A Lord for Olivia (21 page)

Olivia and Edmund relaxed a little. “We won't, then,” Livvy said, “but do let us go out into the lovely day.”

Later, as they walked several feet behind Lavinia and Peter, Edmund told Olivia sotto voce, “We may be able to trust him, but I'm not sure.”

“Nor am I. Do you know what Cynthia called him? A tailor! That could explain his interest in fashion. Perhaps he is not the wealthy man he pretends to be. I do hope he is not after my aunt for her property, as part of Corbright's scheme to get the whole valley under his control.”

“How long have you believed that?”

Olivia's face grew grim. “Once I heard he had acquired Smithfield's land and offered to buy or lease Jason's, I knew my worst suspicions were correct.”

Edmund whistled softly. “And here I thought you still considered marrying him.”

“I meant for you to think it, you and Jason, until I found a husband. I feared a confrontation between Jason and Corbright if Jason forbade him to court me, as he threatened to do. I still fear it. Only once I am married will I feel that Jason is safe from Corbright and his own temper.”

Edmund stopped walking, a look on his face she couldn't interpret.

“I didn't mean I want to marry you just for that reason,” she hastened to reassure him.”

“That's not what I was thinking. You are right about the potential for conflict. Corbright is ruthless and cunning, and Jason is impetuous and hotheaded. I have an idea that might work, but I am afraid you might once again believe me a fortune hunter.”

“No. Edmund, whatever happens, I have learned what kind of man you are. I trust you completely.”

He reddened with pleasure. “Oh, Livvy!”

“No, don't kiss me here.”

He glanced to where Lavinia and Peter stood waiting for them to catch up.

“I will tell you my plan tonight.”

“No, I can't wait. Whisper it to me now, as we walk.”

“I know my brother, Livvy. He will do as he threatens, just to spite me, even if he isn't acting for Corbright. But such suits in the ecclesiastical courts take a long time. Your father's will says you must marry a lord, but I doubt he thought to require that your husband remain one. Surely he
could not have anticipated so peculiar a circumstance. If we act quickly . . .”

Her eyes danced. “I am so happy to be marrying such a clever man! We shall get a special license and be married before your brother can do much more than file to have your parents' marriage set aside, and before Corbright can do any mischief.”

“Just so. I will apply for a special license tomorrow morning.”

“And I will write Uncle Ormhill and Jason, telling them. We'll go home as soon as possible. I do wish my uncle to marry us.”

“As do I.”

“Aren't these lovely, Olivia?” Lavinia called her attention to some small shrubs with bright red berries on them. “I wonder what they are, and if they would thrive in Norvale?”

“We must ask the curator, Aunt. If they will, I know just the place for them.” She leaned forward and whispered in her aunt's ear, “At Wren Hall. I expect to be taking up residence there soon.” When Lavinia looked about to break into joyful speech, she shushed her, looking at Mr. Barteau. “Not yet, Aunt.”

“You still suspect him,” Lavinia huffed indignantly.

“Only being cautious. I will explain later. Also, I think I should tell Jason and Uncle Milton first, don't you? Please, Aunt. Say nothing.”

Lavinia agreed reluctantly, and led Peter off to give her niece and Edmund privacy.

Edmund seemed to have drifted into a brown study. As they walked along silently, Olivia could see the furrows in his brow that were so expressive of worry or unhappiness. “Won't you tell me what is troubling you?” she asked.

“Olivia, if your suspicions of Corbright's motives proved to be untrue, how would you feel about him? Would you be looking for another husband, or turning to me, if . . .”

Edmund's heart sank as she hesitated, obviously thinking his question over. “You do have a great deal in common, you know, with your love of Greek, and—”

Olivia burst into a peal of laughter. “I don't love Greek. I
loved being recognized as intelligent enough to learn it. I loved studying it with a handsome young man. Remember when he came over and gave me that copy of
The Odyssey
?”

Edmund nodded. “And made me feel a dunce!”

“Well, I tried to read some of it, and found I had quite forgotten all my Greek, and had no desire to learn it again. At that time, I still thought I might marry Corbright, and I wondered how I would manage to escape studying it with him.”

“Well, I hope that you are sure, for I shan't study it with you.” Edmund shook his finger at her, laughing.

“I am so glad you asked me about that, Edmund. I had never put it to myself quite that way before.”

“What? Whether you want to study Greek?”

“No, whether I would want to marry Corbright even if he were as innocent as a spring lamb of all the things I suspect him of. I wouldn't. Nor would have, even before I knew I loved you. Whatever drew me to him died a long while ago.” She threw her hands in the air and spun around in a joyful little dance. When she stopped, dizzy, and let Edmund steady her with his strong arms, she smiled tenderly at him. “Now, I want you to stop worrying that I still have an attachment to Corbright, do you hear me?”

He laughed at her exuberance. “I hear and I obey.”

 

“H
ow many men does this female intend to marry?”

Mr. Peter Barteau's eyes goggled as he grasped the import of the archbishop's clerk's question.

“Do you mean to say someone else has applied for a license to wed her?”

“Two others, in fact. One last week, and the other yesterday morning. Ormhill. Unusual name, Ormhill. Wouldn't mistake it, much less when I see it for the third time in a week.” The clerk began to search through a large stack of documents.

“Ah, that explains it. There are two Miss Ormhills. My fiancée's first name is . . . Did you say the
third
application?”

“Indeed, sir. This Miss Ormhill is obviously running some kind of a rig. Doubtless she has taken expensive gifts from each of you. I should have her up before the magistrate if I were you.”

Peter Barteau mopped at his brow. He understood well enough the clerk's confusion of Lavinia's and Olivia's names, and had guessed that Olivia and Edmund meant to marry, so two applications would make sense. But three?

“I don't believe you,” he exclaimed. “May I see those documents? I don't want to accuse my beloved falsely.”

“Well, it is irregular, but I do hate to see a decent man being taking advantage of by some doxy.” The clerk's mouth twisted in distaste. “Here is the one from yesterday.”

Peter Barteau studied the application. As he expected, it was for Olivia and Edmund's license.

“As for the other,” the clerk continued, “it was approved.
The prospective bridegroom called for it this morning. Seemed to think she was to marry him in Saint George's this very day. Too bad I didn't remember the other application in time to stop him.”

“Let me guess. A tall blond man? Lord Corbright?”

“That sounds right. If you know him, I hope you can succeed in warning him off. Hate to think of him getting wed to such a scheming hussy.”

Peter explained that he wished to marry the aunt of Olivia Ormhill. “The names are often confused,” he said. “And as for Miss Olivia Ormhill running a rig, she has no knowledge of Lord Corbright's application. He is my nephew, you see, and as far as anyone knew, he was in Scotland. Nor does Miss Olivia have the least inclination to wed him.”

“He apparently doesn't know this,” the clerk said, fascinated.

“Obviously not. She wishes to marry Lord Edmund. Please process his application as expeditiously as possible, will you?”

The clerk scratched his head. “If you are quite sure the young lady is what she should be . . .”

“She is very much a lady, a woman of property, too. She will choose her own husband, and that choice will fall on Lord Edmund. My nephew has exerted himself in vain.”

“When you return to collect your license you must tell me how it all comes out.” The clerk smiled at Barteau and placed Edmund's application on the top of the stack.

 

“I'll see if Miss Olivia Ormhill is at home, my lord,” Kittrick said, bowing reverentially to Lord Corbright on the basis of the card he had been handed.

“No need. I'd like to surprise her.”

When Kittrick made to object, Corbright flashed a golden guinea. “I'm her fiancé, you see. She won't mind.”

“In that case, my lord, she is in the drawing room.” The butler palmed the coin, though his eyes followed Corbright uneasily as he dashed up the stairs.

“You look so charming, my love.” Corbright sailed into the room and straight toward the small writing desk where
Olivia sat penning a letter to her brother. He spared but a glance toward Lavinia.

“Lord Corbright!” Olivia stood, hastily hiding the letter under another sheet of paper as she did so.

“
Lord
Corbright. Must you, Livvy?” He bent to kiss her. She dodged his kiss and stepped away.

“Why did you not tell me you were in London? I thought to have you join me in Scotland at any moment.” He smiled pleasantly down at her. “Naughty girl, to lead your fiancé such a dance.”

“You are not my fiancé, sir.”

“By that flush on your cheeks I see you are irritated with me. Come, take a drive in the park with me and explain why, for it is such a beautiful day I vow you must take the air.”

“What I have to say to you can be said here.” Olivia drew herself up, fists clenched.

He looked puzzled and worried. “So solemn.” He glanced at Lavinia. “Hullo, Aunt Lavvy. Pardon me for not noticing you before. So excited to see my sweetheart again, you see.”

Lavinia was on her feet, bristling. “How did you know of Olivia's presence in London?”

“Why, I have just come from Beaumont, that is how. I returned to see what was keeping you. I have a message for you from Jason on me somewhere.” He began patting at his pockets.

Olivia felt the hair on the nape of her neck rise. Why would Jason send a message by Corbright? “Please be seated, won't you? Aunt Lavinia, might I be private with Lord Corbright for a few moments?”

Lavinia reluctantly left the room. “I shall return in ten minutes,” she assured them.

“Gad. What have I done to make the pair of you treat me as a stranger?”

At that moment Olivia almost pitied him. He looked so worried.
Perhaps he is sincerely attached to me, after all,
she thought.
I must go gently with him.
She seated herself beside him on the sofa.

“Franklin, I—”

“Now that is better! My name never seems to suit me so well as when it falls from your lips.”

“Listen to me, please. I must remind you I that have not given you leave to regard me as your fiancée. I have held steadfastly to the position that we might be friends only.”

“But you did not mean it. As I told Heslington when he wrote me, I know a woman as true as you gives her heart only once.” He tried to take her hand, but she jerked it from him.

“I see I must be very plain with you. You are wrong, for I have given my heart again. I love Edmund Debham, and intend to marry him.”

This news did not stun Corbright the way she had expected. Instead, he merely laughed shortly. “So Heslington thought. I am grateful to him for writing me, for it is clear that Edmund has found some way to ingratiate himself with you. But whatever you feel, it is but a passing fancy.”

“It is not!” Livvy glared at him. “I love Edmund with all my heart. Please give it up, Franklin. My love for you died long ago.”

His voice was low and gentle. “I won't accept that, Livvy.”

“You must.”

He regarded her silently for a long time. She held his eyes steadily, unwaveringly. At last he sighed. “So you won't have me.”

“No.”

“I think you will change your mind. I had hoped not to have to give you this, but . . .”

She watched his hand go unerringly this time to the pocket inside his morning coat. With a sense of impending doom she saw him take out a thin sheet of paper, unsealed, and hand it to her. It had a reddish streak across the edge. She opened it and immediately recognized her brother's handwriting, though the message was smeared in blood.

“My God! What is this!” Livvy recoiled away from Corbright, turning toward the window to make out the short message.

 

Dearest Livvy,

Do not be alarmed. I am somewhat bloodied but otherwise unharmed. The Swalen brothers have me. They say they are holding me for ransom. They have not named their figure, but say they will be in touch with you soon.

All my love,

Jason

 

Olivia put her hand to her mouth.

“Don't cry, dearest. I am sure we can raise the ransom.” Corbright tried to pull her into his arms. She jumped to her feet and turned on him.

“You villain! Do you take me for a fool? You are behind this! The ransom is me, isn't it?”

Corbright dropped his solicitous manner. “In a manner of speaking, yes. I would have liked to have your love, too, of course, but I
will
have your land. Yes, and your brother's, too. And Lavinia's, of course.”

She shook her head. “You know my father's will. If I am forced into marriage—”

“Or afterward find it disagreeable, or even if your trustees have reason to suspect that you do so, your land goes to your brother.” Corbright stood, too. Suddenly he had never seemed so tall, and as he stood too close for comfort, that height became menacing. His eyes were cold, so cold they glittered like blue diamonds.

“But you won't admit to being forced, and afterward you won't admit to finding our marriage disagreeable. Your father thought himself very clever, Livvy, but he misunderstood one thing, something I only came to realize after I married: A real man can find a way to rule his wife, and rule you I will. If anyone,
anyone,
ever suspects you are less than delighted with our marriage, those you love will pay the price. Your brother will be released once we are wed. You will tell him I helped you raise the ten thousand pounds for his ransom. The Swalens will disappear, but others are in my employ. Any missteps on your part, and harm will occur to
Jason, or your uncle or aunt, or . . . did I understand you to say you love Edmund with all your heart?”

She gasped.

“Ah, yes. Your very words. What pleasure it would give me to have his life snuffed out. And I will do it, Livvy. Never think to escape me. If you call upon the oh-so-brave Edmund for rescue, then Jason will suffer.”

Olivia tried to still the trembling that overtook every limb in her body, but could not.

“If you refuse me, or afterward complain of me, then as long as I have breath in my body, I will delight in tormenting you and yours. Not death for Jason, I think. Not right away. So young, so vibrant, so eager to travel. It will be difficult for him to travel with bullets through both knees, won't it?”

“You are a monster. No, you are insane! Franklin, no amount of land is worth this. Nor any amount of revenge, for whatever reason you feel you are owed revenge. Think how miserable your life will be with a wife who hates you.”

“Not at all. You've read
The Taming of the Shrew,
haven't you? Outward conformity to love is all I ask, just as Petruchio did. Who knows, you may even learn to love me again. For I mean to be a generous, considerate husband, Olivia.”

She snorted, anger steadying her. “Considerate!”

“Indeed, yes. In truth, I do not particularly enjoy bedding unwilling women. A weakness, I know. But there it is. I will bed you only until I have an heir and a spare. Then, if you are very, very good, I will allow you to live with your children.”

She pressed her hand to her chest, where her heart seemed about to scramble out of her breast. “You'll fail, you know. My family will know you mistreat me then, for they know I would never desert my children.”

“Ah. Well, that is another plan of mine. Really, I should have been a military man, for I am a genius at tactics, if I do say so myself. Do you think for one moment that your brother would take your land or refuse to sell his own to me, if he knew his sister or her children were to suffer if he did not?”

Livvy swayed on her feet, and he caught her to him. It was in this posture that Aunt Lavinia found them as she
entered the room, saying, “Your ten minutes are up, and . . . Livvy!”

Corbright turned around, his left arm firmly around Olivia's shoulders. “Ah, there you are, dear Aunt Lavinia. You may wish us happy.”

Lavinia took one look at Olivia's face and charged at him. “Oh, no you don't. Get away from her, you beast!”

“Why, what can you be thinking of, to behave so uncivilly to your future nephew?” Corbright held her off easily with his other hand.

“I see the tears on Olivia's cheeks. She won't have you, not willingly. Let her go!”

Corbright looked down at Olivia, squeezing her shoulder so painfully with his hand that she gasped and looked up at him. “Tears of happiness, aren't they, my love? She is—we are—so happy that all our disagreements have been settled and we can be together at last. Isn't that true, Livvy?”

Olivia turned great, tear-filled eyes to her aunt. “That's true, Aunt Lavinia. I . . . I am quite ashamed of myself for doubting him. And I feel terrible about hurting Lord Edmund, as I know this will. You must explain to him for me.”

“That I never shall, for I don't believe it. Not for a minute!”

Olivia knew she had to pull herself together and put on a performance worthy of a Siddons. She smiled at Lavinia. “Now, Aunt Lavvy, please. I am so happy, I wish my family to share in my happiness.”

“There. Didn't I tell you?” Corbright released Olivia and nudged her toward her aunt.

Olivia reached out for the distressed woman and hugged her. “Please, please try to understand. I never stopped loving him. So much of what I did was based on the pain his marriage caused me, and a desire to repay him. But I know now how wrong that was.”