Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

“Good morning.” Hugh entered the dining room for breakfast the following morning, thrilled to find it deserted except for Olivia and her aunt.

His gaze latched on to Olivia, remembering their kiss as he wondered if he’d have a chance for another soon.

Her cheeks heated under his regard, a visible reminder to better hide his growing feelings for her.

He dipped his head in greeting, careful to meet Mrs. Stamper’s gaze as well.

The older woman’s welcoming smile eased his tension. “Did you sleep well, Lord Darnworth?”

“I did.” However, his dreams had been filled with images of Olivia in his arms. “And you?”

“Quite well.” She looked at her niece as she reached for her cup of tea. “Did you, dear?”

“Indeed.” Olivia took a bite of toast, her eyes seeming to send him a silent message—or perhaps that was just his hope.

Hugh moved to the sideboard and filled his plate before returning to the table to sit across from them. “What plans do you have for the day?”

“I am not yet certain,” Mrs. Stamper said.

“Lord Ballard mentioned the pond is frozen and suitable for ice skating,” Hugh advised. “Perhaps that would be something everyone would enjoy.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “It has been several years since I last went skating.”

“What fun,” Mrs. Stamper declared, her enthusiasm contagious. “Do they have enough skates for everyone?”

“From what he said, I believe so.” Hugh looked forward to seeing Olivia’s eyes light with joy again and hoped the outing would do that. The need to make each day count was one he didn’t question. “I will ask for details now that I know of your interest.”

Within the hour, Hugh and Olivia donned cloaks, coats, gloves, and hats and joined two footmen to survey the pond. Hugh wanted to examine the ice to make certain it was suitable for skating.

The footmen brought brooms and shovels and made quick work of clearing the snow, leaving Hugh and Olivia to check the ice.

“It looks as smooth as glass,” Olivia exclaimed from the edge. “We couldn’t ask for better.”

“I do believe you’re right. It’s more than thick enough.” Hugh offered his arm. “Shall we take a closer look?”

With a grin, Olivia took his arm, and, with careful steps, they made their way around the ice, checking for cracks and bulges but finding none. “Perfect.”

The footmen finished their work and departed, leaving Hugh and Olivia to enjoy the walk back to the house together.

“It’s not so far that we need to offer a ride to the other guests,” Hugh suggested.

“Hmm. I tend to believe some will require it.”

Hugh’s eyes narrowed at her expression. “Allow me to guess who you are thinking of. Lady Ellen?”

Olivia only smiled in response.

The thought of the lady dimmed his joy. She’d arrived quite late for breakfast only to turn up her nose at the offerings and request something else from the kitchen. Could he endure that sort of behavior if he was able to win her hand?

He supposed the ice skating would provide an opportunity to come to know her better, but in truth, he only wanted to be with Olivia.

“Do you have any siblings?” he asked. Olivia frowned at the abrupt change of subject, and he smiled. “As I said before I intend to take advantage of every moment we have together. I want to know everything about you.”

She laughed, the sound lightening his mood once again. “No, I don’t. Do you?”

“Two younger sisters.”

“Unmarried?”

“Yes.”

“Then you will soon be finding them husbands,” Olivia announced.

Hugh groaned. “Don’t remind me. I am already worried enough.”

“I have no doubt you will guide them with a strong but steady hand.”

He hoped that was something with which his wife would aid him, but he didn’t mention that to Olivia. He glanced at her, thinking of how much his sisters would like her. She would make helping them find good matches enjoyable rather than difficult.

He caught himself, halting his thoughts. He needed someone with the right connections who was familiar with those in Society.

Didn’t he?

“What are their names?” Olivia asked unaware of his inner turmoil.

“Anne and Grace.”

“How lovely. I always wanted siblings, though I am lucky to have a few cousins.”

Their conversation continued as they made their way slowly back to the house. Never once did Olivia complain about the cold or the snow, seeming to enjoy the time with him as much as he did with her.

She was an easy person to admire for many reasons. Not only was she sweet, kind, and intelligent, but she was considerate and clever.

Lady Ellen couldn’t compare to Olivia as far as he was concerned. Of course, Lady Ellen had several favorable traits, as well. Yet he couldn’t help but think they didn’t matter. At least, not to him. Did that reveal he was uncultured? If so, he didn’t care.

Once again, he reined in his rebellious thoughts. He needed to think of the future, of his children’s children, not just his own preferences.

He would take the next few days to consider his options and carefully weigh the traits he hoped for in a wife. This was not a decision to make lightly.

Yet he was coming to realize leaving his emotions out of the matter would be nearly impossible.

“We’re to walk?” Lady Ellen studied Hugh as if he’d lost his mind, much to Olivia’s amusement.

She’d warned him that not everyone would be willing to trudge through the snow to the frozen pond.

“I suppose we can request a cart be readied,” Hugh reluctantly said. “Though it’s not far.”

“How far precisely?” Lady Ellen’s lower lip extended but Hugh didn’t appear moved by it.

“Less than a quarter of an hour’s walk.”

Lady Ellen waited as if expecting him to amend his response.

Olivia didn’t care to remain for the outcome. She had no doubt Hugh would give in and arrange for transportation. She’d been witness to similar circumstances on more than one occasion. Lady Ellen always got her way.

She sent Hugh a sympathetic look then turned to Aunt Ester, who seemed transfixed by Lady Ellen’s behavior. “Shall we?” Olivia asked.

“Oh, yes.” Aunt Ester donned her gloves and followed Olivia out the door.

“It is lovely out here.” The surprise in her aunt’s voice made Olivia smile.

“Isn’t it? How unfortunate that Lady Ellen doesn’t step out to see for herself. The fresh air might do her good.”

Aunt Ester laughed. “Not everyone is as used to walking as you.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Now that she considered the matter, Lady Ellen was the clever one since she would no doubt be escorted by Hugh, whereas Olivia was walking without him.

All for the best, she told herself. Hugh might find her attractive but that was where it ended. Better that she did not become overly attached to him and the attention he paid her.

While she wanted to enjoy any time they had together, she had to protect her heart. How easy to think she could manage their flirtation, yet when they were together it was impossible to keep any emotional distance.

Aunt Ester commented on the scenery, distracting Olivia from her concern. They quickly reached the pond, and she was pleased to see the servants had placed several benches around the edge for people to sit and put on skates.

The sun peeked through the gray sky, lacking warmth, but her spirits lifted at the way it made the snow sparkle.

Skates were piled in trunks, one for the ladies and the other for the men. Olivia easily found a pair of the wooden frames with iron blades to fit Aunt Ester and herself. They strapped them on and took hold of one another to step onto the ice, both sorely out of practice.

Amidst laughter and near-falls, they managed to find their balance and a modicum of rhythm to cross the pond. Several other guests joined them, some quite talented, completing quick turns and spins.

“You used to spin, did you not?” Aunt Ester asked as they continued to hold onto each other as they rounded the pond.

“I did, but that was years ago. I’m not sure I can do it anymore.” She smiled at her aunt. “Thank you again for asking me to join you for the party. It has been lovely.”

“I’m so pleased you’ve enjoyed it. You were overdue for a respite from caring for your parents.”

Guilt settled on Olivia’s shoulders, and she nearly stumbled. “I don’t mind.”

“Of course, you don’t. Even if you did, you would never say a word.” Aunt Ester drew to a halt to hold her gaze. “But I worry about you. What sort of life is that for a young woman?”

Olivia bit back a protest.

“You should be looking for a husband of your own and starting a family,” her aunt continued.

“I couldn’t leave them.” That was the truth of it. Nothing else mattered.

“Even if it was for their own good?”

Olivia gaped in surprise at her aunt. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I’m sorry, dear, but they’re becoming far too dependent on you. A little distance might benefit everyone.”

“I don’t know.” Olivia stared into the distance, thinking of her mother. Their maid was already busy enough with her duties, and they couldn’t afford another servant.

“I know it’s difficult, but I think we must have an honest conversation with them about the future. Changes need to be made, and I am willing to help.”

Olivia couldn’t imagine what changes those might be or how either of her parents would react, but perhaps speaking about it would be wise. “Could we wait until after Christmas?”

“Of course.” She took Olivia’s arm again with a smile. “Now then, let us make a few more rounds on the ice.”

The sight of the sleigh arriving with Hugh and Lady Ellen at last had Olivia and Aunt Ester sharing a look. Olivia couldn’t help but watch with a pang of envy as Hugh handed Lady Ellen down and escorted her to one of the benches.

It took several tries before he found a pair of skates that suited her.

“Don’t tell me he’s going to have to put them on for her as well,” Aunt Ester whispered as she watched them out of the corner of her eye.

“I believe he is.” Olivia’s heart squeezed at the sight of him kneeling before her. The moment made it all too easy to imagine him proposing to the lady. She had to look away when hurt washed over her.

“Lord Darnworth is quite handsome, is he not?” her aunt murmured.

Olivia hesitated before answering, aware of how closely her aunt watched her. “Indeed. Kind, as well.”

“He is already a fine earl even if he doesn’t yet realize it.”

Olivia nodded. She couldn’t agree more.

At length, Hugh and Lady Ellen made their way to the ice, the lady holding tightly to Hugh, laughing as she looked up into his face.

“I do believe I will make one more lap before I return inside,” Aunt Ester advised as she started forward, this time without holding onto Olivia.

“I will return with you.”

“Nonsense. You must test your skating skills now that you’ve had some practice. But do take care not to fall.”

“I will.” Olivia had no intention of staying long. Not when she couldn’t manage to look away from Hugh and Lady Ellen.

The other lady released Hugh’s arm to twirl, her movement graceful and effortless.

Olivia knew better than to compare herself to others, a lesson taught in church nearly every Sunday. And she certainly shouldn’t feel sorry for herself. Pity was for the less fortunate, not her. Yet those reminders didn’t keep her from wishing her life was different. That she was different.

If only...

No. She straightened her shoulders and focused on the moment. She had been enjoying herself until Lady Ellen’s arrival and need only ignore her to do so again. The time at the house party was a gift and she wouldn’t waste it or allow anyone to ruin it.

She pushed off, loving the feel of the wind on her face. Her skates glided across the ice, and as she relaxed, her strides became smoother. Exuberance rose within her, and she sped her pace, racing past her aunt who clapped in delight. With a deep breath, she toed the tip of the blade into the ice, thrilled when she spun in several circles.

Laughter and more applause filled the air. She drew to a stop to see Hugh was one of several clapping, a grin on his handsome face as he watched her. Lady Ellen stood just behind him and glared at her.

Olivia ignored her and bobbed a quick curtsy to acknowledge the applause then pushed off to continue around the ice. She had missed exhilarating moments like this, whether from skating or other activities. To feel truly alive in both mind and body.

The sensation was one she needed to cultivate as it would give her strength for the years ahead. Though Aunt Ester promised to help with her parents, Olivia knew the burden was hers. The chances of anything changing were slim.

All the more reason to enjoy these few days of respite in any fashion she could find.