Page 91 of Ambition
“We could kiss anyway, and cause a scandal,” she said.
“Certainly not!”
“Oh. Then we could presume that you have already made your speech and I have made mine.”
“I should not like to presume anything,” he said softly, “and I certainly want there to be kissing involved.”
“Then you will just have to come and see me tomorrow, and we will imagine the peacocks and so forth.”
He sighed. “I suppose so. At least then we can be sure to be private.”
“True.”
As they stood, gazing out into the darkness, ignoring the conversations going on all round them, she slipped one hand out of its glove and, hidden in the folds of her gown, her hand touched his and held it fast.
And he smiled, reassured. It was definitely going to be all right.
For a long time, they stood hand in hand. The music inside died away into a burst of clapping, and then a miracle happened. With the time for supper arrived, the crowds on the terrace drifted indoors until, when Robert dared to look, he and Olivia were the only ones remaining.
“Still no peacocks, sadly,” he said.
“I do not need peacocks or fountains or moonlight,” she said. “All I need is you, Robert Osborn.”
He was too overcome to speak.
With a little chuckle, she went on, “I am very grateful to you, you know, for giving me this season free of entanglements, and I have enjoyed myself. It was not perfect, for with such recent bereavements there was much I could not do. I should still be in black gloves for Granny and poor Eustace, by rights, and I am still illegitimate, so Almack’s was out of the question, nor could I be presented at court. Despite all that, I have had a great deal of amusement, and do you know what made it especially enjoyable?” He shook his head mutely. “Knowing you were there, that there would always be the supper dance and that eventually there would be a proposal and we could be… entangled. As we ought to be.” She paused, reaching up to touch his face gently. “You may propose to me now.”
“I had a charming speech prepared,” he said hoarsely, wrapping his arms around her waist, “but I am so befuddled I cannot remember a word of it, not when you are here, so close, so enchanting, soreal. I cannot believe I ever thought of you as a ghost.”
“I do not need a speech, Robert. Four words will do it.” When he still could not speak, she chuckled and said, “Repeat after me… will.”
“Will.”
“You.”
He gave a little laugh. “You. Marry me.”
“There, you see? Not difficult, was it?”
He smiled down at her. “What about you? A speech… or just one word?”
“And what word would that be?” she said, a mischievous glint in her eye.
“Do not tease me! I cannot bear it, Livvy. You have no idea how much it hurts to be so much in love.”
“Oh, but I do,” she whispered. “I love you to distraction, my poor befuddled earl.Yes… that is the word you are waiting for, is it not? Yes, I will marry you, and live at Strathinver, if that is what you want.”
“I have a house in Kent, too.”
“Do you?”
“And one in Hertfordshire, and an estate in Cornwall, and—”
“Great heavens, what do you need with so many?”
“There is bound to be one that you like above all others, so we shall go on an extended honeymoon and visit them all and you may choose. And if you dislike them all, I shall build you another. You must have whatever makes you happy, my love.”
“You make me happy,” she said. “Just you. I care nothing for where we live, except that I would like to spend the winter at Strathinver, and enjoy proper snow.”
“Then you shall, and next spring, when you are the Countess of Kiltarlity, my mother will present you at court and your illegitimacy will not matter tuppence.”
“Oh!” Her eyes widened. “That would be lovely. There is something that would make me very happy right now,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
“My darling must have whatever she wishes.”
“Supper,” she said, then, seeing the horrified look on his face, added quickly, “But first, a kiss, perhaps?”
“You are a minx,” he murmured, before complying with her request with great enthusiasm.
THE END
