Laura Matthews by A Baronets Wife Read Free Book Online Page A

Olivia left her for a moment to order the carriage brought round. She took the opportunity to slip into her room and secure some money before returning to Miss Stewart.
    It seemed incredible to Olivia that twenty minutes later she was waving a farewell to the woman who had been a constant resident in her home for so many years, and that she did not know why the companion was leaving. There was no doubt in Olivia’s mind that Miss Stewart had said no more than the truth when she exonerated her of any improper conduct the previous evening, but that left her at more of a loss than ever to explain the departure.
    No sooner had Olivia returned to the drawing room than her aunts descended upon her in a fury of disgust. They paid no attention to her explanations of the night’s actual occurrences, but insisted that she no longer existed in their eyes.
    “Never,” Aunt Davis proclaimed righteously, “has there been such a scandal in our family. I thank my lucky stars that this has opened my eyes before I took you into my own home to contaminate your cousins with your disgraceful behavior.”
    Aunt Moore nodded an accompaniment to Aunt Davis’ ravings, which lasted the better part of an hour, long before which time expired Olivia despaired of bringing them to an understanding of the truth and desisted in the attempt.
    The rest of the day was a nightmare no less chilling. Olivia was ignored at meals and shunned by all in the reception rooms with the lone exceptions of Lila Dyer and Sir Noah. Even her own brothers would not speak to her, would not stand by her in this hideous mess. At times she could feel the tears pricking at her eyelids, and her chin quivered uncontrollably; but she refused to give in to the ostracism she faced.
    Lila Dyer, looking pale and seated most of the day in the drawing room, spent hours speaking with people in an attempt to furnish them with the truth, but they had rather believe the worst. Little gatherings would break off talking when Olivia approached, and would not open their circle to her. Eventually she escaped to the stables, only to see the reproach in the eyes of the staff there.
    The despondence she had begun to feel did not lift under the influence of an exhilarating gallop across the meadows nor during a ride through her favorite part of the estate. The wind felt bitterly cold, the sky threatening with its snow-filled clouds, but she did not wish to return to the house where she would once again have to face those dreadful accusing stares. Finally she put her head down against the mare’s neck and sobbed bitterly.
    Noah found her in this condition and his heart ached for her. When he had wiped her tears, he said gently, “Let me take you home to my mother, Olivia. You need not marry me; but you will not suffer so there, and you can return to Stolenhurst when Peter has gone to London.”
    “I am afraid of your mother,” she gulped.
    Noah laughed with real amusement. “There is no need to be, you know. I’ll explain the situation to her, and I assure you she’ll treat you well. Julianna would welcome a friend for she is often bored in the dead of winter when she cannot be outside so much.”
    He studied Olivia’s uncertain face carefully. “I could take you there in the morning; it’s no more than a four hour journey even in this weather, if it doesn’t snow too heavily. Olivia, you’ll only be needlessly hurt if you stay here while Peter’s house party is in progress.”
    “And will you return to Stolenhurst?”
    “I shall be guided by your wishes.”
    “Very well,” she sighed, “I’ll go with you, Sir Noah, but just to spend a few days there. It’s kind of you to offer after I’ve been so rude about refusing to marry you. I’m sure you feel the same undesirability as I do on the subject and would not misconstrue my words as being ungrateful for your attempt to save my reputation.”
    “Never,” he responded with a grin. “And, Olivia, in view of the connection