Olivia was beautiful, and her family was disgustingly wealthy. If she had Olivia’s money, she would never have to worry for another moment about the outcome of her sister, her mother, or her brothers.
But Jack did not, and she was lucky enough to have Olivia’s friendship, which was a very fortunate thing indeed.
Poor Olivia, on the other hand, had the expectations of her parents, who were not at all satisfied to remain at the bottom of society.
With her father’s recently acquired title, Baron Ashborough, which most people whispered he had somehow managed to purchase given his vast array of funds, Olivia’s parents seemed determined to use their daughter’s beauty to raise their ranks.
And everyone knew that Olivia’s mother’s great hope was that her daughter would make a very advantageous marriage. And not a financial one. It was said Lady Cecily wished an earl at the very least.
Of course, the entire town sensed that sort of desperation and found it terribly off-putting. But her dear friend was kind and funny, and she dearly loved to read poetry; frankly, Jacqueline couldn’t give two figs what background her family had.
As a matter of fact, Jacqueline rather thought it a marvelous story. Everyone knew, though people only whispered it now behind fans, that Lady Cecily had trod upon the boards, earning her fame in Shakespeare’s trousers roles.
Yes, she’d been an actress of renown.
And certainly not the first actress to marry into society.
But Mrs. Fairweather was now attempting to make up for her past transgressions through her daughter, which was a great deal of pressure for Olivia.
Jacqueline knew the pressures of family, but she did not know the pressures of perfection, at least, and she was deeply grateful for that.
“Come,” she urged.“Let’s take some fresh air. Surely, such a thing would be good for a spot. At least that’s what my mother always says.”
Olivia produced a small bonnet from behind her, clearly having anticipated this invitation. With a spritely waggle of her brows, she plunked the silk affair atop her perfectly coiled curls and bounded down the stairs.
“Escape!” she declared, before taking Jacqueline’s arm.
They scurried across the foyer, out the door, and onto the pavement.
Arm in arm, they happily headed down the street, passing towering new houses under construction.
London was ever expanding west. And newer, more modern houses with bright exteriors were popping up all along Green Park and to the north.
All of the houses on this fine and expensive street had only been built within the last ten years, and they were the height of every new thing.
Together, they quickly dashed around beautifully dressed Londoners out walking their dogs or showing off their expensive togs.
As one, and without needing to discuss it, they directed their feet to the most acceptable place for young ladies of their reputation to walk unbothered.
Hyde Park awaited them, and they crossed over the busy street, narrowly avoiding coaches, carts, and mud.
The towering trees, verdant with green leaves, welcomed them to the beautiful space. The park was a massive affair and already populated with many people hoping to see and be seen. Rotten Row and The Serpentine were just within eyesight, though still a few minutes’ walk away.
She kept swinging her gaze back to her friend’s chin yet could not see any sort of indication that a spot had marred her perfect skin.
“Are you quite certain that you needed to stay indoors? You missed so much last evening!” she enthused.“I was quite alone without you. You would have been utterly stunned by the turn of events.”
Olivia let out a beleaguered note, which was barely audible over the sound of her slippers crunching along the path. “Mama says so, but I cannot tolerate it another moment. She keeps applying treatments to my face, and quite frankly, I think that they are making me worse.”
Jacqueline shuddered.“How terrible.”
She was very aware that some of the potions sold to clarify a lady’s skin were foul indeed. She was most grateful her mother was devoted to rose water and a bit of oil.
Olivia looked as if she might choke for a moment, thinking of said treatments, before she shook herself. “Now, tell me what happened. I have nearly perished waiting to find out.”
She leaned into her friend and whispered, “He has agreed to find me a husband.”
“I beg your pardon?” Olivia asked, nearly tripping.