Scandal at Dawn (A Regency Rhapsody Novella) (3 page)

“I do unnecessary things all the time,” he returned. “It’s the necessary ones I tend to neglect. But in your case, I have not. It was necessary to see you again.”

Olivia’s heart beat a little faster. “Why?” she almost stuttered.

“I wanted to verify you were not an apparition. Someone so lovely as you shouldn’t really be allowed out in London. There are too many predators around.”

“I have heard that, sir. I’ve also heard they can take many forms, not all of them unpleasant.”

“You are partly right, Miss Blake. Not every suit of armor contains a knight. Some are quite empty.”

“And, of course, it is not only knights who are chivalrous,” Olivia added quietly. “I would rather judge a man by his deeds than his title.”

“Your lack of sight has not affected your perception, Miss Blake. How many suitors do you currently have?”

“My Lord?” she asked, shocked.

“Is the number too high to conveniently count?”

“The number takes no time at all to count,” she responded faintly.

“So you say. But you may find the number to be higher than you thought.” Adrian stood up then. “Well, I have taken up more than enough of your time. I am delighted that Crombie’s trick has done no lasting evil to you. I wish you good day, my fair lady. I hope this meeting is not our last.” He bent and captured Olivia’s hand, kissing it gently.

Across the room, Emily’s eyes widened. Adrian caught her expression as he straightened up. “And a good day to you as well, Miss St George. You will, I have no doubt, continue to protect my lady as you have so far.”

“Against all threats,” Emily replied, a hint of steel in her tone.

But Adrian merely smiled as he bowed to her. Then he winked. “I will make my exit while there is still time.” He left the room without further ado. His timing proved apt, for Mrs Blake was set to return within a quarter hour.

Emily let her breath out with a
whoosh
. “Olivia, what are we going to do?”

“About what?”

“Lord Norbury.”

“What needs to be done?” Olivia cocked her head to one side. “He was kind to visit. But do you
really
think he’ll become a fixture in my life? He plays with words.”

“He asked if you had suitors,” Emily said.

“I suspect he asks all sorts of awkward questions just to needle people. One can tell he likes making others squirm.” She had almost squirmed when she felt his lips on her hand. Like his caress of the previous night, it probably appeared quite proper. But there was a hidden sensuality about it that was deliberate, meant for her alone to notice.

By luck and determination, Emily kept news of the visit from Mrs Blake. Olivia was distracted all day, however, even as she attempted to remind herself that Lord Norbury was merely playing a game. Late in the afternoon, she sat in the window of her bedroom, basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun and the mellow sounds of spring. Taking a confection from the little box he’d given her—which Emily had quickly hidden before her mother might see it—Olivia bit into it, savoring the smell and taste of it. She breathed in slowly, taking in the flavors, sweet and tangy all at once. She remembered how he passed the gift off as a trifle, though such treats could not have come cheaply. And though he pretended nonchalance, he managed to find a gift Olivia could truly enjoy.

Then she laughed softly, licking her lips. Why was she surprised? A rake like him must know very well what women enjoyed.

* * * *

The next day dawned bright and fresh. Although the sun warmed the world, Olivia sat at the piano alone in the airy drawing room, following a morning of lessons with Maestro Valdi, who came to the house once a week. It was a day Olivia always looked forward to, since music was something she not only excelled at, but enjoyed fully.

She didn’t mind the time alone. Emily and her mother always used the morning of her lessons to pay visits, and Olivia preferred to practice without an audience. It allowed her to lose herself in her music and forget about her handicap. The feel of the ivory was smooth on her fingertips, while the melody filled the room. She was so intent on learning the nocturne that she jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Good afternoon, Miss Blake,” a rich baritone sounded in her ears.

“My Lord! How did you get in here?” she said, catching her breath.

“Through the door, as is customary.”

“You know what I mean.” Olivia twisted around on the bench, wondering if the maid had entered the room as well.

“I told your maid you should not be distracted from your practice. You really are accomplished,” he added sincerely.

“Thank you. I’m still learning this piece, and I don’t usually play for strangers.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m no stranger. Have you been outside yet? It’s a perfect day for a carriage drive.” 

“You drive yourself?”

“Yes, on days like this. I have a curricle outside. You’ll need a wide bonnet—the sun will be hot.”

“I’m sorry to say I cannot join you, my Lord. Both Emily and Mama are away at the moment.”

“Which is just as well. It’d be beastly awkward to squeeze three people in a two-seater. You don’t need a chaperone for a ride around the park.”

“Don’t I?” Olivia asked. Most people, even the stuffiest matrons, would admit that a single woman could ride alone with a man as long as they stayed in public view. But she also knew she would be held to stricter standards due to her handicap. However, she did want to go out—and to go out with Adrian particularly.

“You certainly don’t. Besides, I did promise to take you, did I not?” Adrian walked over to the mantel and yanked the bell pull. Alice appeared almost instantly. “Yes, sir?” she asked, noticing it was Adrian who had summoned her. 

“Miss Blake is accompanying me on a brief ride. Will you fetch her a hat? Thank you.” Perhaps it was his mere expectation of being obeyed, but Alice curtseyed and vanished.

“Interesting,” Olivia commented, impressed by the maid’s instant capitulation. Of course, Adrian did have an advantage. Most women would probably do anything he asked. She heard him step toward her, his mass reducing the light from the windows as he learned over her. His hand enveloped her own.

“Come,” he said, his tone making it a request. She rose and allowed him to escort her out of the room. In the hall, Alice was waiting with her bonnet. Olivia took it, and told the maid to inform her mother and Emily where she was, if they should return before she did. 

And then they were outside, with the sun-warmed air all around. Adrian helped her into the curricle. Olivia had never been in one before, and felt it was almost like riding on nothing at all. Unlike a closed coach, there was no sense of being stuck in a box. The little curricle was light and let the world in. She felt the breeze ruffle the ribbon securing her hat to her head, almost as if it were teasing her to take it off. The seat moved as Adrian got in beside her. She heard him pick up the reins, and then the nickering of the horses. 

“All ready?” he asked.

“I think so,” she said, but was still surprised by the sudden lurch forward as the horses began to walk. Adrian steadied her by gripping her elbow with one hand while he drove. “I’m used to a closed coach,” she admitted.

“You’ll soon get used to this,” he assured her, a smile in his voice. “Shall I head to the river, or the promenade?”

“Oh, the promenade.” Olivia settled back to enjoy the ride. The curricle moved much more smoothly than a coach, or perhaps Adrian was simply a very good driver. The sounds of the city of London surrounded her: the calls of people, the clip-clip of horses, the bark of street vendors and piping voices of children.

He did not speak for a few moments, and Olivia understood that he was negotiating the crowded streets on the way to the park. But then he lightly touched her hand, as if to remind her who she was with. “What are you thinking of?”

“I was thinking, this is the first time in years I’ve been outside the house with someone who isn’t a member of my family.”

“Is that true?” He was surprised. Astonished, really. He hadn’t considered just how restricted people’s lives could be. “Because you are a woman, or because you cannot see?”

His bluntness didn’t upset Olivia. “Both, I suppose. Mama thinks me very fragile.”

“You are her only daughter, are you not? She feels responsible for you.”

“She has difficulty understanding that I am not still twelve years old.” Olivia sighed. “Forgive me, I shouldn’t talk like this.” She could smell the clean spring air replacing the dust of the city, and knew they must have left the road to enter the quieter paths of the promenade. She inhaled deeply when they passed a lilac in full bloom. “Tell me, what’s going on in the park?”

“The usual,” Adrian noted, looking around with an uninterested air. “Lots of carriages and riders. The latest frocks, and pearls on every limb. The Polite Society are out, parading for all to see. Those with things to sell are selling them as best they can: their jewels and titles and offspring.” His voice grew increasingly bitter as he spoke.

“You don’t think much of them,” Olivia said calmly.

He looked over at her suddenly. If she was shocked, she didn’t show it. “I don’t, but perhaps only because they don’t think much of me.”

“Why not?”

He paused. 
Why not?
A thousand reasons, some of them totally unsuitable to mention in mixed company.

“I have created a reputation for myself.”

“As a rake.” Olivia didn’t see any point in concealing her knowledge. “I have heard about you.”

“And yet you accepted my invitation today?”

“Don’t pretend to be surprised. You wouldn’t have asked if you’d have thought I would refuse you.”

He laughed. “I hoped you would not.”

“Despite your reputation? In any case, it doesn’t explain why you so hate Society.”

“I don’t like their rules. Nor do I play by them. Society hates nothing more than someone who doesn’t kowtow to their rituals.”

“And yet you are still invited to the
beaumonde
’s parties,” she said.

“Rake or not, I’m still wealthy.” He shrugged. “And they’re avaricious.”

“You’re cynical.”

“Yes,” he agreed shortly. “As well as being an unpleasant conversationalist. I apologize.”

“Not at all. I’m delighted when people speak honestly to me. It hardly ever happens—except with Emily.”

“You’re lucky to have a friend like Miss St George.”

“I am indeed,” Olivia smiled, thinking of her. “I would trust her with my life. I don’t know what will happen when…” she trailed off.

“When what?”

“Emily has turned down offers of marriage already. But she’s a remarkable person, and I know she will be married someday. I shall have to find a new companion when she leaves our home, a paid one most likely. It won’t be the same.”

“But you might marry before her. You are also a remarkable person.”

Olivia blushed at his words. “Your opinion is, alas, not common. I am aware I do not have the makings of a wife.”

“No? I doubt that. I should think you do have the makings of a lover, or a muse.”

“My Lord,” Olivia began tartly, intent on reprimanding him. “That…was one of the nicest things anyone has ever told me.”

Adrian laughed. “I can see I’ll have to work much harder to shock you, Miss Blake.”

They talked over many things during the course of the ride, which lasted longer than most, not that Olivia noticed. Adrian did succeed in shocking her a few times, but she more than paid him back with an honesty he had never before encountered from a woman. He found in addition to her physical charms, which were considerable, she was also entrancing to talk to, a development he hadn’t expected.

Olivia, for her part, delighted in their conversation, recognizing when Lord Norbury teased her, and occasionally tempted her with his words. With every passing minute, she understood more clearly why women fell for him against all advice. He did a truly shocking thing: he
listened
.

Adrian knew he had to return Olivia to her home eventually. He’d pressed his luck very far. In her driveway, he alighted quickly, but before he could get around to the other side of the curricle, a footman rushed up to Olivia.

“Miss Blake! I’m to escort you inside
immediately
.” The boy reached up to help her down. She surmised the nervous lad was under orders from her uncle.

“Of course, Jack,” she sighed, recognizing the boy’s voice. “Lord Norbury, I must thank you for a lovely afternoon. But I fear it was not without consequences. I do hope we will meet again.” Her tone suggested extreme doubt.

“You may rely on it, Miss Blake,” Adrian promised, watching with a darkening expression as the footman rushed his charge inside.

* * * *

Olivia felt as though she was walking into a winter storm, the atmosphere in the house was so cold. She was taken to the drawing room, where Emily sat with her mother and her Uncle Dillon.

“Where were you?” her mother hissed.

“Lord Norbury took me for a ride in the park,” Olivia admitted, aware this innocent truth would be taken in the worst possible way.

“Have you lost your mind?”

“No, just my sight,” she retorted. She heard Emily gasp, but it sounded suspiciously like the beginning of a laugh.

Uncle Dillon was as appalled as her mother. “You could have destroyed your reputation and our family honor.”

“By going for a drive?” Olivia asked. “We were in the park the entire time. It’s not as if I ran away with him to Scotland.”

Her mother gasped again. “How dare you joke about this!”

“I’m not joking. Lord Norbury escorted me for a ride through the promenade, then drove me home. We had a very pleasant outing.”

“Olivia, you are so innocent. You don’t understand…”

“Oh, now I’m innocent? A moment ago you made it sound as if I were a fallen woman.”

“Guard your tongue!” her mother snapped.

“Yes, Mama,” Olivia said, contrite.

“Olivia, dear,” her uncle began again. “We do not wish to hurt you. But I do not think you comprehend the gravity of the situation.”

“I do not. Emily has done exactly the same sort of thing on a number of occasions, and you never reacted like this.”