Page 19 of An Alliance with the Earl (Marrying for Love #5)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

T he moon hung like a silver coin in the inky expanse above, casting its glow over the manor’s vast gardens. A cool breeze stirred the perfumed air, carrying with it the scents of lavender and late-blooming roses, mingled with the subtle, honeyed fragrance of the moonflowers in full bloom.

Lady Lansdowne had planned the evening well. The entire party had been escorted out to the Moonflower Garden, where the blossoms, white as snowfall, shimmered in the ethereal light. Guests murmured in appreciation, their voices hushed as if in reverence of nature’s quiet spectacle.

Edward hardly noticed them.

He was watching her.

Lady Olivia stood a short distance away, dressed in an elegant gown of soft ivory, her light hair gleaming in the moonlight. She was speaking with another guest—Lord Whitby, if Edward wasn’t mistaken. The viscount had made an appearance just that afternoon, and already, he seemed entirely too comfortable in Lady Olivia’s company.

Edward exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain composed. He had been patient. It had been hours since their stolen moment at the archery field, and yet he had not had a single opportunity to speak with her alone.

This needed to be remedied.

He stepped forward, careful not to appear as if he were purposefully seeking her out—though that was precisely what he was doing.

Lady Lansdowne, ever the observant hostess, caught his eye as he moved through the gathering. She gave him a small, knowing smile.

That woman misses nothing, he thought.

The group had begun to disperse, with some guests strolling through the garden and others returning to the house. Lady Olivia, however, lingered, gazing up at the moonflowers as if captivated by them.

Now was his chance.

Edward crossed the remaining distance and inclined his head. “Lady Olivia.”

She turned, startled for only a moment before her expression softened. “Lord Cheshire.”

He hesitated, taking in the soft curve of her smile, the moonlight catching the fine lines of her features. For a heartbeat, he nearly forgot what he meant to say.

“I need to speak with you,” he said at last, voice low. “Somewhere private.”

Her brows lifted. “Oh?”

“I have been attempting to speak with you for hours, but we have been surrounded at every turn.”

Her lips quirked, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Surely you don’t mean to say that you are incapable of charming your way out of a conversation?”

Edward huffed a short laugh. “I assure you, it is not my skill at extricating myself that is in question—it is the sheer persistence of our company.”

Lady Olivia cast a glance around them. Some guests still milled about, but a number had already begun retreating indoors.

She met his gaze, her curiosity evident. “Very well. Where shall we go?”

He hesitated only a fraction of a second before offering his arm. “Shall we take a turn about the garden?”

She placed her hand on his sleeve, allowing him to lead her down a shadowed path lined with lilacs. The murmuring of the other guests faded behind them, replaced only by the rustling of the leaves and the quiet rhythm of their footsteps against the stone.

Edward exhaled, gathering his thoughts.

He had been waiting to have this conversation, yet now that he had the opportunity, he found himself uncharacteristically uncertain.

Lady Olivia glanced at him. “You are uncommonly quiet, my lord.”

He gave her a rueful look. “A rare occasion, indeed.”

She tilted her head. “What is it you wished to say?”

Edward stopped walking. Lady Olivia turned toward him, the moonlight casting a glow over her features.

“I wanted to speak about earlier.”

She blinked. “Earlier?”

He narrowed his gaze playfully. “Are you going to make me say it outright?”

Her lips parted in mock innocence. “I would never be so cruel.”

Edward smirked. “I am, of course, referring to our near-scandal at the archery field.”

A slow flush crept along her cheeks. “Oh.”

He watched her carefully. “Did it trouble you?”

She exhaled, the corners of her mouth tugging slightly. “No. But it did surprise me.”

Edward studied her, weighing his next words. “I will admit,” he said carefully, “it surprised me as well.”

She laughed—a soft, breathless sound that sent a curious warmth through his chest. “That is hardly reassuring, my lord.”

He shook his head. “I only mean to say that I had not expected it. But I find myself entirely without regret.”

Her breath caught.

Edward took a step closer, not touching her, yet near enough to see the way her lashes fluttered as she looked up at him.

“I have enjoyed our arrangement, Lady Olivia,” he said softly. “Far more than I anticipated.”

She held his gaze, her expression unreadable. “And what are you saying, exactly?”

He hesitated—only for a moment.

Before he could answer, voices called from the pathway.

“Ah! There you two are!”

Edward stiffened.

Lady Catherine and Miss Cox stood a short distance away, a knowing look in their eyes.

“Forgive the intrusion,” Miss Cox said, not looking particularly apologetic. “But I could not help but notice the two of you slipping away from the gathering.”

Lady Olivia’s posture straightened, her expression schooling itself into practiced composure. “We were merely taking a turn in the gardens.”

Lady Catherine’s lips curved. “Indeed. And no doubt discussing something quite pressing.”

Edward forced a smile, cursing the interruption.

Miss Cox tilted her head. “Shall we return to the house? It would not do for certain guests to get the wrong idea.”

Edward flicked a glance at Lady Olivia. A silent question passed between them. “There is nothing untoward going on between the two of us,” he said.

With a barely perceptible nod, Lady Olivia slipped her hand from his sleeve.

“It’s always best to avoid the appearance of a scandal,” Lady Catherine said.

Edward chuckled dryly. “How very generous of you, my lady.”

As they made their way back to the manor, Edward’s mind raced. The moment had been ruined, but he would find another chance.

And next time, nothing would interrupt them.