Chapter 4

"Archie, can we please sit out the next set?" Olivia didn't want to dance anymore.

"Fine by me. If we dance one more set together, these people will most definitely call out the banns and print the news of our betrothal in The Times," he rolled his eyes. "But what's wrong? You love to dance," he eyed her.

"I do, but my legs hurt," the lie slipped out easily enough.

As the set was about to end, Olivia felt like she was being watched. She immediately turned around but she saw nothing out of the ordinary.

"What is it, Olivia? Looking for ways to get away from me?" Archie winked, forcing her to return her attention to him.

"Maybe," she grinned.

"How you wound me, my lady!" He said dramatically. She just rolled her eyes, it was impossible to faze Archie.

And then she saw him over Archie's shoulder. At first, she thought it just a coincidence, but the man was looking right at her. He didn't even shy away from Olivia's gaze. He stared at her and she stared right back.

Who was he? She'd never seen him before but something about his stance was achingly familiar. Maybe if she moved closer she would recognise him?

But why did she care who he was?

She was the first to look away. Mercifully the set ended and Archie began to lead her to the balcony.

She looked at him, silently asking him why. She didn't think she could speak just now. That intense moment in the ballroom had left her quite shaken.

"You look a little flushed, thought you could do with some fresh air," Archie smiled kindly.

Oh, sweet Archie.

They stood leaning by the low walls. Archie didn't try to make any conversation and Olivia was grateful for the reprieve.

She needed time to understand why she'd stared back at that man. It wasn't just that he was handsome. She hadn't been able to tear her gaze away. It was almost like the magnetic force she'd read about last week. It had felt like he could pull her in with that gaze...

"Lady Olivia," someone called from behind her. She jumped and turned none too gracefully.

"Baron Middleton," she smiled at him before her gaze slipped to the person standing next to the young Baron.

This had to be some horrible twist of fate.

The handsome man from the ballroom was here, again staring at her with that piercing look in his eye. As if he was trying to read her.

"This is my old friend, Sir Jacob Townshend," he said. "And Jacob, this is Lady Olivia Cavendish." He proceeded to introduce the man to Archie.

He was saying something else, but Olivia didn't hear a word. She couldn't hear anything past the ringing in her ears.

Jacob Townshend.

Double damn.

No wonder he had seemed familiar...after all these years. Goodness gracious, no wonder he'd been staring at her, he'd recognised her. Olivia didn't know if she was elated or embarrassed.

She finally looked up from her knotted hands. Archie and the Baron were talking about something but Mr.Townshend was still looking at her.

Jacob couldn't stop staring at the woman. Maybe he kept hoping that she'd turn out to be someone else. That this was all some big joke.

Out of all the Olivias in England, this one had to be Henry Cavendish's daughter? This had to be some horrible twist of fate.

How the hell was he supposed to take advantage of her when he felt guilty even at the notion of hurting her? Guilt had no place in this game.

And from her expression, it was evident that she'd recognised him. Jacob couldn't decide if that was a good thing or bad.

Before he could let her go because of some false sense of honour, he spoke. "Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?"

Her cheeks paled further. She opened her mouth as if to speak but no sound emerged. Jacob stood still, his palm facing up. He didn't rush her, they had all the time in the world.

And then she slowly slid her gloved hand on his. Jacob thought he felt something akin to a jolt, but he told himself that it was only because of their past.

Everything faded away after that. They walked towards the dance floor, neither speaking and took their positions.

"How have you been?" He found himself asking.

She seemed surprised. "Good. And you?" Her voice was different, huskier.

"You don't want to know," he smiled grimly. Her expression said that she did, but she didn't voice it out.

"How was your debut?"

"I got six proposals," she grinned and Jacob couldn't help but chuckle.

"I gather you aren't married?"

The light in her eyes dimmed and Jacob wanted to kick himself. She slowly shook her head. He saw her draw herself together, he saw the way she plastered a cheerful smile on her face, and Jacob couldn't help but admire her for it.

Hell, he'd only just met her and he was already going soft. This wasn't supposed to happen this way. He was supposed to seduce her, use her to get the papers, and then let her go as gently as possible. It had seemed like a simple enough plan in theory. But he only had to look at her guileless eyes and he faltered. If it had been any other woman, he would have gone about this without any hesitation.

Jacob let his gaze slide down her gorgeous face to her bosom, where his mother's necklace rested. That was enough for him to harden his resolve once again.

He would do this. For his uncle. This was no time to allow his conscience to prick him. There would be time for regret later. The only thing he was sorry about was that Olivia would have to get hurt in this entire debacle.

Then again, there was no way of knowing if she was as innocent as she appeared. What if she knew all about this and was with her father in this? What if she'd worn this necklace just to taunt him?

But Jacob knew he was only looking for excuses. Her goodness shone from within, she practically radiated it.

And he wanted to bask in some of her goodness. He'd wanted her then and he wanted her now.

But that was only a mild inconvenience, he told himself.

Olivia and Jacob danced, losing themselves in the memory of that day while Lord Archibald looked on with a stricken expression.