The Elusive Wife (15 page)

Well! It appears Lord Arrogant has spoken.

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. Jason spent part of the time riding Apollo, who’d been tied to the back of the carriage. Olivia enjoyed the sight of the beautiful rolling hills and sky that got bluer and clearer as they left the city farther behind. Without the distraction of his presence, she was able to relax and enjoy the ride.

Even though she’d been miserable when she was last there, she had loved Coventry Manor. When she’d first arrived, the way it had arisen majestically from the ground as one came over the hill and around a bend in the road, had taken the breath from her body. Miles and miles of grass and trees surrounded the house, with a perfectly appointed garden encircling the building, which now would have an array of flowers bursting with color and scent. She couldn’t wait to see it once again.

Olivia sighed and leaned her head against the coach. If only Jason wasn’t a rogue. She could be comfortable at his estate with no trouble at all. The tenants were friendly and cheerful, Jason’s steward having built a good relationship with them. Dakin had spent time with Olivia, enthusiastically describing the new farming methods Jason had allowed him to introduce. He was certain it resulted in a huge increase in production, which in turn made the tenants quite happy.

The tenants, and especially the children, had captured her heart. They had openly welcomed her and had always expressed sincere thanks for the visits. She’d also been impressed by how often they asked after Jason. Of course when she was last at Coventry Manor she had had very little information about her husband to share with them.

But it was best to stop those thoughts. They only darkened her mood.

She looked out the window when she felt the carriage slowing down. It wasn’t Coventry Manor, but an inn emerging from the darkness, its windows lit with an inviting presence.

The door opened as soon as the coach came to a complete stop. “We’re not very far from home.” Jason rested his arm against the open door. “But it seems one of the horses threw a shoe, so the driver is going to take care of it here, rather than making the poor animal suffer.”

“Are we getting out for a bit?” She edged forward on the seat.

“Yes. Even though we were well satisfied after our last meal, perhaps you could use a hot cup of tea? I’ve been to this inn before, and the food is acceptable.” He put his hand out to help her down.

Jason escorted her to the private dining room and went in search of the innkeeper to have a fire lit in the cold room. The door to the common room he’d left ajar to allow heat from that room to warm her. Olivia walked around the space, giving her stiff muscles a bit of exercise.

“My lord!”

Olivia turned toward the open door to see a young serving maid rush toward Jason and throw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. At first, Jason held his hands by his side, but then quickly pulled her arms away.

She looked up at him, smiling brightly. “You said you would be back. I’m so happy to see you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Jason darted a glance toward the partially opened door. “Mary, I have my wife with me.”

“Oh, sorry, my lord, I didn’t know.” She gave him a broad wink. “Next time, eh?”

“Ah, can you see that a fire is lit in the private dining room?” His voice squeaked.

The tavern maid curtsied slightly, and ran her tongue around the outside of her mouth in a most suggestive manner. “Of course, my lord.” She turned and walked away, her hips swaying seductively.

Olivia’s hand flew to her chest where her heart almost stopped, and then sped up. That rake! That absolute lecher! She mentally fumbled trying to think of the worst things she could use to describe the despicable man.

The girl came into the room, carrying wood to start the fire. “Good evening, my lady,” she said sweetly. Jason had disappeared out the front door of the inn after the eager greeting by the girl. Olivia didn’t know whether to pull the trollop’s hair out or go find Jason to slap him. Neither reaction seemed very ladylike.

Why did I ever for one minute think I could give him a chance to start over? The man is a cad of the worst type, a scoundrel, a roué.

The girl finished laying the fire and left the room. Jason entered from the common dining room, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, I assume you saw that.”

Olivia drew herself up. “I saw absolutely nothing that surprised me.” She smoothed her hair back. “You give me no reason to assume that young lady is not one of a parade of others with whom you have had a
dalliance
.” Walking past him, she added, “If you will excuse me, my lord, I will wait for you in the carriage.”

Jason reached for her and wrapped his arms around her in a tight grip. “That girl is not
one of many,
and my dalliance with her, as you call it, was before we married. I haven’t been a saint, that’s true. But I have done nothing improper since the day we said our vows.”

“Ha!” She wiggled to release herself from his strong arms. Even now she felt the butterflies taking flight in her stomach. Despite her shock and anger, her body betrayed her by its reaction to his closeness.

“You don’t even remember our vows, my lord.” Twisting in his arms, she snapped, “Let me go. I have nothing to say to you and I don’t want to hear any more lies.”

He reluctantly freed her and after a moment followed her out. “Are we ready to go?” Jason growled at the driver as he slammed the door of the inn.

“Yes, my lord. I left the horse here and borrowed another one from the innkeeper.”

“Good, let’s finish this blasted journey.” He climbed into the carriage and sat across from Olivia. She averted her face and gazed into the total darkness.

It was a strained couple who arrived at the front door of Coventry Manor. Olivia wouldn’t even take his arm, but ascended the stairs herself, practically running from him. Malcolm opened the door and greeted them warmly.

“It’s a pleasure to have you both here, my lord, my lady,” he said, bowing.

“It is good to be home, Malcolm.” Jason pulled off his gloves and handed them to the butler. “Please see that Lady Coventry receives a bath and a light meal in her room. I’ll be in the library. Please have Cook send something for me in there.”

“Certainly,” Malcolm said.

Olivia retired to her room, sorry now that she’d had her things moved into the Countess’s bedchamber next to Jason. She quickly moved to the door that separated their rooms and wedged a chair under the latch.

She collapsed on the bed, angered to find tears in her eyes. One would think she would have learned by now. Once a rake, always a rake. Before she had too much time to dwell on this latest debacle, a soft knocking on the door interrupted her. Her bath had arrived, and soaking in hot water held a great deal of appeal.

…

Jason sat in an armchair and braced his feet on the edge of his desk, morosely staring at his boots.

The pain and anger in Olivia’s eyes had practically brought him to his knees. Just when he thought they had been making progress, that chit from the inn had appeared. In all honesty, he couldn’t lay the blame totally at her feet. He had been an absolute arse the night before his wedding, and knew at the time he shouldn’t have trifled with the girl.

It was probably best to let Olivia be for tonight. Hopefully a good night’s sleep would temper part of her reaction. He surely would not get much sleep himself, since his guilt had not diminished the desire to view her sprawled across his bed. In fact, her angry flashing eyes only made him more determined to see that same intensity from passion.

He ran his hand down his face and stood. What a mess!

Jason was sitting at the breakfast table when Olivia entered the next morning. It didn’t appear she’d had any more sleep than he. Out of curiosity, he’d tried the door between their rooms last evening and found it stuck. Since there wasn’t a lock on the door, he assumed she had placed something there to keep him out. The vision of her in his bed disappeared like a puff of smoke.

“Good morning, love.”

He rose as she entered the room.

“Good morning, my lord,” she said softly, taking a seat.

Back to “my lord” again
. He sighed.

“Would you care for some tea?” He reached for the teapot.

“Thank you.” She pushed her cup over, but refused to meet his eyes as he poured the steaming liquid.

“I’ll be meeting with my steward this morning. I believe Mrs. Watkins would like to spend some time with you to go over the household accounts.”

Olivia put her teacup down and looked directly at him for the first time since the visit to the inn. “What is the point, my lord? I intend to return to Italy once the Season is over. If you won’t seek an annulment, then it will be necessary for us to live as a separate couple.”

Jason threw his serviette down and ate up the distance between them. Leaning down, he braced both hands on either side of her chair. “Understand this, my lady. There will be no annulment and no returning to Italy. We will both live here at Coventry Manor once the Season ends.”

Olivia’s eyes flashed with anger, and she drew herself up. “You cannot force me to live here.”

“I can and I will. If I have to tie your wrist to mine, then so be it. You stood in the room right down that hall and spoke the vows that made you my wife.”

Unable to rise, she pressed against the back of her chair and stared him in the eyes. “And of course you remember the occasion so well, my lord.” With shaky hands she smoothed the sides of her hair. “And now you’re a bully on top of everything else.”

“What everything else?” he growled.

“A rake, a lecher, and a scoundrel.”

He moved aside when she pushed with both hands on his chest, then jumped to her feet and skirted around him, heading for the door. “The type of man I would never accept as a husband. I’ve seen the typical
ton
marriages, and that is not what I want for myself.” Her voice cracked and she quickly left the room.

He collapsed into his seat and took a large breath. By no means was he a monk, but he hardly qualified as a lecher. In fact, compared to some of his peers, he had been quite restrained.

A great deal of his reputation had been gained by rumor rather than fact. He and Drake had certainly had their share of willing young ladies while attending University, and since then he’d always kept a mistress, but only one at a time, and always discreetly. Perhaps some of his bed companions had been married, but that was a problem for the woman and her husband. And he’d never encouraged an innocent, in fact had stayed as far away from them as he could.

He leaned back in his chair and stretched out his long legs, crossing his ankles. It would take him some time to regain the ground he had lost last night.

After berating himself for a while, he rose to meet with his steward. A glance out the window revealed Olivia strolling in the garden, speaking animatedly with Mrs. Watkins. He studied her through the glass and noted her expressive face and the curves he wanted so much to run his hands over. A breeze picked up the curls escaping her knot, and tickled her face. As she raised her hand to brush them away, his groin tightened.

…

Olivia chastised herself once more. She never should have agreed to accompany Jason on this outing to visit the tenants. Only her love for the children, and the delight in their eyes when she gave them sweets, motivated her to ride alongside his lordship in the phaeton.

A glorious day, the warm sun relaxed her as they traveled along. Jason had dressed more casually, which he told her was his way when spending time in the country. He’d left off a waistcoat, and had his cravat tied in what could only be described as cavalier. Her gaze kept returning to his muscular thighs outlined in his tight breeches, causing her stomach to flutter. How could the man infuriate her to no end, but at the same time have her flushing at the memory of his hand on her breast in the coach yesterday?

Olivia inhaled deeply of the air fragranced with honeysuckle. Her light beige day gown with a deep green bodice blended in well with the various shades of green that Mother Earth displayed. Small flowers covered her straw bonnet, with a wide green satin ribbon tied pertly under her chin. On her lap she held a large basket, covered with a checked cloth, and packed with sweets, breads, and other goodies from Cook.

“I’ve decided to give a small dinner party toward the end of the week.” Jason’s deep voice broke the silence. “What are your thoughts?”

Abruptly, she swung her head from the enchanting image of a mother bird bringing worms to her little ones, to gaze at Jason with one raised eyebrow. “Indeed? I thought you said we were to be here only a day or so, and back in Town by the week’s end?”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “I find every time I come to the country, I am loath to return too quickly to the stress and strain of Town life.”

“You seemed to be in quite a hurry to return to Town the day after our wedding,” she said cheerfully.

He scowled. “Nevertheless, I would like to entertain a few of the local gentry while we are here.”

“As you say, my lord,” Olivia turned her attention to her lap, smoothing the front of her dress.

He placed both reins in one hand, and reached for her hand. “If you can’t find it in your heart to forgive me, at least let us call a truce while we are here. ’Tis a beautiful day, and I know you take pleasure in these visits. We will discuss the dinner party this evening. I want to enjoy the day and the sight of my beautiful wife charming my tenants.” He flashed the boyish grin that continued to do things to her insides, despite her determination to resist.

They drew up to a tidy house alongside well-tended fields. A hardy vegetable and herb garden occupied the space on one side of the house, while a riotous array of vibrant flowers swept across the front. Two small children played on a swing hanging from a large oak tree, the echoes of their innocent laughter causing her to smile.

“Good day, my lord, my lady.” A rather pretty stout woman holding a babe in her arms greeted them as they stopped the carriage in the front yard.

“Good day to you, Mrs. McFarren.” Jason jumped down and retrieved the basket from Olivia before turning to help her alight.

“Mr. McFarren is inside taking his tea. I would be most honored to have you and your lady join us.” The woman’s face flushed with pleasure.

“That would be delightful,” Olivia said, smiling brightly.

They entered the home and Olivia remembered the last time she had visited here, a few days after her disastrous wedding. She pushed the gloomy thought away and held her arms out for the baby. “May I hold your little one, Mrs. McFarren?”

“Oh, m’lady, she will spoil your lovely dress.” Mrs. McFarren frowned.

“Not at all, please allow me.” Olivia cuddled the babe in her arms and an overwhelming longing swept over her. Oh, to hold a child of her own! She ran her hands over the small warm body, and kissed the top of the child’s head. Her silky soft hair smelled of soap. Olivia closed her eyes and inhaled the scent.

When she opened her eyes, Jason was watching her, a delighted smile touching his lips. She quickly smoothed her features and turned to Mrs. McFarren. “We’ve brought some sweets for your children. May I call them in?”

“You have a seat and I will fetch them, m’lady.” She indicated a sturdy chair at the table where the woman had obviously put out her best tea things. Jason held her chair and once she was settled, pulled out another chair and sat.

“How is everything, Mr. McFarren?” Jason leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms.

The men launched into an intense conversation about planting, weather, and trials of farming. Olivia entertained herself with speaking with the children and plying them with the sweets Cook had packed. They were a happy family, the children well cared for and polite. The baby was a pleasure and Olivia found herself clinging so tightly to the baby, the little one began to fuss.

“Here, let me take her, m’lady,” Mrs. McFarren said. Olivia sighed and handed the babe over to the child’s mother. She looked around the warm, comfortable room, with handmade rugs on the gleaming floors, and the scent of something delicious bubbling over the fire. Every once in a while Mr. McFarren would reach out and pat his wife’s hand, or would look at her to gain her agreement on something he had just said.

Olivia felt a tightening in her chest. She would trade her status and money for a life such as this. All she ever wanted was someone to love her completely. Balls, parties, decorating elegant homes, shopping, and other pointless activities were all meaningless if there was no loved one to share her life with. It was far better to spend one’s life alone than to have someone make her existence miserable.

Soon Jason stood. “Thank you so much for your hospitality, Mrs. McFarren. Her ladyship and I must be on our way.” He shook Mr. McFarren’s hand and pulled Olivia’s chair out. She thanked them as well, and they made their way back to the carriage.

“You should have children, Olivia,” Jason said as he steered the vehicle away from the McFarren house.