Page 42 of A Relentless Rake

“Perhaps.” Then Justine said almost to herself, “But some of us make bigger mistakes than others.”

That soft confession reverberated inside Olivia’s chest, and her fingers tightened on the paper. “Are you in love with the young man?”

Justine’s face darkened with guilt. “I suppose I shouldn’t be. He couldn’t possibly love me back, could he? Or he wouldn’t have asked me to…” Her soft voice trailed off.

“Or maybe he loved you too much not to ask,” Olivia whispered gently. “And maybe he loves you so much that he knows it’s better for you to marry someone else.”

A lie. The seduction of innocents rarely had anything to do with love. But Olivia knew what this girl was going through and wanted to do anything she could to ease the heaviness inside her and the doubts that kept her awake at night. That included lying to her if necessary. Accepting the harsh reality of her situation would only cause more pain.

“I hope you’re right, Miss.”

Olivia forced a smile. “I know so.”

The girl’s slim shoulders relaxed with relief. “When my aunt told me that I would be coming here, I didn’t know what to expect. But you’re nothing at all like I imagined.” She beamed at Olivia. “If I can be half as proper as you, Miss Everett, then I know everything will be just fine.”

Justine slipped out the door.

Olivia stared after her. Half as proper? If the girl only knew…which shenevercould. As far as Lady Gantry and the rest of society were concerned, Olivia was a paragon of propriety. They could never suspect that she’d once reached for a bright future she’d believed was hers for the taking, only for it to all come crashing down around her.

Olivia swiped her hand at her eyes, but she couldn’t stop the tears from coming, just as she couldn’t stop those anguished thoughts of what her life could have been…a safe and secure future, a home and children, marriage, a man steadfast enough to return her love—

A knock sounded at the door. Olivia grabbed for her handkerchief and quickly dried her eyes, then reached for her quill to pretend that she’d been busily working. “Yes?”

Mrs. Adams stuck her head inside. “A young woman is here to see you, Miss.”

Her chest tightened.Please don’t let it be another girl seeking a scholarship position!They barely had the money to house the ones they had now. “Who is it?”

“Lady Elizabeth Sinclair.”

Her mouth fell open.Alec’s sister?What on earth…?

Last night had not gone well. Olivia nearly laughed at herself.Not well?That was a grand understatement! Between her humiliation at the ball and Alec’s betrayal over his identity, she’d been furious and far more hurt than she wanted to admit. Then, his accusations of Henry being a revolutionary…simply ludicrous.

She never wanted to see that devil again. And now to have his sister appear unexpectedly on her doorstep—

Good Lord, the Sinclair family was beginning to make her head spin!

But she couldn’t snub the sister of an earl. After all, it wasn’t Lady Elizabeth’s fault that her brother was a villain.

Gathering herself with a deep breath, she stood. “Please, show her in.”

Elizabeth Sinclair bounced into the office with a bright smile. Removing her bonnet, she revealed chestnut hair the same color as Alec’s swept gently back into a simple knot and bright hazel eyes. Cream-colored lace edged the modest neckline of her pale yellow dress, giving the frock an air of high-fashioned style with old-fashioned modesty. All of it conspired to create a warm, friendly presence that Olivia never would have suspected from someone of Lady Elizabeth’s rank. Or relation to St James.

“Miss Everett.” Elizabeth hurried forward to take Olivia’s hands in hers and prevent her from dropping into a curtsy.

“Lady Elizabeth,” Olivia said with surprise. “What an unexpected pleasure.”

Elizabeth squeezed Olivia’s hands, and her eager excitement only increased Olivia’s wariness. “I apologize for calling on you without notice. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. You’re welcome to visit the school anytime, my lady.” She nodded toward the two chairs in front of her desk. “Shall I call for refreshments?”

Elizabeth shook her head with a sweet smile. “I would love that, truly, but I’m afraid I can’t linger. I’m needed back at Harlow House to help with Mama’s garden party.” She released Olivia’s hands. “I only came by to return your wrap. You left it at the ball.” She gestured a gloved hand toward the hallway. “I gave it to your housekeeper.”

“I’m grateful.” Olivia truly was. In her desperation to flee last night, she’d forgotten all about it. “But you needn’t have come all the way here just to return it.”

Certainly not when Lady Elizabeth had a house full of footmen and maids she could have sent instead. Olivia suspected some other motive…a tall, dark, and impossibly devilish one.

Had Alec sent his sister to pry about Henry?