Lady Olivia's Undoing by Anne Gallagher

Author:Anne Gallagher [Gallagher, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: regency mystery, regency novella, austenesque, regency romance short stories, reluctant grooms, anne gallagher series, regency drama
Goodreads: 23144944
Publisher: Shore Road Publishing
Published: 2014-08-30T16:00:00+00:00

At Caymore House, Manning helped Olivia settle Ariana in her bedchamber and then Olivia returned downstairs. Her mind was a muddle of thoughts – Henry Wade had asked her to marry him. She said yes. What would she say to John? She couldn’t possibly tell him. John needed to be reconciled in his mind, clear-headed and sober when he went to Spain. He did not need the complications of a love triangle to interfere with his duty to the Crown. If something happened to him because of her, she would never forgive herself. She stood outside the kitchen door. Would Henry tell John about the proposal? That was a horrible thought. But if it happened, there was nothing she could do about it. She pushed open the kitchen door.

John sat at the long plank table.

“Oh.” Olivia said. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d gone upstairs already.” Olivia stepped inside the warm kitchen. Seeing they were alone, she touched his cheek. “How are you? You must be exhausted. Come to bed.”

John took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Do I not always wait for you?”

“Yes, you do.” Olivia tugged on his hand. “I am going to miss you so, John. Must you really go?” John followed her up the servants’ staircase.

“Yes, I must, and you know it.” John mimicked her footfalls on the treads as he followed behind her. Olivia continued down the hall to the bedroom as John disappeared behind the wall. She opened her bedchamber door and stepped inside, closed the door and locked it. John stepped out from behind the armoire. Their little charade had not fooled any of the staff, but the servants were loyal and would not gossip.

Olivia laid her gloves and reticule on the edge of the small table, took off all her rings, and dropped them in a tray on the dresser. She picked up the buttonhook and walked over to John. “Would you mind?”

John took the implement from her and turned her around. His hands worked deftly to undo the twenty or so buttons down the length of the gown. “I’m afraid Jennings is going to have to undress you from now on,” he said. The last button unfastened, he parted the silk and placed a gentle kiss between her shoulders.

“Yes, poor Jennings will have to wait up for me now.” Olivia let the gown fall to her feet and stepped out of it. “Come to bed.” She slipped out of her shoes and unfastened her bracelet as she walked to the bed. Dropping the bracelet on the table, she lifted the covers and patted the other side of the bed.

John stripped down to his drawers and climbed in beside her.

“How was your day?” Olivia asked.

“It was all very well.” John sat up against the headboard.

“Is Manning catching on? How is dear Summers getting about?” Olivia scooted over and laid her head against John’s chest. She wrapped her arm around his waist.

John rested his hand in her hair and began pulling out the pins.

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