Page 11 of A Wild Spinster for the Duke
“Myactions? Was I the only one who witnessed Lady Rude-A-Lot back there?” Unable to understand her perspective, he persisted in his attempt to sway her. “They’ve shown their true colors! How can you trust them? This marriage will only bring you heartache. I have better experiences, I can tell you this!”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed, her voice taking on a steely edge. “Brother, I appreciate your concern, but this ismydecision to make. Like I’ve said, I won’t let anyone, not even you, stand in my way.”
Her declaration was firm, bordering on a shout as she spoke, but Abel, overwhelmed with frustration and protectiveness, refused to back down.
“Olivia, I just want what’s best for you. Can’t you see that?” He let his voice drop to a slight plea, his tone tinged with emotion.
Frustration etched on his face as he continued, “Tell me, are you truly fine with someone like Bridget as your sister-in-law for life?”
Olivia met his gaze, her eyes unwavering as she firmly responded, “I actually think quite highly of Lady Bridget, from what I’ve seen. She’s a woman who stands up for what she believes in, and I’ve always respected that.”
Abel scoffed, his disbelief evident as he retorted, “Oh, since when?”
Olivia’s voice rose again as she stared him down. “Sinceforever, Brother. I’ve always admired women who can stand their ground and fight against the odds.”
Still refusing to reason, Abel changed his approach. His lips curled downward with betrayal as he spoke, “How can you accept her attacking your own brother in such a way?”
Olivia laughed, her voice only growing stronger as she defended her stance. “Well, if you hadn’t been disrespectful with your merejokes, you wouldn’t have received such a response.”
Abel’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, disbelief written all over his face. “I can’t believe you just said that, Olivia!”
He cackled in shock. “Olivia, do you not see the chaos this betrothal is causing? Our family is in turmoil, and I will not stand idly by whileLadyBridget tears us apart.”
Olivia let out a laugh of her own in return. “Trust me, Brother, Lady Bridget is likely in her chambers, sipping tea with a guilt-free heart because we both know she’s not the reason we’re arguing right now.”
“You’ll do well to trust me when I say that lady is not one to have a moment of peace.” He pushed on despite Olivia’s scoff and head shake. “She’s probably all alone, jotting down names of people to argue with, I tell you!”
“Truthfully, Brother, you are?—”
“You do realize you’ve never raised your voice to me, Sister?” he cut her off, resulting in a loud groan. “This is the first time! And pray tell, how did this start? Wait, right! This betrothal! With you defending this random crazy woman!”
Olivia’s voice remained steady despite her rising tone. “No, it started with you doubting my decision and discernment,” she pressed as he scoffed. “It started with you declaring you have more right to say how my wedding is to be held than my betrothed and I!”
“We are not going to talk about that now.”
Olivia sighed as he turned away from her. “Yes, we’re not going to discuss it because Iwillhave a grand wedding. It is not at all up for discussion.”
Her voice softened when she spoke, “I understand your concerns, Brother. But you must try to understand. Elliot bringsjoyto my heart. Can’t you see that?”
However, Abel shook his head as he insisted, “I can still call off this wedding, Olivia. I won’t let you marry into a family that doesn’t deserve you.”
“Brother, you will do no such thing!” Olivia’s voice rang out with determination, her eyes locked on her brother’s.
Abel chuckled and leaned back in disbelief, his eyes locked on his sister’s in amazement. “Since when did my little sister start giving me orders? Have you been taking lessons from Lady Bridget already?”
Olivia’s gaze hardened, her resolve unyielding. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I was the timid baby sister that you had to protect from all the dangers in the world. But, Brother, you can’t protect me from love. Have I changed? Perhaps. But I don’t see that as something to feel bad about. I embrace this change because it gives me the strength to fight for something I believe in.
“And contrary to what you think, I didn’t become like this simply because of Elliot’s family. This change you’re only now seeing started happening a while ago, Abel. You simply haven’t cared enough to notice. But now, I want to make you notice.This is important to me.”
Abel felt a stab of betrayal. He clenched his hands so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palm as he glared at Olivia.
How could she say something like that to him? How could she accuse him of not caring enough? His whole life, all he had done was care for her. Everything he did, he did for her.
“Little sister, are you so blinded by love that you can’t see? Open your eyes and see that everything I do, I do for you.”
This was why he stayed away from love. It did strange things to the mind, changed people, and sometimes it led to something even worse.
Just like what happened to Mother.
