Page 53 of The Duke's Stubborn Wallflower
“Are you changing your mind?” Nigel grinned.
“Of course not.” Olivia pointed to Nigel’s attempt at painting. “Though it is rather lucky that I am not marrying you for your skill with a paintbrush.”
Nigel stuck his tongue out at her. “I told you that it was an abomination.”
“I hope your talk with my brother went better than this painting.” Olivia’s tone was light, but he could hear the note of worry in her voice. “You spoke to him this morning, did you not?”
Nigel nodded. “We did. And we met at a neutral place as you suggested.”
“Good. And how did it go?” Olivia canted her head towards Nigel.
He shrugged, his mind remembering the interaction. He had met Alexander at the London Club, and the two of them had settled into a booth opposite each other.
“So…” Nigel had gestured vaguely.
“So…” Alexander had repeated flatly. “Olivia tells me you have proposed.”
“I have.” Nigel swallowed, trying to read his friend’s stony expression. “We are to be wed by special licence.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Then you are not planning on changing your mind.”
“Do you wish me to?” Nigel asked, his shoulders tensing.
“I do not wish for my sister’s heart to be broken.” Alexander shrugged. “And you have already changed your mind once.”
“I changed it from not marrying her to marrying her.” Nigel pointed out in what he hoped was a reasonable tone.
“Exactly.” Alexander fixed him with a firm look. “You were quite adamant when I found you that you would not wed Olivia. And now I am told that we are to be brothers-in-law. What changed?”
Nothing. Everything.Nigel felt his heart constrict and forced himself not to fidget. “Your sister.”
Alexander canted his head towards Nigel. “My sister has changed?”
Nigel shook his head. “No. Just… well… have you ever tried saying no to your sister?”
Alexander’s lips quirked, but the brief threat of a smile vanished quickly. “Are you saying you are only marrying her because you could not deny her? Do you not care for her?”
“I did not say that.” Nigel ran his hands through his hair in frustration. “I love your sister. And for better or for worse, she loves me.”
“Mores the pity.” Alexander murmured, but Nigel saw the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. “I do not want you to break her heart.”
“I do not mean to.” Nigel felt guilt swell up in him.But I fear I will. I need to tell her about the curse before it is too late.
“Do you swear it?” Alexander held out a hand to Nigel. “Do you swear that you will not break my sister’s heart?”
“For as long as I live, I will do everything in my power to keep your sister’s heart safe.” Nigel took Alexander’s hand. “I love her, Rokesby. And I mean to love her for the rest of my life.”No matter how long that is.
Alexander held his gaze for a moment and then said, “Good, because if you break her heart, I will snap you in two.”
The threat hung between them. Then Alexander released his hand and waved down a nearby waiter.
“Let us have a toast to celebrate.” Alexander grinned. “Welcome to the family, old chap.”
Nigel smiled back, and the two of them raised a glass, toasting to the future. The previous night, not quite forgotten and the rift between them slowly starting to heal.
“Nigel, hello? I asked you about talking to Alexander?” Olivia’s voice brought Nigel back to the present.
He smiled at her. “It went about as well as can be expected. He threatened me, and then we toasted to my good fortune.”
