Counterfeit Earl by Anne Herries

Author:Anne Herries [Herries, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

That evening was to be the happiest Olivia could ever remember. Since everyone knew that it was

now her engagement dance, friends and acquaintances feted her, making a great fuss of her. Many

of them had brought small gifts for her, which all added to the excitement. However, it was Jack's

behaviour towards her which brought the radiant smile to her face, making her more lovely than

ever before.

He was so attentive, so thoughtful, his manner that of a gentleman but also of a lover. They danced

together for most of the evening, though some of Olivia's friends did insist on stealing at least one

dance, one or two of the gentlemen declaring themselves to be heartbroken. She found a great deal

of pleasure in all of this, but it was the way Jack looked at her, the possessive pride in his face as

he stood by her to receive the good wishes of their guests, which made her feel so happy.

'You are so lucky,' one of the other young ladies said to her. 'It is obvious that Captain Denning

cares for you.'

Olivia only smiled and nodded, but her heart was singing like a lark. Jack's manner had certainly

been all that she could have asked that evening, and she could not resist a triumphant glance in

Lady Clements's direction. Surely now that lady could not imagine that Jack had a mistress!

Lady Simmons was not at the dance. She and her brother's family had left Brighton the previous

day, but she had sent a kind letter and the gift of a silver rose bowl for Olivia.

'I shall hope to be at your wedding,' Anne had written, 'but much depends on my being able to

travel.'

Lady Clements's sour look told Olivia that the lady was still feeling annoyed that her nephew had

not succeeded in seducing her into an unwanted marriage. She turned away, her head high. It might

be that some people would always be ready to whisper spiteful tales, but she did not care for that!

She would not allow anything to spoil her happiness.

'My dance, I believe?' Jack swept her away as the musicians struck up the waltz before supper. He

looked down at her, his eyebrows raised as if sensing the slight cloud that Lady Clements's sour

look had brought to her. 'Is something wrong, Olivia?'

'No, nothing at all,' she replied, giving him a smile that banished all doubts. 'I am very happy.'

'Then that is all I could ask,' Jack said. 'I do pray that you will always be as happy as you are this

evening, my love—and that I shall never do anything to cause you grief.'

'I am sure you will not,' Olivia replied. 'Why should you?'

'I would never do so intentionally,' he said, an odd expression in his eyes. 'But should I ever do

so, I beg that you will find it in your heart to forgive me?'

'Of course,' she said, a little puzzled by his odd words. 'But if we love each other, all our hurts

must be small ones, do you not agree?'

'Yes, you are perfectly right,' he replied and he was smiling again. 'I think a man would have to be

a fool indeed if he could not love you, Olivia.

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