room to hold a life-size portrait of you.’
‘Sarah, I’ve only just begun carrying this child.’
‘I was simply referring to the size of the wall, not your size. Even you admitted it’s rather large. It’s as if there are two of you,’ Sarah continued, looking between the portrait and Katrina. ‘Although it is a beautiful likeness of you, I think I’m relieved I will not be immortalised as such.’
‘I’m relieved as well,’ came the voice of the Earl of Hartwick as he swaggered into the room alongside Lyonsdale and tossed a lock of his shiny black hair out of his eyes. ‘One of you is more than sufficient in this world,’ he drawled.
He was sinfully handsome, with a strong athletic build and the finest blue eyes God had ever placed in a man. Olivia had heard his name spoken quite often by women of her age. Delicious and virile were words that were frequently used in those conversations.
‘It truly does amaze me that the women of this town find you so alluring, Hartwick,’ Sarah said. ‘I believe it will remain one of life’s mysteries.’
‘Perhaps it’s because you are rarely in my company.’
‘No, I am certain familiarity would not clear the reasoning.’
Lyonsdale came to stand beside his wife and kissed her hand. Witnessing the love they shared always filled Olivia with regret—regret that she had not found a man who loved her even just a little.
‘We are off to White’s,’ Lyonsdale said, looking up at the painting. ‘However, I wanted to show Hart your portrait.’ The pride was evident in his voice. ‘I told you that gown was the best choice.’
‘You said you wanted me to wear the gown I was wearing the night we met. Fortunately for you, it is one of my favourites.’
‘I envisioned you in it for so long, it will always be my favourite.’
Sarah and Hartwick rolled their eyes in unison while standing next to each other. Then the Earl walked closer to the portrait and took in the work with his hands fixed on his hips. He tilted his head a number of times before turning around and nodding to Katrina.
‘He is right,’ Hartwick said. ‘The artist has captured you perfectly. Now be a good duchess and bear a child that looks more like you than it does my friend.’
Olivia thought the child would do well resembling either parent and wondered if she would ever conceive another. Gabriel’s kiss today confused her. Instinctively her hand went to her stomach.
‘You looked a bit pale, Sister. Some fresh air might do you wonders,’ Victoria said, taking Olivia’s arm. ‘Would you mind if we went outside for just a bit?’ she asked Katrina.
‘By all means, there is a door to the terrace just down the hall,’ Katrina replied with a sympathetic smile. ‘We shall be returning to the Crimson Drawing Room shortly. Why don’t you take your time and meet us there.’
Victoria guided Olivia into the portrait gallery outside the library and Olivia pulled her to a stop. ‘What are you about?’ Olivia demanded quietly. ‘Now Katrina will think I couldn’t bear to witness the affection she shares with Lyonsdale and you were trying to spare me the pain.’
‘Nonsense,’ Victoria said, tugging Olivia to begin walking. She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I have wanted to get you alone and couldn’t wait another minute. How is it that I hear of surprising actions of yours from Lyonsdale’s grandmother and not from you, my own sister? Don’t look at me like that. You had to know there would be talk of your unusual stroll down Bond Street with Winter. She mentioned it before we went in for dinner.’
Olivia’s stomach dipped uncomfortably, recalling the last time she and Gabriel were the topic of ton gossip. ‘If that mundane fact has people talking, they aren’t paying close enough attention to the scandals around them. I cannot believe a simple walk between a husband and wife is cause for discussion.’
‘When those two people act as polite strangers for years, I’d say that is cause for gossip. And how is it you did not see fit to tell me?’
‘I did not think it noteworthy.’
Victoria looked about ready to stamp her foot on the parquet floor. ‘How could you say that? A few days ago you wanted your cook to roast him for the inconsiderate way he delayed Nicholas’s breeching. Now you are walking with him down a main thoroughfare and he is buying you jewels. Something is going on and I demand you tell me what it is.’
‘Jewels? He did not buy me any jewels.’ Olivia opened the door to the unoccupied terrace and stepped outside. The scent of rain was heavy in the air and thick clouds moved swiftly in the moonlight. ‘I was sitting for Manning in his studio when Gabriel arrived quite unexpectedly. He said he was attending to matters close by and decided to accompany me home.’
‘Why would he care to escort you home? You barely speak with one another.’
Olivia shrugged and rolled her eyes. ‘The man is a mystery and always has been. As to be expected, on our way home we had a disagreement. The only reason he dragged me into a jewellery shop was so people would not witness our row.’
Victoria’s eyes narrowed. ‘Nevertheless people did witness you together and are speculating on a reconciliation.’
‘That is absurd. You of all people should understand our marriage could never go back to being what I thought it was, not after what he did.’
‘Well, something has changed and I believe you have some notion what has altered his behaviour.’
Olivia rubbed her forehead. Victoria had always been her deepest confidant. Hopefully she would not make her feel worse. She took a deep breath and let the words spill out. ‘I told him I wanted another child.’
Victoria’s eyes widened considerably.
‘But, he has rejected me,’ Olivia amended. ‘At least I think he rejected me...please do not tell Mother. I could not bear to hear her prattle on about how relieved she is that I’ve cast aside my pride and started comporting myself like the Duchess I am. I believe my estrangement from him has been a cause of embarrassment for her.’
‘I will not say a word to her—however, how could you not know if you were rejected? I would think it would be fairly obvious.’
‘Well, I thought he had rejected me. We did not...that is to say he could not...’
‘When did this happen?’
‘A few nights past. Oh, it was so humiliating. I cannot believe I even considered it, but now I am so confused.’
Her sister placed a comforting hand over Olivia’s. ‘Like all men, he is a selfish beast who has no notion of how fortunate he is to have a lovely wife. What is confusing about that? We’ve known that for years.’
‘He kissed me today. Do not groan.’ Olivia closed her eyes and dropped her forehead into her palms, not wishing to see Victoria’s next reaction. ‘And what is worse, I kissed him back.’ She was such a fool.
‘Oh, no, Olivia, you didn’t,’ moaned Victoria. ‘What in the world possessed you to do such a thing? You know he cares nothing for you. How
