His mother’s voice floated through the air, light and melodic, while his sister’s mutters chimed in, a reminder of the normalcy he was about to step into.
“Ah, there you are. The brooding duke finally graces us with his presence,” Lydia Wexford, the Dowager Duchess of Holloway spoke as soon as she sighted her son.
“Forgive me, I was lost in thought,” Alistair replied, nodding politely as he took his seat. “Work matters, as usual, mother,” his voice echoed steadier than he felt.
Dinner commenced in silence. For a moment, Alistair felt a cold surrounding him, but it was not from any open window. He lifted his eyes to be met with his younger sister’s glare, catching him off guard.
“Uh…” He paused, glancing from his plate back to her face. “What troubles you , Evie?”
“You need to ask, brother? Oh, then it is nothing,” she replied tersely, her fork clinking against her plate as she pushed her food around.
“You’re aware I have no time for guessing games. I can tell when something’s bothering you,” he pressed, raising an eyebrow. “Is this about your groom again? I said yesterday, I did not wish to discuss it. I have been working all day today. Again, now is a poor time-”
“It’s not just about Nathaniel, brother,” Evie’s eyes narrowed as she interjected, “It’s about you. You are my brother, not my king. You think you know what’s best for me, but you don’t.”
Alistair sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m only looking out for you. You’re my sister, and it’s my job to protect you.”
“Protect me or smother me?” she shot back, her voice rising slightly. “I’m not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions.”
“And such stellar decisions you make; such as this one, setting off an argument at the dinner table,” Alistair countered.
“I want a love match, Alistair! Now that I have found it, why can you not at least show trust in me? Not every man is out to use me, you know!”
“Perhaps not, but I just want you to be careful,” he replied, his expression softening as he realized the depth of her conviction. “Evie, please,” he glanced in his mother’s direction for support. She was observing the exchange with a look of concern, but from her expression Alistair couldn’t guess which of them she favored.
“You had already agreed to my marriage to Nathaniel. Why did you have to bring up your fears before his family? You could have spoken to me, or him personally. How could you question his character so openly like that?” Evie’s eyes blazed.
“I have every right as your brother,” Alistair replied, doing his best to hide the guilt creeping into his voice. “It’s my duty to protect you from fortune hunters. You know that.”
“ Nathaniel is nothing of the sort!” Evie shot back, her fists visibly clenched at her sides. “I expect you to be wise enough to see that. You have always been talented at reading people, thus, I do not quite understand why-”
Alistair felt his heart race. This was a side of Evie he seldom encountered—so passionate, so unyielding. “You’re blinded by your feelings,” he countered, trying to keep his voice steady.“You’re not seeing the bigger picture. He’s charming, yes, but that doesn’t mean he’s genuine. One must always be open to-”
“Charming? Is that all you see in him? You’re being unreasonable!” Evie’s voice rose, echoing off the walls of the drawing room.
“Do not interrupt me again, nor raise that tone at me, young lady,” Alistair narrowed his eyes, surprised at her boldness.
They stared at each other for a moment, Evie’s breaths coming in heavy bursts. Then at last, she let out a sigh, “I thought you wanted me to be happy, Isn’t that what family is for?”
“I want you to be safe,” Alistair countered, feeling the tension between them thicken. He was unaccustomed to this kind of confrontation with his younger sister, and it threw him off balance. “You’re too young to understand the implications of marrying someone.”
“Too young?” Evie laughed bitterly, shaking her head. “You’re treating me like a child! I’m not a little girl anymore, Alistair. I can make my own choices.”
“Let this be the last time I remind you about your tone, Evangeline,” Alistair felt annoyance begin bubbling inside him suddenly.
“Enough, both of you,” Lydia, sensing the escalating conflict, finally interjected. “This isn’t how we resolve family matters.” Her voice was calm yet firm, as always.
Alistair glanced at their mother, then back to Evie, who was breathing heavily, her anger palpable. “I just want what’s best for you,” he said softly, trying to bridge the gap between them.
Evie crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly. “And I want you to trust me. It was rude to accuse and doubt my betrothed like that, I need you to understand that.”
The tension hung in the air, unresolved, as both siblings stared at each other, love and frustration mingling in a way that only family could understand.
Alistair knew she was right, but he had his reasons for his prejudiced statements, silly as they were. There was no going back now.
“If this proves to be anything but a love match between you and your betrothed, Evie, the marriage will be called off, that is all,” Alistair stated firmly, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that brooked no argument.
“This again?” Her fork paused mid-air, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. “But it is a love match, brother! Nathaniel truly cares forandrespects me!”
