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It was quite gallant of him.”
    “Yes, he seems a nice enough gentleman, despite the company he keeps.”
    “Dear, dear, you do have a grudge against Lord Sheridan. Whatever has he done to deserve that? It is not like you.”
    “No, it is not.”
    With a coy grin, her aunt said, “Have you perhaps formed a secret tendre for him?”
    “A tendre ?” said Olivia, placing her cup on the tray and rising. “I cannot bear the man, he is…”
    “But I didn’t even know you had met the man!” exclaimed her aunt. “It is very puzzling. You like everyone, so taking this handsome man in dislike is extraordinary. I mean, he did bump into you at the Pinchot’s ball, but that is hardly a reason to inspire such disgust. Besides, he sent you flowers today along with a lovely note of apology.”
    ‘The flowers were well enough, but I wager his secretary wrote the note. I cannot imagine that Lord Sheridan would ever admit to being clumsy. He also said he was sorry, and such a kind sentiment is hardly likely to spring forth from one such as he.”
    “Olivia! How uncharitable of you to say such a thing.”
    Olivia nibbled her lower lip like a naughty child. Finally, scuffling her feet, she said, “I am sorry, Aunt. I don’t know why I have taken the man in dislike, but I have. I had even wondered about helping him to find someone, someone who could make him smile. He is always so glum, you know. But now, I can see little sense in it. He would probably bite the hand that fed him.”
    “What?”
    Olivia frowned and said, “Oh, you know what I mean.” She sighed. “I am going to bed. Perhaps in the morning my usual sunny self will reappear.”
    Leaning down, she kissed her aunt’s cheek before strolling out of the room.

    In her room, Olivia was silent as her maid helped her change into her nightdress. Bidding the servant a weak goodnight, she climbed into bed.
    The fact that her abigail was still ill suddenly hit her, and she started to rise. Then she subsided. She was in no mood to chat with Pansy about her illness.
    A moment later, a grey fluff of fur jumped onto the foot of the bed and then sauntered up to the head to be petted.
    “Oh, Hawkeye, what am I to do? Why does that man make me want to strangle him?” She scratched under the cat’s chin. “Yes, yes, I know. I should not blame him for running into me outside the millinery shop today. It was more of a mere bumping into than running into, and I’m sure he did not plan to get foxed and then accost me.”
    “Meow.”
    “Exactly. It is not so much what he does or says, it is the manner in which it is delivered. Really, I don’t expect every male who sees me to fall helplessly in love with me. You might have, but then, you are very easily won over, aren’t you?”
    The cat’s purring distracted her, and she scratched him behind his ear. When she stopped, he looked at her with his one eye, blinked, and then hopped off the bed.
    Olivia blew out the candle and pulled up the covers. Though it was late April, the evenings were still quite brisk. The small fire on the other side of the room did little to ward off the chill. She shivered and closed her eyes.
    Not for the first time, she wondered what it would be like to snuggle close to someone for warmth, for strength. The image of the infuriating Lord Sheridan taunted her. With a twitch of the covers, she turned on her side and forced herself to think of spring flowers, little puppies, and children’s laughter.
    She refused to allow such an aggravating man to spoil her rest.

Chapter Three
    A s Olivia had hoped, morning brought with it an improved mood. She rose and went to the window that overlooked the narrow garden and smiled. How could she be anything but happy on such a sunny day?
    Below, the gardener’s boy was throwing the stick for Hasty, who chased it with great speed, despite his lack of one leg. The big mutt returned the stick and dropped it on the ground before licking the boy’s face. As always,