Page 15 of Never Doubt I Love (Calloway #3)

If Olivia had known their box would be invaded by every casual acquaintance, perhaps she wouldn’t have allowed herself to build up so much anticipation for the evening’s entertainment. Not ten minutes into the performance, Lady Beatrice and her mother stopped by to greet Olivia and her family. They had scarcely left before one of Simon’s colleagues in Parliament turned up with a poorly disguised intent to meet Olivia. He was followed by a man Olivia had danced with once or twice, and she realized this was to be the pattern of the evening.

The only good part of the night was Alexander, who seemed to know every person who entered the box and always had some bit of information for Olivia to use when necessary. And she found it necessary with nearly every visitor.

“Lord Exton believes women who speak out of turn are intolerable,” he whispered to her as Simon made the introduction.

Olivia grinned as she sank into a quick curtsy. “Lord Exton, I am delighted. Are you enjoying the performance?”

The man, who looked to be twice Olivia’s age, glanced out toward the stage and sniffed. “I suppose the opera is perfectly tolerable, though I daresay—”

“I am positively giddy over the music,” Olivia said. “I have never heard anything more beautiful.”

Lord Exton clenched his jaw. “It is lovely, but I think—”

“If only I could sing as well as she does.” Slipping back into her seat, she tried not to smile as Lord Exton remained silent behind her. “I wonder if I could have been an opera marvel.”

“You certainly could have thrived on the stage as an actress,” Alexander muttered, glancing back. “He is already gone.”

“That was far too easy.”

“Ah, this one will take a little more finesse. Mr. Gibbs is one of eight children.” Alexander tilted his head to one side, as if trying to listen to Simon’s conversation with Mr. Gibbs. “I cannot speak for or against his character, but I know he is not especially wealthy.”

“That is not something to hold against him,” Olivia replied, recalling what Mother had said to her that afternoon about her fortune.

“Perhaps not, but he is eager for a family of his own. As many children as possible.”

Olivia frowned. “Again, not a fault.” But the longer she gazed at Alexander, who seemed to be waiting for something, the more she wondered why he would mention something like that.

“Olivia,” Simon said behind her, “may I present Mr. Nathaniel Gibbs? His family lives not far from Calloway Park.”

Rising again, Olivia had made it only halfway through her curtsy before Gibbs spoke.

“You are quite beautiful, Miss Calloway,” he said, his eyes traveling from her head to her toes as he took hold of her hand to kiss her knuckles. “A bit slender, however.”

Olivia’s eyebrows rose high to match Simon’s and Lucy’s expressions. “Pardon me?”

Gibbs blinked, as if he wasn’t sure how to reply. “Oh, I did not mean to speak out of place. You are simply a victim to your life of leisure and not as robust as a young woman ought to be while she is in her childbearing years.”

Alexander coughed, though it sounded like a poorly concealed laugh. He rose and stood at Olivia’s side. “Gibbs.”

Gibbs turned pale. “Lord Alexander! I had no idea you were acquainted with the Calloways.”

“I am their guest.”

“Ah. Well.” He turned his gaze to Olivia again, but he couldn’t seem to remain focused on her. He kept looking back at Alexander, as if afraid he would do something. “Forgive me for my critique, Miss Calloway.”

Olivia still had no idea how to respond, but she did her best. “It is nothing. I suppose I had not thought of my, er, stature in such a way.”

“You would have such beautiful children.” Gibbs’s eyes raked over her again, making her shudder. “You don’t have any younger siblings, do you?”

“I am afraid not,” Olivia replied. “In fact, I have never spent much time around children at all, and I fear it will be a long time before I am ready for one of my own.”

“Only one? How selfish.”

“Mr. Gibbs,” Simon growled. Apparently that was a step too far. “I believe my sister would like to enjoy the performance.”

Alexander stepped forward, just in front of Olivia, and though he said nothing, whatever expression he had on his face seemed to frighten Gibbs enough to convince him to offer a hasty word of farewell and disappear.

“Goodness,” Lucy whispered in the relative silence that followed.

Simon sighed. “Thank you, Alexander. I had no idea he was quite so...”

“Eager?” Olivia finished for him. “Why was he so afraid of you, Lord Alexander?”

As Alexander helped Olivia back into her seat, he seemed to think through his reply. “Gibbs and I have had our disagreements in the past.”

When he sat beside her, Olivia elbowed him in the side. “Why did you not warn me that he would be so awful?”

“Because I had no idea he would be. The man must be getting desperate.”

“Well,” Lucy said, “it is certainly a good thing we have you with us, Lord Alexander. I was not eager for the ton to see Simon throw the man from the box.”

“I would have done it,” Simon muttered as he took his own chair again, only to rise once more when a pair of ladies appeared. “Mrs. Kingston. Miss Kingston.”

Olivia perked up. She had wanted to meet Miss Kingston for ages, though they had never been at the same events. Based on rumors, the young lady was nearly as wealthy as Olivia and therefore as sought-after. As Simon made the introductions, Olivia studied Miss Kingston.

The young woman was truly beautiful, and she certainly looked the part of an heiress in her fine gown. Though her wealthy father had no title, she was sure to be quite the catch this Season.

“Miss Calloway,” Miss Kingston said when it was her turn. She bent into her curtsy and gave Olivia a hesitant smile. “I have been wanting to meet you for quite some time.”

“You will not need me for this,” Alexander muttered, rising to his feet and gesturing for Miss Kingston to take his place. She smiled at him as he helped her into the chair, and for a brief moment, Olivia thought about slapping her hand away from his.

Thankfully, the errant thought passed quickly, and Olivia returned Miss Kingston’s warm smile with her own. “I was going to say the same thing to you. You and I seem to be having similar experiences with our Seasons.”

Nodding, Miss Kingston leaned in close and whispered, “I would imagine you are being chased for your fortune as well, Miss Calloway.”

Exactly as Olivia had suspected. What she did not know was whether Miss Kingston enjoyed the attention. “I find it quite dreadful,” she said, rather than asking.

Miss Kingston pulled out her fan, nodding vigorously. “It is as if I do not exist but for my dowry.”

“Yes! It is rather horrid, isn’t it?”

“How are you surviving it all, Miss Calloway? I confess I am ready to flee back to the country, but then I saw the way you have been turning away all of the men who have cornered you here in your box, and I knew I had to meet you.”

Olivia glanced at Alexander, who had taken up his post by the door, and she couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto her lips. “I am fortunate to have a friend who knows a good deal about the ton .”

Alexander glanced over at her and gave her the smallest of smiles, but it sent a wave of heat through her.

“Oh, Mr. Forester!” Miss Kingston said, nodding again. “Yes, that makes sense. He knows everything about everyone. So you are blackmailing them?”

“Oh, goodness, no!” Olivia grasped Miss Kingston’s hand in alarm. “No, I am simply making myself undesirable by presenting myself in a way that I know they will not appreciate.”

With her mouth in a little O shape, Miss Kingston seemed to take a long time to consider that. “That is all it takes?” But then she looked down at her fine dress, a frown forming on her face. “I do not mean to sound vain, Miss Calloway, but I do not know how to be undesirable. To be honest, I cannot fathom you being so either. You are truly beautiful, and I take after my mother, who has always been an enviable beauty. And...” She leaned close again. “Our money speaks far louder than our looks, does it not? Sometimes I wish I could renounce it all and find some poor clergyman who needs a quiet wife.”

Olivia laughed. Though she adored her friends, Miss Kingston was the first young woman she had spoken to who truly understood how she felt. “Sometimes I feel as if I could be the ugliest woman in the world and still draw in more suitors than I know what to do with.”

“Exactly!” Miss Kingston relaxed. “But you seem to know how to turn heads the other way. I watched the way you sent the men flocking to Miss Lovelace before the performance.”

“Oh, that was easy. I simply drew attention to Miss Lovelace’s many qualities. She may not have a fortune, but she would make a fine wife to any man lucky enough to win her hand.”

“That sounds like my dear friend Miss Lindley! She is far more accomplished than anyone I know but cannot seem to find a man to pay her any attention. They are always after me or other wealthy women.”

Taking a moment to listen to the singer on the stage below, Olivia pondered the conversation. “I wonder if other women in our situation feel the same as we do,” she mused out loud.

“Oh, undoubtedly!” Miss Kingston bobbled her head with enthusiasm. “That is, not everyone finds it vexing, but I have spoken to many ladies who wish to be seen for more than what their fathers are giving them.”

“Perhaps we should band together. Use our influence to benefit those around us, as I did with Miss Lovelace.” Olivia would do that with or without others’ help, but if a good number of women joined forces, they could easily start convincing bachelors to look elsewhere.

Miss Kingston took hold of Olivia’s hand, her expression hopeful. “Do you think that would make a difference?”

Gesturing to the box around her, Olivia hoped she was right. “Thus far I have had only one gentleman be persistent enough to come around more than once or twice.”

“Lord Alexander?” Miss Kingston looked behind her, though Alexander had disappeared. “I must confess, I am surprised that your family has befriended him, given his reputation. Does he not frighten you?”

Olivia nearly laughed. “Why would he frighten me?”

“You have heard of his brother’s exploits, have you not?”

“Yes, of course, but Lord Alexander is not the duke. He has been nothing but polite to me and my family.” Besides, Olivia wasn’t entirely certain she could believe all the rumors surrounding the Duke of Tipton. Surely, if he was such a horrid man, Alexander would not keep company with him.

As she turned pink, Miss Kingston searched for Alexander again. “He is rather handsome, isn’t he?” she said with a giggle. “And quite the mystery.”

“He is certainly mysterious,” Olivia agreed, though she couldn’t understand why she did not agree with the handsome part of Miss Kingston’s assessment. Alexander was indeed handsome, more so than most of the men Olivia had met, but it felt strange to admit as much out loud.

“Perhaps he is the reason your many suitors have been turned away so easily,” Miss Kingston continued. “With someone like Lord Alexander courting you, no one else stands a chance.”

“Oh!” Olivia pressed her hands to her cheeks as heat flooded through them. “No, you are mistaken. Lord Alexander is merely a friend; he is not courting me.” And that had not bothered her before now.

“He is not?” Miss Kingston’s smile turned mischievous. “Well, that is important information. I don’t suppose you know what he desires in a woman, do you?”

“I do not.” For the first time, Olivia was glad Alexander had kept his interests to himself.

Applause filled the theater, and Olivia glanced at the stage as the curtain closed. It must have been intermission, and she was glad for an excuse to end this conversation. Though she was grateful to find a kindred spirit, Olivia decided Miss Kingston was best in small doses.

“If you will excuse me, Miss Kingston, I need to get some air before the next act begins. It was wonderful to meet you.” Perhaps it was rude to dismiss the young woman, but Olivia did her best to make up for that by walking Miss Kingston and her mother to the corridor, even if her intent was to find where Alexander had gone. “I hope perhaps we might be friends and discuss more about our shared, er, interests.”

Miss Kingston smiled wide as she curtsied to Olivia. “I would like that very much, Miss Calloway. I think you and I could do great things together. Oh, Miss Newton! Do you know Miss Calloway?”

Before Olivia could think of a way out of it, Miss Kingston had dragged her into a conversation about fabrics with a lovely girl who was apparently highly skilled at sewing. Olivia could hardly be rude, so she smiled and offered what comments she could.

But as the conversation continued and the crowds around her grew thicker, Olivia glanced to her right in search of escape and caught sight of Alexander grabbing hold of his younger brother’s lapel. Lord Charles smirked, but Alexander looked entirely tense and uncomfortable despite having the apparent upper hand in whatever disagreement they had gotten into.

Making sure Miss Kingston and her friend were occupied, Olivia slipped into the crowd and hurried to where Alexander and Lord Charles stood.

“There you are!” she said brightly, startling Alexander. “I was wondering where you had wandered off to.”

“Ah, Miss Calloway.” Lord Charles broke free of Alexander’s grasp and approached her, bending at the waist without breaking eye contact with her. “While we have been introduced, one cannot say we have truly met.”

“That is true,” Olivia agreed, dipping into a curtsy. “It is indeed a pleasure.”

“Alexander likely does not think so.”

“Charles,” Alexander hissed, reaching for his arm.

But Lord Charles stepped away from his reach, circling around Olivia until she was in between the two Bailey men. Olivia spun to keep her eyes on his brother as he continued speaking. “It seems Alexander has taken quite a fancy to you, Miss Calloway. I am surprised, given his aversion to matters of the heart. You know why he avoids it, yes?”

Olivia’s breath caught in her lungs. She did not know, and though she hardly wished to learn anything about Alexander from anyone but him, she could not deny she was curious. Alexander kept so many things hidden, things she was certain could be fixed if he only opened his heart to a friend like her.

“Charles,” Alexander said again. He stood just behind Olivia, closer than she had expected, and she could only imagine how this looked, with her wedged between the two brothers who clearly did not get along. “That is enough.”

Lord Charles sneered. “I am only helping the girl know you better, Brother. Isn’t that why His Grace sent you here?”

Olivia turned enough to catch Alexander’s anxious expression just before it disappeared beneath his usual mask. “Your brother sent you to stay with us?” she asked.

“No,” Alexander said without looking away from Lord Charles. “Lord Calloway invited me to be his guest. His Grace is unaware of the invitation.”

“For now,” Lord Charles replied, pulling Olivia’s attention back to him. “Alexander is fortunate to have friends in high places, though he seems to have forgotten that there is no one loftier than his own family. One might almost wonder if he feels as if he has fallen below the mark when it comes to his birthright.”

With every word that came out of Lord Charles’s mouth, Olivia liked him less and less. She could not fathom how he and Alexander had been raised in the same home when they were so entirely different. “I disagree,” she said, sounding bolder than she felt. “Few men carry themselves with as much noble bearing as dear Alexander, and anyone would be lucky to consider him an acquaintance, let alone a relation. I have never met anyone who is his equal.”

Someone began clapping as soon as Olivia finished, and all three of them turned to find the Duke of Tipton leaning against the nearest wall. How long had he been standing there? “Brava,” he said, his smile wide. “I do not think I have ever heard anyone praise my brother as much as he deserves, but here you are, Miss Calloway. You have no idea how much it pleases me to know you have taken Alexander’s measure so accurately.”

“Your Grace,” Olivia said, sinking into a curtsy. This was not her first time meeting the duke, but something about this meeting felt different. Likely because she was almost entirely on her own, surrounded by three of the most powerful men in England.

“Charles,” the duke said, and his voice now carried an air of command. “I find myself weary. Fetch the carriage, would you?”

Lord Charles huffed a frustrated breath. “Your Grace?”

The duke’s friendly expression hardened as he said, “I will not ask again.”

Though he seemed reluctant, Lord Charles bowed his head and pushed his way through the crowd. Olivia could not have been happier to see him go. Her relief was short-lived, however, because the duke stepped forward, crossing the space between them until he stood directly in front of her.

Alexander’s hand pressed against the small of her back, likely the only thing keeping her from cowering in the duke’s presence. She wished she could lean against Alexander or take his arm, but she didn’t dare move.

“Forgive my brother,” His Grace said, far gentler than Olivia had expected. “He has yet to find his place in the world, and he spends too much time trying to tear others down rather than add his own value. I pray he did not say anything that upset you.”

Olivia had not planned on speaking to either of Alexander’s brothers tonight, and she certainly hadn’t expected the duke to be so unlike how all the rumors had painted him. This contrary version of him left her speechless, so she merely shook her head.

The duke’s smile returned, making him look so much like Alexander. “I am glad to hear it. Alexander.” As he shifted his gaze to his brother, Olivia could breathe easier. “I have heard rumors that you intend to stay as a guest with the Calloway family.” He frowned. “Have we offended you in some way? You know you mustn’t pay any heed to Charles.”

Alexander pressed his fingers more firmly against Olivia’s back. “Not at all, Your Grace. Lord Calloway extended the invitation this morning, and I was delighted to accept.”

“As you should be. The Calloways are a well-respected family with generous hearts.” The duke’s eyes once again rested on Olivia. He smiled once again, holding out his hand for Olivia to take. “I must offer my gratitude to you and your brother, Miss Calloway. Alexander already seems to have found some peace after spending a day with your family. I confess I have been worried for his happiness, after the tragedy he endured.”

When he pressed a kiss to Olivia’s fingers, she shivered, unsure how to respond to a duke treating her with such respect. He clearly cared about Alexander, which made her heart swell with happiness, but this was twice now that someone had mentioned Alexander having a reason to be anything but happy. What tragedy? What had convinced him he needed to close off his heart?

“Olivia?” Simon’s frantic shout rang out over the crowd just before he appeared a few feet away and took in the scene with wide eyes. He focused on Olivia’s hand, still tucked in the duke’s, before he bowed stiffly. “Your Grace.”

Olivia could see in Simon’s eyes the many things he wished to say but wouldn’t, given how far beneath the duke he was. It would be a good idea to end this conversation, if she could manage it. “I believe the second act will soon be starting, Your Grace,” she said as sweetly as she could. “I am eager to hear the rest of the opera, though I am sorry to know you will be missing it.”

The duke chuckled as he released her hand. “To be frank, I sent Charles for the carriage more for his sake than for mine. He is not especially adept at navigating social settings such as this. Perhaps you would be willing to tell me your opinion of tonight’s performance someday.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Calloway.” The duke nodded toward Simon. “I thank you for seeing Alexander’s struggles and offering him a friendly place to stay. He has spent far too much time in solitude since losing his beloved.”

Olivia gasped, and heat flooded her face when the duke yet again turned his attention to her.

But he simply smiled and leaned in to mutter, “Look after my brother, will you?” With a nod, he turned and slipped into the crowd around them.

The instant the duke was out of sight, Simon grabbed hold of Olivia’s arm. “Why would you wander off alone like that? I nearly lost my mind when I realized.”

Olivia frowned. “I was not alone. I was with Lord Alexander.”

“I am hardly proper company, Miss Calloway,” Alexander said before Simon could argue, his expression full of worry. “Particularly where my brothers are concerned. You should not have followed me.”

Olivia slid her arm through Simon’s and started leading him back to their box, hoping Alexander would follow. “I know I am young,” she said sharply, “and merely a woman, but I am not as naive as you both seem to think I am. I know better than to put myself into a precarious situation.”

Both Simon and Alexander scoffed. “I have half a mind to lock you in the house for the rest of the Season,” Simon grumbled.

“And how would I find myself a husband if you did such a thing?” Olivia grumbled back.

“They would come, and at least I could control who has access to you.”

“That sounds like a marvelous idea,” Alexander replied.

Olivia stopped so suddenly that Simon stumbled, so she slid her arm free and turned to face Alexander. “You and I may be friends, but you cannot control my life, Alex.”

“Alex?” Simon said, his eyebrows lifting high. But he moved past her slipup as he continued talking in an undertone. “ He cannot control your life, Olivia, but I can. At least for a few more years. Please do not force my hand by acting so foolishly! What did His Grace want with you?”

Olivia knew Simon only wanted what was best for her, but his Calloway stubbornness ran through her blood just as it did through his. She hated knowing he did not trust her to keep herself safe. She hadn’t just run off; she had gone to make sure Alexander was well, and now she knew he had lost someone he loved. She likely never would have learned anything about that tragedy without speaking to his brothers.

When Olivia said nothing, Simon turned to Alexander, desperation in his eyes.

“He thanked her,” Alexander said quietly, as if he was as surprised by the duke’s words as Olivia had been. “And you, Lord Calloway, for asking me to stay with you. And he sent Charles away to keep him from harassing Miss Calloway.”

“Did he?” It seemed Simon was just as baffled as the rest of them and had no idea where to put his anger and frustration now. “Oh. Well.”

“May I watch the rest of the opera?” Olivia asked, folding her arms. “ Without a thousand visitors interrupting it all?”

Simon and Alexander shared a look, and Alexander nodded. “I could turn them away,” he said. “I have no interest in the opera and will happily remain out here for the rest of the evening.”

Olivia’s heart sank. He would rather stand in a corridor than sit with her?

“Thank you, Alexander,” Simon said with a nod. “This is not what I intended when I invited you to join us, but I am grateful.”

Olivia returned to her seat, but she hardly paid any attention to the rest of the performance. Her mind was too full of thoughts and questions. Why had the duke been so kind and gentle when everyone had painted him as a rake and a scoundrel? Why did Lord Charles dislike Alexander so much? Who had Alexander loved, and what happened to her?

Why did Olivia hate the thought of Alexander giving his heart to someone else so fully when he refused to give Olivia the smallest glimpse?