Laura Matthews (8 page)

Julianna frowned slightly. “Oh, you must not judge him on one action, Olivia. And certainly not if he was with your brothers,” she giggled. “He is the most charming of all the men who were here, I think, and he is always so attentive to Mother. She is never softened by him, though, and it upsets me that you can so easily see that she does not hold him in high regard.” Julianna tapped her fingers against the upholstered chair arm and gazed out into the black night thoughtfully.

“Does your brother like Mr. Cutler?”

“He has never said anything, exactly, but he is not one of Alexander’s friends. Alexander has told me several times that he wishes Noah would accept an invitation to visit his home so that they might get to know each other better.” Julianna colored slightly and did not meet Olivia’s eyes.

“I had a chance to speak with his sister Norissa and the Pugh sisters during the evening,” Olivia said in an effort to turn the conversation. “I understand they’ll all be going to London in the spring, except Lorraine, who confided to me that she was too young. She seemed a bit put out about it, for Mr. Brownley refused to admit that it was much jollier in the countryside in any case. Obviously he intends to make the trek to the metropolis himself.”

“Loraine has been trying to attract Mr. Brownley’s attention for the past two years. It was amusing when she was fifteen, but her mother has become annoyed recently and is forever urging more becoming behavior on her. Poor Lorraine.” Julianna gave a sympathetic shrug, and appeared lost in her own thoughts.

“I’ll leave you now to get some sleep. I am indebted to you and your mother for such an enjoyable evening.” Olivia hugged her friend before making her way to her own room.

The room she had been given had walls hung with blue and white striped cotton and curtains to match. On the mantelshelf two glass chamber lights were lit and the fire in the hearth had made the room warm against the cold night outside. Olivia allowed the maid who had been sent to wait on her to remove her gown and then dismissed the girl so that she might sit at the dressing table for a moment and contemplate her evening at leisure.

It had been a treat for her to be amongst guests unlike those so frequently at her brother’s, but she had her doubts about Alexander Cutler, and it destroyed her peace that Julianna appeared to be attached to him. Olivia could not see that any good could come from such an affection and it sorrowed her that Julianna should be influenced by a loose-screw who found Charles’ and Samuel’s pranks amusing.

An image of James Evans occurred to her in her reverie, and she smiled. He was an attractive, pleasant young man with a serious pursuit in life, and he seemed very appealing after the unsteady, extravagant young men around whom she had grown up. With a sigh she climbed into bed and extinguished her candle.

* * * *

The morning brought several callers, though the roads had received a liberal coating of snow. Mild sunlight sparkled off the snow-covered trees and bushes, and the visitors came into the hall stomping the snow from fur-lined boots. Since Alexander was one of the party, Julianna suggested that they wander about in the white world outdoors before coming in for hot chocolate. It would give her some time with him that was not under her mother’s eyes, and she pushed the plan until the others agreed.

Olivia enjoyed the tramp through the snow, talking with Norissa Cutler and Caroline Pugh, while the other two Pugh sisters wandered ahead and Julianna and Alexander brought up the rear. Snatches of their conversation reached Olivia, but she made an attempt to ignore them; Julianna was deserving of what privacy she could arrange.

They crested a hill and were exclaiming at the view of the countryside for miles around glittering in the sunlight when a dog-cart whisked by on the lane below.

“It’s
Dr. Davenport,” Caroline informed Olivia as she lifted her hand to wave. “He’s the dearest old fellow! Mama calls him in at the least sore throat but he never grumbles about unnecessary visits.”

Norissa joined her friend in waving to the doctor. “He must be out on a call. Perhaps Mrs. Pepperidge is about to deliver.”

As the young ladies waved, they did not notice Alexander cup a ball of snow between his gloves, but they could not miss the result. The doctor and his beaver hat were accurately separated. Lorraine giggled, but the others froze with embarrassment. Only Alexander thought it a capital joke and acknowledged the waving of the doctor’s angry fist with an elaborate, low bow.

“Oh, Alexander, you shouldn’t have,” Julianna protested, her brows drawn up with worry.

While the doctor reined in his pony and retrieved the hat, his face an angry red, Alexander waved aside Julianna’s reproof. “Old Davenport is so stuffy it will do him good to have his dignity impaired a trifle.”

Caroline and Norissa exchanged glances and quickly started to chatter about the weather, while Olivia remained mute between them as they headed back toward the Towers. Julianna and Alexander lagged behind them, and no one turned to include them in their conversation as they had done occasionally on the walk out.

Olivia could not assess whether the behavior had damaged Alexander in her friend’s eyes, but it had confirmed her own opinion of him. He was not a lad of twelve to occupy himself with such mischief, but a man of two-and-twenty who should have a better grasp on what was seemly. Olivia determined to say nothing of the incident to her friend, however, for she had no wish to say “I told you so” to someone who had been so kind to her.

* * * *

Two weeks passed during which Olivia found herself accompanying Lady Lawrence and Julianna to several dinner parties, an assembly and numerous morning calls as the weather became more favorable. Although she had given him no indication as to the length of her intended stay, Sir Noah had had additional clothing sent her with the wish that she would continue to enjoy herself with his sister.

“Famous!” Julianna exclaimed, as she examined the newly expanded wardrobe. “He has sent you enough to allow you to remain with me for months. Would you like some blue satin ribbon to trim this white gown? I have a length of it in my worktable.”

“It is sadly colorless, is it not? I have never worn it, though I should be grateful to my Aunt Davis for sending it to me. You do not suppose Sir Noah actually chose what to have sent to me, do you?” The thought brought a tingle of anger to her.

“No, certainly not. Noah would scarcely have sent such an uninteresting gown if he had sorted through your clothing. No doubt he had your abigail make a selection—if she’s still there.”

Olivia laughed. “It’s hard to decide whether Peter would more likely forget to turn her off for all the trouble she caused, or keep her on as a lasting reminder of my ‘disgrace.’ “

“He probably hasn’t given her another thought for any reason. I cannot imagine a brother being so careless of your feelings as not to stand by you in such a muddle, Olivia. We may disagree within our family, but we provide a united front to the world outside.”

“You are fortunate, my dear. Such an attitude would never be assumed by my brothers, amongst themselves or with me. Perhaps it would have been otherwise if my parents had lived.”

Julianna pressed her hand comfortingly as she rose to leave. “You must let us be your family, Olivia. We would not be so cavalier with your reputation and your happiness.”

“Thank you. I treasure your friendship, Julianna, so generous and undemanding as it is, but I must return to Stolenhurst sometime soon. After all, it is my home.”

Lady Lawrence came to her several days later while she was sewing, a letter clutched in one hand and a determined expression on her face. “I have heard from Noah this morning, Olivia. He is in London now and says that your brothers have gone there, too, but he hopes that you will stay on with Julianna.”

“That is kind of him, ma’am, and I have derived no end of pleasure from my visit; but I should impose no longer.”

“Nonsense, it is no imposition at all. Julianna would be biting her nails from boredom were you not with us, and I should have to find a thousand things to divert her attention from thinking of... No matter. And you have no companion at Stolenhurst, remember. It would not be wise to live there without one.”

“I have no way of acquiring a companion, Lady Lawrence. It is hardly likely that any of my brothers would be willing to look into the matter for me.” Olivia continued to sort the threads before her without meeting the older woman’s eyes. She could not apologize for her brothers’ neglect, but she admitted the fact of it with difficulty.

“I’ll write to make some enquiries for you, Olivia,” Lady Lawrence offered. “There are a number of people in London who may have a recommendation to make. Perhaps even the vicar would have a suggestion. I don’t think you should return to your home until the matter is well in hand. We are more than happy to have you here with us.”

Julianna added her eager support to her mother’s proposal and Olivia agreed to stay for a while longer to learn the results of Lady Lawrence’s enquiries. Although Noah had indicated that he had no intention of returning to Welling Towers for several weeks, it was only four days after they received his letter that he arrived, laden with presents for his sister and mother, and even a book for Olivia. He was bombarded with questions by his family for some time, but eventually turned to his guest and said, “I should like a word with you, Olivia, in the Small Library.” His countenance was surprisingly sober, and Olivia felt a shiver of apprehension as she nodded and followed him from the room, Julianna’s curious eyes watching as they left.

Noah seated her in the chair beside the library table where she had sat at their previous interview, and more slowly took his own seat. He did not speak for a while but sat regarding her seriously. “I have rather a lot to tell you, but I’m not sure precisely where I should begin.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my brothers?”

“They are much as usual,” he replied dryly. “However, I learned two days ago that Peter has become engaged to Lady Elizabeth.” He studied her impassive receipt of this news and continued. “There is no recent talk of your supposed impropriety at Stolenhurst, but it remains largely unrefuted, Olivia.”

She raised her chin defiantly. “I shall have to live with that.”

Noah made an impatient gesture with his hand. “You should not have to live with it. Mrs. Dyer and I have done what we can, but your brothers’ reputations are a disadvantage, and we are seen only as apologists for you.”

“I appreciate your efforts on my behalf, sir.”

“There is worse, Olivia,” he went on grimly. “It is necessary for me to be indelicate in order to explain it to you. While I was here last Peter made an approach to Mrs. Dyer, a very obvious and pointed approach. Unfortunately, Lady Elizabeth overheard the proposition to her cousin, and the two are now at disagreeable odds.”

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his forehead, brushing the brown locks awry. “In consequence of her jealousy, Lady Elizabeth purports to believe that you really did have a liaison with me. It is merely a means of discrediting her cousin’s word, of course, but Lady Elizabeth is carrying it to vindictive lengths.” He paused in an effort to find a kinder way of delivering the blow, but when he was unable, he proceeded bluntly, “Lady Elizabeth has declared that it would offend her sense of propriety to have you resident at Stolenhurst.”

Chapter Eight

Olivia’s hands clenched in her lap, but she made no sound. Her eyes momentarily beseeched him to say that it was not true, but she could easily believe it of Lady Elizabeth.

Noah regarded her sadly. “I spoke with Peter after hearing of Lady Elizabeth’s pronouncement, and I could get no assurance from him that he would overrule her decision. In fact, if I may be blunt, Olivia, he told me that you were my problem now, and he had no intention of making any arrangement for you.”

“It is really too bad of him!” she cried. “He must know very well that there is not a particle of truth in the whole sordid story. And you may be sure that Lady Elizabeth knows it also. She could not have been unaware of your ... connection with her cousin. How thoughtless and cruel of her to put me in such a position. And the hypocrisy of Peter! As if he has ever made any arrangement for me! I have been a thorn in his side, and he uses this excuse to pluck me out and toss me aside. God knows I did nothing more than lend assistance when it was needed. What did he expect me to do—lock myself in my room and ignore the emergency? Perhaps
he
would have done so,” she muttered scathingly.

“There is no excuse for his behavior, so I shall make none. He is self-indulgent beyond bearing and exhibits no responsibility for himself or anyone else. I’m sorry, Olivia; I would have spared you this news if I could, but you have every right, every need to know.”

As he watched the anger fade into a determined resignation in her eyes, he thought: she has had an unfortunate home all her life; now in essence she has no home at all.

He began to speak again, softly but firmly. “I am perfectly willing to take responsibility for you, Olivia, and the only question to be answered is what form the responsibility should take. Obviously you must stay at Welling Towers permanently. Your aunts have not relented in their disowning of you, since it is to their advantage.”

He gave a grimace of disgust. “You could stay here merely as my sister’s friend, and I doubt that it would be unduly remarked in the neighborhood; but with Lady Elizabeth’s attitude and the position she will achieve as your brother’s wife, your prospects of marriage are limited. On the other hand, if you married me you would have a measure of freedom that you would not enjoy as a single lady, and the aspersions on your character would blow away in a reasonably short period of time.”

Olivia still could not bring herself to look at him. “What kind of a marriage would we have?” she whispered.

For the first time he appeared reluctant to speak, and the only sound was the ticking of the long case clock by the door. But eventually he cleared his throat and said, “I cannot offer you a marriage devoid of wifely duties, Olivia. I have found myself haunted by the knowledge of Mrs. Dyer’s abortion. I should like to have children, sons and daughters to grow up at Welling Towers and love it as Julianna and I have. And if you gave the matter thought, I do not believe you would particularly welcome a barren life yourself. But I would endeavor to allow you freedom from marital obligations to a large extent. I assure you I would be most discreet in any ... outside activities, not as I have been while a bachelor. Our marriage should appear normal in all respects, and I would introduce you to London society after a period of time had blunted any gossip about you.”