Lady Olivia's Undoing Read Online Free PDF Page B

fledgling
Parliamentary government. Some speculated his appointment in 1809
as Foreign Secretary had been brought about by Prince George to
hide the shame of Viscount Castlereagh and George Canning’s duel
over the post. That had added more fuel to the burgeoning disgust
from the people about the state of the British government since
King George’s madness had returned. With Wellesley, it was hoped
the people would see a proven leader.
    Olivia had met Richard Wellesley, and his
brother Arthur, when they were all so very young, when she was a
new bride and they were just foot soldiers in His Majesty’s Army.
General Arthur Wellesley was now in Portugal fighting the French.
However, Olivia had heard the rear guard had lost the siege at
Albuera in Spain and that Arthur was going to try again for Madrid.
Is that where John was being sent?
    “Wellesley,” Olivia said. “I wonder why, at
the height of the holiday season you wish to take Quiggins away? He
informs me that he and Dunbury are off on some grand adventure to
Spain. What are you doing? What is so important now?” She tried to
keep her voice light, as a lady should.
    “Your Grace, please. You must understand I am
not at liberty to speak of this to you. Their involvement is merely
a formality, strictly a diplomatic endeavor. Rest assured, they are
traveling with a battalion of men, and will be extricated swiftly
once their portion of the mission is complete. That is all I can
tell you.”
    “Or all you will tell me.” Olivia
pouted. “Do you truly need to send Quiggins? He is not as young as
he once was.”
    Wellesley looked straight into Olivia’s eyes.
“John Quiggins is imperative to this operation, Your Grace. He must go.”
    “Then tell me why he is so important.”
Her tone held an edge of impatience.
    Wellesley took a breath. “He is a Colonel in
His Majesty’s Army and a highly skilled field operative who can
speak fifteen languages.”
    “Where are you sending him?”
    “Your Grace, I am not at liberty to…”
    “Where are you sending him?” Olivia
demanded.
    “Arthur needs to take Badajoz for the road
into Madrid.”
    Olivia sank into a chair. William and his
friend Davingdale had almost lost their lives there. “Badajoz has
already been tried unsuccessfully three times. How many more men
will be killed for an uncertain gain?” Olivia asked. “Surely, even
your brother can see there is no use in beating a dead horse. There
are several other roads into that blasted city. Can he not take one
of those? Without Quiggins?”
    Wellesley leaned against his desk and crossed
his arms. “Your Grace, please. You cannot understand the
significance of this endeavor.”
    “I beg your pardon.” Olivia rose and looked
Wellesley in the eye. “I understand women’s tears when they receive
the news their husbands are never coming home. I understand the
children who are orphaned. I understand the burden they all must
bear. Do not tell me I do not understand the significance of
this foolish endeavor.”
    Wellesley cleared his throat. “Your Grace, I
promise I shall do my best to keep Quiggins away from any real
danger. Now, that is all I will say on the matter.”
    “Mark my words,” Olivia said. “If something
happens to him, I shall be very displeased.”
    Wellesley raised a brow. “Why this sudden
interest in Quiggins, Your Grace? You did not seem to mind when he
was off to France. Are you afraid you will lose your butler?”
    If Olivia had been a man, she would have
punched him in the nose. “Quiggins has become an integral part of
my household. I have grown quite fond of the old thing.”
    Wellesley smiled. “Nothing will happen. You
are worrying for no reason. Come.” He pushed himself off the desk.
“Let me walk you out.”
    Olivia took his arm in the hall, and asked
about his wife and their children. She made small talk, all the
while brewing inside, wanting to scream.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Olivia pulled the knocker at