An Innocent Little Scandal by Tabetha Waite

Author:Tabetha Waite
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tabetha Waite

Chapter Thirteen

Olivia jumped at the sound of the door closing. It seemed so… final, and yet, she should be relieved that the duke had finally departed. She did regret that they would be at odds now, for it would make for a very stressful and awkward passing in the halls, but it was infinitely better this way.

For both of them. She had no designs on marriage, and considering the fact that she’d met the duke on the road the very same night of the ball, when she had left London, it was obvious he wasn’t too keen on the notion either. She just had to pray that the duchess wouldn’t insist that he make an “honorable” woman of her since they had spent all of this time together unchaperoned. If that were the case, Olivia would certainly insist that she was still intact and nothing untoward had occurred.

At least, nothing that needed to be mentioned.

She stomped her foot and then reached up to feel for the pendant around her neck. However, instead of the item giving her comfort now, it only stood as a bitter reminder of her friendly acquaintance, Mr. Stone, who didn’t truly exist. Reaching around to the back, she undid the clasp and removed it. She held the miniature painting in the palm of her hand for a time, just staring at the scene, and then she walked over to her dressing table, opened a drawer, and tossed it inside.

At the moment, she couldn’t bear to part with it, but she was sure that, in time, she would have no such compulsions. While she didn’t know what the duke intended to do about their current arrangement, she wasn’t going to budge from this estate. He would just have to resign himself to the fact that she would be the wraith that roamed the halls.

She untied her bonnet and removed her cloak as she rang for her maid to return. What she needed was a long, soaking bath. Perhaps that would rid herself of this distasteful day for a time. If nothing else, she ought to be able to relax.

However, her solitude was broken moments later when there was a harried knock at her door. Mrs. Harper burst in with some rather shocking news. “My lady, your sisters have just arrived.”

She blinked. “All of them?” she queried in disbelief.

“Yes.” The housekeeper nodded urgently. “Quite.”

“Oh, dear.” She wasn’t sure what to do, but she started for the door, for she certainly didn’t want Gravesend to be the first person they encountered. Unless, of course, they also knew the truth.

Heaven help her wrath should they have kept this revelation from her…

Olivia headed down the stairs. She was still attired in her boots and riding habit, so no doubt, her appearance would raise a few brows, but likely not as much as her cold demeanor toward the duke should he dare make an appearance.

“Olivia! Praise be!”

Some of Olivia’s anger faded in the relief that flooded Araminta’s face as she rushed forward and tackled her at the bottom of the stairs.

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