THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER THREE

"I'll answer it." Olivia voluntarily stood up and walked past Tommy, Tara and Magnolia.

"Alright." Replied Magnolia.

When Olivia got to the front door, she tamed her hair back, took a deep breath and gave a welcoming smile then she grabbed the knob and pulled the heavy door gently. "Good day." She greeted.

"Good Afternoon." Said the man standing across her, he was elegantly dressed from the sole of his shoe and up. "I'm Colin Davenport."

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance, sir?"

"Well... Uhm... I_ I was..." Colin stuttered.

He was just surprised to see the woman standing in front of him. Is she Olivia? He repeatedly asked himself.

"Yes?"

"By any chance, is there an Olivia Whittaker living in this residence?" Asked Colin.

"I am Olivia Whittaker." Said Olivia. "Is there anything you'd like, sir? Or discuss? For the matter."

"May I come in?"

"Of course!" Olivia unblocked the door, giving him a full view of the hallway. "Join us for tea."

They immediately stepped inside her humble abode and turned their backs as the door slammed shut.

"Olivia?" Colin heard an old woman's voice in the background. "Who was at the door?"

"Grandma," Called Olivia. "Come and meet our guest, Mr Colin Davenport."

"But we weren't expecting anybody today." Said Magnolia.

And then, in the room by the end of the hall came out an old woman. Colin pressumed that she is David's mother-in-law. "Oh!" Magnolia gasped. "Isn't he a handsome young lad?"

"Oh, grandma." Olivia gave out a small chuckle. "You're humiliating our guest."

"Then, I'll move out of your way and prepare some tea." Magnolia turned to face their opposite direction, heading towards the small kitchen.

"Thank you." Said Olivia. "Now, shall we proceed to the sitting room?"

"Lead the way."

They proceeded to the small sitting room where there was a lumpy couch, two smaller chairs and a small center table. "It's not much, I know." Olivia started. "But please, make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you."

"Now, may I ask you again, why are you seeking for me?"

"Well, your father..."

"My father?"

"Yes." Replied Colin. "Your father has sent me to ask for your hand in marriage."

Olivia almost choked. "Marriage?" She asked.

"Yes, marriage."

"Why?"

"Because your father wants me to have his title and the only loophole he sees is if you marry me, Olivia." Colin straight-forwardly answer her question.

"Don't we have other relatives that might take the title? Why me?"

"Olivia, your father's family, even from your ancestors, it was accustomed to them that they only have one son for every generation, and I'm afraid that your father had a daughter instead. And that is you, Olivia."

"So, besides my father, there is no one left?"

"You're correct." He agreed with her statement. "So, this might not be the dream proposal of every young ladies out there Olivia, but will you marry me?" And right after his question, he pulled out a small infinity ring with the smallest chip of diamond attached to it. "I know that it is small, but it is near and dear to me, it belonged to my grandmother." He added.

"I can't." She said.

"What?" His face had different expressions that one can only identify as confusion. "Why?"

"Mr Davenport, think about it, you're a man that rung on our doorbell, asked that you may come in and now, a few minutes later, you are asking for my hand in marriage? I don't even know my own father, how can I be sure that you are not just some lowlife that wants to ravish me." She doubtingly asked. "How can I even trust you now?"

"Olivia," He tried to calm her down.

But she smoothly cut his statement off by saying. "That's Ms Whittaker to you."

"Then Ms Whittaker, spare me a few minutes of your precious time, will you?"

"Take all the time you need." Olivia sat back down, calmed herself and prepared her ears for what explanation he has to offer.

"I've known David since I could barely right my name, he is kind, generous and a very understanding man. My father has loyally worked for him for most of his life, as well as my mother. He sent me to the finest schools and universities my whole life, and although he's incredibly wealthy, he is without any family. For some reason, he's social status was single and unmarried to everyone, till last night that he told me about your mother, his wife, Charlotte and his only daughter, you, Olivia. He asked me to come here and ask for your hand in marriage. He has prepared me all this time Olivia, that I may take his place, legally..."

"But I've heard that only sons can take such titles."

"And that is the reason that he wants us to marry, if we marry even before you are addressed to the public as his daughter, I might still be able to take the title."

"I really don't understand, Mr Davenport."

"Neither do I, Olivia, but let me tell you this." He said with a serious expression on his face. "Your father has threatened me with everything I fear in this life, my parents without their jobs, no roof above our heads... And most importantly, my education. He's going to take it all if I don't convince you Olivia."

"But..."

"No more buts, if you still won't believe me, nor trust me, then allow me to court you and bring you to London so that you can meet your father."

"Meet my father?"

"Yes,"

"It's scandalous isn't it?" She asked. "Traveling with a man you barely know."

"No, from now on Olivia, we are courting."

"I have not approved to that!"

"But you mean to do so, am I wrong?"

"No!"

"You have no choice, you've passed every chance you have to be presented as a debutant. You are five and twenty!"

"I hapen to like being free, unmarried and single, Mr Davenport..." She slyly stated. "And if you must know, my grandmother and I have lived well off without him anyways. So, why don't you take your fancy coat and carriage and quickly head back to London and be with my father."

"Still, I guess you are not curious nor interested in meeting him? Hmm? Your father?"

"Honestly, a day will never pass without my thoughts suddenly drifting about him, Mr Davenport..." She honestly replied. "But I never thought that I'll one day be summoned by him to wed an estranged man, at least to me."

Colin can see the sadness and emptiness in her eyes. Her beautiful bright blue eyes were moistened and he felt symphatetic towards her. He's known David all his life, yet here he was now, sitting across his daughter who hardly even knew anything about his father besides his name. "Olivia, I know you have a lot of questions that are confusing right now but," He spoke in a low voice. "it can all be answered if you just let me, or let your father rather..."

She cut him off once more. "Does he hate me?" She asked. "I mean, ever since I was a child I've always questioned myself of why he left me?" Tears were slowly flowing across her pink cheeks. "Am I not good for him since I am a daughter?"

She stopped when Magnolia entered with a tray of tea, she had been out there all this time listening to their conversation and only entered when she heard Olivia's cracking voice. "No, Olivia." Disagreed Magnolia. "I was there on the night of your birth, I saw the sheer joy on David's face when he first held you in his arms. I could've sworn that he was happiest that very moment. It was only when Charlotte started speaking words which I thought was nonsensical, I never would've imagined that those would be her last."

"And might I know what those words were, grandma?"

"I didn't here all of it because her voice was too low that only she and David were able to hear it, but I remember that I was able to spell out the name 'Olivia' from her lips, and thus your name today."

"She gave me my name?"

"No, I did." Replied Magnolia. "After your mother's short funeral, your father fled without any notice. I decided not to be a hinder in his grievance and waited for him, but a month after you were born I sent your father a letter at his estate informing him that I will be naming you Olivia Marie Whittaker since I your birth needed to be legalized to the local city hall for information to the census."

Olivia looked at Colin in his eyes and said. "I want to meet my father.”