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

Chapter 8. 1812 

Olivia gazed into his eyes, knowing he was being sincere. He wasn't going to hurt her, not like Nigel did. He was going to keep her safe.
A few minutes later, the carriage came to a stop in front of Richmond Park. Norbert stepped out of the vehicle, coming around to the other side and opening the door for them. "Your grace, Miss Rochester."
Julian. "Are you ready to go inside?"
Olivia nodded. "Yes."
Julian climbed out of the carriage before turning and helping her out. Keeping his hand intertwined tightly with hers, he escorted her up the three stone steps and into the front door of his home. He was going to make sure his mistress would be treated with the utmost care and love.
***
As the next three days swept by, Julian and Olivia became closer. They spent countless hours in the library, discussing the authors that they adored and hated. They took breakfast together every morning, then enjoyed walks through the Richmond Park garden. The connection that they shared was lovely, peaceful and easy.
On the fourth day, Julian and Olivia took a carriage to the London art gallery. A new art exhibit was open to the public, comprised of paintings and sculptures. Many had said the exhibit was quite the spectacle.
Olivia. "Have you donated any paintings to the art gallery?"
Julian. "A few, yes. Mostly, they are paintings of castles or gardens. The castles were paintings that my father liked, and the flowers are paintings that my mother enjoys."
Olivia nodded. "They sound lovely, I cannot wait to see them."
Julian took her hand, caressing her knuckles with his thumb. "I do hope you like them."
Olivia smiled softly. "I'm sure I will your grace."
Once the carriage stopped before the gallery, Julian and Olivia stepped out of the vehicle and walked into the building. Their eyes traveled across the expansive rooms that were inside the gallery, taking in every painting and sculpture that occupied the space.  Some items were large and magnificent, others small and elegant.
Olivia. "Where is this new exhibit?"
Julian. "It is the second room."
They walked into the second room, their eyes roaming across the exquisite paintings and sculptures in front of them. There were paintings of butterflies and birds, sculptures of various animals. They walked around the entire exhibit before stepping out and going back to the main area.
Julian smiled at her. "What did you think?"
Olivia. "All of them were quite lovely."
Julian. "They were."
Olivia. "I would like to see the paintings you donated your grace."
Smiling, Julian escorted her to a private room in the gallery. "Here we are."
Olivia gasped, her eyes dancing across every painting. There were images of magnificent castles, exquisite gardens, and breathtaking flowers. The colors ranged from pastel to jewel tones, each one glistening with vibrant brilliancy.
Julian smiled softly. "By your expression Miss Rochester, I do believe you like my donations."
Olivia turned and smiled at him. "I find all of them to be quite enchanting."
Julian. "I'm glad to hear that. Do you have a favorite?"
Olivia's eyes traveled around the room once again before landing on a portrait of a pink rose in the corner. She walked over to it, running her gloved fingertips along the gold border. "This painting speaks to me."
Julian smiled. "Oh yes, my mother painted this one."
Olivia. "It is beautiful. It reminds me of love and how it has many facets."
Julian walked up beside her. He gazed at the painting for a moment before nodding. "I agree with you. My mother thought that, by painting the rose various shades of pink, that it would represent love in all of its entirety."
Olivia nodded. "She captured it beautifully."
They stood before the painting, their shoulders brushing. Without either of them realizing it, their fingers intertwined. Their eyes turned away from the painting, meeting in a magnetic gaze of intensity.
Julian cleared his throat. "Do you want to stay  a while longer, or would you like to leave?"
Olivia. "As much as I would like to stay, I am getting a bit hungry."
Julian nodded. "Of course, I am hungry as well. Shall we go for afternoon tea?"
Olivia's eyes began to sparkle with delight. "I would love that."
Julian smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Splendid, I have the perfect place."
Olivia. "Oh do you?"
Julian nodded. "I do indeed."
Olivia. "And where is that perfect place?"
Julian moved until his lips were at her ear. "Why, the Richmond Park Gardens."
Olivia shivered, her heart fluttering. It would be the two of them alone once again, in the garden of Julian's London home. "I believe that is the perfect place."
Exchanging a smile, they stepped out of the gallery and climbed into the carriage that was waiting for them outside the building. Settling back against the tufted seat, they knocked on the carriage roof and told Norbert to take them to Richmond Park.