what Jasper had to do
with any of this. Could Lady Lydia somehow be hoping to use his
connection with Sevrin against him? Say, to encourage him toward
Audrey? Surely a young woman like her couldn’t be so
diabolical.

“Yes, well, perhaps Saxton’s infallibility
will rub off on Sevrin. Saxton’s untouchable.” Lady Lydia set down
her cup and her fingers hovered over the assortment of cakes. “I
daresay
he
could ruin a girl and get away with it.”

He
had
. With two separate women
apparently, not that anyone knew it. Olivia busied herself with her
teacup, stirring the brew and then bringing it to her lips. She
took the smallest of sips in deference to her churning stomach.

Audrey arranged a napkin on her lap. “No one
is infallible, Lydia. Not even Lord Saxton could escape Society’s
censure if he behaved poorly. More likely, his impropriety would
generate an enormous scandal.” She blushed. “I’m sorry, Olivia. How
rude of us to discuss Lord Saxton in this manner. He’s your cousin,
after all.”

Olivia’s mind was spinning. “It’s all right.”
She began to truly understand why Louisa had wished to protect him
from the shameful truth of Olivia’s parentage. Although, her mere
presence threatened him as well as Louisa.

Bernard stepped into the room once more.
“Miss West, there is a Mr. Gifford here. Shall I show him in?”

Goodness no! Mr. Gifford mingling with the
likes of Lady Lydia may not be scandalous, but it would be awful
nonetheless. “I’ll just speak with him briefly. Please excuse me
for a moment, ladies.” She got up and hurried after the butler
before Lady Lydia could say something obnoxious.

Bernard took her to the entry hall, where Mr.
Gifford stood in the center of the pale marble floor. “Good
afternoon, Miss West. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

After the butler retreated, Olivia said,
“Good afternoon, Mr. Gifford. I have guests at present.” Olivia
wished he’d arrived first so she could’ve sent Lady Lydia and
Audrey away.

His cheeks flushed slightly. “Oh, then I’ll
be brief. It was so pleasant to see you yesterday. I wondered if
you’re content here?”

The question startled Olivia. “Yes,
quite.”

He smiled a bit sheepishly. “Of course. It’s
just, well, an old friend of my mother’s has taken ill, and she’s
looking for someone to manage her millinery shop. She sells gloves,
hats, and the like. I immediately thought of you.”

Olivia’s pulse quickened. How she would’ve
thrilled to such an offer just a few weeks ago. Indeed, if it
wasn’t for Louisa, she would not only consider the arrangement, she
would leap at the opportunity. “If I wasn’t so happy here, I would
be tempted. Thank you for giving me a chance, however.”

He glanced away, his mouth turning down. “I
see. Since you’ll be remaining here, would it be acceptable if I
called on you?”

Oh dear. Would it? He was a friend, but not
anyone she would see socially in her new life. How did one navigate
multiple social classes? “I presume so.” That wasn’t really an
answer, but it was the best she could offer at present.

Mr. Gifford smiled, but his eyes didn’t
reflect the sentiment. There was something darker there,
disappointment perhaps? “I’ll let you get back to your guests.
Hopefully, our paths will cross again soon.”

She nodded. “I should like that. In the
meantime, please give my best to your mother.”

“I shall. Good afternoon, Miss West.” He took
her hand and bent low, brushing his lips over her bare knuckles.
“Until next time.”

“Good afternoon, Mr. Gifford.”

He took his leave while Olivia stared after
him. His touch had offered none of the thrill a mere look from
Jasper elicited, but she couldn’t expect that. Not when Jasper
commanded so much of her mind and spirit. Perhaps in time she would
be able to welcome another man’s attention. The thought made her
sad. She didn’t want another man’s attention. She wanted
Jasper.

Olivia made her way back to the Rose Room.
Audrey and Lady Lydia had stood. “Oh, there you are. We thought
perhaps you’d been detained. Who is Mr. Gifford anyway?”

Under the direct scrutiny of Lady Lydia’s
azure gaze, Olivia panicked. “He delivered something from a
shop.”

Lady Lydia’s nose wrinkled. “You spent that
much time with a tradesman? Your servants can accept your
deliveries, Olivia.” She sighed. “We’ll get you turned around
sooner or later, won’t we, Audrey?”

They left before Olivia realized she’d
avoided showing them her sketches—happily. The more time she spent
with Lady Lydia, the less she wanted to share anything personal,
especially her unfinished designs. They represented the dreams
she’d nourished through all of the lonely years she’d endured with
Fiona. Dreams someone like Lady Lydia could never understand.

She went to the large rosewood desk in the
corner of the room. She retrieved her sketches from the top drawer
and fingered through them.

As she looked at each drawing—some barely
started, others nearly finished—she contemplated Mr. Gifford’s
visit. How ironic that a perfect employment situation should arise
now that she’d finally found a home. She couldn’t deny the notion
of independence and the opportunity to design were exciting, but
the love of a real family with Louisa was even more appealing. She
only wished she didn’t feel as if she were straddling both lives.
She could never leave her mother’s infamy behind, no matter how
entrenched she ever managed to become in Louisa’s Society.

“Miss West,” Bernard called from the
doorway.

Olivia set her drawings on the desk and
turned.

“Lord Saxton to see you.”

Even his name sent a thrill up her spine.
“Thank you, Bernard.”

The butler departed as Jasper entered.
Olivia’s heart tripped over itself, and she couldn’t keep from
smiling. He walked in, but merely nodded.

He’d made no promises. Last night was in the
past, and they would continue forward as if it had never been. For
the first time, Olivia was glad she was used to being disappointed
and alone.

JASPER QUELLED the urge to take Olivia in his
arms and kiss her senseless. Last night had been a beautiful refuge
from reality, but it was done. Once he ensured Olivia’s background
remained secret, he could focus on his own life—and he was nearly
there.

He still hadn’t been able to get Prewitt
alone, but expected to see him that night at Vauxhall. A friend of
Louisa’s was hosting a party and she was close with Prewitt’s
mother, whom he escorted everywhere.

He walked to the fireplace, at the opposite
end of the room from where Olivia stood near the desk. He needed to
keep his distance, both physically and mentally. To aid his
purpose, he summoned his frostiest demeanor. “I came to tell you my
investigator returned from Devon today.”

She remained near the desk, apparently
content to keep as much space between them as he was. “Oh? What did
he have to say?”

“He confirmed what Louisa’s man already
learned—that your uncle died and your aunt left Newton Abbott. Some
villagers remember a girl who lived with the vicar and his wife,
and that she left many years ago, but they’ve no idea why. Your
secret is safe, at least in Newton Abbott.” Her posture relaxed,
and he continued. “I also spoke with Mr. Colman. No one at the
theatre will recall an employee named Olivia West.”

Her brow furrowed. He tried very hard not to
think about kissing those delicate wrinkles away. He didn’t want
her to worry anymore. But it wasn’t his place to want that. She
could no longer be his concern.

“How can that be?” she asked. “I was a
seamstress there for several years when my mother was an
actress.”

“I made sure Mr. Colman realized I was a
better ally than enemy.”

“You did that?” She didn’t say ‘for me,’ but
he heard it in her question anyway.

“I told you I would ensure you and Louisa
would be happy. Just as you’ve ensured me there are no more secrets
to unearth.” Even after last night, after he’d told her about
Abigail, he didn’t know if he could really trust her. And in the
end, it didn’t matter. He’d done all he could to keep her past
hidden, and now it was up to her to be forthright.