Page 21 of A Wallflower Demands Satisfaction
“Olivia, Lord Reynolds has asked my permission to call on you, but I will not agree to such an arrangement until I hear you say this is what you want.”
The baron smirked at Olivia.“Of course, this is something we both want, isn’t it, my dear?”
“I want to hear what Olivia has to say, in her own words.”
If anyone could slay with a look, it was Percy Whitcombe, Duke of Chelmsford.El could almost feel the floor of the sitting room vibrate with Percy’s anger and his raised eyebrow signaled a warning no other being in the ton could mistake.
“I…I’m honored that Lord Reynolds chooses to call on me.”Olivia kept her head bowed while answering so that her words came out semi-muffled.
El was certain from the trembling and softness in her voice that Olivia wanted nothing of the sort, but her instincts honed from many years of tight situations and negotiations told her to keep silent.
“Then I shall collect you this evening at eight for a rout at the Countess Zofterhollen’s townhouse.”With that, the odious man bid them good day and rushed out to his curricle, relieving his tiger of the reins.
The room remained unnaturally silent for many minutes whilst Olivia kept her head down.El was not fooled.She could see tears dripping off the silly goose’s nose.When she finally looked up, it was to announce she’d be taking her lady’s maid as chaperone.
“No, you won’t,” El said.“Tonight, I’m coming along as your chaperone.”
This time, Olivia’s face blanched.“No, please.You shouldn’t have to put up with him.”
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I don’t trust that bastard.If he tries anything with either one of us tonight, I’ll slit his throat and drink his blood.”
At that point, the duchess’s warlike threats were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Alice, Sinjin, and baby P.D.
Alice immediately dragged Olivia up to her bedchamber for a private talk.
* * *
Once they were aloneon their usual cross-legged perch atop the counterpane on Olivia’s bed, Alice gave her a stern look.“You have to tell me.What in Hera’s name is going on with you and that horrible Baron Reynolds?”
Olivia had had enough of sobbing and feeling sorry for herself.She slid off the bed and began to pace.She turned at last and stared at Alice.“We have to destroy him.”
“Whew…that’s a little strong.”
“No, it’s not.He deserves whatever we can devise to make him wish he’d never been born.”
“Good heavens…what has hedone?”
“He’s a blackmailer.”
“Your best friend is a Peeler.Turn that insect of a man in to the police.”
“I can’t prove anything.It’s just my word against his.”
“Who is he trying to blackmail?”
“Me.He’s threatening to expose my real name and embarrass the duke and Aunt El if I don’t go along with an engagement and marriage so he can get his hands on my dowry.He’s been taking money from my mother for years for what he claimed was my upkeep.And now he’s also threatening to expose her for having a bastard child and ruin her career in the opera.”
“Wait,” Alice said, and crawled closer to the edge of the bed, nearer to Olivia.“Your mother?I thought she abandoned you years ago?”
“So did I, but it appears the opera singer, Miss Villeneuve, may indeed be my mother.He’s been lying to her for years and extorting money he never gave to anyone to care for me.”
“How did you find out?”
“Someone submitted an anonymouson dittoThe Morning Post, saying she had an unacknowledged daughter with eyes the same unusual color as hers…a daughter who was about to have a coming-out ball in Mayfair.”
Alice’s mouth dropped open, and for the first time in Olivia’s memory, her friend seemed speechless.
Eventually, Olivia demanded, “How are we going to bring down this monster?”