Lady Olivia To The Rescue by Julia Parks Read Free Book Online Page B

if that meant spending her life unwed, then so be it.
    Her aunt’s maid entered the room and pulled the emerald-green silk gown from the wardrobe. Olivia stepped into it and stood patiently as the servant expertly pinned and taped it into place.
    “Will you be wearing the Cunningham emeralds or the single pendant, my lady?”
    “I think the Cunningham emeralds are in order if I am to impress Mr. Pendleton tonight. And the matching tiara, too.”
    “Very good, my lady.”
    Finally, the maid pronounced her masterpiece complete and stepped back to allow Olivia a look at her blonde hair. It was piled on top of her head, lending her height. On top of the cluster of curls was the emerald-and-diamond tiara, winking at her in the candlelight.
    “You have outdone yourself, Jinks.”
    ‘Thank you, my lady.”
    “Would you mind running upstairs and checking on Pansy for me? I hate to leave without first inquiring about her progress.”
    “Very good, my lady.”
    A moment later, the maid returned and informed Olivia that her abigail was sleeping peacefully. Olivia made her way down the stairs to the drawing room where her aunt waited for her, talking quietly with Olivia’s friend, Lord Hardcastle. Tony rose and bowed when she entered the room. Olivia found the look of admiration on his face very gratifying, especially because he was in love with the simpering Miss Featherstone.
    “I am a lucky fellow, escorting two such beautiful creatures to the ball this evening. Your aunt has just been telling me about your maid. I do hope she makes a full recovery.”
    “I am hopeful, too, but tomorrow will tell, I think. Meanwhile, one of the other maids has promised to keep vigil tonight and to send for me if there is a need.”
    “If I had to live my life as a servant, Olivia, I think I would not mind being one of yours. You treat them much better than the average employer,” said Tony.
    Olivia said, “But I am not just their employer. We are not friends, precisely, but they know they can depend on me just as I depend on them. My mother taught me to always remember the Golden Rule when it came to my servants.”
    “A wise woman, your mother,” said her aunt.
    “Now, shall we go? I do not want to miss out on a minute of the card room activities. The Grants always have the best card rooms for their balls. I think Lord Grant would operate his own club if his wife would countenance such a scheme.”
    “I understand he did operate such a place for a short time,” said Tony.
    “A gambling hell?” said Aunt Amy with a delicious shiver.
    “Not a hell, but a very lively place. I visited it once and nearly lost my entire inheritance.”
    “Oh, Tony, now you are teasing Aunt Amy, and it is very bad of you.”
    He crossed his heart. “’Struth, Miss Hepplewhite. ‘Pon my honour.”
    Olivia laughed. “Now I know he is making up tales. He always speaks in one-syllable words when he is attempting to pull the wool over your eyes.”
    “I must protest!” he exclaimed, ushering them out the front door.
    Their short journey to the Grants’ town house was filled with lively conversation. Olivia laughed until her sides hurt, and she was gasping for air by the time they pulled up to the house.
    Inside, they greeted their host and hostess and then entered the large ballroom. The colourful gowns swirled, contrasting perfectly with the gentlemen’s dark coats. Jewels twinkled in the candlelight as if keeping time with the musicians’ instruments.
    Olivia smiled, her blue eyes dancing in delight.
    It was a perfect picture of the elite of English society, and as always, she was thrilled to be a part of it.
    Tony excused himself, and Olivia’s aunt leaned close and whispered, “Exactly why is it you rejected Lord Hardcastle’s suit? He is one of the most handsome and charming men in all of London. If I were twenty years younger…”
    “He is all that and more, but he is one of my oldest friends—more like a brother than a suitor. And you