And why is that? Why didn’t you want her to know you were getting married?
“The whole engagement came about quite suddenly,” he said. “And ended just as quickly.”
She gawked at him, as though unable to process what he was saying.
“It’s been over two years since my wife died, and my family had been after me to start dating again. When Meredith pursued me with such eagerness, I . . . well, I suppose I got lazy.” He shrugged. “I should have suspected something was amiss when she suggested an extremely quick wedding. It wasn’t until I learned from a co-worker that she was expecting a child—” He stopped, realizing what she must think, and his cheeks grew hot. “Another man’s child,” he added hastily, “that I realized she was using me to cover her mistake.”
“That must have been difficult to hear.” Everything about Olivia’s posture remained rigid as she shuffled the papers back into a tidy pile.
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought. Which made me realize my feelings for her weren’t what they should be.” His gaze fell to the desk. “I couldn’t continue the relationship since she wasn’t the role model I want for Sofia.” He clenched one hand into a fist, then slowly released it. “However, ending our engagement left Meredith in a difficult position. Her father wants to send her to live with relatives on a farm out west, but she doesn’t want to go. All I could think of was how Bennington Place might be the perfect solution for her.”
“I see.” Olivia’s expression remained unchanged, showing little or no emotion, yet the fact that she wouldn’t meet his eyes troubled him.
“Meredith’s upset and confused,” he went on. “I was wondering if you’d be willing to talk to her? Make her see that Bennington Place could be her best option?” He held his breath, pleading with his eyes.
She seemed to consider his words for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Though her words were polite, an aloofness in her voice told him she was relishing the task as much as a visit to the dentist.
What a mess. The last thing he wanted was to put Olivia in an uncomfortable position, yet he felt an obligation to help Meredith. “Thank you. I really hope you’ll be able to get through to her better than I could.”
“Will you arrange the details of when and where we’ll meet?”
“I’ll set something up. Maybe you could meet in a nearby coffee shop.” He doubted Meredith would want to be seen coming here.
“That would be fine.”
His breath whooshed out of his lungs as he rose. “Thanks again. I appreciate this more than you know.”
“No thanks are necessary. After all, that’s what we’re here for.”
He’d achieved his goal, yet as he left, he couldn’t help but regret the coolness in her demeanor as she bid him good-bye.
The next afternoon, Olivia stirred a spoon of sugar into her tea as she waited in Marty’s Diner for the mysterious Meredith to arrive. It was a good time of day to meet. Not too many patrons remained after the lunch rush, but there was enough activity that they wouldn’t be conspicuous.
Darius had telephoned that morning to say that Meredith would see her today and that he hoped Olivia could convince her of Bennington Place’s merits since she was scheduled to leave for Saskatchewan in two days.
Olivia still couldn’t believe Darius had been engaged for much of—if not all—the time she’d known him, and though she tried to set her resentment aside, she was having a hard time feeling sorry for the girl. If Olivia had been given the option of staying with a relative out west, she would have jumped at the chance. Anywhere would have been better than the wretched Mercer Reformatory.
Yet, Meredith’s circumstances were entirely different. Olivia couldn’t help but wonder what had led to her getting pregnant by one man, then chasing Darius until he proposed. Had the father of her child been a dishonorable type who’d shirked his responsibility, leaving Meredith looking for a decent man to help raise her child?
She took a sip of tea, forcing back the hurt that continued to surface every time she thought about Darius hiding his engagement. If she’d known from the start that he was spoken for, she never would have read more into his interest in Bennington Place. Never would have allowed herself to fantasize that he could possibly care for her.
Even so, she couldn’t quell her morbid curiosity. What would his former fiancée look like? He’d said she would recognize Meredith by her blond hair and the brightly colored dresses she usually wore. She sounded like the very opposite of Olivia—a fact that irritated her more than she cared to admit. Why did the idea that he’d almost married this woman leave a gaping hole in her chest?
At the jangle of the bell, Olivia looked up. A young woman entered, wearing a plain beige dress with a black collar and cuffs. A small straw hat sat atop her blond hair, which was pulled back in a severe fashion. Surely this couldn’t be Meredith.
The woman’s wary blue eyes scanned the restaurant until they landed on Olivia. Then she grew still, a flash of recognition stealing over her features.
Olivia’s muscles tightened. This must be her after all. She took in a slow breath, her resolve firming. This woman was in trouble and needed Olivia’s help. She deserved compassion, not idle speculation and jealousy.
Olivia pasted on a bright smile as the woman approached.
“You must be Miss Rosetti,” Meredith said.
“Yes, but please call me Olivia.”
“I’m Meredith.” She darted a nervous glance around the half-filled diner before sliding into the booth.
On closer inspection, Olivia had to admit the woman was very attractive, with blue eyes and lovely porcelain skin. Just like the china doll Olivia had cherished as a child.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d want coffee, so I asked for
