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

Featherstone? I have an, uh, appointment in the morning at her house.”
    “Ah, sits the wind in that corner? Then, of course, you must bring Miss Featherstone. And you, Lady Olivia, will you be bringing a beau?”
    “No, I have no one to bring,” said Olivia.
    Glancing over her shoulder, she met Lord Sheridan’s sardonic gaze. With a slight nod, he turned back to Lady Thorpe and made a comment. The entire group glanced at Olivia and laughed.
    She turned completely and met his hard gaze without flinching. A moment passed and suddenly that irresistible smile appeared. How could she help but answer it?
    Then it was gone, and she was very sorry she had wasted a smile on such a cold fish. Olivia turned back to her dinner partner, catching the last of Tony’s joke and laughing a bit too heartily.
    She wanted very much to glance again at the irritating Lord Sheridan and toss her head at him in disdain, but somehow, she knew the gesture would serve no purpose. How could she ignite a spark of remorse in such a heartless man?
    More friends joined their small group, and Olivia soon forgot Lord Sheridan and his little band of misanthropists. Before she knew it, dinner was over. Mr. Pendleton, having begged the honour of sitting out the next dance with her and her aunt, led them back to the ballroom.
    After a few minutes of quiet conversation, Aunt Amy looked longingly at the card room.
    “I believe your aunt is wanting to play another hand of cards, Lady Olivia. Would you be insulted if I escorted her to the card room?”
    “You two run along. I am promised for the next set, and I shall be fine here on my own.”
    Rising, her aunt said, “If you are certain, my dear.”
    Mr. Pendleton rose, too, and offered his arm to her aunt.
    Olivia’s toe tapped out the beat of the music, and she smiled as she watched the dancers. Tony was partnering one of their other friends, and they nodded as they passed.
    “I fear I owe you an apology, Lady Olivia.”
    She started at the sound of his voice and choked. Clearing her throat, she said, “I cannot imagine why Lord Sheridan.”
    He lifted the tails of his coat to join her on the bench but hesitated. “May I?”
    She moved her skirts, and he sat down, carefully placing his gold-handled cane against his leg before he said, “I was rude in the dining room. I found it so odd that you and old Pendleton seemed to be getting on so well.”
    “Odd? There were several of us dining together and enjoying a pleasant conversation.”
    “Yes, but when you look around at one of these things, these balls, it is uncommon to see a wealthy older man courting a wealthy young lady.”
    Olivia shook her head and chuckled. “Courting? It was hardly a case of courtship. Even if it were, the alliance of two wealthy households is nothing out of the common. I think you must live in a very different world from me, my lord.”
    “No, I simply see my world for what it is—filled with people who wed for money or position, people who will step over a starving man and never notice he is there. I live in a very cold and indifferent world. Why do you think all these people are here tonight?” When she didn’t answer, he continued, “They are here because they want something. They want to better their own position in this avaricious society we live in.”
    “I cannot agree.”
    “Not agree? Then you are either a fool or blind, my dear lady. Only look at the tableau spread before you. That young lady, there, dancing with an old reprobate like Lord Lowell. And there, the penniless Lord Fairhaven with the fish-faced but infinitely wealthy Miss Peabody.”
    “Not everyone is avaricious. Perhaps you are judging others by your own standards.” His jaw tightened, but he said nothing, and she continued, “Myself, I have friends in all circumstances—from the very wealthy to the very poor, I make no distinction.”
    He was scowling again, a much more familiar expression. She resisted the urge to soothe him, but she did