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

“I thought you looked very well together the last I saw
you.”
    Henry nodded and clenched his jaw.
    “Have you told the girls you are going to
Spain?”
    “No. I thought to wait. Less hysteria.”
    “Have you told Catherine?”
    “I have not.”
    Olivia stared at Henry’s rugged features. He
had lived a long life in those battlefields, and the scars he wore
ran deep. Time would never erase them. Olivia leaned up and kissed
Henry on his cheek.
    “What was that for?” Henry gazed into her
eyes.
    “Old times.” Olivia smiled at memories of the
future she had sometimes envisioned for her and Henry. But now she
had John, and Henry, contrary to what he may think, had Catherine.
“Your heart is engaged elsewhere.”
    Henry laughed. “And what about your heart? All this fuss over John Quiggins? Do not mistake me for a
fool, Olivia. It was written all over your countenance. You’re in
love with him.”
    Olivia nodded. She loved John. She wanted to
marry him. She could not keep him as her butler any longer.
They were grown men and women, not puppets on a string pulled by
the confines of war or Society.
    “Alas, what of poor Gillyford?” Henry
asked.
    Olivia nearly stumbled. Was it all over Town?
“Where could you hear such a foolish thing?”
    He swirled her off the dance floor. “My
dearest Olivia, it is the news of the Season. Old Gilly has been
telling everyone you are going to be the next Marchioness.” He led
her toward the doors to the terrace.
    She snorted in an unladylike manner. “I will
kill him with my bare hands.”
    “Your uncle, it seems, is very pleased with
the match.”
    Was he teasing her? Olivia glanced at the
smile that played at his lips. She smacked him lightly on the arm
with her fan. “You are a wretched man.”
    “Come now, Olivia. There must be a part of
you that wishes to marry again. And Marlborough approves.” They
walked outside.
    “As if the great Duke of Marlborough could
persuade me to marry Gillyford. I am not a green girl prepared to
follow blindly to do my family’s bidding. I was fool enough to do
it once. Now, I love who I wish and will marry who I love.”
    Henry leaned against a column. “Did you love
Fitzhugh?”
    Olivia tilted her head. “I grew to love him.
But it was a different kind of love. And not nearly as much as I
always loved you.”
    “And John Quiggins?”
    “John is…” Olivia looked at Henry. “John is
freedom.”
    “Freedom? I do not understand.”
    “Freedom from the constraints of Society.
Free to laugh when I wish, to eat when I like, to walk when I
choose… but most especially, free to love who I desire.” Even after
all the years they had been separated, Henry remained intoxicating.
Olivia took a step closer.
    Henry led Olivia to a quiet corner on the
terrace, and kissed her. He looked into her eyes. “I’m leaving on
Saturday morning.”
    “Yes.” Olivia nodded. Her breath came in
little gasps.
    “I want to be with you before I go.”
    She took a step back from Henry and felt the
wall behind her. She had to fight the headiness of her desire for
Henry. Kissing Henry was one thing. Sleeping with him was entirely
another. She could never cheat on John.
    “Do not look so shocked,” Henry said. “We are
not children. I am only claiming what is rightfully mine.” He
backed her into the corner. “We never had our chance at happiness,
Olivia. With this last mission to Spain, we may never have
another.”
    Olivia put her hand on his chest. “Henry
Wade, do not say that. The thought of it makes me weep.” To lose
John and Henry would be unfathomable.
    Henry guided her gently, just behind the open
door. His lips never left hers. A large plant blocked their view
from the other side of the terrace.
    Henry wrapped his arms around Olivia and
kissed her nose. “I want you, Liv. Come home with me tonight.”
    Olivia bit her cheek to keep from crying out.
An image of John, and then Catherine flashed in her mind. “What
about