The Duke's Innocent Mistress (PM #1) (Completed)

Chapter 7. 1812 

Julian gently caressed her cheek. "You are very lovely Miss Rochester."
Olivia smiled, shivering at his gentle caress. "Thank you your grace, and you are quite handsome."
Julian returned her smile. "Thank you. I forgot to ask you earlier, but how old are you?"
Olivia. "I am 23."
Julian nodded. "You're four years younger than I am."
Olivia. "You are 27?"
Julian nodded. "Yes."
Olivia. "I am glad we are not far apart in age."
Julian. "I am as well."
Olivia. "Shall we return to the ball? I'm sure Vivian is wondering where we are."
Julian chuckled, rising to his feet and pulling her up with him. "Or she could be matching another young couple together."
They shared a smile, laughing as they stepped out of the parlor. They soon found Vivian in the midst of matching another couple together. They waited for her to finish before they approached.
Vivian turned and smiled at them. "Well, hello. The two of you have been gone for quite a while."
Olivia. "What time is it?"
Vivian glanced at the clock in the corner of the ballroom. "It is nearly midnight."
Julian. "Then I believe it is time for Miss Rochester and I to leave. We plan to spend a few days here in London and then I am taking her to my country estate."
Vivian smiled. "That sounds like a lovely idea your grace."
Olivia hugged her. "Thank you for a wonderful evening. I look forward to catching up with you soon."
Vivian returned the embrace. "As do I my dear. I plan to have you and Miss Delilah Martin to my home for tea sometime next week."
Olivia. "That sounds lovely."
Vivian smiled before turning and making her way toward the couple she had recently matched. She escorted them to one of the farther parlors along the hallway.
Julian looped Olivia's hand through his elbow. "Shall we go?"
Olivia was about to respond, but then noticed a gentleman walking toward them. The color evaporated from her face, her pulse beginning to race. She knew that gentleman, knew him all too well.
He was a few inches taller than she was, possessing black hair and dark gray eyes. He was wearing a three-piece black silk suit trimmed with silver over a white button up shirt cravat and black boots. A crown of silver spikes with black diamonds rested on his head.
Julian glanced at her, and then at the gentleman. His eyes narrowed, and he instinctively brought Olivia tightly against him. "Lord Groven."
Nigel smiled wickedly. "Well well well, what a pleasure it is to see both of you here this evening."
Julian. "Might I ask what you are doing here?"
Nigel rolled his eyes. "I have come here for the same reason you did Richmond, to find myself a mistress."
Julian growled. "And have you found one that will suit your dark needs?"
Nigel's eyes danced with delight. "As a matter fact I have. Her name is Miss Cornelia Weston. She is quite lovely, and enjoys dark pleasure."
Olivia squeezed Julian's hand. "Your Grace, may we leave now please?"
Julian looked at her, saw how pale and frightened she was, and nodded. Without giving Nigel another glance, he escorted her out of Vivian's home and into the carriage that was waiting for them. Once they both settled back against the tufted seat, he reached forward and took her trembling hands into his. "My dear, are you all right? You are quite pale."
Olivia swallowed hard. "I... I know Lord Groven."
Julian. "How do you know him?"
Olivia took a breath. "I had an encounter with him during a ball at Baron Grafton's home. "
Julian. "What sort of encounter? "
Olivia bit her lip. "Not a pleasant one."
Julian squeezed her hands. "What happened? "
Olivia took another breath. "He touched me without my consent."
Julian felt his blood simmer with rage. "The bastard put his hands on you? "
Olivia nodded. "Yes, but he didn't get far. I screamed and punched him in the face before he could do further damage."
Julian nodded, relaxing. "Thank God. "
Olivia exhaled, her shoulders slumping with relief. After five months of harboring this burden, she could finally allow it to be lifted from her chest. Raising her head, she gazed at Julian. "Thank you for letting me share this with you."
Julian nodded, caressing her knuckles with his thumb. "Of course my dear, you can share anything you want with me. I will not judge you. "
Olivia smiled softly. "Thank you. And you can share anything you want with me."
Julian returned her smile. "Thank you. And, I assure you, you will be safe with me. I will not hurt you, I promise you that."