Page 45 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
Drat. Honestly Olivia, what are you thinking?Olivia swallowed at the fury in her brother’s eyes but held her ground. “No, we have never kissed before if that is what you are implying.”
Her cheeks reddened as she said this, but she refused to look away. Alexander took a deep breath.
“Then what exactly do you mean when you say this is hardy the most scandalous thing you have been involved in?” Alexander’s voice was dangerously soft, like a viper poised to strike.
Olivia’s mind was distressingly blank, unable to think of a way out of the hole she had just dug herself. “Um… well… it’s rather a funny story actually…”
“Oh, is it?” Alexander’s words were like a knife, and Olivia winced. “I would so love to hear it. I am much in need of some humour.”
Olivia glanced at Nigel and then back at her brother. “Well. When I say funny story… there isn’t much to tell really. It was just a silly, accidental thing.”
“What. Happened.” Alexander’s voice was dangerously quiet.
“I have some trouble with sleepwalking,” Nigel spoke at last, and Olivia tensed. “It is worse after I have drunk, but it can happen at any time.”
“I fail to see what your nighttime habits have to do with this.” Alexander frowned.
“Well… do you remember when Nigel came to stay at the castle?” Olivia’s shoulders were practically by her ears, and it was only with a huge effort that she forced them to relax.
“Yes…” Alexander looked between Nigel and Olivia. “What. Did. He. Do?”
“Well, it is not as though there were any sort of intention. One cannot help where one wanders when one is asleep.” Olivia’sheart threatened to erupt from her chest, blood thundered in her ears, and she was very tempted to flee from her brother’s angry gaze. “The thing is… well, um…”
“I sleepwalked into Olivia’s room.” Nigel looked deeply embarrassed. “And only discovered this when the maid started screaming.”
“You were in her room. Surprising but hardly reason to scream.” Alexander said.
“Um… well… he was sort of… um… well… in my bed,” Olivia said the last part as quietly as she could, half hoping Alexander would not hear her.
“YOU WHAT?!” Alexander rounded on him. “And you two are not married? Not even engaged?”
“Brother, mother, and Lady Cotswalts both understood that it was a simple misunderstanding. There was no harm done,” Olivia said.
“Mother and Lady Cotswalts knew of this? And they allowed him to leave without the promise of an engagement.” Alexander glowered around the room. “You may have convinced them, but I cannot allow this to stand.”
“Brother, please. Do not do this.” Olvia glanced at Nigel.I do not want him to be with me through force. I cannot abide that.
“You will marry my sister. Damn it, Maxton, you will do the honourable thing.” Alexander pointed a threatening finger at Nigel.
Nigel shook his head, looking utterly wretched. “I cannot. I cannot marry your sister, Rokesby.”
“Do not be a fool. You can, and you will,” Alexander spat.
“I cannot.” Nigel looked at Olivia, and she understood that his words were meant for her. “Though my heart dearly wants to say yes, more than I can say… my head, my head knows that I cannot do this. I cannot marry her even though I want to. It… It would not be right.”
Olivia felt an odd mix of excitement and pain race through her.He wants to marry me.“Brother, I do not want any man to be forced to be with me. Please, if Nigel says he cannot marry me, then I do not wish to force him.”
Yet even as Olivia said this, some part of her wondered why Nigel was so insistent on not marrying her.How can he seem to care for me so deeply, and yet still insist that he cannot marry me? I do not understand.For a moment, she considered speaking the words aloud.
Catching sight of Alexander, she realised that any reason Nigel might have would not be easily gleaned while her brother was in attendance.There will be time to understand this later; for now, I must focus on the task at hand.
“I do not care. I cannot allow such dishonour to go unchallenged.” Alexander’s eyes were full of steel. “If you do not marry my sister, there is only one course of action left to me.”
“Alexander, no. Do not —” Olivia began but Alexander spoke over her.
“At dawn, we will settle this like gentleman,” Alexander spoke the words flatly, more promise than threat. “We shall settle this with a duel.”
Chapter Sixteen
