Olivia Twist(64)

She moved toward Vi, longing to feel the closeness they’d once had. But how? There was so little of her life she couldn’t share. Or was she just not willing to share? Violet had never once judged her, never made her feel less than because of her background. Even after she’d read the scandalous letter from her mother, Vi had only shown empathy and support. Her cousin didn’t know all the details of Olivia’s life before Uncle Brownlow took her in, but she wasn’t a fool—she’d seen the scars crossing Olivia’s back and legs.

“Why did you rush off like that?” Violet asked as Olivia looped her arm through her friend’s elbow.

“I thought I saw someone I knew—” The lie lodged in Olivia’s throat. Why couldn’t she just tell the truth for once? She met Vi’s steady grass-green eyes and began to steer them to a quiet corner.

Her heart palpitated at the thought of opening up to her friend, letting someone else in and trusting them with her secrets. But another part, a larger part, felt exhilarated by the possibility. When they reached the isolated settee, Olivia drew Vi down beside her, smoothed her buttery yellow skirt and whispered, “I was looking for Jack.”

Violet blinked in question, completely unaware of whom Olivia referred to.

“Jack MacCarron,” she qualified, and watched a bright glow flood Vi’s ivory cheeks. Oh no, not her too! Had he captivated every woman in London? Olivia sighed and glanced around to make sure they were still alone.

“I need to speak with J—Mr. MacCarron urgently. Can you help me distract Aunt Becky when he gets here?”

“Whyever for?”

Because I’m in love with him, but need to tell him I’ve chosen to marry Max and we’re announcing our engagement at the ball tomorrow night . . . But that’s not what she said. In fact, she didn’t have to say a word; her face must have given her away, because Violet’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

“You . . . you’re . . . having an affair with him!” Vi accused, and squeezed Olivia’s gloved arm in a death grip.

“No . . . not exactly.”

“But you love him. I can see it all over your face. Oh, how wonderful!”

Olivia shook her head and bit the inside of her cheek to keep the tears at bay. “Vi, it’s not like that. This isn’t one of your gothic novels. I accepted Maxwell’s proposal. The engagement will be announced tomorrow evening.” Olivia’s shoulders slumped at the devastated look on her friend’s face.

“Livie, no.” She shook her head, moisture shining in her eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t agree to this for the money . . . for your uncle. Because you could—”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Olivia cut in before Violet offered some impulsive solution, like letting them move in with her family. “I promise to explain later, but right now I must speak with Jack. Max and I have kept it a secret, but I don’t want Jack to find out from someone else.”

“Does he love you? Jack, I mean.” Vi rubbed her arm, making Olivia want to curl into a ball, lay her head on her friend’s lap, and sob.

“I don’t know.” Was Jack even capable of love? The forever kind of love that every girl dreamed of? “I don’t think so.”

Remembering Jack’s promises to do anything to help her, how he’d protected her since they were children, and how his eyes lit like blue fire when he looked at her, Olivia was forced to concede, “But he does care for me, in his way.”

“Then you have to fight for him!” Violet straightened her spine, her eyes raging with conviction. She’d always been a true believer in happily ever after. “You cannot marry Max.”

“Vi, I must. You don’t understand. There is no fairy tale ending for me.” Olivia bit harder on her cheek, as that reality sunk deep into her soul.

“Well, I’m not settling. I don’t care what my mother says. I will marry for love,” Violet hissed, swiping at a tear that slipped down her cheek. “And if you aren’t strong enough to defy society, then you can live with the consequences.”

Olivia’s lips lifted in a sad half smile. “Then I suppose I’ll have to live vicariously through you.”

“Good evening, Miss Brownlow.”

Olivia and Vi both started and turned to find Topher March hovering over them. Olivia prayed he hadn’t overheard their conversation.

After the girls stood and Olivia made the introductions, she glanced at Violet and was amazed at the transformation. Her friend showed no signs of her earlier emotional outburst, but from her pink cheeks to her crimson hair, appeared as serene as a sunset.

“It would seem I’ve the privilege of escorting you both into dinner since my cousin has not deigned to show his ugly face and we are at odd numbers,” Topher said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Violet looped her arm through the blond gentleman’s offered elbow, and Olivia followed behind them, noting how close Topher had pulled Violet, the dark wool of his suit blending with her lavender silk. Perhaps something good could come of this night.

As they moved into the dining room, Olivia searched the crowd, apprehension tightening her neck and shoulders. What could be keeping Jack?

After seven endless courses, and no Jack, Olivia could do nothing but sit and wring her hands in her lap. She was itching to ask Topher if he had any clue to Jack’s whereabouts, but hadn’t been able to get a word in the entire dinner. She’d never seen her cousin so animated. Topher appeared equally engaged, but as Olivia stared at the nearly gutted candles, her trepidation could no longer be contained.