The Duke's Rose (Completed)

Chapter 6. 1814 

Three days later, Olivia was nestled inside the Sutherland carriage, sitting across from Nathaniel. They were on their way to Bath for the second public ball of the season. She was determined to continue impressing everyone around her and keep her title of diamond.
For that evening, Olivia was wearing a dusty pink silk gown with off the shoulder sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Cream silk gloves finished off her ensemble, and her hair was fixed into an elegant braided bun. She noticed Nathaniel gazing at her and blushed bright pink. "What?"
Nathaniel chuckled. "Nothing, only that you look absolutely ravishing. It is going to be very difficult to watch you dance with other gentlemen in between our two dances."
Olivia giggled. "It is going to be quite difficult for me to watch you dance with other young ladies. However, we did agree to the first and final dance at every ball."
Nathaniel knotted, reaching across the carriage and taking her hand. "We certainly did, and I am going to cherish every last one of them."
Olivia felt her heart flutter at their close contact. She smiled softly. "As will I."
The carriage arrived to the assembly rooms a few minutes later. Stepping out of the vehicle, the driver went around and opened the door for his occupants. Once they were out, he took the carriage around to the back.
Gazing around at the guests who would be in attendance that evening, Olivia suddenly felt uneasy. She felt as if someone was watching her. She swallowed hard.
Nathaniel glanced at her. "Are you all right?"
Olivia. "Yes, perfectly well your grace."
Nathaniel nodded, sliding her hand through his elbow. "All right."
Exchanging a soft smile, they walked into the main ballroom. Once they were announced, they stepped further into the ballroom after Olivia received her dance card. They moved toward the far wall, not wanting to be in the way of everyone else as they made their entrance.
Nathaniel smiled, gently picking up the dance card that was attached to Olivia's wrist with a dusty pink silk ribbon. "I believe I must sign my initials before any other gentleman has the same idea."
Olivia rolled her eyes but giggled. "Oh very well."
Nathaniel signed his initials into the first and last slots of the dance card. "There we are."
Olivia. "I hope and pray that the other dances are tolerable. Quite frankly, if I had my way, I would have all of the dances with you."
Nathaniel. "I agree. However, we cannot dance together for the entire evening."
Olivia pursed her lips. "Yes, because we are not married."
Nathaniel. "Exactly."
They watched as the remaining guests walked into the ballroom. They exchanged a soft smile, knowing that evenings dances would be the first of many more to come. Moments later, they were swept up into the first waltz of the night.
***
Two hours later, shortly after finishing the quadrille with Lord Adrian Millbrook, Olivia was in desperate need of fresh air. Giving the gentleman a polite smile, and thanking him for dancing with her, she turned and stepped out onto the terrace. Leaning against a large marble pillar that overlooked the garden, she took a breath and relaxed period. She was very much looking forward to dancing the final waltz of the evening with Nathaniel.
Olivia closed her eyes, her body relaxing even further. The evening was going swimmingly, as far as she was concerned. She was quite enjoying herself.
The sound of footsteps had Olivia's eyes flying open. Turning her head, she felt the blood disappear from her face as she saw who stood before her. No, it couldn't be.
The gentleman was a few inches taller than she was, possessing dark blonde hair and gray eyes. He was wearing a three-piece black silk suit with a white button up shirt cravat and black boots. He smiled wickedly. "Well well well, if it is not Miss Olivia hathaway."
Olivia felt her blood turned to ice. She knew that voice, that disgusting nasally voice, all too well. Standing before her was none other than Lord Thomas Maddox, Barron Maddox.