Scandal at Dawn (A Regency Rhapsody Novella) (5 page)

“Lord Norbury?” he asked. “I am Dillon St George.” The man was greying and portly, but he had an unmistakable energy.

“St George,” Adrian said in surprise. “What brings you here?”

“You do,” the older man said bluntly. “Or rather, your behavior toward a young lady of my acquaintance.”

“To what young lady are you referring?” Adrian kept his voice low, but anger still made it cold. St George appeared to notice. He did not sit down, perhaps hoping to maintain a sort of superiority over the much taller man.

“You know right well who I mean. Miss Olivia Blake. My sister’s daughter.”

“And what behavior on my part warrants this visitation, sir?” Adrian replied.

“Spare me. I know your reputation. What person in London does not? Olivia is an innocent young woman, and your mere presence endangers her.”

“I do not see how, considering she is always chaperoned—very fiercely, I might add.”

“You took her for a drive this week—
without
her chaperone.”

“Which is why I took every precaution to stay in the public grounds. If you have a complaint against me, sir, please state it plainly.”

St George ground his teeth visibly. “I have no direct complaint,” he growled.

“I am glad to hear it.”

“But I demand to know what you’re playing at!” the older man said in an undertone. “Her blindness makes her too trusting. My niece’s reputation is not a game!”

“I don’t consider it to be,” Adrian said quietly.

“Then why do you seek her out, man?”

“Because I enjoy her company.”

“Her…company?” St George repeated, unbelievingly.

“Her company,” Adrian said firmly. “And may I add Miss Blake is no child. She is intelligent and quite capable of deciding with whom she wishes to spend her time. If she chooses not to receive me, I should of course leave her alone.” Adrian leaned closer, his voice hot. “But I will let no one insinuate that my actions are less than honorable. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly,” St George said, just as hot. “Though it’s a bit late in the game for you to trumpet your
honor
.” He left before Adrian could form a suitable reply.

* * * *

Late that same night, Emily entered the bedroom she shared with her cousin. The room was dark, and she placed her candle carefully on the nightstand.

“Are you asleep?” she asked the form on the bed next to her own.

“Not at all,” Olivia replied.

“Dreaming of your beau?” Emily asked teasingly.

The voice that answered was morose. “I can’t dream if I’m not asleep.”

“Daydreaming, then.”

“It’s not day.” Olivia turned over and tipped her ear toward Emily.

“What’s wrong? Those lilies he sent were quite nice, I thought.”

“I’m so stupid,” Olivia suddenly burst out. “I don’t even know what’s happening. I only met him a week ago, and I can’t stop thinking about him. I’m so happy when I hear him say my name. But I don’t know what his intentions are. He said he wanted to get to know me, but he never mentioned courting me. Am I mad to expect he would? What’s going on?”

“You’re falling in love,” Emily said simply.

“Oh, no.”

“Of course you are. And why not? He’s a charming, handsome gentleman. And he
is
courting you.”

“Is he? Or is he simply playing? Crombie meant to make fun of me. Who’s to say Adrian isn’t doing the same? You know the stories about him. Perhaps he’s just taking his time.”

“Do you really think that’s likely?”

“I don’t think it’s likely an aristocrat of his station would marry a blind girl. Nor would a rake be interested in a maiden like me.”

“Oh, Livvie.”

“Emmy, I’m not a fool. Even I have heard the stories. Perhaps he just wants a freak for a mistress because it will amuse him.”

“Oh, Livvie,” Emily repeated, sadly. “Don’t ever say that.” She sat on the edge of the bed, and found her cousin’s hand in the meager light. “If you doubt him, just tell me. I’ll make sure he understands you don’t wish his attention.”

“But I do wish it,” Olivia burst out again, thoroughly miserable.

“If…” Emily began hesitantly. “If he did ask you to become a…lover, and not a wife, what would you tell him?”

“I don’t know,” Olivia sighed. “I know what I
should
say.”

“But you are attracted to him.” Emily nodded in understanding. “And you long for a life outside our tiny world, so you would consider becoming a man’s mistress, not merely for the excitement, but for the change.”

Olivia was silent for a long moment. Then she asked, “How do you understand so much?”

“I watch the world for the both of us,” her companion replied. “And I think a lot. A lot more than Papa would approve of.”

Olivia hugged her cousin tight. “I’m sorry to bring all this upon you, dear. I suppose time will sort it out.”

“Sooner rather than later, I hope.” Emily kissed her cousin goodnight, promising her the next day would be better.

* * * *

Olivia awoke with a new outlook. She wouldn’t pine after Baron Norbury. She certainly wouldn’t wait around, hoping. She made plans with Emily to go to Fabric Row to find new cloth for their summer dresses. Over breakfast, she almost felt like her old self. Then the maid answered a knock at the door.

As one, Emily and Olivia lowered their forks. Olivia held her breath. After a moment the maid entered. “A box for Miss Blake.” She placed it carefully on the table, as if it might hold an adder. Emily reached for a folded paper on top of it.

“There’s a note this time. Shall I read it, Livvie?” she asked as the maid backed out of the room.

“I suppose.” Olivia tried to suppress her curiosity.

Emily cleared her throat. “‘I regret not being able to visit you in person, and I hope the previous gifts provided some enjoyment in the absence of my own charming personality. Today’s gift is more practical. I hope it will be of use to you this evening.’”

“He’s quite confident,” Emily concluded with her own assessment. “I wonder what he means by this evening.”

“Let’s find out what’s inside.” Olivia found the box by touch, and pulled off the lid. She reached in, encountering a softness she didn’t expect. “What is it?”

Emily reached over and peered in. “It’s…soft.” She pulled it out. “It’s cashmere, Olivia. Dyed spring green. It’s lovely.” Her voice held an element of wistfulness.

“A shawl?”

“I think so…yes, here. Try it on.” There was a crinkle of paper.

“What’s that?”

“Nothing,” Emily said, after a pause. “Just the wrapping paper.”

The maid entered again, with another message on the tray. Emily opened it instantly. “Oh! We have been invited to a musicale tonight at Lady Worthington’s. She mentions she has heard you play pianoforte. I wonder how Lord Norbury knew about this.”

“Do you think he’ll be there?” Olivia asked.

“A musicale? It doesn’t quite seem a likely place for him to appear, does it?” Emily laughed.

“But we’ll go. And I’ll wear this wrap.”

Emily glanced at the paper in her hand, her mind swirling. “Yes, we’ll go. It should be an enlightening evening,” she added, speaking to herself.

* * * *

The musicale was a bigger event than Olivia had thought it would be. By the heat and noise, the music room was filled with guests. She and Emily were both dressed in their finest spring gowns, Olivia in antiqued lace and Emily in white lawn. Olivia knew the fancily-worked lace made the gown look more formal then her usual morning gowns, but it retained the simple silhouette of the still popular Continental style: a high waist gathered just under the bust, with the long skirt flaring out just slightly at her feet. She wore her mother’s pearls at her throat, feeling very elegant indeed. But Emily murmured of the extravagance of some other guests. “I could have emptied my jewelry box and still not be noticed among this crowd.”

“I wager you’d still be noticed with no jewels at all,” Olivia whispered back.

Olivia’s words came true almost instantly, as Maestro Valdi sighted them and made his way over. He was filled with delight at seeing his student, and in his broken English, heavily peppered with excited Italian, he made it clear the performance tonight was not to be missed. “Lady Worthington, she has an ear, you know,” he said. “She brings the finest, the top rank to London. You will hear tonight—these musicians, they will make you weep with joy.”

Olivia listened avidly to Valdi’s gossip regarding the performers. Emily only nodded politely, since she was scanning the crowd for familiar faces. She almost jumped when she saw one she did not expect. Jonathan Crombie, dressed in his usual black velvet coat and cavalierly tied cravat, was staring in her direction, his face a mask.

Emily, remembering the man’s prank on Olivia, unconsciously drew in her breath. What was he doing here, and why was he focused on her and Olivia? Before Emily could turn away, his lip curled up in a cruel smile. She deliberately cast her gaze elsewhere, pretending she hadn’t noticed him. But she didn’t like it. Not at all.

Soon enough, the guests were seated in the music room, and the performance began. Olivia was entranced by the first few pieces, sung by an Italian soprano with a voice like silver. Emily fidgeted, her mind on other things, namely the possibly foolish action she was planning to take after the first half of the performance.

During the intermission, Emily nudged Olivia. “I must tidy my hair. Come with me.”

Olivia stood and allowed Emily to lead her away from the ballroom into a quieter, cooler passageway. “Did you ask where Lady Worthington’s retiring room is?” Olivia had not heard Emily do so, although she’d been distracted, listening in vain for Adrian’s voice.

“Just down this hallway,” Emily promised, drawing Olivia forward by the hand.

Olivia followed, but began to hesitate. “It seems rather far. Are you sure you know where you’re going? You may have taken a wrong turn.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing, cousin. Please just come along like a good little lamb.”

“A lamb to the slaughter,” Olivia muttered under her breath.

“Leave the clever remarks to me,” Emily retorted. “Here we are.”

Olivia heard a door open. Emily then drew her inside a room that was utterly quiet.

“This can’t be right,” Olivia said nervously.

“Not technically,” another voice said. “But we have established I don’t care for Society’s rules.”

“Adrian,” Olivia breathed.

“This was a daring plan,” Emily said.

“I thought you’d like it,” he replied.

“You have twenty minutes, just as you requested,” Emily noted in her sharpest voice. “You may not care for Society, but I do expect you will hold to what you promised when you asked me to do this.”

“I will, in every particular.” Adrian vowed. “I would never cross a dragon like you.”

Olivia was adrift, as if both Adrian and Emily were speaking a language unknown to her. “What is going on?” she asked, even as her sharp ears heard the door close. “Emily, did you know about this? Hello?”

She sensed Adrian’s presence then, and his unique combination of spices. His arms embraced her, surrounding her with warmth.

Olivia reveled in the feeling, but tried to keep some sense about her. “Adrian, what is this? I should not be alone with you!”

“Don’t worry, darling. I’m not really here.”

“What?”

He put a finger to her lips. “Trust me. I’ve arranged it all. No one but your dragon has seen me. A friend of mine will vow that I’m somewhere else at this moment, if need be.”

“But I’ve been forbidden from even talking with you.”

“Ironic. I finally decide I want to rejoin polite society, and they throw obstacles in my path.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shush, Olivia, we don’t have much time.”

“Time for what?”

“For this.” He leaned forward to kiss her. Olivia was shocked anew by the sensations. She might be every time he touched her. He seemed hellbent on distracting her from asking any more questions, for he was tantalizing her with his hands and mouth.

“What are you planning to do?” she whispered, when she thought to speak.

She heard the promise in his voice when he said, “I’m going to show you.”

* * * *

Emily stood watch in the hallway, in the unlikely event someone would want to enter the room. She was grateful that a grandmother clock stood a little further along the corridor, ticking away the seconds. Twenty minutes was the maximum amount of time she felt she could explain away, should someone ask about their absence.

Just as she was relaxing slightly, however, she saw a fair-haired man turn into the hall from the far end, away from the main wing. As he came closer, she noticed he was actually extremely handsome. She hoped, though, he would pass her by.

He didn’t. After hearing the plan to find a private moment with Miss Blake, Robert had told Adrian he intended to watch his back, which was why he wanted to see exactly who was guarding the room. He was surprised at what he saw. “Excuse me, Ma’am,” he began, trying to keep his expression neutral. Surely, Olivia’s dragon couldn’t be
this
beautiful creature. “Which way to the music room?”

“Down the hall and to the left,” Emily responded shortly.
Where had this giant wandered in from?
“The
music
will probably be your best clue.”

The man looked amused, and smiled at her anew. “I never did have the best ear for music. Is there a reason you’re standing out here all alone?”

“Yes.” She did not elaborate, and set her face to its stoniest look, despite the effect his smile had on her stomach.

“I could escort you back to the music room,” he offered, almost hoping she would let him.

“You don’t even know where it is.”

“True, but you do.”

“Good evening, sir.”

He bowed slightly, “It’s the Honorable Robert Griffin, actually.”

“Then, good evening, Mr Griffin.” She did not look at him, hoping he would finally take the hint.

He didn’t. “Is there something interesting behind that door?”

“Not to you, I’m sure.”
Oh, why did he keep talking to her?

“Shall I open it to make sure?” Robert was curious to see how protective Olivia’s dragon was.