in an unsteady breath, Gabriel noted Andrew’s commanding stance. His younger brother, who he had teased and wrestled with as a boy, had become a formidable ally. Giving up control was not in his nature, yet Gabriel was certain Andrew was prepared to handle such a monumental assignment.
‘I assume this means you heard?’
Andrew nodded. ‘I did not know what to say to you earlier, but I do know now. Listen to your instincts; they will not lie to you. Only you know what the right decision is for you. But regardless of what you decide to do, know that we will do all in our power to stop Janvier.’
As the carriage rolled to a stop outside Janvier’s town house, Olivia needed to make certain she was composed enough to hold a conversation with him without raising her voice—or throwing any objects within her reach.
Leaving Gabriel had been the hardest thing she had ever done, but she refused to be made a fool of by more of his lies. She might not have any control of his actions, but she could take some satisfaction knowing that she was the one to sever all contact. The anger she was feeling was directed at herself. He’d fooled her once, but this time she was to blame for stupidly trusting him. This time, the fault was all her own.
She had cried enough over the realisation that the man she loved would never love her in return. She was finally finished crying over what might have been. The course of her future was her own.
Placing her hand on her stomach, she took a deep breath. The air was heavy with the scent of rain. Looking out the window at the grey clouds rolling in, Olivia was grateful she reached Janvier’s house before the heavens opened up and ruined her slippers. The fury bubbling under her skin was certain to spring forth with the smallest inconvenience. Janvier had played no part in Gabriel’s betrayal. He didn’t deserve to bear even the smallest bit of the wrath she was keeping in check.
As she walked into his home, the diamond brooch that had been affixed to her cloak fell to the floor. She took a deep breath and counted to ten. The catch had come loose and she threw it in her reticule in annoyance.
The distant sound of thunder rumbled through the dimly lit entrance hall. His grey-haired butler was just about to take her card, when the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention. When she turned, Janvier rounded the corner dressed in fashionably tailored, black eveningwear.
She forced herself to smile at the sight of her friend. If being in his company would improve her mood, even the slightest bit, then coming to see him tonight was the right decision.
Although he appeared happy to see her, there was a brief flash of apprehension in his eyes. Showing up on a man’s doorstep alone would probably warrant that reaction.
‘This is a pleasant surprise,’ he said.
‘Good evening, Janvier. Forgive me for calling, but it was imperative I see you.’ Thankfully her voice did not expose her strained emotions.
‘Of course, I hope you are well?’ he asked with concern.
‘I am, thank you.’
He turned to his butler. ‘You may leave now. I will see to Her Grace.’
The man nodded before stepping around a few trunks and heading down the hall, the sound of his footsteps growing fainter and fainter.
‘May I take that for you?’ he asked, gesturing to her cloak.
She allowed him to slide it from her shoulders. ‘It’s starting to rain,’ she said, looking to break the awkwardness of the situation.
‘Never a pleasant thing, however it is all too common here in England. I would offer you tea, however I suspect you would prefer a glass of claret.’
She took a deep breath and forced herself to smile. ‘Thank you, I would like that.’ Accepting his arm, she accompanied him to a well-appointed drawing room, styled in the fashionable Grecian manner.
The clouds outside had obscured the waning sun, leaving only the light from the fireplace and a single candelabra to cast moving shadows in the room. Walking to a table near the window, Janvier lit five additional candles. In the darkened window glass, his reflection gave away an expression of serious concern. Was it possible he was unhappy with her calling on him? She wasn’t certain she could manage another rejection today.
However, when he turned to face her, his expression changed into one of welcoming interest. She shook off the foolish uneasiness and let her gaze wander from the gilt-framed landscape paintings to the marble statues resting on pedestals. If only it wasn’t in poor taste to ignore him and explore his artwork.
Then she spied a rather large royal-blue Sèvres porcelain urn painted in the Empire style atop a Sèvres bisque pedestal. It was a stunning piece of craftsmanship and she wished she had time to study the intricate bucolic scene painted on it.
‘That is lovely,’ she commented, stepping towards it.
Janvier approached her. ‘Thank you, it is a recent acquisition. Please, won’t you have a seat?’ he asked, gesturing to the sofa near the fire.
The gold-brocade cushions were well stuffed and she made certain to leave room next to her so that when he sat down their thighs wouldn’t touch. She was being foolish. He would not try to kiss her again. She had made her feelings for him quite clear. This man was her friend. Her emotions were frayed more than she had thought to make her uneasy around Janvier.
Olivia looked into his chocolate-brown eyes that were keenly focused on her and forced herself to smile. ‘I hope I have not arrived at an inconvenient time?’
‘You have not. However, I must confess your arrival is a surprise. Did I misunderstand? I thought we were to meet at the theatre instead of arriving together.’
‘That was our arrangement.’ She rubbed her brow. ‘Forgive me. It has been a trying day.’
He cocked his head to the side. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps your mood will improve tonight. I have been awaiting this evening for a long time.’
Olivia accepted the glass of claret from Janvier as he took a seat beside her. While he sipped his wine, he watched her over the rim of the crystal.
‘It is an excellent vintage,’ he commented, nodding towards the glass in her hand.
‘I would expect no less from you.’
‘Since you will not tell me what is troubling you, perhaps that wine will help return your smile.’
‘Forgive me, I did not come here to dampen your evening with my mood,’ she said apologetically.
‘Having you in my home could never put me in an ill mood.’ His grin only enhanced his handsome face.
She wished she could have unburdened herself. Being able to voice her disappointment in herself and her husband might help her straighten out the emotions that were an enormous jumble inside her head and heart. But she would not confide her secrets to someone simply because the timing was convenient.
‘The wine will help,’
