Page 23 of Never Dare to Masquerade with a Maiden

Seated on the floor in front of the looking glass in the oversized chambers that Lady Charlotte had insisted she occupy, Olivia barely recognized herself. Ten days! Was she mad? Olivia knew better than to allow herself to be pursued by Warren. She had absolutely no willpower when it came to the man, proven by the wicked and soul-awakening touches they had shared.

Yet, it was exactly those intimate moments when the rest of the world melted away that prompted her to brazenly seek out more time with the man she desperately needed to be near. Allowing herself one day for each year she’d missed by his side should be more than enough time to prove to both herself and to Warren that they were not suited for marriage. Glaring at her own image, with one eyebrow arched in defiance, Olivia mumbled, “I shall succeed.” And like most days, Warren’s deep baritone voice floated through her mind. “Not this time.”

Olivia let out a sigh and stood. Is ten days long enough to banish the man and his voice from my thoughts? It had to be, for if she agreed to any trial that lasted longer, she wasn’t certain she’d be able to distance herself.

She rolled to the balls of her feet at the light scratch against her door. Ian was no doubt checking to see if she was awake. Prepared to go to battle with him, a war she’d neatly avoided the night before, she crossed the room and opened the door. However rather than coming face-to-face with her overprotective friend, she found Lady Charlotte was waiting in the hall.

“A good morn to you, my lady,” Olivia greeted her and stood back to allow Lady Charlotte entrance.

The snap of Lady Charlotte’s skirts as she strode past did not bode well for Olivia. Head bowed, Olivia closed the door and stood with her hands tightly clasped in front of her. It wouldn’t be the first time she was dismissed from a household, but for the first time, Olivia wanted to remain in the employ of this household.

Lady Charlotte paced in a circle in front of her before breaking the horrid silence. “Well? Are you going to inform me of what transpired in the wee hours, or are you going to make me guess?”

The tips of Lady Charlotte’s shoes were all Olivia dared to view. “I visited Lord Guernsey with the intent of putting a stop to all this nonsense about courtship and marriage.”

Lady Charlotte tapped the tips of her toes. Olivia swallowed and continued to wait. Up. Down. Up. Down. Unable to bear the silence, she added, “Except Lord Guernsey persuaded me to grant him ten days.”

“Hmm.” Lady Charlotte resumed her pacing. “I suppose that shall be enough time.”

The tension in Olivia’s shoulders eased, and she lifted her head to find Lady Charlotte staring out the window. The countess’s normal cheery disposition had been replaced with a seriousness that had Olivia frowning, and she closed the distance between them.

She looked out the window, searching for what had captured Lady Charlotte’s attention. Aside from the gardeners, there was no one about. “Enough time for what exactly?” Olivia finally asked.

The rap on her door was preceded by the quick steps that belonged to Ian.

Olivia turned as the door opened. Her childhood friend sailed past her as if he didn’t know her to stand before Lady Charlotte and said, “Everything has been prepared as you asked.”

“And have you informed my husband?” Lady Charlotte asked, her gaze still trained outside.

“My apologies, my lady. I was unable to locate Lord Camden. I’ve yet to apprise him of your plans but will do so as soon as I can.”

Olivia’s jaw slackened. She’d never heard Ian utter an apology before, let alone appear anxious.

Lady Charlotte turned to face Ian and smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I shall inform him myself.” The countess gave Olivia the briefest of glances as she exited, leaving the door open behind her.

With Lady Charlotte out of sight and earshot, Olivia rounded on the man who rarely kept secrets, let alone his thoughts, from her. “What exactly is going on, Ian?”

Ian strode across the room to assume the same position Lady Charlotte had occupied by the window. Eyes narrowed, his gaze fell directly to the gardens below.

What is so interesting that both Lady Charlotte and Ian are fixated on it?

Olivia joined Ian and searched the grounds but detected nothing unusual until she caught a glimpse of the muted pink day dress Lady Charlotte had been wearing. Olivia squinted and was able to make out the lady’s silhouette as she carefully weaved her way around the wooded edge of the grounds. It was as if Lady Charlotte was a predator stalking its prey.

“Hmph.” The dissatisfied grunt from Ian was punctuated as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“What?” She leaned to press her forehead against the glass.

“Lord Camden is behind Lady Charlotte, not in front.”

“Mayhap she is fully aware of his location and is merely luring him.”

“Perhaps, but not likely.”

Ugh. Ian and his bias that males were superior. “Care to make a wager?”

“With you. Never.” Ian finally turned and faced her directly. “I hope you do not plan on making a habit of visiting Warren in the wee hours.”

“I have no designs of seeing Warren anytime soon.” Even as the words rolled off her tongue, the sour taste of a lie filled her mouth.