Love Reacquainted (Loves of London Book 1) Read online

  To my husband for his love and support,

  and to Gwendolyn Gage for her advice and encouragement.

  Chapter One

  Late October, 1790—London, England

  The sound of a carriage stopping outside brought Cyrus Dorn, the Duke of Alston, from his thoughts. It was a rare sound as social calls did not take place at his townhome. No one dared to call on him and he wished to see no one in return.

  Well, whoever it was, his butler would take care of it and send them on their way. Cyrus returned his attention to his accounts he’d been reviewing all morning and after a moment, he heard the carriage drive off. Good man, Charles. Cyrus could always count on him.

  Not a minute later, there came a knock at the door.

  “Yes?” Cyrus looked up from his desk.

  The door opened and Charles walked in looking wide-eyed as he cleared his throat, “Your Grace, you have a visitor.”

  “A what? I heard them drive away. I had assumed you took care of it.”

  A familiar female voice came from behind the butler, “He tried, but Charles knows better than to send me away.”

  Lady Milford stepped around Charles and into the study, a mischievous dimpled grin on her face. “Your Grace,” she curtsied.

  Cyrus stood, but made no move toward her. “Elizabeth. To what do I owe this…surprise?” He made sure to shoot a dark look to Charles, but the blasted man was already leaving the room.

  “Cyrus, don’t be too angry with Charles. We both know how persuasive I can be. Besides, I’m the only person you will allow near yourself, even if it is only once or twice a year.”

  Cyrus bristled, that wasn’t true. There were plenty of people he saw on a regular basis—his solicitor, members of the House of Lords, Charles…

  “Businessmen, Lords and household staff do not count,” Elizabeth’s blue eyes twinkled.

  “Fine Elizabeth, I admit it. I am a social recluse. Now, what do you want?” Cyrus crossed his arms, leaning against his desk and watched as she took a step closer.

  She looked around his study slowly. “It’s been ages since I’ve been in here, but I see nothing has changed.” Her gaze came to rest on the portrait across the room—one he did not care to discuss at the moment.

  Sighing, Cyrus swiped a hand across his mouth, barely keeping from rolling his eyes heavenward. Elizabeth was like family to him, but that didn’t mean he would stand here all day and wait for her to get to the point. “Elizabeth, why are you here?”

  She turned her attention back to him. “Cyrus, I came to tell you that I’m getting married. Today, actually.”

  Cyrus’s jaw dropped. That was the last thing he’d expected her to say. Really looking at her now, he realized she was wearing an exquisite light blue dress and she had a glow about her that he’d failed to notice when she’d first arrived, or rather, barged in.

  “Well, don’t look so surprised. I’m not quite five and forty. There’s no need to make me out to be an old woman just yet.” Her cheeks dimpled again as she spoke.

  “That’s not what I meant, I’m just surprised is all. I had no idea you were even…seeing anyone.”

  “It was all rather sudden, but you know me.” She waved her hand as she spoke. “I like to live life to the fullest!”

  That’s an understatement. Elizabeth was the most caring, loving, spontaneous, risky… Well, she was unique, that was for sure.

  He knew he shouldn’t be so surprised, not really. Elizabeth was kind and quite beautiful with bright blue eyes, her hair still a golden blonde, and dimpled cheeks that frequently flushed with enthusiasm. But she had been a widow for so long, the possibility of her remarrying had simply never occurred to him. “Well, let me offer my congratulations. And who is the lucky man?”

  Elizabeth nodded, “Thank you, Cyrus. And it is Lord Brighton. You know of him.”

  “Yes, not well, but he is an upstanding man I believe.”

  Elizabeth grinned, “That he is. We were introduced a few weeks ago and…well, I won’t go into everything, but we fell quickly in love and obtained a special license—there’s no sense in waiting at our age, you know—and I’m on my way to my wedding now. Which brings me to the real reason I’m here.”

  Cyrus groaned, he did not want to attend any ceremony, no matter how much like family she was.

  “Oh, don’t you worry. I’m not asking you to attend.” Elizabeth shot him a look. “We will be leaving right away to travel on the continent for our wedding trip and I need your help.”

  “With your honeymoon?”

  “No, silly, but I do need a favor from you. You see…Olivia is returning to London to live with me.” Elizabeth paused then, letting her words sink in.

  And sink in, they did. The shock on his face did not disappoint her. Cyrus could only stare, until finally, he spoke, “I…I can’t believe it! After all this time! Is this really true?”

  “The honest truth! My little niece has finally come to her senses and has taken me up on my offer to stay with me.”

  “Why, that’s wonderful Elizabeth! I know how much you have missed her. I don’t even remember how long it’s been since she left.”

  “Twelve years she’s been gone from England,” Elizabeth said quietly.

  Cyrus turned to look out the window. Had it really been that long? It almost seemed like yesterday that he was saying goodbye to Olivia and her family, but then again, it was a lifetime ago. How could he have forgotten? It was just before—

  He slammed the door on his thoughts. No good would come from remembering. Frowning, he squared his shoulders and turned back to face Elizabeth. “It has been a long time. And you wish me to visit her when she arrives, is that it?”

  Elizabeth’s hearty laugh filled the room. “Of course not, Cyrus. I wish her to stay with you!”

  ~

  “What?” Cyrus tensed, disbelief and anger flashing in his dark eyes. “You can’t be serious!”

  Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at his reaction, a smile pulling on her lips. “Oh, but I am. Most serious. She is to arrive in a week and I will be gone on my trip.”

  “So postpone it!” He could care less that he was being rude. Yelling was all he could manage at the moment.

  “I’m afraid I can’t. This is the only time that Rand—Lord Brighton—will be able to be away for some time. Everything happened so fast and I am unable to write Olivia now to delay her coming. She’s already left Vienna.”

  “But, no! No, it...it wouldn’t even be proper!” He had to make Elizabeth realize he couldn’t do this. She, of all people, should understand his solitude.

  “My late brother left you in charge of her inheritance, did he not? As her guardian, there is nothing improper about it. While I’m away, you are the next obvious choice.”

  “Elizabeth, I’m sorry, but I…”

  “If you won’t do it for me, do it for Joseph. You were my brother’s closest friend. He would be happy to know you were taking care of Olivia.”

  “I have been taking care of her by doing as he asked—managing her finances. Eddingham said nothing of taking her in.”

  “Cyrus, you’re being ridiculous. You can’t stay a recluse forever! Besides, it will only be for three weeks. Then I’ll return and take her home with me. It’s not like she’ll expect you to escort her about in society. She’s been through so much, I’m sure she will enjoy the time to simply rest and adjust to the idea of being back in London.”

  He sighed, knowing when he was beaten. Three weeks wasn’t the end of the world. He could put up with it for that long. Besides, it sounded as if Olivia might wish to keep to herself as much as possible also. “Very well. She can come here�
�for Eddingham’s sake, not yours.” He gave her a half-grin.

  Elizabeth returned it with a beaming smile. “Splendid! I knew you could be agreeable when you put your mind to it!” Ignoring his scowl, she rushed on, “Well, I must be going. I hear my carriage has returned. Can’t leave Rand waiting at the altar.”

  Cyrus walked over to place a kiss on her cheek, deciding to ignore the fact that she’d deliberately tricked him. She’d always been like a sister to him and he was glad she was happy. “Well, we can’t have that. My congratulations again. Now, hurry to your wedding and leave me be.” He winked at her.

  Elizabeth smiled up at him, her expression softening. “Thank you, dear. I never knew I could find happiness like this again, but I’ve learned it is possible to move on.” She gave a meaningful glance to the portrait again.

  Cyrus felt a darkness return to him. “Perhaps, but it does not mean it happens for everyone.”

  “One day, Cyrus, the time will be right.”

  He stiffened as she patted his arm. “Don’t you have somewhere to be, Elizabeth?”

  Her dimples returning, Elizabeth moved toward the door. “Yes, yes! I’m late enough as it is. Thank you again for doing this Cyrus. Don’t forget, Olivia will arrive in Dover in one week.” Cyrus followed behind her as she continued, “Make sure your driver is there to pick her up…and the boy.”

  He froze. “The boy? You said nothing about another child!”

  Elizabeth turned to face him, that gleam in her eye, “Well, yes, of course! You can’t expect Olivia to leave her son behind, now, can you?” And with that Elizabeth left Cyrus standing there in shock.

  How could he have forgotten Olivia had a child? Probably because he still considered her a child herself. She had been one the last time he’d seen her.

  And now she was coming here. To stay for three weeks. With a child.

  “Charles!”

  Chapter Two

  November, 1790—Calais, France

  “Mutter, will I like London?”

  An eight-year-old Josef von Klor looked wide-eyed over the side of the sail boat they had boarded in Calais. Olivia couldn’t help thinking again how he looked so much like his father. Other than having her eyes, he was all Karl.

  “You will, Josef,” Olivia smiled down at him and rested her hand on his dusty brown hair. “It’s in your blood just as much as Austria. Remember, that is where I grew up and where my ancestors were from.”

  “And Grossvater and Grossmutter Alford?” Josef asked this for the fourth time this trip. Having an English mother and grandparents for much of his life, he spoke English very well with only a slight Austrian accent.

  “Yes, Grossvater and Grossmutter too.” She smiled and ruffled his hair.

  “And Lord Duke, will he like me? Will he play games and tell me stories like Vater did?”

  “It’s His Grace, and yes, I’m sure he will when he visits. He was very close with Grossvater and spent much time with our family until we left for Austria.”

  Josef quieted for a moment as they both looked out into the Channel, while Olivia’s thoughts transported her back to that last day she had seen the Duke of Alston so many years ago. She could still see him so clearly—that handsome face with deep brown eyes, a broad smile, and his raven-black hair. He had said his goodbye to her and—Blast! Heat crept into her face then at twenty-eight years old just as much as it had at sixteen.

  Irritated with herself, she shook her head. She was no longer a child and there was no point in standing there day-dreaming. Besides, that was twelve years ago. He would be older now and probably looked nothing the same.

  From Aunt Elizabeth’s letters, she gathered that he had stayed in contact with her. Perhaps he would visit them whenever he was in London next. Maybe he could be a good grossvater figure for Josef. This might not be so terrible after all.

  Stop doubting yourself! You’ve made the right decision in leaving Austria. There’s nothing left for you there. Looking down at her son reinforced her resolve. She would do anything for him.

  As the boat moved along, Olivia could feel the cool November air on her face, stirring her from her thoughts. “Come, Josef. Let’s go down to our cabin out of this air.”

  Making their way down, Josef asked thoughtfully, “Mutter, who will be there when we arrive in Dover to take us to London?”

  “My, you are full of questions tonight, my Josef,” Olivia said warmly. “Remember, Aunt Elizabeth wrote that Sam, her driver, will be waiting for us. And what color did she say her coach was?”

  “Painted a dark green,” Josef said proudly.

  “That’s right. So, now, don’t worry Josef, Aunt Elizabeth promised everything would be taken care of.”

  “Ja, Mutter,” Josef said as he slipped his little hand inside Olivia’s. “I am just a little nervous. I’ve never been so far from Austria before, but this will be a grand adventure!”

  “And so it shall!” Olivia smiled, giving Josef’s hand a squeeze before releasing it. They’d arrived at their cabin door and she reached into her reticule to retrieve the key. She unlocked the door and they walked into a cabin with a single window and two bunks boasting deep red curtains which contrasted to the bright white of the sheets.

  “Well, it looks like we shall be comfortable for tonight at least,” Olivia said as Josef ran to try and look out the window. All he could see, however, was the deck. “Thank goodness we arrived at low tide, I just hope the winds won’t slow our travel any more than usual.”

  “Me either, Mutter. I cannot wait to see my new home!” Josef climbed down from the window. And my old one, Olivia smiled to herself. But in twelve years, would so much have changed that she wouldn’t recognize it? Would anyone still remember her? Would he be there?

  A little nervousness began to creep in that wasn’t there before.

  Or maybe it was just a little sea-sickness.

  ~

  London, England

  With Josef sleeping next to her, Olivia watched from the coach window as London came into view. Though it was a sight she had been longing to see for some time, she was unable to appreciate it at the moment as her thoughts were still tied up in Dover.

  She had replayed the earlier events over and over in her mind the entire way here. Which was why, unlike Josef, she had been unable to rest.

  Upon leaving the boat, they had been greeted by a black coach, not a green one. And that crest on the door, it had looked so familiar to Olivia, but she couldn’t place it until…

  “Lady von Klor?”

  Olivia turned to see a fairly young man she didn’t remember. Perhaps Aunt Elizabeth sent someone else other than Sam. “Yes?”

  A quick bow and the man continued, “I am John Wilburn, driver for His Grace the Duke of Alston. I am to inform you that there has been a change of plans and that I am to bring you and your son to His Grace’s residence in town straightaway.”

  Olivia blinked. “What? A change of plans? I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

  “I’m afraid I was not given any more detail than that, Milady. His Grace said that he will explain everything himself once you’ve arrived.”

  Olivia was frozen in place. What was going on? Was Aunt Elizabeth not well?

  “Mutter, what does he mean?”

  She looked to Josef and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by John clearing his throat, “Milady, pardon me, but we must leave soon if we are to make it to London in a reasonable amount of time.”

  “Yes, of course. Come Josef, we have a long drive ahead of us.”

  A footman stepped up to assist them into the coach. Once seated inside, Olivia glanced around at her surroundings. The seats were lined with a cream-colored velvet. The thick curtains of the same color were trimmed with a burgundy fringe and were dripping with opulence. Looking up just a bit, she noted the ceiling was painted with fine detail in shades of gold, black, blue, and dark reds.

  Yes, this coach definitely belongs to His Grace. Though the Duke of Al
ston had been a close family friend all those years ago, Olivia clearly remembered his wealth had greatly surpassed that of her own Father’s, the Earl of Eddingham. And it had not made a bit of difference to any of them.

  “Mutter, this coach is the finest I’ve ever seen!” Josef’s eyes were like saucers as he took in his surroundings. “Does Aunt Elizabeth’s look like this? Is this like what you had when you lived here?”

  Olivia laughed, “Most definitely not, Josef. We had a very nice coach, to be sure, but nothing like this. And I doubt Aunt Elizabeth’s is like this one either.”

  “Why aren’t we going to see Aunt Elizabeth first? Why do we have to go see His Grace?”

  “I’m not sure, Josef. I was completely surprised by the news myself, but don’t worry. It sounds as if Aunt Elizabeth is looking out for us and just needs us to visit with His Grace first. I’m sure she’ll be along to fetch us not long after we arrive. Perhaps she is tied up today or there is a problem with her coach.”

  “Ja, Mutter.” Josef yawned and leaned against her shoulder.

  She patted his hand. “Go ahead and rest now, Josef. I’ll wake you up when we stop to eat. Everything will be fine.”

  Olivia listened as his breathing became even and he drifted off to sleep. She wished she could do the same, but she knew her thoughts would prevent it. Looking out the window, she prayed she was right, that everything would be fine.

  Making their way through London now, she kept the phrase repeating in her mind, her new mantra, Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Every—

  Her thoughts screeched to a halt as the townhouse that had belonged to her family came into view. She had always loved that house, but it was because of the family that had occupied it. And now it belonged to the current Earl of Eddingham—whoever that was. Some distant relative who was a stranger to her.

  Blinking back tears, Olivia resolved not to cry over it. She had shed enough tears already. Knowing her family would not be waiting for her in that house, she looked away and let the curtain fall. It would suit her just fine if she never drove by it again.

  A few moments later, she felt the coach turn a corner, and even after all those years, she knew exactly where she was. They were almost there.