A madcap scheme by Karla Hocker

Author:Karla Hocker [Karla Hocker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nov. Rom
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

OLIVIA DISROBED slowly, her mind awhirl with sleep-robbing thoughts: finally she’d be able to take an active part in the search for Tony; she’d been promised the treat of handling Fabian’s grays; and she would see Hampton Court. Strange that Fabian should have remembered her wish—

Tying the satin ribbon at the neck of her ivory lace nightgown, Olivia stared up at Fabian’s portrait. Her face softened and a responding smile curved her mouth as she studied the handsome youth. Several times this evening she’d caught glimpses of this other Fabian, the one who was teasing, gay, carefree—like when he’d twitted her about her outrageous plot, and when he’d called her an imp.

He’d also lost his temper more than once, she reminded herself sharply and turned away from the portrait. She snuffed the candles on her dresser, leaving only the small lamp on her nightstand burning, flung back the coverlet of heavy Nottingham lace, and climbed into the four-poster bed. While her eyes traced the brocade pattern of the turquoise and silver canopy, her mind lingered on Fabian’s threat to beat her. He had most likely spoken in jest, yet his words had evoked immediate, ugly memories of Richard and his whip, causing in turn her furious response to Fabian. Somehow, though, they had concluded the evening amicably.

Olivia peered again at the portrait. It was too dark now to distinguish the features, but she required no light to see, superimposed over the shadowy image on the wall, the expression on Fabian’s face as he had watched her from the library door. She’d wanted to run back to him, to—

She did not want to think anymore, she determined, her cheeks flaming. Olivia tossed restlessly, then pounded her pillows to find a comfortable spot for her reeling head. She wanted to sleep, yet the bit of secret longing, well hidden at the very back of her mind, pushed and prodded until it finally burst forth and had to be acknowledged.

I wanted to throw my arms around him and hold him tight!

Rolling over onto her stomach, Olivia buried her face in the feathery softness of her pillows. Daft! That’s what Grandmama had called her, and she was right! It was daft, even irresponsible, to fall in love with the man who’d enticed Richard into the faro game that had cost them their home.

She must not let it happen. Perhaps it was a good thing after all that she’d finally admitted her feelings to herself, for now she could guard against Fabian’s charm and watch that her infatuation did not grow. Very soon now she’d be able to remove from Worth House, and she must make certain not to leave her heart behind.

Olivia finally fell asleep, only to be wakened moments later, it seemed, by the dour Fletcher. "My lady’s been up for an hour, awaiting yer pleasure, Miss Olivia!"

"What time is it?" she asked sleepily.

"Past seven o’clock. Ye’d best come right away, and ye can have a cup o’ tea afore it gets too cold.

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