Against Their Wishes

Chapter 13 part 1

The next day found Lady Willington, Olivia, and Lucy in the carriage heading into town. Lucy’s home was on the way into town, and Lady Willington was more than happy to oblige Olivia’s wish to stop and ask if Lucy would join them. Normally, such a short notice would not be proper, but given the circumstances, all parties involved were more than happy to cast aside social convention for the moment.

They spent the next hour in Madame Gossler’s shop with a tape measure wrapped around Olivia. After setting up a return appointment and with Madame Gossler agreeing to get to work straight away, the three ladies decided to take a walk around the town square. The sun was becoming stronger by the day as the days progressed through April. Thus far, the weather had been amicable with very few rain storms. It wasn’t long before Lady Willington got pulled away by ladies from the church which left Olivia and Lucy to walk arm in arm down the street.

“So,” Lucy started as soon as they were alone, “you are now living with the Willingtons?” she squealed. Olivia quickly attempted to quiet her.

“Lucy!” she exclaimed. “Do not speak of such things so loudly! But yes, I am living with the Willingtons.”  At this emotion, Lucy broke into a wide grin.

“And how are things going with you and Gregory?” Lucy whispered with a giggle.

“Lucy nothing has changed!” Olivia tried to convince her.

“Oh really?” Lucy replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Well…” Olivia paused, “nothing has happened or anything. It’s just…I don’t know how to explain it. I just want to try to make this work. I have accepted that I cannot get out of the marriage, and I do not want to be stuck in an unhappy marriage,” Olivia explained with Lucy hanging on her every word. “No feelings have been exchanged, but I wouldn’t object to a little affection,” she admitted with a blush. Lucy was all smiles as she looked at Olivia.

“I knew it!” she squealed in an unladylike fashion. “Oh, Olivia, I really had a hunch that you two would work very well together. This is great news sweetie.”

“Lucy, nothing has changed! All I am saying is that I might try giving us a chance, but do not breath a word of this, Lucy. He is still very hostile towards me, and I doubt very much that he would ever want to pursue an actual relationship with me. I do not even know if I could have feelings for him myself. He has always proved to be such a harsh man,” Olivia insisted.

“Olivia, I know that you are constantly worried about how your life will be, but have faith that you will find some way to be happy. Marriages tend to last for quite a while,” Lucy whispered as if it was a secret.

“There is one thing about my stay that has not been entirely pleasant,” Olivia confessed, piquing Lucy’s interest.

“What is it?”

“Well…Gregory’s cousin is also staying at Leighton, and she does not seem to approve of me.” At Lucy’s urging look, she continued on. “She just does not seem to like me, and I do not know why nor do I know how to rectify the situation.”

“I am sure you will find a way to charm her, Olivia. It is not as if she has a grudge over something. She does not even know you! No, you two must have merely gotten off on the wrong foot,” Lucy assured her, and although Olivia smiled, she could not help but feel that she was missing something.

The girls continued to walk for many more minutes, talking about mundane things and enjoying their time together. They eventually met up with Lady Willington who had finally extracted herself from the busy mouths of the church ladies, and the group left for home having spent a very pleasant day outside of the house.