Page 10 of A Wild Spinster for the Duke
CHAPTER FOUR
“Never have I met such an infuriating woman in my life!”
Abel paced back and forth in the room that was prepared for his sister, his frustration boiling over as he vented his grievances about Bridget.
Initially, he claimed to be inspecting the room’s suitability and the hospitality of the family she was marrying into when he followed her inside after dinner.
But Olivia knew the real reason behind his visit: he needed a free outlet to express his complaints. She sighed as she watched him pace back and forth before her.
“She’s rude, Sister, terribly rude!” Abel exclaimed, his voice filled with indignation. “And poorly educated! How can someone of her standing behave in such an unladylike manner?”
Olivia made an attempt to cut in, but he was too consumed by his anger to let her speak. He continued his tirade, his words laced with frustration.
“An infuriating vixen, that’s what she is! She took offense at aharmlessjoke I made, and suddenly, she became hostile, and she branded me as the devil! It makes no sense!”
Abel’s confusion and frustration grew with each passing moment. He struggled to find the right words to express his exasperation. “A-and the way she returned to her quiet, innocent facade each time one of her parents spoke… It’s maddening!”
He threw his hands in the air to further express his frustration. “I can’t even begin to describe the… confusion it stirs within me! Who acts like that? Was it remorse? Does she think we’d just forget about her attitude?”
“Brother—” Once again, Olivia tried to interject, but he cut her off quickly, his words pouring out like a torrent, as he was determined to make his frustrations known.
“No, Olivia, you don’t understand! She silenced me each time I wanted to defend myself, then she dismissed me as if I were nothing and refused to look me in the eye after. I won’t stand for it!”
As his rant continued, Olivia realized that her attempts to intervene were futile. She fell silent, allowing him to vent his frustrations.
Abel’s emotions heightened with each word he spoke, his anger and confusion echoing through the room. At last, with his frustrations at their peak, he noticed her prolonged silence.
“You’re not saying anything,” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with impatience. “Why are you not saying anything? Tell me, what do you think?”
Olivia, her tone lackadaisical, responded with a nonchalant agreement. “Yes, yes, of course, your outburst is valid, dear brother. You didnothingwrong.”
Her words lacked the enthusiasm that he had hoped for, and he squinted at her, sensing a small smile fighting to spread across her face. He could tell that she was trying to hide her amusement.
At that moment, realization hit him like a wave crashing against the shore. He had never lost his temper in so many years. As the perfect Duke, he prided himself on his ability to control his emotions with grace and composure.
Yet, this woman, Lady Bridget, had managed to unravel him, to make him lose his usually cool demeanor.
This realization washed Abel with humility, cooling his rage and making him question his vulnerability. He had always believed that he was impervious to such emotional outbursts, but Bridget had proven him wrong.
The power she managed to hold over him in such a short period was infuriating, frustrating, and terrifying.
He took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure as he stared at Olivia, his eyes searching for answers. “You think this an outburst?” he asked, his voice slightly softer now, a mix of curiosity and frustration.
“It’s a given, yes, that the gardens seem to hold sentimental value to the family. But do you really believe my joke deserved such a response? Or is there something else that I’m missing?”
“Well, what I think is?—”
Abel let out a laugh as he paced back and forth in the room again, his frustration returning. “This is an eye-opener, Sister. We shouldn’t associate with a family like this. You need to reconsider this marriage.”
“What?” Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Would you even let me speak?”
“What’s there to say? It’s clear these people have a lot of baggage and issues. I refuse for our family to have any part in?—”
Olivia, however, remained determined and cut him off mid-sentence. “Abel, I’ve made up my mind. Nothing you say will change that,” she asserted, her tone resolute.
“Olivia, I can’t believe you’re still considering this marriage. This family has shown their true colors, and we shouldn’t have anything to do with them.” His voice rose, filled with judgment and disappointment.
“Brother, I’ve thought long and hard about this.Nothingyou say will change my mind. I love Elliot, and I won’t let your actions dictate my happiness.” Olivia’s voice rose as well, laced with conviction.
