embraces. “Oh, when did you arrive? Let me look at you.”
Olivia pulled back out of sight and leaned against the wall. It seemed wrong somehow to intrude upon this homecoming of her aunt and uncle’s only son. Though her stomach grumbled over the lack of food, she decided to hold off her arrival until the family had a moment alone.
“My ship arrived in port nearly a fortnight ago,” came the deep rumble of her cousin’s voice.
“A fortnight? Then why have you waited until now to come calling?” This was Robert’s voice, raised in challenge.
“I had business to attend to, Father.”
“Of course you did.” Agatha’s tone left no doubt that she would always side with her son. “If a man is to remain successful, he must put business affairs ahead of all others.”
“So you have always said, Mother. And I have become more successful than ever. Now tell me. What has happened while I was away?”
“Mother and Father had to journey to Oxford to bury Mother’s sister.” Olivia recognized Catherine’s whining tones. “And you’ll never guess who they brought home with them.”
Before Wyatt could respond she continued, “Our spinster cousin from the country.”
Olivia’s face flamed. Greatly distressed, she pressed her palms to her burning cheeks as the voice continued, “I warn you, Mother, I won’t have that plain, horrid creature wearing my clothes.”
“It’s only for a few days, Catherine, until I can have the dressmaker replace those pitiful rags she brought with her.”
“She can go naked for all I care. I’m not sharing my things with her. And why have you put her in the guest suite?”
“Where would you suggest I put her? In the servants’ quarters?”
“That would be too good for her. Have you forgotten, Mother? Ian and his family will be coming to pay a visit soon. I won’t have the Earl of Gathwick being introduced to her. I would simply die if my intended and his mother knew we were related to...to...that bumpkin.”
“Don’t worry your pretty head about it, my princess. Nothing will ruin your chances with the earl and his family.” Agatha’s tone was soothing. “Your father and I don’t want her here any more than you do. I’ll find someone to take her off our hands, even if she has to muck stalls to earn her keep.”
Stunned and horrified at what she’d overheard, Olivia began to back away, determined to hide herself in the guest suite until she could pack her bags and flee this hateful place.
Bringing a hand to her trembling lips she turned away. But even as she raced along the hallway, the cruel laughter followed, mocking her.
Minutes later, in her room, she heard a voice from the doorway. “So, here’s our little mouse.”
Olivia looked up from the valise into which she was hastily stuffing her belongings. A tall man with sandy hair and pale blue eyes leaned against the open door, his arms folded over his chest.
“I figured, after overhearing all that business below stairs, that you’d be packing.”
“How did you know...?” Feeling her cheeks flame, she ducked her head and resumed her activity.
“I saw the hem of a skirt fluttering in the doorway. Who, I asked myself, but our little country cousin, would have tried to slip away without revealing herself?”
“You seem quite smug. Is that why you’re here? To accuse me of eavesdropping?” She folded her blue gown, the one she’d intended to wear tonight to sup with her aunt and uncle and cousins.
“On the contrary. I am appalled at my sister’s behavior. And I came here to make amends.” He walked up to her and extended his hand. “Hello, cousin. I am Wyatt Lindsey. Could we begin afresh?”
For the space of several seconds Olivia stared at his hand, then into his face. Despite the elegant cut of his clothes, there was a certain boyishness to his smile. She sensed that he was very aware of his charms, and accustomed to using them. “I... suppose we could.” She offered her hand. “I am Olivia St. John.”
He continued holding her hand a moment longer than necessary, until, flustered, she forcibly removed it.
He chuckled at the color that flooded her cheeks, though he couldn’t tell if she was flattered by his attentions or angry.
He was more than a little surprised by what he’d found. Pleasantly so. When Catherine had called their cousin a spinster, he had imagined a much older, plainer woman. Why this lovely creature was unmarried was a mystery. But as long as he intended to spend a few days here before returning to his country home, he planned to sample his pretty little cousin’s wares.
He nodded toward the valise. “Where are you planning on going?”
“I have no thought, other than that I must leave this place, where I am so unwelcome.”
“Perhaps I could...help you.” He touched a hand to a tendril of dark hair that had fallen loose from the neat knot at her nape.
At once she pulled back from his touch. “In what way can you help?”
He smiled. She was not going to make this easy. No matter. He enjoyed a challenge. He reached into his waistcoat and removed a rolled parchment. Unrolling it, he walked to the writing table and handed her a quill.
“First, you will sign your name to this document.”
Mystified, she moved closer. “What is it?”
“Nothing of any importance. It merely names me executor of your estate.”
“My estate?” She gave a harsh laugh. “Your parents informed me I was penniless.”
“And you are. It’s merely a formality. But as a solicitor, I prefer everything to be tidy. Sign here.”
She eyed the document, then shook her head. “The words have my head spinning. I would rather take my time and read it. Perhaps if you’d care to leave it...”
His smile, which only moments earlier had been warm and friendly, suddenly looked dangerous. He took a step closer and watched as she backed away. He took another step, and she did the same, until her back was pressed against the wall.
“You don’t want to anger me, cousin. I make it my business to know all of the wealthy and titled here in London.” He pressed his palms to the wall on either side of her face and leaned close until his lips were mere inches from hers. “I might be... persuaded to help you secure a position. That is, if you are willing to be...very nice to me.”
Outraged, Olivia tried to shove him away, but his strength surprised her. “I may be a country lass, unaccustomed to the ways of your London friends, but I understand what you’re suggesting and I want no part of it.”
At the last moment she managed to turn her face, so that his lips brushed her cheek.
“Stop this.” Again she pushed against his chest, but she was no match for his strength. “Let me go, Wyatt,
