“He was talking about you, wasn’t he?” she asked.
“He was. I will marry him.”
She gave me a stiff smile and exited the gallery followed by Caroline, who bowed to me with a small smile.
“Who is that?” Mama asked.
“That is Lady Olivia, Countess of Kellingham… And possibly your future daughter in law,” I informed her.
“What has Iris been up to!” Mama hissed.
“More like what has Viola been up to,” Hippolyta smirked.
“Lord forgive me for wishing for omegas!” Mama threw her hands in the air as we followed her out. They took us omegas and our alpha chaperones to a small side chamber where they offered us tea. I paced the length and breadth of the chamber, unable to sip the tea or eat the cake that was offered.
“Viola.” It was Olivia.
“My lady,” I curtsied, deep and unsteady. When our eyes met, hers searched my face as if trying to find the similarities between me and my sister.
“Please, it is Olivia. Otherwise, I shall have to call you duchess… and that seems strange to me.”
“Olivia, then. I am not a duchess.”
“Not a duchess yet. You and your sister are very like. If it weren’t for the eyes, I would not be able to tell you apart.”
“I am so ashamed. I abused… I abused your friendship, which meant the world to me…”
“No. Please. It is in the past. Your injury to the duke would be considered greater and if he can forgive… Besides, your sister has explained it to me in a way that… I understand why and am grateful to you and the duke,” a deep blush covered her cheeks. “We, that is Caroline and I, have decided to travel to Europe.”
“France in incredible turmoil, or else my Mama and sister would not have returned!”
“Italy is our goal,” her eyes twinkled.
“Iris has decided to go to Italy…”
“She has told us as much. I am glad that she is to travel with us.”
I admired how steady her gaze was. Her eyes had always been eloquent but now I felt as if our entire conversation went from spoken word to eye beams twisting in the space between us. She had not so quickly transferred her affections to Iris, but the similarities in our forms? Iris’s more measured temperament, I could see perhaps her affections moving in that direction both naturally and by force of her own will.
“And Caroline is happy with this?” I asked looking at the elegant alpha who was in quiet conference with my mother.
“It was she who suggested the change. She admires you…As you know I do. I think we and your mate have much in common.” There it was, Olivia’s playful smile peeking through, a meaningful eyebrow raised and my hands flew to my cheeks as I understood her meaning.
“I thought Caroline hated me,” I stuttered.
“Hate you?” Olivia snorted. “My dear friend, Caro doesn’t hate you. Shall you ask her? Here she comes. Wish us well?”
“Caroline,” I flushed.
“Your Grace,” Caroline curtsied.
“Please, I am no duchess! Perhaps I should write to the Times and take an advertisement saying I’m not married. Call me Viola. I wish you well. I wish you all so much of my love. Yours… I do not know what to say,” I laughed. “But it seems that all is well that ends well.”
She was about to speak when there was a shout outside the parlour. The heavy oak door bounced on its ancient hinges as Syon burst in. It took him but a moment to find me.
“You!” he shouted and stormed over his face all frowns.
I bit my lip hoping to hold back tears at the news of our loss.