"I'll take care of the matter," Thaddeus had promised.
He had produced a pair of spectacular emerald and diamond earrings the afternoon of the ball. Olympia had been horrified.
"Where on earth did you get those?" she demanded suspiciously.
Thaddeus had contrived to look hurt. "They're a gift, lass."
"I could not possibly accept such a valuable gift, sir," she had said at once.
"Ain't me who purchased 'em for ye," Thaddeus had assured her with a sly wink. "It was your husband."
"Chillhurst bought these for me?" Olympia had stared at the jewels in wonder. She had been startled and secretly thrilled at the thought that Jared had taken time from his busy schedule to select a pair of earrings for her. "He chose them, himself?"
"What I meant," Thaddeus had explained very carefully, "is that he purchased 'em for ye in a manner of speakin'. True, he didn't actually pick 'em out for ye, but rest assured it was his money that paid for 'em."
"Oh." Olympia had promptly lost interest in the earrings.
"Here now, it's very nearly the same thing as buyin' 'em for ye himself, lass," Thaddeus had insisted. "The thing is, Chillhurst is a nice enough nephew but he ain't got no notion of style."
"That's right, girl," Magnus had said solemnly. "No notion of fashion at all. But he's the only one in the family since Captain Jack himself that's had the knack of makin' money, y'see."
Thaddeus had nodded cheerfully. "No gettin' around the fact that any blunt Magnus and I and everyone else in the clan has to spend came from Chillhurst in one way or another."
Olympia had scowled in annoyance. "In that case, I would think that you and the Earl and the rest of the family would treat Chillhurst with a bit more respect, sir."
"Oh, we're quite fond of the lad," Thaddeus had said. "Don't doubt it for a minute. But there's no denyin' he ain't out o' the same mold as the rest of us."
Robert, Hugh, and Ethan had been awestruck at the sight of Olympia as she had descended the stairs that evening.
"I say, you look beautiful, Aunt Olympia," Hugh had whispered.
"The most beautiful lady in the whole world," Ethan had added.
"Like a fairy-tale princess," Robert had concluded.
Olympia had been touched by their admiration. It had buoyed her up a bit after the letdown she had experienced upon discovering that Jared was not in the hall to witness her transformation.
The flare of disappointment had made her aware for the first time that she had been eagerly anticipating Jared's reaction to her new finery.
"Damme, here comes Parkerville," Magnus announced. "No doubt he'll be wantin' an introduction and a dance, just like the others." He glanced at Olympia. "Sure you don't want to take the floor, m'dear?"
"I told you, I do not know how to dance," Olympia said. Aunt Sophy and Aunt Ida had not considered dancing an important accomplishment for a young woman. They had favored instruction in Greek and Latin and geography.
"We'll take care of that little problem soon enough," Thaddeus whispered as an elderly, bewhiskered man drew close. "I'll engage a dancing instructor tomorrow."
"In the meantime, I'll handle old Parkerville," Magnus muttered under his breath. "Man always did have a talent for lechery." He inclined his head at the newcomer.
"Evening, Parkerville," Magnus boomed. "Been an age since we last ran into each other. How's your lovely lady wife?"
"Dead, thank you." Parkerville turned an oily smile on Olympia. "Heard you've got a daughter-in-law at long last, Flamecrest. Word has it your boy's been keepin' her tucked away out of sight until tonight. Now that I've seen her for myself, I can see why. You'll introduce me to her, will you not?"
"Of course." Magnus went through the introduction with a bored air.
Lord Parkerville took Olympia's gloved hand in his and lingered over the back of it. "Charmed, madam. May I have this dance?"
Olympia smiled distractedly as she wriggled her hand free from his grasp. "No, thank you, sir."
Parkerville looked deeply distressed. "Perhaps later?"
"I doubt it," Magnus said, with casual satisfaction. "My daughter-in-law is extremely particular in her choice of partners."
Parkerville glared at him. "Is that a fact, sir?"
"Yes, indeed." Magnus smiled benignly. "She hasn't danced with anyone all evening, in case you've failed to notice."
"I have not failed to notice," Parkerville said. "Nor has anyone else in the room." He gave Olympia a speculative smile. "We are all waiting to see whom she will favor."
Olympia did not care for the tone of his voice. "Sir, I do not… "
"Lady Chillhurst." Lord Aldridge emerged from the crowd and came to a halt in front of Olympia. "Delighted to see you here this evening."
Magnus assumed a threatening expression. "Do you know this man, my dear?"
"Oh, yes." Olympia smiled at Aldridge. "How nice to see you, sir. Is your wife with you?"
"She's about somewhere." Aldridge smiled hopefully. "I say, can I convince you to dance with me, madam? It would be my great honor to be the first to lead you out onto the floor."
"No, thank you," Olympia began. "You see, I do not…"
"Olympia. I mean, Lady Chillhurst." Gifford Seaton made his way through the throng to Olympia's side. "Heard you were here this evening. Everyone's talking about it." He surveyed her with surprise and open admiration. "Allow me to tell you, madam, that you look ravishing."
Magnus scowled at him. "You're young Seaton, ain't you? I recall meeting you when your sister was engaged to my son."
"Aye, I remember him, too." Thaddeus bristled. "I doubt that Chillhurst has seen fit to introduce you to Lady Chillhurst, Seaton, and we certainly do not intend to do so. Off with you, now."
Gifford gave him an annoyed glance. "Lady Chillhurst and I have already met. We have mutual interests." He turned back to Olympia. "Is that not right, madam?"
"Yes, quite correct." Olympia could feel the palpable tension in the atmosphere. "Please, gentlemen, do not embarrass me or your son by causing a scene. Mr. Seaton and I are acquainted."
Magnus and Thaddeus gave her disgruntled looks.
"If you say so," Magnus muttered. "Surprised Chillhurst allowed the introduction, if you don't mind my sayin' so."
"Chillhurst had nothing to do with it." Gifford gave Magnus a sarcastic smile. "I told you, Lady Chillhurst and I have mutual interests. We are both members of the Society for Travel and Exploration."
Magnus grimaced. Thaddeus continued to glower.
Olympia frowned severely at her new in-laws. "That is quite enough out of both of you. Mr. Seaton has as much right to be here tonight and to speak to me as anyone else."
Gifford smiled at her. "Thank you, madam. I trust I also have as much right to request a dance as anyone else here tonight."
Olympia smiled ruefully. "Yes, of course. Unfortunately, I fear I must refuse." She paused as her eye fell on the elaborate fob of Gifford's watch. "But I would like to speak to you for a few minutes if I may, sir."
Seaton's smile assumed a hint of triumph. "My pleasure, madam. Allow me to escort you to the buffet room."
Olympia took the arm that Gifford extended. She saw Magnus's eyes narrow. Thaddeus's scowl grew more fierce. She quelled them both with a look.
"I shall be back shortly, my lord," Olympia said to the Earl. "Please excuse me. I wish to discuss something important with Mr. Seaton."
"Well, well, well," Parkerville murmured behind the pair. "Now, this is an interesting development, is it not?"
Magnus and Thaddeus turned to him with thunderous expressions.
Olympia ignored them all and urged Gifford forward. "Come, sir, I have been most anxious to speak with you. I have a few questions I must ask you."