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

between our families, I must insist that you call me Noah.”
    She managed a tremulous smile as she nodded her agreement. Their ride back to the stables was silent, and when they entered the house, Olivia headed directly for her room. James Evans appeared on the stairs, and she turned her troubled, questioning gaze on him. Would he cut her, too? But no, he offered a sad smile and stopped to speak with her. It was such a relief to be acquitted by someone other than the participants of the night’s incident, that she was soon chatting away as though he were her best friend. When she paused for a moment, he apologized for keeping her and Miss Stewart up so late the previous evening.
    “It was an enjoyable time,” Olivia confessed, “but do you know that Miss Stewart left today? I could not understand her reason, but she does not intend to return.”
    “Most unfortunate. I fear you’ll sadly miss her company,” Evans replied politely.
    “Yes, I’ll miss her, but I’m going away tomorrow myself for a few days.”
    His disappointment was patent, and it cheered her considerably. It would seem that someone cared for her whereabouts. She could not assign the same motives to Sir Noah, but she was willing to accept the visit to his home as the best solution he could presently find for the dilemma into which he had inadvertently hurled her. Her conversation with Evans was interrupted by her brother’s approach; Evans quickly bowed and slipped away.
    “Noah informs me that he has invited you to Welling Towers, Olivia,” Peter announced. “I hope you’ll think better of your decision about marrying him while you’re there.” When Olivia said nothing, his anger mounted and he snapped, “You’ll disgrace the family if you don’t.” Still Olivia said nothing. “You don’t plan to attend the masquerade ball this evening, I hope.”
    “No,Peter.”
    “I shall wish you a pleasant journey now as it is unlikely I’ll be up when you leave.” He turned away from her to return to Lady Elizabeth.
    “And I shall wish you a happy birthday since I shall not be here,” she replied softly and did not wait to see if he would make any reply but continued her journey to her room.
    While Olivia stayed in her room packing, the masquerade ball for more than one hundred guests took place in the ballroom, and nearly every other room on the floor as well. Under her direction the main room had been decorated with festoons of hothouse flowers, and the ball did not begin until eleven. By the time supper was served at one, Olivia was fast asleep, but her name was on many lips over the champagne and lobster.
    Noah and Lila continued their endeavors to erase the stain from Olivia’s reputation, but their efforts met with small success. Immediately after supper Lila, looking pale after the strains of the previous four and twenty hours, announced to her escort that she intended to retire.
    “I’ll see you to your room,” he offered, and they left unnoticed in the crowd. When they reached her door he stayed her a moment. “I’m taking Lady Olivia to Welling Towers in the morning, Lila. I may be directly back or I may stay there for a few days.”
    Lila gave him a quizzing look. “Is there significance in this gesture, Noah?”
    “I’ve offered to marry her to save her reputation, but she’ll have none of me,” he admitted with a crooked grin. “Still, I cannot but think she will be better away from this house party, and I feel responsible for her predicament.”
    With a toss of her head Lila dismissed the gossip. “They’ll find something more interesting to talk of in a few days, Noah. I am wearied with trying to convince them of the truth of last night. It’s a pity to see the child suffer, though, through no fault of her own.” She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. “Everyone here is well aware of your involvement with me and wouldn’t think two moments of this latest start if she weren’t the Earl’s sister.”
    “Yes, and