A Season for Love (Completed)

Chapter 5. 1813

The following morning, Olivia came downstairs and stopped dead, her foot on the threshold of the door to the breakfast room. Her eyes went wide as she saw the large bouquets of flowers on the breakfast table. There was quite the variety of flowers, so many in fact that she became overwhelmed.there were blue violets, lavender wisteria, white orchids, yellow daisies, and several others. Each bouquet consisted of 12 or 24 blossoms.

Olivia glanced at William, who was standing by the table and shaking his head with disapproval. "Brother, who are all of these flowers from?"

William rolled his eyes. "Apparently they are from all of your four suitors. Obviously they don't know your favorite flower, and they don't realize that you don't need all of these blossoms in here."

Olivia glanced at each bouquet, shaking her head with disapproval. "None of them are elaborate at all, not one ribbon or card. Do they really expect me to just figure out who sent them?"

William. "Apparently they do. Oh, but there is one package that I did not open yet. I needed to open all of these because some of them were falling apart inside the boxes." He picked up an elegantly wrapped box that was white and fixed with a gold silk ribbon and gave it to her.

Olivia took the box. "Whoever sent me this has much better taste than these other gentleman."

William. "I agree. Let's see what it is."

Taking a seat beside her brother at the breakfast table, one end of the table that wasn't overflowing with flowers, Olivia carefully put the box down, removed the ribbon, and opened the lid. Her hand flew to her mouth as she saw what was inside. Her eyes became wide. "William..."

William peaked inside the box, and his eyes widened as well. "Good Lord..."

Resting beautifully in a delicate crystal vase was a single pale pink rose. The fragrance was overwhelming, sweet and perfect. Not one thorn was visible on the stem, and a beautiful pale gold silk  ribbon was wrapped around the vase. A card was attached to the vase as well, hanging from the ribbon. The vase was filled with a perfect amount of water.

With shaking hands, Olivia carefully removed the rose and the vase from the box and put it onto the table. Taking off the note, she unfolded it so that she and William could read it together.

My dearest Olivia,

With this rose, I make you a promise. I promise to be true to you and only you. I promise to be a gentleman, never put you into harms way. I promise to make you happy and always have a lovely smile on your face.

I had quite the wonderful evening last night, not only speaking with you but dancing with you as well. I do hope to continue that, maybe with two dances at the next ball. 

Yours,
James Abernathy

Glancing up at her brother, Olivia felt her heart flutter as she saw him beaming from ear to ear. She hadn't seen her brother smile like that for quite a while, ever since their father had died a year ago. Placing the Duke of Norfolk's letter down, she took a deep inhale of the sweet Rose in front of her, smiling with her eyes closed.

James wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. "My dearest Olivia, I believe the Duke of Norfolk has made his intentions quite clear."

Olivia squeezed her brother back. "And you don't mind? I have yet to spend more time with him."

William. "I am perfectly fine with it my dear sister. I know James very well, the two of us went to Oxford together. I've never met a gentleman, much less a fellow duke, who is more honorable then he is. He's kind and generous, giving to those who are less fortunate. Abernathy puts others before himself."

Olivia smiled. "Well then, I believe I am going to grant his grace two dances the next time we meet."