The Elusive Wife by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page A

arrival.” The modiste inclined her head.
    “This is so exciting.” Elizabeth hugged Olivia close as they headed toward the shops along Bond Street that would supply Olivia with the rest of her ensemble.
    They spent time in Wood’s, selecting dance slippers, with a promise to return on the morrow to order more footwear made.
    Elizabeth insisted they make a trip to Harding Howell & Co. for several parasols, and then finally a visit to John Arpthorp, Stay & Corset Maker, to replace the worn corset Olivia owned.
    The weary pair returned to Lansdowne Townhouse to bathe and rest before the evening’s entertainment. The Wilson-Henson Ball—the first time Olivia would come face-to-face with her husband. Elizabeth assured her Jason would indeed attend since Grif relayed that information to her after speaking with Jason earlier that day at White’s. Meeting with Lord Arrogant once more released butterflies in Olivia’s stomach. With excitement or nerves?
    …
    After inching along the lengthy queue stretching more than a mile from the Wilson-Henson residence, the Lansdowne carriage reached the footman waiting to assist the occupants. After alighting, Olivia turned to observe the line of elegant Landaus and Barouches as they continued to snake their way up to the entrance. After discharging the passengers, footmen directed the drivers to an area where the carriages would remain until the owners reclaimed them for the trip home.
    The Marquess offered his arm to his wife, then extended his other arm to Olivia. With one woman on either side, they made their way to the door. Not wishing to alert Jason to her presence until she had the opportunity to speak with him privately, Olivia gave her name to the servant who announced the arrivals as Lady Olivia Grant.
    The ballroom glowed with flickering candlelight and the reflection of hundreds of precious stones and diamonds from ladies’ necks, arms and wrists. Probably three hundred people crowded the room, gentlemen in their elaborate waistcoats and expertly tied cravats.
    Olivia scanned the ballroom, looking for the tall handsome Earl who had married her, and then had left, all in less than twenty-four hours. Her heart beat rapidly each time her gaze landed on the back of a well-built dark haired gentleman.
    Having missed a Season of her own, Olivia found herself mesmerized by the ton. She had never seen so many well-dressed, adorned people in her life. Ladies displayed elaborate hairdos with jewels and pearls wound throughout. The snowy white intricately tied cravats of the men sported glittering gems and diamond stickpins. She felt somewhat underdressed with the simple strand of pearls and small pearl earbobs from her mother’s jewelry collection.
    “I will leave you lovely ladies to elicit envy amongst all the other women. I shall be in the card room, and will return to claim the supper dance, my love.” Grif kissed Elizabeth’s hand. “And a dance for you as well, my lady.” He nodded to Olivia, then left.
    “Your cheeks are flushed.” Olivia smiled at Elizabeth.
    “I know, isn’t it silly? But the man can still turn my insides to mush. And you know it’s not quite proper for a husband to claim the supper waltz with his wife. But Grif has never cared for the conventions.”
    They meandered around the room. Olivia’s nerves wound tight as she studied each face, trying not to appear obvious, but always searching for the piercing blue eyes that had seized hers for a brief time at her wedding. Several gentlemen made their way to her and Elizabeth, seeking an introduction. Elizabeth fumbled a bit at first, and then repeated Olivia’s statement at the door, claiming her dearest friend from school, visiting for the Season, to be Lady Olivia Grant.
    Olivia soon entered the dancing in a quadrille with a middle aged baron, who kept studying her through his quizzing glass. It being a long time since she had danced at all, she discovered concentrating on the steps took her full