Page 40 of How to Capture a Duke
Once again, Olivia sat alone in the breakfast room. She’d stopped asking about the whereabouts of the duke. Why bother? She knew he was in his study. Whatever he accomplished there, he most certainly wouldn’t join her here.
Olivia set down her teacup on the saucer. “No, thank you.”
Could the footman read the loneliness in her expression? Her appetite gone, she pushed her plate aside. Had she really believed one kiss would change things? It may have for her, but not Tristan. Nothing would change him.
It would be hours before the Raven Club opened for the evening. Until then, she refused to stay inside and dwell on the state of her marriage. She’d go to the one place that had always calmed her. She stopped in the kitchens long enough to fetch what she wanted then headed out the front door and walked around the mansion to the mews. The scent of horse and hay drew her.
A young boy carrying a bucket of water stopped short when he spotted her. “Are you lost, my lady?”
He didn’t recognize her. She shouldn’t be surprised. A stable lad had no need to meet the lady of the house. “I am not. I am the duchess, and I am here to see the horses.”
His lips parted, and he offered an awkward bow. “Did they call for a carriage?”
“No. I want to see a certain horse. Atlas.”
The boy pointed to the stalls. “Last stall. But he’s a mean one.”
Picking up her skirts, she walked past the stalls until she reached the one she wanted. Atlas watched her approach. “Hello. Remember me?”
The large stallion jerked his head.
“We can be friends. Unlike the duke.” She held out a sugar cube in the palm of her hand. Hesitant at first, he watched her as he took the cube from her hand. “Want another?” The second time, he wasn’t as cautious.
She wanted to touch him. Even more, she wanted to ride him. Riding in the park would never measure up to riding through the acres of Rosehill, but it would have to do. She vowed that one day she would ride him.
“I had a suspicion I would find you here.”
Olivia whirled at the voice to find Antonia standing behind her. Dressed in an elegant walking dress of pale blue, she held her cane in her right hand.
Olivia was genuinely happy to see the dowager, and she sprang forward to hug her. “Antonia! It’s lovely to see you. What are you doing here?”
“By here do you mean London or the mews behind Keswick Hall?” Antonia asked.
Olivia laughed. “Both.”
“I’m not surprised to find you with the horses,” Antonia said. “As for returning to town, the country is pleasant, but I do enjoy the London Season.”
“Will you be staying with us?”
“Heavens, no. I have a lovely town home in Berkeley Square. Now shall we leave here and share a pot of tea and discuss my grandson?”
Soon after, they were in the drawing room with tea and scones. “Have you heeded my advice?” Antonia asked.
“You mean to seize what’s mine as a duchess? I have. I’m living at Keswick Hall,” Olivia pointed out.
Antonia stomped her cane on the Aubusson carpet. “That’s not entirely what I meant, and you know it. How are you faring with my grandson?”
Olivia shrugged a shoulder. “The duke is a puzzling man.”
Antonia chuckled. “Puzzling is a nice way to say stubborn.”
Olivia cracked a smile. “I suppose.”
Appearing satisfied, Antonia picked up her teacup and nodded. “I’m more convinced than before that Tristan has met his match. You should also know that I’m never wrong, my dear.”
Chapter Fourteen
Olivia reached up to be sure her mask was secure before setting foot on the casino floor. It was Saturday evening, the busiest night of the club, and Lord Jeffries should be here based on their plans. She’d thought long about meeting him after her confrontation with Tristan, but then her sister, Ellie, had written to tell her of another’s visit. Lady Ware was to attend this evening as well. Olivia was determined to help her stubborn husband, and she knew this night offered the perfect opportunity.
