Read Online An Unexpected Gift by Katherine Grey - Free Book Online

to see you in company again, my lord.”
    “Ah, yes. It is good to see you as well.” The earl lifted her hand to his lips with a distracted air. He turned to Lazarus. “I came to tell you I was taking my leave.” He looked at Olivia, then at Lazarus. “But perhaps I should stay a bit longer.”
    “No need, my lord. No need at all.”
    Hargrove opened his mouth then paused. “Very well,” he said after a long moment.
    Though she didn’t see anything overt, Olivia was certain some sort of silent communication had occurred between the two men.
    The earl turned toward her. “I shall bid you good night then and wish you a pleasant remainder of your evening.”
    She curtseyed again. “Thank you, my lord.”
    Hargrove nodded to his friend, then turned on his heel and headed back toward the terrace.
    “What are you doing out here alone?” Lazarus asked as soon as the other man was out of earshot.
    “What are you doing here at all? How are you and Lord Hargrove acquainted?” Olivia countered. “I told you to stay away from me.”
    “Should I have allowed you to fall when you were knocked aside by one of your Society ‘gentlemen’?” he asked in a mocking tone.
    “No. Thank you again.” She hated the thought of thanking him when he had her knocked unconscious and then played a part in her humiliation only a few days ago.
    He smiled and rubbed the side of his finger against the edge of his lower lip, drawing her attention to the deep dimples in his cheeks. “I get the impression you don’t quite mean that.”
    “Olivia!”
    Turning at the sound of her name, Olivia tried to suppress a grimace. Amanda was headed straight toward them, determination in every stride.
    “Someone you wish to avoid?” he asked.
    “No. She is a friend.” Very nearly my only friend. “But your presence will be hard to explain.”
    Lady Riverton drew to a halt at the edge of the path. “Olivia?” There was a wealth of question in the single word.
    Realizing she still stood in the grass with Lazarus, Olivia stepped onto the path. “Amanda, your ball is a smashing success. I’m certain it will be the talk of all Society. Those who didn’t attend shall be green with envy.”
    Lady Riverton ignored her and looked at Lazarus. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
    Olivia jumped into the breach. “Lady Riverton, may I present—”
    “Mr. William Prescott, at your service,” Lazarus said as he raised her hand to his lips though his gaze never left Olivia’s.
    “I’m certain your name wasn’t on the guest list.”
    “Amanda,” Olivia gasped. She’d never known her friend to be rude.
    “Forgive me, Lady Riverton.” Lazarus gave a slight bow. “I’m afraid I pressed Lord Hargrove into allowing me to accompany him this evening. He hasn’t been well since the death of his daughter.”
    “You are acquainted with Lord Hargrove?” Amanda asked, her surprise registering in her voice.
    “A friend of the family.”
    “I hope you enjoy the rest of the ball.” She linked her arm through Olivia’s. “Come, there is something you must see.”
    Rather than draw attention, Olivia allowed herself to be led away. “What is wrong?”
    “You were standing in the shadows talking with a strange man, and you ask what is wrong?”
    “We were properly introduced by Lord Hargrove.” She looked back over her shoulder. Lazarus, or should she think of him as Mr. Prescott now, followed at a discreet distance.
    “There is hardly anything proper about Hargrove. He flaunts his mistresses all about Town,” Amanda snapped.
    “That is just gossip. Do you honestly believe the way the man has been grieving for his daughter that he is keeping a mistress?”
    “It doesn’t matter if it is or isn’t true, you should know that. Look at all the things that are said about you that aren’t true. If you keep associating with the wrong type of people, your reputation will suffer even more.”
    Olivia came to an abrupt halt. “The wrong type of