by Vella, Wendy
“Lord Ryder, how pleased I am to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Patrick.”
Over her shoulder he saw Phoebe dance past, flicking him a quick wave which he acknowledged with a nod. He wanted to tell Miss Patrick to keep as far away from Phoebe Langley as possible, the comparisons would do the woman no favours, he thought, eyeing the stunning figure clad in pale, striped satin.
“I have a space free on my dance card, Lord Ryder,” Miss Patrick said, fluttering her lashes at him.
“I should be honoured if you will place my name on it, Miss Patrick.”
Giggling she did just that and then he offered her another bow and set off after his brother who had wandered away.
“You cannot spend the entire evening scowling, brother, you had to know that there is a shortage of eligible men in the area, and as your pedigree would suggest, you will be the most sought after,” Joseph said as he reached his side.
“I’m not a stallion, Joe.” Will scowled at him. “I’d forgotten that although the women are to appear meek and mild, they are in fact anything but.”
“I shall try not to let it slip that your wealth outstrips mine or you will be besieged.”
“I’ll thrash you if you do,” Will hissed as two young ladies walked past giggling and sending him flirtatious glances.
“You forget, Will, we are reared and tutored to find a suitable match nearly from the cradle.” Penny slipped her arm through his as she spoke. “Most will end with men old enough to be their fathers with only a select few finding love or even a comfortable match.
Will patted her hand. He had never given much thought to the plight of young, unwed women.
“It was merely a stroke of luck that I found someone I could tolerate,” she added which made her husband roll his eyes.
“She threw herself at me, of course,” the Duke drawled. “Relentless in pursuit, no one else but I would do.”
Blinded by animosity towards his brother Will had never taken the time to notice the love Joseph and Penny felt for each other. The looks they shared, the tiny, knowing smiles. He was glad that in his absence Joe had had this woman at his side.
“And now I wish to dance,” Penny said, removing her hand from Will’s arm and placing it on her husband’s.
“If I must,” the Duke said, smiling down at his wife. “Try to stay out of trouble brother,” Joe added with a wink before leading his Duchess onto the floor.
Shaking his head, Will was amazed that in the space of a few days the relationship he now had with his brother was stronger and more comfortable than it had ever been.
Nodding to a man whom seemed vaguely familiar, Will began to make his way to where he hoped the food was. It was usually the only thing worth investigating at these events. He wondered where Olivia was. Phoebe was still dancing but he had yet to see the elder Langley sister.
“My lord, let me introduce you to my daughters.”
It took twenty minutes to extract himself from the elderly lady whose name was double barrelled and had sounded like a small village in Yorkshire. She had told him that her three daughters, all of whom were delighted to make his acquaintance, had talked of nothing else but meeting him since they had arrived at the Assembly. The blond daughters had simpered and fluttered their eyelashes at him until he was ready to place his hands around their necks and squeeze. How the hell had he stomached this before leaving England, and enjoyed it?
Standing on his toes he looked over the people towards the back of the room in the hopes of seeing a table groaning with delicious and tempting treats and it was then he saw Olivia. Her back was to him yet he knew it was her because suddenly he was happy to be here when seconds before he would rather have faced a firing squad.
Dressed in pale rose, her gown caressed and clung to her lovely figure and her red-gold curls were piled high, exposing the vulnerable curve of her neck, but what drew his eye and had held it, were the gloved hands fisted at her sides. He made his way quickly through the people and as he drew closer he heard a few words and realized that she was under attack from the major and his wife.
“Lord Ryder!” Lady Bruntly trilled, her scowl was immediately replaced by a smile. “How wonderful of you to join our little gathering.”
Bowing to Lady Bruntly and her husband, Will then placed his hand beneath Olivia’s elbow. She was rigid, every muscle clenched so tight he was left in no doubt that she was in the grip of strong emotions, he wasn’t sure yet if it was anger or fear.
“Thank you, Lady Bruntly, as you can imagine I am very happy to be home with my family.”
“Sorry state our village has come to, Lord Ryder, since your departure,” the major stated loudly as he offered Will the barest of bows, his eyes still firmly fixed and glaring on Olivia. “I was robbed just miles from home last night and Miss Langley here…”
“By two highwaymen?”
Major Bruntly frowned at his interruption but answered the question.
“Yes, two highwaymen, who robbed us of all our jewels and money and then bound us hand and foot while our driver was shot.”
“Doesn’t sound like the two who robbed me, in fact I’m sure that one of them was a woman,” Will mused.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Lord Ryder. No woman could hold up a carriage or outmanoeuvre a man,” the major stated loudly, making sure everyone around them heard.
Will had neither liked nor disliked the major, in fact before today he had not given the man a thought, but he now had all of Will’s attention.
“My statement was based on my beliefs, Major, ridiculous or not,” Will spoke the words softly. For years he had controlled sailors and disreputable men who would slit a throat for a few coins, and he had realized that to control them he had to gain their respect. Yelling or using his fists had not worked every time, therefore, he had learned to get what he wanted through talking.
The major, however, failed to heed the warning in Will’s tone and simply changed tact by re-launching his attack on Olivia. Not a very smart move to Will’s way of thinking. Flushed with self-importance and the fact that he had the Duke’s younger brother as his audience, the major glared at Olivia who glared right back. She had a backbone, did little Miss Langley, but she would not beat a bully like Bruntly alone.
“She dares to compete in the Derby, Lord Ryder. A woman!” Major Bruntly spat the last word out, as if she were a species of rodent. “She has brought disgrace on her family and the village.”
Will felt a swift flood of rage and beside him Olivia fared little better. He felt her brace herself as she prepared to launch a verbal attack on the major. Squeezing her elbow Will was surprised when she obeyed his silent command and remained quiet.
Looking steadily at the older man for several seconds, Will made sure he had the major’s complete attention before he spoke.
“I take exception to your insulting words, Major. The Langley family are respected members of this village and friends to the Duke and I.” Will watched the man’s mouth drop open as he spoke. “She has as much right as any of us to ride in the Derby, and if she wishes to do so then it will be with the full support of my family and I will not tolerate your slurs on her character.”
“Now listen here…”
Cutting him off Will finished what needed to be said.
“If I hear one whisper about this matter in the future you will have me to answer to. I hope you understand me, Major Bruntly. I do not tolerate men who threaten women, especially not a woman whom I count as my friend.”
Steering Olivia around the Bruntlys, who were now gasping like landed fish, Will urged her onto the dance floor. Placing her in the line he then stood opposite. He saw she was stunned into silence and thought that was possibly a good thing; however he was not foolish enough to believe this condition would last much longer.
She didn’t know what to say or how to thank him, yet thank him she must Livvy realized, looking to where Will stood across from her. He had just defended her to Major
Bruntly and Livvy had not had anyone stand up for her in years. Lord, it should not feel so good. He smiled at her and then turned to chat with Squire Patrick on his left, as if he had not just torn strips of Major Bruntly’s tough hide.
“What were you and the Braggerlys’ talking about and why did Lord Ryder appear so suddenly at your side?”
These words were hissed at Livvy as the dance began by Phoebe who took her hand to form a circle.
“The major was expressing his opinion on my participation in the Derby,” Livvy said quickly before they parted. Mr Oglivy, Phoebe’s partner, then appeared beside her.
“I wonder, Miss Langley, if you could persuade your sister to allow me to be the one to procure her some refreshment after this dance.”
“I don’t think… Oh dear, are you all right Mr Ogilvy?” Livvy bit her bottom lip as the man tripped over his feet and landed at hers. Bending she was just about to help him rise when two large hands beat her to it.
“Up you get, Ogilvy. We must ask someone to look at that loose floorboard,” Will said as he brushed the dust from the other man’s jacket and tweaked his now hopelessly ruffled neck tie before nudging him back into place with the other dancers.
“Th—thank you, Lord Ryder, yes it would be terrible if a lady were to trip,” Mr Ogilvy’s cheeks resembled rosy apples.
Noting the wicked look in Will’s eyes Livvy quickly dropped her own to the floor before she laughed. Handsome in his navy blue coat and buff breeches, the other men seemed pale and insipid beside him and yet his dress was not dissimilar to theirs. It was his presence, the vitality of the man that seemed to eclipse all the others around him. As he turned once again to face her she noted a flash of emerald, his waistcoat was striped with blue and emerald and should have made him look like a preening peacock yet the effect was quite the opposite.
“You’re frowning, Olivia.”
“I fear it is instinctive, Lord Ryder,” Phoebe said loudly before once again turning away.
Laughing, he took Livvy’s hand as they navigated a turn.
“I’m sorry you were subjected to that fool.”
“Tis not your fault, my lord, I am used to Major Bruntly’s ways, please do not give it another thought.”
“She always frowns,” Phoebe interrupted, crossing in front of them.
Livvy rolled her eyes as her sister and partner swept by, Phoebe in a series of elegant movements, her partner stumbling over the steps.
“And why do you think that is, Phoebe?”
As if Livvy wasn’t within hearing distance, Will and Phoebe proceeded to discuss her.
“She tends to worry, my lord. Grabs hold of a problem and gnaws on it. In my opinion she needs to have more fun.”
“Shut up, Phoebe!”
“Fun you say?” Lord Ryder murmured and then to Livvy’s relief the dance pulled him away.
“If you say one more word, sister, your room will be let and I will have your bed set up in the stables!” Livvy whispered as Phoebe took her hand again.
“Boris and Harvey would be extremely put out, Livvy, you know how they like to sleep late.” Phoebe gave her a cheeky grin.
“Who and what are Boris and Harvey?”
“Horses, Lord Ryder,” Phoebe said.
“As to my earlier request, Miss Langley,” Mr Ogilvy said, appearing at her side once again, this time he managed to remain upright. “Do you think you could ask Miss Phoebe if she will let me procure her some refreshment?”
She couldn’t help it, Mr Ogilvy’s request tipped her over the edge and suddenly Livvy was giggling. It was all so ridiculous, they were dancing, for pities sake, surrounded by people and she was having three conversations at once and one was about the sleeping habits of her horse. Pressing a hand to her lips she tried to stop but the laughter kept coming.
“Are you hysterical?” Phoebe questioned, bending at the waist to peer into her sister’s eyes, which only made Livvy worse. Waving her free hand about for no reason other than to indicate she was all right, Livvy tried to stop yet couldn’t.
“Fresh air is the only cure for hysteria,” Lord Ryder declared.
With those words, Livvy found herself propelled towards the back of the room.
“Excuse me, yes I fear Miss Langley is not feeling quite the thing, vapours I think, most distressing,” Will said as they moved through the crowds to the door that led to a balcony. “She should be fine in a few moments; you know how delicate women can be.”
If Livvy wasn’t giggling she would take exception to his words, but she was still overcome with laughter. She tried to nod to people as they looked at her but more laughter kept spilling from her lips. Perhaps she was hysterical after all?
“Through you go,” Will said, opening the door and ushering Olivia outside. He then closed it behind them.
A blast of cold air greeted them but she did not seem to mind. Her pretty face was alight, eyes sparkling and small snuffling noises told him she was still seeing the funny side to something. He saw the carefree girl she had once been in the smiling woman before him.
Will watched as she walked to the railings and looked out at the night sky. She drew in several deep breaths and to his regret the laughter in her died.
“I can’t remember the last time I did that in company. I should imagine everyone in there will think I am now a trifle queer in the attic. Still,”—she sighed—“I suppose that has its merits, at least then I could wear odd gloves and sing loudly whilst walking through the village.”
“Not something my heart has ever desired, yet we are all cut from separate cloth luckily,” Will said, enjoying the fact that she appeared to have dropped all her barriers and was just Olivia, sweet, funny and achingly beautiful. He watched as she lifted one hand and pointed it skywards, he followed the gesture with his eyes and found a bright twinkling star.
“After my parents died I would stand outside late at night after my sisters had gone to bed and look at that star and wish.”
“What did you wish for?”
Will didn’t think she was going to answer him as she fell silent and when she finally spoke he knew that her barriers were once again firmly in place.
“The usual things a lady asks for, my lord, the latest style of bonnet and gown.”
“I used to wish to see my parents again when I looked up at the sky. Just one more time,” he said. “I would have told them I loved them.”
Her shoulders slumped, telling him her wishes had mirrored his own.
“I would like to say I’m sorry and thank you, Lord Ryder.”
“For what?”
Will studied her delicate silhouette as she continued to look up at the sky.
“The apology is for my behaviour towards you since your return to Twoaks. I have been churlish and rude and that is not acceptable and for that, I apologize.”
“Why did you feel the need to be churlish and rude, Olivia?”
He moved to stand beside her, his hands next to hers on the rail, shoulders nearly touching.
“And thank you for speaking to Major Bruntly in my defence,” she added, ignoring his question as he noticed she did when he asked her something uncomfortable. “Normally I would not accept another speaking on my behalf, but the major will never listen to the word of a woman, and as I was about to become—”
“Enraged?”
“As good a word as any, my lord,” she acknowledged. “That man is a fool, but not someone I wish to make an enemy of. Well at least any more of an enemy,” she amended.
“Men do not like to be challenged by women, especially not in something like the Derby.”
She made a little huffing sound.
“Men have all the appearance of strength, my lord, yet the male ego is a fragile thing, I fear.”
He laughed at her despondent tone.
“Cheer up, Livvy, not all of us mind a woman dominating them.”
She turned to face him then and he was subjected to a thorough inspection while he did the same. Her cin
namon eyes seemed almost black out here and her face pale in the moonlight. He wondered if she was cold with so much of her lush bosom exposed, his hands itched to stroke the creamy flesh.
“I feel your words have a deeper meaning, my lord, yet I have no wish to delve into what that is, therefore I shall ask you to escort me back inside.”
“Wise as well as beautiful, Olivia.”
She had been about to turn away yet stopped, once again looking up at him.
“There is no need for empty flattery between us, Lord Ryder. Therefore save your compliments for the women who seek them.”
Interesting, Will thought. She didn’t like his compliments and he wondered why. “My words to you are never empty flattery, Olivia. I hope you will always remember that fact,” Will said. Giving in to his need to touch her he ran a finger down the line between her eyes. “You’re frowning again.”
She stilled as his finger touched her mouth and then traced her bottom lip.
“The book of beauty, Miss Olivia Langley, should have been written about you. The curve of your cheek and softness of your lips tempt a man to forget he is a gentleman.” Her eyes fixed on him as Will lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. “The colour of your hair resembles my favourite time of day and the depths of your cinnamon eyes urge a man to delve into the secrets you hide deep inside.”
“Please, Lord Ryder, you must stop this.”
“Never forget that you are beautiful, Olivia.” Will cupped her face between his hands. “Now tell me why you felt the need to be churlish and rude to me.”
“Please don’t ask me any more questions, my lord.”
“Will.” He lowered his head. “You once called me Will,” he said against her lips.
“Will,” she whispered.
“Why must I ask you no more questions, Olivia?”
She blinked, her long lashes resting briefly on her cheeks before once again looking at him.