Lady Olivia and the Infamous Rake

by Janice Preston

  She found herself counting the days until they could return home to Cheriton Abbey—at least there she could find some solitude and not feel obliged to paint on a constant happy smile, even though life at home would be very different with no Aunt Cecily and no Uncle Vernon. But it was Hugo she missed most of all. It was not even as though they’d spent that much time together, but in Brighton there was no thrill when she woke up in the morning, wondering if she would see him later. She knew she would not see him. There was nothing to look forward to.

  * * *

  The week after their arrival in Brighton, however, Olivia’s bruised heart suddenly somersaulted in her chest at the sight of Hugo, strolling nonchalantly into the ballroom of the assembly rooms at the Castle Tavern. Her blood sang through her veins and her breath stalled. She raised her fan to her face, plying it gently to help hide her reaction and the sudden flush that heated her skin.

  He’s followed me! He missed me! He’s changed his mind!

  There were people all around and too many watchful eyes, so she strove to remain casual. She had her pride after all. Not even Nell must know how her hopes flared from nothing to a roaring blaze within a few seconds of that first sighting. He had entered alone and now he prowled the room, bowing and exchanging a word here and there, but never lingering. He was searching.

  For her?

  Her heart beat a hectic tattoo as she touched Nell on the elbow to gain her attention. She put her lips to Nell’s ear.

  ‘Cover for me, Nell. Please.’

  Before she had moved two paces, Nell caught her hand. ‘Livvy? Where are you going? Please, let me come with you. Do not take any more risks.’

  Olivia clutched Nell’s hand between both of hers. ‘No. Stay here, please. You have my word I will not leave the building. There is someone I need to speak to, but I will not take any risks, I promise.’

  She gave that reassurance without a qualm—she knew beyond any doubt that Hugo would not harm her and there was therefore no risk at all.

  ‘Very well. But for fifteen minutes only. After that, I shall find your papa and tell him you have disappeared. And I am certain you do not wish me to do that.’

  ‘Thank you, Nell. You are the best friend ever.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  Olivia squeezed Nell’s hand before releasing it, then she strolled around the room until she could see Hugo again and could be sure he had seen her. But she would remember her vow and let him take the lead. No longer would she pursue her dream unless she was certain it was his dream as well. And so she waited as he crossed to her side, her pulse racing with pure delight at the sight of him—tall, dark and slightly dangerous-looking in his black evening clothes. She carefully concealed that delight as she bobbed her head in greeting.

  ‘Good evening, Lord Hugo. I am surprised to see you here. I was not aware you had plans to visit Brighton this summer.’

  He bowed, then passed a hand around the back of his neck as though he were uneasy. He did not even smile at her, but merely looked bored. Her joyous optimism dimmed somewhat.

  ‘I had no intention of coming into town, but Alex told me that Clevedon is here.’

  It was true that Lord Clevedon was in town, but...

  ‘Alex?’ Olivia frowned. ‘But he is not in Brighton.’

  ‘He comes in from time to time. He is staying with me, at my house on Sir Horace’s estate. It is on the western outskirts of town.’

  So the friend Alex was staying with was Hugo? Her thoughts whirled as she processed these new facts. These secrets. She had known Sir Horace had an estate in Sussex, but she’d had no idea it was so close to Brighton. And she’d no idea Hugo had his own house. Or that he would be in the area during the summer.

  Her happiness dipped even lower.

  ‘Alex has been advising my stepfather about his racehorses,’ he continued. ‘They have become quite close.’

  ‘But...he has not visited us. I thought...well, I did not think he was so close to Brighton. He did not tell me.’

  And neither did you. The suspicion she was an utter fool began to take hold of her. You knew I was coming to Brighton and yet you never mentioned you would be nearby.

  ‘He is keeping a low profile as far as your father is concerned and he’s trying hard to stay away from temptation. After they went to Foxbourne a couple of weeks ago, Alex was left in no doubt that if he gets into any more trouble or debt your father will put a manager in there.’ Hugo scratched his jaw, frowning. ‘I did not come here to talk about your brother. Come, let us walk as we talk. It will be less likely to be remarked upon.’

  Without waiting for her reply, he began to stroll. He did not even proffer his arm. Resentment began to simmer, deep down inside, as she sensed his purpose in seeking her out was not for the pleasure of her company but to—yet again—lecture her.

  ‘Alex has been into town a time or two to meet up with Neville Wolfe, which is when he saw Clevedon.’

  Olivia put her nose in the air. ‘I fail to see why Lord Clevedon should concern you, sir.’

  As it happened, her time had been so fully occupied she had barely noticed Clevedon’s presence in Brighton, but the sea would freeze over before she admitted as much to Hugo. She might not have spoken for all the notice he took.

  ‘You should beware of him. He is not what he seems.’

  ‘That he is a friend of yours is warning enough, I assure you.’

  Again, she may as well not have spoken.

  ‘You must not encourage him. He has only followed you here because he is desperate.’

  ‘Desperate enough to want me? I see.’ Olivia dipped a small curtsy. ‘Thank you for revealing your true opinion of me, sir.’

  His voice deepened. ‘Olivia. You know that is not what I meant.’

  Her entire being responded to that deepened tone with a quiver, enraging her all the more. She raised her chin.

  ‘It is Lady Olivia to you, sir. And I shall speak to whomever I choose, whether or not that might be construed as encouragement by a random casual observer such as yourself. In fact, if I choose to flirt outrageously with his lordship, I shall do so with no compunction whatsoever and certainly without consideration as to your opinion in the matter.’

  Hugo thrust a hand through his hair. ‘Please. Take care. Talk to him by all means—you will come to no harm as long as you conduct yourself as the proper young lady you were raised to be. But be on your guard. I have told you before, you must take care around men of his ilk. You are too innocent to know what could happen when such men are driven to desperation.’

  ‘How dare you!’ Olivia kept her voice low, but she was utterly furious. By what right did he lecture her? Far from encouraging her to be careful, his lecture goaded her into throwing caution to the wind and be damned. ‘Your opinion, sir, is nothing to me. You are not a member of my family and you have no right to even comment upon how I conduct myself.’

  She felt tears of rage scald behind her eyes, but she gritted her teeth. She would never reveal the utter agony erupting inside her, nor the fury—this time with herself—for having allowed hope to blossom yet again.

  He doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either.

  Either that, whispered a snide voice in her head, or he thinks you aren’t good enough for his friend.

  ‘You, sir, are despicable. You denounce a friend behind his back. You steal kisses when it suits you and then you have the gall to lecture me about proper conduct? I never, ever wish to speak to you again.’

  Olivia whirled on her heel and stalked away, heading for the ladies’ retiring room where she might regain her composure. As she walked, she became aware—from the curious looks she attracted—that she was scowling and that her teeth and her hands were all clenched tight. She hauled in a deep breath and forced herself to relax. She slowed her pace and again made use of her fa
n to mask her expression and to waft cooling air across her hot face.

  ‘It is a wonder you did not snap your fan, my lady, your grip was so intense.’ The amused drawl in her ear brought her to a halt. Lord Clevedon bowed, his smile sympathetic. ‘And that would have been a shame...it is a very pretty fan.’

  Olivia halted, mortified that anyone, let alone Clevedon, should have witnessed her fury. Behind him, she glimpsed Lord Sudbury strolling away.

  ‘What has put you in such a rage? I am always willing to provide a sympathetic ear...perhaps you would care to join me in the tea room for refreshment?’

  I’ll show Hugo how little his warnings signify!

  ‘Thank you, sir. That would be most pleasant.’

  She hoped devoutly that Hugo was watching as Clevedon settled her at a table and signalled to a waiter to bring tea.

  ‘Would you care to share your concerns? Is your brother in trouble again? Really...’ He hesitated, and Olivia raised her brows. ‘This,’ he went on, ‘is not a subject I would normally mention to a lady but I know how you have tried so hard to keep Alex out of debt and I know you must be desperately worried to think he will now lose Foxbourne Manor. He is so very much looking forward to it, is he not? I am sure it will break his heart when your father carries out his threat to put in a manager instead.’

  The shock knocked all thoughts of Hugo and his duplicity from Olivia’s mind.

  ‘What...? I fail to understand, sir. Are you telling me that Alex has run up more gambling debts?’

  Dear God, Papa will be furious, especially after Alex promised him so faithfully.

  The very thought of the consequences brought sour, scorching bile into her throat.

  This will tear our family apart even more.

  ‘I am so sorry, my lady.’ Clevedon looked contrite. ‘I saw you with Alastair just now and I assumed he had apprised you of Alex’s latest troubles and that was the cause of your anger. I see now I was mistaken. Please forgive me.’

  So Hugo knows Alex is in debt again and he did not see fit to warn me?

  Anger and resentment swelled. He was as bad as the rest of her family—assuming that she was too young and too delicate to handle the stark truth.

  Clevedon sipped his tea, casting his gaze around the room. ‘I am pleased to have this opportunity for a quiet chat, my dear. You are so very popular, it is difficult to snatch a few moments of your time. Tell me, how you are enjoying your first visit to Brighton?’

  ‘Very much so, sir.’ She recalled Hugo’s claim that Clevedon had only come to Brighton in pursuit of her. ‘And you, sir? Are you a regular visitor?’

  ‘Oh, indeed. I come every year, for the sea air and for the races.’

  So you are wrong, Lord Know-It-All Alastair. But proving him wrong did nothing to quell the deep rage that rumbled inside her and neither did it relieve the ache in her heart. She wrenched her traitorous thoughts away from that untrustworthy rogue.

  ‘Lord Clevedon?’

  ‘Yes, my lady?’

  ‘Will you tell me how much money Alex owes and to whom?’

  Clevedon straightened. ‘I cannot—’

  Olivia held up her hand to silence him. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice. ‘Please? I know all about gentlemen not discussing such matters with ladies, but Alex has always confided in me. I want to help him—’ I must help him. I have to keep what’s left of my family together ‘—but to do that I need to know the worst.’

  ‘And what could you do to help even if I did tell you?’

  ‘I have some of my allowance left.’ Not much, after repaying Hugo what she owed, but she did have some. ‘Or I could appeal to the gentleman concerned to give Alex more time to pay.’

  ‘I did offer him additional time, but—’

  ‘You offered him? You mean to tell me that Alex is in debt to you?’

  Clevedon gave her a rueful smile. ‘I am more sorry than I can say, my lady. I promise you I tried to dissuade him from continuing to play once he began to lose, but he would not listen to me. The others at the table had no idea of what was at stake, which is why I bought up all his vowels at the end of the night.’

  She felt sick. ‘How...how much?’

  ‘Close to five thousand guineas, I’m afraid.’

  Her head swam and she pressed her fingers to her temple. ‘Dear God.’ She looked up at Clevedon. ‘But...you will give him more time to settle his debt, my lord? I am persuaded you will.’

  ‘Unfortunately, it is a matter of honour for a gentleman to pay his gambling debts immediately and Alex is a proud young man and most stubborn. He would accept no longer than two days—until tomorrow at six o’clock. If he is unable to raise the funds, I believe it is his intention to admit the truth to your father.’

  ‘Alex will never find that amount of money in so short a time.’

  ‘Gambling.’ Clevedon sighed. ‘It is the ruin of so many in our society. It truly is a curse. I feel a sense of shame that I have somehow contributed to your brother’s downfall although, as I said, I really did try to discourage him from continuing once he had plunged deep. I wish there was a way I could help that might prove acceptable to Alex. Waiving the debt is not an option, I fear.’

  ‘There must be a way.’ Olivia sank into thought.

  ‘I wonder...?’

  She looked up.

  ‘You might feel this is a risk after our little...er...encounter at Vauxhall Gardens.’

  She gasped, feeling the blood drain from her face. ‘But...you did not know that was me.’

  ‘Not at the time or, of course, I should have behaved very differently,’ he said. ‘But I hope my subsequent action in persuading Alastair to return the necklace to you—and the fact that your little adventure has remained a secret—will persuade you that I am to be trusted?’

  Her stomach churned at the knowledge that all the time Clevedon had courted her in London, he was fully aware of what she had done. But he was right. He had returned her necklace and he had also kept her secret. She should give him credit for that.

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘I propose a small wager, just between us.’

  Olivia’s heart quailed. ‘I do not wish to play piquet again.’

  ‘No, of course not. Now, let me think. Ah... I believe I have it. Do you have your riding horse here in Brighton?’

  ‘Sprite? Yes. Papa had the horses sent down from London.’

  ‘Perfect. As we are here for the horse races next week, it seems appropriate that we might settle this wager with a race between the two of us. Our horses should be well matched. You have seen my fellow in Hyde Park. He has the longer stride, but I’ll warrant your little mare can fly when given her head.’

  ‘She goes like the wind,’ said Olivia proudly. She studied Clevedon. ‘What wager do you propose?’

  He shrugged. ‘I am feeling magnanimous. If you win, I shall hand over Alex’s vowels.’

  ‘And if I lose?’

  He smiled. ‘One kiss. That is all.’

  It sounded too good to be true. Olivia was completely confident in her riding prowess and in Sprite’s ability to outrun Clevedon’s lumbering nag. Plus, she would be on horseback—completely safe from any attempt by Clevedon to corner her. It would be lily-livered, surely, to refuse the challenge? Except...

  ‘But I thought you were in debt? Such a sum of money...’ Her voice trailed into silence as she took in his thundering frown.

  ‘Where did you hear such a slander?’

  ‘I... I... I do not recall. Is it untrue, then?’

  ‘Of course it is. I have no debts other than to a few tradesmen. Certainly nothing to worry over and nothing like that sum.’

  Olivia hung her head. ‘I am sorry.’

  ‘You are forgiven. What others say is hardly your fault, but you should not believe all you hear. Th
ere are any number of people out there who delight in making mischief by embellishing the facts.’

  She did not believe Hugo was that sort of man. Although what, truly, did she know about him?

  He has always treated you with respect and kindness. Always.

  Except he kissed me and then rejected me.

  Qualms churned her stomach over what she was about to agree to, but her anger over Hugo’s treatment of her and her fear for the future of her family spurred her on.

  ‘Where do we race and when?’

  ‘It will have to be tomorrow, before Alex is driven to admitting his latest folly to your father. Will you be able to get away?’

  ‘I...yes, I believe so.’

  They were due to go on a picnic ride tomorrow with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Thea, newly arrived in Brighton. She could feign illness and then, after the others had ridden off, tell the grooms she felt better and would catch up with the party.

  ‘I can be ready just after three o’clock.’

  She explained about the picnic ride to Whitehawk Down, where they had planned to ride around the racecourse before the races next week and then go further up on to the Downs to have a gallop and enjoy the spectacular views over the coastline and the sea. Olivia had been looking forward to the outing, but she was willing to sacrifice her pleasure if it saved Alex.

  ‘We should go the other way then. Allow me to think.’ Clevedon stared down at his teacup for a few minutes. ‘I have it. Have you seen the chalk pit near to St Nicholas’s Church?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘We shall meet there, at the end of the pit furthest from the town. Our course will head across country, up the hill to the north of the church. There is a windmill up there...do you know it?’

  ‘I do.’

  Olivia had noticed that windmill last week when she had ridden past it with her family, on an outing to see the Devil’s Dyke—a scenic V-shaped valley popular as an excursion with visitors to Brighton.

  ‘Good. So we race up the hill to the windmill, we ride around it and then head west, towards a stone barn you will see in the distance. We ride straight across the road that leads out to Devil’s Dyke and then, when we reach the barn, we ride around it before heading back down to the town along the carriage way that runs past the barn. The first back to the church is the winner.’