Olivia felt like she was a ship in a storm and Mr.Townshend was her anchor. She didn't regret initiating the kiss one bit.
He held her close to him and she felt the hardness of his body against hers. Who would've thought that such a hard, unyielding body could be so warm?!
But his lips were soft as they gently moved with hers. Olivia couldn't breathe, the sensation was too much to bear. She'd been kissed before, but not like this...
One of his hands slid from the base of her neck to her waist. Olivia felt as if his touch burned her through all those layers of cloth. She let herself sink into him with a moan and felt his arms tighten around her.
Jacob was enjoying himself-he was enjoying this far too much. It's just a kiss, he told himself, but when her hands tentatively came around his neck and her bosom pressed against his chest, he couldn't hold back the groan that escaped him.
He was a dying man and she was ambrosia.
He fed on the sweetness of her lips as his hands roamed her back. He knew he shouldn't be affected, that he should stop, but he'd be damned if the little sounds she made didn't spur him on more.
"Olivia," he murmured, intending to end the kiss. But then he made the mistake of looking into her guileless eyes-half lidded, full of passion and he plunged into their depths, not caring about anything other than this moment. Other than this feeling of wanting and being wanted.
She didn't kiss with skill, but she was enthusiastic. She imitated the movement of his lips and that was more than enough to bring Jacob down to his knees.
He'd always preferred experienced women, then why did this innocent spinster have this effect on him?
He didn't want to stop. He wanted to lose himself in the scent of her-roses...she smelt like roses. He wanted to divest her of her gown and finish what they'd started.
"Olivia Cavendish, stop this instant, I say!"
What the hell?
Olivia practically flew apart from him and Jacob had to turn in his lust-filled haze to find the source.
A middle-aged, albeit attractive woman was stomping towards them, looking more than a little indignant. As she drew a little closer, Jacob observed that her eyes were the same shade of blue as Olivia.
"It's my aunt," she whispered from beside him. No wonder.
"Who are you?! Do you think you can just maul my niece in a public park? I'd call you out if I were a man!" she shouted, her eyes radiating fury. Jacob raised a brow, not intimidated in the least. Maul her, indeed!
"Aunt Mel..."
"Not one word, Olivia. I'm very disappointed in you," she huffed.
"My lady, as you could see, we were only kissing and your niece is old enough to make her own choices," he said coolly, not happy about being reprimanded like a wayward child. He was a man of thirty, not a boy of fifteen. And he didn't like the way Olivia looked-ashamed and embarrassed. She was a grown woman, dammit.
But if Jacob thought that her aunt would heed his words, he was wrong. Her eyes were two blue daggers, ready to puncture him.
She merely caught hold of Olivia and dragged her away a few paces before turning and walking back to him.
"Stay away from my niece, mister whoever you are. She's had her share of pain, please don't contribute to it." Although she used the word 'please', there was nothing in her tone that indicated that she was requesting. It sounded more like a warning. Jacob didn't reply, he had never reacted well to warnings.
She turned and stomped off after that, taking Olivia with her. But not before Olivia turned and sent him an apologetic look. He smiled his reassurance.
***
"What in God's name were you doing, Olivia?" Aunt Mel asked.
"Kissing?"
"This is no time to be cheeky, niece. I can't believe it. What if someone would've come upon you?"
"We were alone, Aunt Mel. I don't know how you found us."
"I always know how to find you," her aunt eyed her shrewdly, moving to sit on her bed.
"I didn't like the way you two danced last night. But I thought it was harmless. Clearly, it wasn't," she huffed.
Her aunt watched her more closely than she'd initially thought.
"Who is he?" she finally asked.
"Sir Jacob Townshend," she said noncommittally.
"What?"
"Jacob Townshend, the Viscount Townshend's nephew," she clarified.
But her Aunt's breath whooshed out of her. And she looked a little pale.
"Aunt Mel? Are you alright?"
She nodded mechanically.
"What is it?" Olivia persisted.
"Why is he here in England? After all these years?" her aunt asked, not appearing to have heard her.
"His uncle is on his deathbed, so naturally-"
Melissa shot up from the bed, unable to breathe.
"What do you mean he's dying?" She asked, her voice loud, harsher than she'd intended to be.
"Why, I do not know the details. But Mr.Townshend was extremely upset-he said that he wished he had more time with his uncle..."
Tears streamed down Melissa's face, she was unable to keep her emotions in check any longer.
He wouldn't die. Not on her watch. She turned to her niece. "Olivia, I must go to him."
She looked confused, but slowly, understanding dawned in her eyes. Smart girl.
"All these years..." she murmured, looking dazed.
Melissa nodded, a blush staining her cheeks.
"Yes, you must," Olivia smiled.
"But your father is away in Derbyshire and I was your chaperone for the season."
"Aunt Mel, I can always ask Aunt Sophia. She's been volunteering for years. Although she's not quite as fun as you, I shall make do," Olivia grinned.
"She's so careless, she won't even know when you're off on a kissing excursion," her aunt sniffed.
"I don't see why that's such a bad thing," Olivia winked. "I will take care of my reputation, Aunt Mel. I really am sorry about today," she said more solemnly.
Melissa nodded. "I know you're a good egg, darling," she whispered, dropping a kiss on Olivia's head.
"Now you must go pack," she shooed her away.
"Yes yes," she laughed.
She peeped back inside. "What if he doesn't want me, Olivia?"
"Then there'd be no greater imbecile in this world."
Melissa grinned.
Jacob lay in bed, unable to sleep. He was alone in his uncle's townhouse, except for the butler. He'd even sent Marcel away for the night. Why was it so bloody hot? He kicked at the sheets tangled with his limbs impatiently and got up. He sauntered down to the study and popped open a bottle of wine. He usually preferred whiskey, but his uncle's cellar here was poorly stocked.
"I simply cannot bear it, darling," Aunt Sophie groaned. "Here Aunt, this will make you feel better," Olivia smiled, handing her some poultice. "You're so good to me, Olivia. I'm so sorry that I can't accompany you tonight," she said, clutching her wounded ankle. "It is unfortunate that I won't be having any chaperone tonight, but I shall make do," she smiled serenely. Aunt Sophie nodded grate
Raynham Manor, Norfolk He couldn't stop kissing her. He didn't want to stop kissing her. Someone knocked on the door. Melissa pulled back suddenly, her cheeks delightfully pink. "What is it?" George Townshend asked, annoyed at the interruption. He'd been having a most agreeable time.
A fortnight after Lady Bell's party, Olivia found herself being packed into a carriage heading to Bedfordshire for a house party. How she hated these endless rounds of balls and parties, hopping from one place to another with no aim whatsoever. But this time she'd been pleased to escape to the country for a few days. She'd been unable to forget Jacob Townshend and his kisses. She hadn't seen him in weeks and yet it was only his face that lingered in her mind. More than once she'd asked herself if she'd been unnecessarily rude. He'd seemed unfazed by her words that day, but then he'd simply disappeared. And she couldn't help but regret her demands tha
"You look awfully flushed, shall I fetch you a cool towel, my lady?" data-p-id=4dca8b9e29464ffe54477719238616ed,"Yes, Sally, that would be wonderful," Olivia murmured.
One, two, three, and four.The pebble bounced four times before it sank into the depths of the pond. Jacob bent to find another one, he needed it to be as flat as possible. "Mr.Townshend."
"What do you wish to wear tonight?" Marcel asked, rummaging through Jacob's trunks. "The deep blue waistcoat with the black tails. And dancing shoes...make sure they're perfectly polished," he replied, absently scrubbing the soap bar over his chest. Marcel turned and raised a brow in surprise. "Aren't we being fancy, signore? I can't help
Jacob waited patiently. He'd waited until Olivia had danced every set, each with a different man. He had waited even as Merrick lead her to dinner, whispering in her ear all the while. He had waited as the gentlemen were chased away for the ridiculous practice of consuming port while the ladies stayed back doing god knows what. He was still waiting by the empty stairway, well hidden behind a pillar when he heard the twittering sounds of the ladies as they made their way up to their respective rooms.
data-p-id=2a60d748418ea8a4eb3d294edc56518f,"Lucy, where are you?" Olivia hollered. data-p-id=5d08697369b2ec9e3a8c603053a68e35,"She's hiding," came her husband's voice as he pulled her into the
"You look absolutely stunning, darling," Aunt Mel sighed wistfully, tucking in some pink blossoms into Olivia's coiffure. She smiled. Somethings never changed. "And you," Olivia grinned, kissing her aunt's cheek affectionately. "Oh Aunt Mel, don't cry!" she groaned when a few tears escaped the woman's eyes.
A lot could change in less than a day, Olivia discovered the day after Jacob’s trial. For one, her father had refused to acknowledge her after calling her 'another Townshend bitch.' Although it had hurt quite a bit, she figured she was better off without him anyway. Jacob had tried to talk to her but she had rebuffed his efforts. She had just discovered that her father had been responsib
Jacob had gone through a week of hell. So he couldn't be blamed for thinking he was suddenly in heaven when he saw Olivia walk into the courtroom. She took his breath away, dressed in a simple morning gown with her hair pulled back under a hat. But the surprise and pleasure lasted only for a moment. Because after that it was replaced by fear. She was either here to testify against or for
"George, please darling. You must eat," Melissa pleaded with her fiancé. data-p-id=73562c872f390bc18a836fc4b1cf93e0,style=text-align:left;,"Eat? How can I eat when my neph
When Olivia awoke, it was quite late—almost noon. She found a note lying beside her. I'll be back in a day, it read. She sighed, missing Jacob already but glad he'd thought to leave a note. And it was only a day, she tried to pacify herself.
Jacob felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water onto his head and without a warning, at that. "He took it in exchange for settling a debt?" he asked, needing to be sure if he'd heard her right. She nodded, her eyes pitying. He didn't know what to say. He took the necklace dangling from her hands–his mother's necklace and motioned her to turn around. He put it against her ne
Although he was right beside her, Olivia felt like he was very far from her. And what worried her was that she might never find a way to bring him back. They were both solemn when they reached Remington hall. As it turned out, Lord Merrick and Winifred had won the treasure hunt. Nobody questioned Olivia and Jacob about their whereabouts. Jacob quietly excused himself and disappeared into
"What do you think?" Olivia asked Jacob who was reading the clue with nary a wrinkle upon his brow. "The hunting lodge," he said confidently. "What? Allow me to read it," she reached for the piece of paper that held the riddle which would direct them to their next clue. He moved his hand away from her reach and Olivia instinctively went after it, inadvertently pressing up against him with a mu