Page 43 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“Then explain.” Alexander glowered at Nigel, and Olivia wondered if he would strike him. “Because it looked very much like you were taking liberties with my sister.”
“Honestly, Alexander, liberties with me? Do I not have a role to play as well.” Olivia scowled at her brother. “Perhaps we could all take a moment to calm down and —”
“I will not calm down. Not when I have witnessed such disgraceful behaviour.” Alexander shook his head.
“You are being quite the hypocrite. If I recall, you started a scandal far worse and far more public with Rose last year.” Olivia made to move towards her brother and Nigel, hoping to put herself between them.
Nigel met her eyes and flashed her a warning glance.
“That was different.” Alexander ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Our scandal was based on falsehoods. We did not kiss. Besides, I did the honourable thing and married her. I assume that Maxton will do the same.”
Olivia glanced at Nigel and saw him shake his head. Her heart twisted. Confusion warred with frustration.
“I cannot marry your sister,” Nigel murmured.
Alexander grabbed Nigel by the collar, hoisted him into the air, and slammed him against the bookshelf. “What do you mean you cannot marry my sister?”
“Alexander. Alexander, please.” Olivia took a step towards him, but he shook her off.
“I thought I could trust you.” Alexander tightened his grip on Nigel, and Olivia saw Nigel begin to turn a worrying shade of red. “You! My oldest, my dearest friend! What the hell were you thinking?”
“Please, Alexander. Listen to me.” Olivia made to tug at her brother’s arm, but it was like tugging on the branch of an oak tree. “If you must be angry, be angry with me, too. I am just as much to blame.”
“Rokesby, I —” Nigel tried to bat at Alexander’s hands, his voice raspy and thin.
“How dare you spoil my sister. Mysister.She is not some… some strumpet for you to dally about with at your leisure.” Alexander’s face was scarlet with rage. “You will make this right. So help me, God, you will do the honourable thing.”
“Alexander. You are being completely unreasonable! Stop this at once!” Olivia tugged on her brother’s arm.Why is he so strong? It is like trying to wrestle a horse. “Alexander, he can’t breathe for goodness’ sake.”
Sure enough, Nigel was now a delicate shade of purple, and his clawing at Alexander’s arm was getting more and more frantic. Olivia felt panic rise within her.
“If he dies, he will never be able to make this right!” Olivia cried.
This seemed to get through to her brother. Alexander shook his head and released his grip on Nigel’s collar, letting him fall to the ground. Nigel landed in a heap, massaging his throat, coughing, and spluttering for air.
Olivia moved towards him.Is he badly hurt?She wanted to help him up, but Alexander put an arm across her chest and stopped her. He levelled a glare at Nigel.
“Brother, you are being ridiculous. He is your oldest friend!” Olivia tried to move past him but met with no success.
“I thought he was. But no true friend would behave as he has done.” Alexander growled, staring daggers at Nigel who was slowly getting to his feet.
The other man held his arms up in a sign of placation.Or perhaps it is surrender?Olivia was relieved to see colour returning to Nigel’s face, and she felt her own breath come a little easier. She glanced at her brother, who was still fuming beside her.Now to calm my fool of a brother.
“It was not Nig— the Duke’s fault,” Olivia corrected herself as she saw the tightness in Alexander’s jaw at the mention of Nigel’s Christian name. “Both of us must share the strength of your ire. I am just as much at fault as he is.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Alexander scoffed. “You are innocent in the ways of the world and particularly when it comes to men.”
Olivia’s anger flared. “I am hardly some wilting wallflower, too timid to know my own desires. Do you really think I would allow someone to kiss me if I did not desire it?”
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Nigel’s lips quirk upwards though thankfully he caught himself before Alexander saw. Olivia felt her cheeks redden but used her anger to overcome her embarrassment.I did want it. God, I still want to kiss him. What is wrong with me?
Alexander paled briefly as though confronted by something he would rather not have seen. “Whether or not you desired it is not the point —”
“Truly?” Olivia’s tone was mocking. “I should think that whether or not I desired the kiss is rather the point. After all, should not one only seek to kiss one whom they desire?”
Damn it, is this really the time to test your brother’s patience, Olivia?Yet she found herself unable to resist.If another man insists I am too innocent to know my own mind, I swear I shall fling him from the window.
“Not if you are not married or at the very least engaged.” Alexander frowned at his sister. “And you are neither.”
