Against Their Wishes

Chapter 10

The next few hours passed by with little excitement while Olivia and Lady Willington began to make plans. The invite list was made, with nearly most of the town being invited. They were limited in their flower choice and so they chose lilies. Once Lady Willington had noticed how many hours passed, she declared that they would stop for the day, and she invited, if not insisted, that Olivia stay for dinner. After a bit of arm twisting, Olivia agreed to stay for dinner.  Gregory had yet to make an appearance but they expected him home any minute.

It was as the maids were setting up the table for dinner that a large ruckus could be heard at the door. Lady Willington, wishing to know what was going on, rushed to the front of the house, and Olivia, not knowing what else to do, followed behind her. At the front door, there stood a beautiful woman. She was in an elegant gown that looked to be straight from London. It was a shade of violet that hugged her waist and flared out at the bottom to create a wide skirt. Her hair, a brilliant shade of strawberry blonde, was cascading down around in her shoulders in curls that stopped midway down her back. Behind her stood a large amount of luggage, and Olivia could hear the distant sound of a carriage riding away. Not having any idea who this woman was, she looked over at Lady Willington for a clue. She saw a look of dissatisfaction pass across her face before it was replaced by the forced smile of a woman who knew when etiquette must prevail. Olivia turned her attention back to the stranger as she began to speak.

“Oh, Aunt Beverly!” the young woman cried, rushing to kiss Lady Willington on the cheek. “I have missed you,” she exclaimed in a voice that Olivia could not decide was entirely truthful. It seemed that as of yet, the new woman had yet to notice Olivia standing slightly back and to the side of Lady Willington.

“Vivien, dear,” started Lady Willington, “to what do I owe the pleasure?” she asked. Although it sounded believable, Olivia could see that her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Did Mama not tell you?” At the blank stare as her only response, Vivien continued on. “She was supposed to send a letter preceding my arrival. Oh, Mama is so forgetful, is she not?” Vivien asked, ignoring Lady Willington’s question.

“What did your mother forget to tell me, Vivien?”

“That I was coming to visit, of course!” she cheerfully exclaimed. “It has been so long since we all have seen each other, and Mama thought it was time I paid everyone a visit!” Vivien explained as she walked around the room, looking at whatever she could find.

“Yes, I suppose it has been a while,” replied Lady Willington, “but we are in the middle of some things. An advanced notice would have been appreciated,” she tried to put gently.

“Oh, is there anything I can help with?” asked Vivien.

“Well, we are in the middle of planning a wedding so I am not sure of how good a hostess I will be,” she explained.

“Oh yes, I had heard that Gregory was to be married,” Vivien replied with slightly veiled disdain. It was at that moment that Vivien seemed to realize Olivia was even in the room. “Is this his betrothed?” she inquired. Lady Willington turned and motioned Olivia forward before grasping her hand.

“Yes, this Miss Olivia Knight, Gregory’s soon-to-be wife. Olivia this is Miss Vivien Kingsley, my sister’s daughter,” she introduced.