Read Online Lady Olivia's Undoing by Anne Gallagher - Free Book Online Page A

garden
stairs.
    “Catherine is not ill,” Mary whispered. “She
is angry at Henry. They quarreled. She says she has left his
employ.”
    The last time Olivia had seen them together,
they were dancing at the Berringbourne’s summer party, and very
happy. If Catherine gave Henry up willingly, there was something
drastically wrong with her – Henry had everything a woman could
ever want.
    “Where is she?” Olivia asked. Catherine had
lived at Dunbury Manor for the last seven years as the girls’
governess. Where would she go?
    “Staying at the family house in Tunbridge
Wells,” Mary said. “She refuses to come to London. Catherine states
she does not wish to meet Henry in Society.”
    Curious, Olivia asked, “How long has she been
there?”
    “Several weeks, I think. Since Guy Fawke’s
Day.”
    Olivia nodded. Nearly two months. They must
have done more than quarrel for Catherine to stay away from Henry.
She pushed the thought aside. “Do come over and say hello to
Constance.” Olivia took Mary’s arm and steered her toward Constance
and the girls. Penny stood with Ariana and Bella.
    “Look who I found.” Olivia propped Mary in
front of Constance and walked toward Penny. “Hello, dearest,” she
said.
    Penny looked through her as if she were an
apparition. “Hello, Aunt. How do you do?”
    “I could ask the same of you.” Olivia had
never received such a cold greeting from Penny before. “Is your
mother here?”
    Penny smiled. “I have no idea. Perhaps you
could check the register.” She turned her back and spoke to
Ariana.
    Olivia stood stunned. Penny had just given
her the cut direct. In a ballroom full of people. Olivia turned
toward Constance seeking solace, but Reginald lingered at her side.
How could Penny treat her this way? What had she done to deserve
such derision? Olivia couldn’t stay there another second. She
glanced at the steps leading out of the Great Room.
    Henry Wade, Marquess of Dunbury stood at the
top with three of his nieces. Olivia raced through the crowd.
    A decade earlier, Henry had been fighting in
India when his father died and his brother gained the title.
Unfortunately, his brother died two years later, but Henry remained
in India. A few years after that, word came of his second eldest
sister being lost at sea with her husband on a trip from the West
Indies. It was not until his eldest sister Esme’s death three years
ago, that Henry came home from the fighting.
    Henry inherited six nieces, along with the
Marquisate, two manor houses, and a town home in London. The girls
lived at Dunbury Manor on the western edge of Town – Kensington
Palace, their closest neighbor.
    “Hello, ladies.” Olivia greeted each of the
three girls in turn and then looked at Henry. “Hello, my lord.” He
would make all the hurt Penny inflicted disappear.
    Henry brought her fingers to his lips. “Good
evening, Olivia. You look magnificent tonight.” He brought her hand
to his arm. “Ladies,” he said to his nieces. “I bid you a fine
evening.” He led Olivia down the three steps to the main floor.
    The crowd parted and a low hum filled the
room. Olivia smiled. As much as she sometimes despised playing by
Society’s rules, on nights such as this, with a handsome,
fascinating man on her arm, Olivia reveled in her success. She was
beautiful, wealthy, and in command of her life and future. On
nights like tonight, Olivia felt invincible and Penny’s arrogance
was forgiven.
    Henry took her hand and kissed her palm.
“Come, let us dance.” He swept her into his embrace and twirled her
around the parquet floor.
    Olivia had no idea where Henry had learned to
waltz, but whoever had taught him had been a fine teacher. Olivia
felt as though she were a cloud floating in air. Her heart beat
fast and a slow flush crept over her entire body. She shouldn’t
feel this way. She was in love with John. However, Henry would
always be her first love.
    “I heard you and Catherine had a row,” Olivia
said.