The Elusive Wife (11 page)

As Olivia opened her mouth to respond, Jason said smoothly, “We would love to go on a ride tomorrow morning, wouldn’t we, Lady
Olivia
?”

Lord Carstairs cast a glance from Jason to Olivia. “Um, yes, I believe a group ride would be the thing. How about yourself, Lady Lansdowne? And of course, Lord Fairfax, you would be most welcome as well.”

Olivia glared at Jason, her mouth pressed in a tight line. “I’m not sure I have suitable clothing for a ride, my lord.”

“Oh no, dearest, remember Mademoiselle DuBois sent over your riding habit a few days ago.” Elizabeth addressed the gentlemen. “Lady Olivia has been refurbishing her wardrobe while she visits with me.”

“Ah, a new wardrobe,” Jason said lazily. “A favorite pastime of the ladies. I can truly imagine what the bills are like.”

Olivia regarded him in stony silence. Turning her head, she looked pointedly at Lord Carstairs. “Nevertheless, I will be happy to join you for a ride in the morning.”

“Splendid.” Jason grinned. “What time shall we all meet?”

Lord Carstairs cleared his throat and surveyed the group. “Would eight o’clock be satisfactory? We could take our ride at Rotten Row.”

“I’m afraid I must bow out.” Lord Fairfax sighed. “Mother has her breakfast every day at precisely eight-thirty, and so looks forward to my company. Perhaps some other time.”

“And I’m afraid I must also decline.” Elizabeth chimed in. “I have an appointment with Mademoiselle DuBois in the morning for some fittings. But I’m sure the two gentlemen will enjoy Lady Olivia’s company.”

Olivia groaned inwardly. Lord Arrogant had boxed her neatly into a corner.

Fairfax stood. “I’m afraid I must leave this charming company. Mother is expecting me shortly to assist her in arranging flowers.”

Jason snorted and Olivia rose.

“I will walk you out, my lord.” She accepted his arm, and as she passed Jason, stepped directly and solidly on his instep, bouncing a bit for emphasis. He winced, but said nothing as she pulled her skirt toward her body to avoid touching him. She raised her chin and straightened her shoulders as she and Fairfax left the room. As she glanced back, she smiled at the vision of Jason rubbing his foot against his other leg, nodding at something Elizabeth said.

Gauntlet, indeed!

Chapter Twelve

Jason strode to his carriage and shouted at the driver to take him to White’s. He grinned as the conveyance started forward. What a little hellcat his Olivia was. No shrinking violet, that one. He laughed softly. This contest of wills could become very interesting, to say the least.

She had such a hard time controlling her anger, it tempted him all the more to tease her. He knew her hand must have itched to slap him again, but that stomp to his foot had to relieve some of her tension. He loved her passionate nature and intended to thoroughly enjoy it when the time came.

In a short period of time, he’d settled himself in a comfortable leather chair across from Drake. “Missed you at Tattersall’s this morning. I had my eye on a nice piece of horseflesh.” Jason glanced around the room and signaled a footman to bring him a whiskey. “How’s your chin?”

Drake touched it with the tip of his finger. “Fine. I’ve had worse.” He leaned back and stretched out his long legs. “So, what are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“About the lovely Lady Olivia.”

Jason stared into space for a moment. “Ah, you mean the lovely Lady Coventry?
My wife.
The woman I am legally and rightfully married to. That Lady Coventry?”

Drake shook his head and grinned. “But will the lovely Lady Coventry have you?”

“Of course not. She hates me. Told me so last night. Which is why I’m forging a campaign to win her back.”

“Sorry, old man, but you never had her to begin with. You threw the lady away. What makes you think you can win her now?”

“A Coventry never quits. Remember that, Drake. I have no intention of letting that delectable body go anywhere except to my bed.”

…

Olivia swore under her breath as she straightened her riding hat in the mirror. The jaunty feather circled her face, almost touching her lip. The light wool azure riding outfit enhanced her eyes, brightening the deep violet. She bit her lips and pinched her cheeks for color.

Why am I doing this? I should leave word that I have a headache and am unable to ride.

But she had no intention of letting the Earl of Arrogance get the better of her. He might have manipulated Carstairs into including him in this morning’s ride, but she would not show him any mercy. Her eyes sparkled as she thought about what sort of trouble she could cause him today. Suddenly, she looked forward to the ride.

Promptly at eight o’clock the first gentleman arrived. Olivia looped the bottom of her riding habit over her arm and descended the stairs to the entrance hall where Lord Carstairs stood speaking quietly with Staunton. Carstairs looked up as she appeared, a smile lighting his face.

“Good morning, Lady Olivia. You look splendid, as always.” She joined him and presented her hand for his kiss.

“Lord Coventry is outside with our horses, so I believe we are all ready to go.”

He offered Olivia his arm and they proceeded into the late spring morning. She inhaled deeply of the air, perfumed with flowers from the garden at the side of the house. A cloudless day, quite rare in London. And the early hour assured the city air remained clear.

At the bottom of the steps, a groom clasped the reins of two horses. Jason stood alongside him, holding the third. Olivia caught her breath at the sight of the man. Tall, muscular, and oozing confidence, Lord Arrogant was all male. Damn the man for what he did to her. He smiled a heart-stopping smile, and that simple action did fluttery things to her stomach. She sniffed.

No mercy
.
This is war.

Then she noticed his mount. “What a beauty,” Olivia exclaimed. The magnificent stallion stood proudly next to his smug owner.

She ran her gloved hand down the animal’s soft velvety nose. “What’s his name?”

“Apollo.” Jason smiled affectionately at the horse. His coal black body shimmered almost blue with the sunlight against it. Regal in his bearing, the animal threw his head back as if knowing he deserved any and all admiration.

“It fits. He’s exquisite.” She fingered his thick mane, letting the strands slide through her fingers. “I miss my horse, Honor. I left her with friends in Italy, but hope to get her back one day.”

Before Carstairs could move, Jason stepped up to Olivia, and put his large hands around her waist, effortlessly lifting her onto the saddle of her mare. She glowered at him as she adjusted her skirts to cover her legs. He laughed softly as she squirmed, settling herself.

The three of them trotted toward Hyde Park. They rode their horses at a leisurely pace, conversing mostly about the weather,
ton
gossip, and plans for later in the week. Olivia remained on her guard, waiting. For what, she didn’t know, only certain Jason had something in mind. He was entirely too pleasant and innocuous.

He didn’t take long to make his move. They were well into the park when she noticed her saddle didn’t feel snug enough beneath her bottom. She kept shifting herself around, but still could not get comfortable. Eventually Jason said, “Is something the matter, Lady Olivia?” He looked entirely too innocent, his features bland.

“I’m not sure, my lord, I seem to have a problem with my saddle.”

The three of them stopped and Jason dismounted and again reached up and lifted her off, his hands lingering a little too long on her waist, his thumb wandering toward her breast. She swatted his hand away and moved back. He examined her saddle.

“I say, old man, is everything all right there?” Carstairs watched from atop his horse.

“Actually, no.” Jason squatted, looking underneath the horse’s belly. “This strap is worn through, and won’t hold Lady Olivia for long.”

“Let me see.” She elbowed him aside, and leaned over. “This is not the saddle I usually use,” she said tersely. “Someone put the wrong saddle on my horse.” She glared at Jason.

He stood up, raising his hands in surrender. “I don’t saddle the horses, my lady.” Before she could even think of a reply, he scooped her up in his arms and deposited her on his horse. Then he swung his leg over and sat behind her.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” She attempted to cover her exposed leg with her skirts.

“You can’t ride that horse, my lady.” Turning to Carstairs, he said, “I’ll return Lady Olivia to Lansdowne, if you will take her horse’s reins and lead him back.”

Looking completely befuddled, Carstairs jumped from his horse and grabbed the mare’s reins as Jason rode off, wrapping his arms around Olivia’s waist.

Olivia sat stiffly in front of Jason, refusing to touch any part of him. Slowly he moved his hand up from her waist until the top of his thumb rested on the bottom of her breast. She slapped his hand away. Next he moved his hand down until it rested on her thigh. Olivia made a clucking sound of disgust. “Please keep your hands off my person,” she sneered.

“Just trying to keep you safe, my lady,” he murmured.

“Ha. I’ve never been in more danger in my life.” She tugged her skirt with one hand, and cuffed his wandering hand with the other.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I want you, Olivia. But even though I’m your husband, I won’t force you. Keep in mind, though, I intend to win, and you
will
come to my bed.”

“Never. And you are no longer my husband. I signed the annulment papers.”

“I tore them up.”

Jason grunted as she elbowed him in the stomach. He again bent his head and nibbled at the soft spot under her ear. She threw her head back, catching him in the nose.

“Ouch. You little she-devil.”

“You best remember that, my lord. I will not permit you to fondle me.”

“Oh, I intend to do more than fondle you, love.” Jason’s voice rolled over her like warm honey. “I will slowly remove your clothes, and then unfasten the pins holding your glorious hair. Starting at your lips, I’ll begin kissing you, moving down…”

“Stop that.” She threw her full weight to the side, throwing them off balance. They both tumbled to the ground in heap of skirts, jackets and hats. Before Jason could even move, Olivia leapt from the ground and quickly mounted the horse, oblivious to her exposed limbs as she squeezed the horse’s sides. She grinned in his direction as he sat open-mouthed in the dirt.

Olivia urged the stallion back to Lansdowne, the sound of her laughter carrying on the wind.

…

How the hell did she do that? Ladies cannot mount horses by themselves.

Jason stood and slapped his hat against his pantaloons to dust himself off. Since Carstairs was nowhere in sight, the man must have taken another path through the park to Lansdowne Townhouse. Re-arranging his dignity, Jason walked back to the stables.

The more time he spent with Olivia, the more determined he became to have her. His wife’s warm body felt right when pressed up against his. Curved in all the right places, with generous breasts and hips, the thought of her naked and moaning under him kept him occupied during his return to the stables.

Her fiery spirit attracted him almost as much as her loveliness. How she heated his blood. Even before he’d assumed the Earl’s title, Jason had intimidated most men by his mere presence. Since he’d left off short pants, women had fallen at his feet. Not so, his wife.

She’d made it clear she had no use for him, which only strengthened his resolve. The prize was too great for him to retreat. He would have her and she would want it, beg him for more. Visions of her snapping eyes and flushed face consumed him. He remained uncomfortably swollen for most of the walk back.

Put another mark in Lady Coventry’s column.

…

“How was your ride with the lords this morning?” Elizabeth poured tea for herself and Olivia in the drawing room that afternoon. Not an
at home
day, the ladies enjoyed the peace and quiet of only each other’s company.

“Quite well, actually.” Olivia turned her attention to Elizabeth, a slight smile on her lips.

“Ah, I detect a story behind that look.” Elizabeth grinned.

Olivia put her teacup down and reached for a tart. “For some strange reason, my horse had been outfitted with the incorrect saddle.” She held up her hand as Elizabeth began to speak. “Before you say anything, I am sure your groom put the correct one on, and Lord Arrogant switched them.”

“For what purpose?” Elizabeth’s brows came together.

“For the intention of making it impossible for me to continue on my own horse. And of course, once that was established, Jason quickly set me in front of him on his horse.”

Elizabeth covered her mouth, her eyes wide as she laughed.

“’Twas not so funny when he began putting his hands on various parts of my person.”

Elizabeth studied her for a moment, eyebrows raised. “Where was Carstairs when Lord Coventry was behaving in such an inappropriate manner?”

“Oh, Lord Arrogant handled that quite well. He sent him back to the stables dragging my horse behind him.” It was a clever plot, she had to admit.

“Were you sufficiently able to dissuade him from his behavior?”

“Well, it depends on what you would consider ‘sufficiently able.’ You see, I discouraged him to such a degree that we both ended up on the ground.”

“Oh, no!”

“But,” Olivia continued, grinning broadly, “I re-mounted while he caught his breath and I left him sitting there.” It still gave her a great deal of satisfaction to remember his lordship sitting on his arse, a stunned expression on his handsome face as she rode off.

“How did you ever get on his horse without assistance?” Elizabeth asked.

“Father never employed many servants. I have been mounting my own horse for years, and not a ladies’ saddle either, I may add. Very unladylike, I know, but this is one time it came in rather handy.” She felt a warm glow at having turned the tables on Jason. Torturing her husband could become an amusing pastime, something to hold her interest until the Season came to an end and she left for Italy. All the balls, routs, and dinners had become tedious.

“Olivia, what exactly do you plan to do about this situation? Now that Coventry knows your identity, surely he will want a true marriage. It’s obvious he was attracted to you from the beginning.” Elizabeth placed her teacup on the tray and patted her mouth with a serviette.

“Had he truly been attracted to me from the first, we would not be in this mess now. He shoved me aside with not so much as a by-your-leave. However, to answer your question, I have decided to return to Italy after the Season ends.” Olivia rose and walked to the fireplace, her arms hugging her waist.

“Italy? Why?” Elizabeth’s brows drew together in a frown. “I thought you intended to make your home here in England.”

Olivia hesitated for a moment, then returned to her seat and clasped her hands, studying her fingers before she spoke. “That was my intention when I left Italy. However, I didn’t plan on having a husband who despised me to such a degree that he showed up drunk to our wedding and then promptly put me from his mind.” She sighed and gazed out the window at the wet afternoon. “I have had an offer from one of the most prestigious music academies in Rome to continue my studies with them. I have money from my father’s estate which I shall use for my purposes while I study.”

Elizabeth let out a huge breath and leaned against the back of her chair. “What about Lord Coventry?”

“What about him?” Olivia raised her chin a notch.

“Like it or not, dearest, he is your husband and will have some say in what you do.”

“He has applied for an annulment. I consented and sent my approval back.” It still stung to remember the day she had received the paper from her solicitor.

“You mean he intends to continue with that?” Elizabeth reached for Olivia’s hand.

“Actually, no.” She hesitated. “He told me there would be no annulment.”

“Well, there you have it. If he doesn’t intend to go through with an annulment, then he means to keep you as his wife.”

Olivia stood and paced, her face flushed. “I don’t care what Lord Arrogant intends to do. I will return to Italy to study music, and he can go to Hades!”