Seriously, Alistair? This is how low you’re willing to go?
Her fork clattered against her plate as she lowered her head, trying to hide the panic rising within her. The last thing she wanted was for him to dredge up the past. She realized she’d completely forgotten the ace he had up his sleeve.
She was defeated.
Across the table, she could feel the irritation radiating from her elder brother. “And can you explain why you would make such a statement about my sister, Your Grace?”
Evie’s frantic voice broke through the thickening air. “Brother, please! We can discuss this later,” she urged, her hands wavingslightly as if trying to physically push away the escalating conflict. “Nathaniel and I will handle whatever needs to be done for the wedding without any interference. We appreciate the concern.”
“Without any interference, indeed,” Nathaniel finally spoke, his annoyance bubbling to the surface. Cecilia rarely saw her brother’s quiet fury. His arms crossed over his chest, a clear signal that he’d reached his tolerance limit. “Evie and I have made our decisions on our own. We thank you for the suggestions, yet do not need any input on this.”
Cecilia glanced up, catching Alistair’s expression. His face was a mask of defiance, but she could see the flicker of anger and surprise in his eyes. The tension at the table was at an all time high, each person’s breath hitching as they awaited a response.
He began, his brow furrowing deeper as he shifted in his chair, “Now is as good a time as ever to have this discussion.”
“Indeed, yet perhaps with your permission, we could return to dinner, Your Grace?” all eyes turned to the dowager duchess as she cut in, her voice firm yet surprisingly calm.
The room fell into another uneasy silence. Cecilia watched in surprise as Alistair's eyes narrowed as he held his mother’s gaze, a silent battle of wills seeming to unfold between them.
For a split second, he looked as though he was about to say something. And alas, Alistair shifted his gaze.
Finally, Lydia broke into a smile, her voice smooth as she skillfully redirects the conversation. “How about a game of cards after we finish our meals, anyone?”
Louisa, Cecilia’s grandmother, was the first to agree eager and all enthusiastic. One by one, the others chimed in, albeit reluctantly, as if trying to escape the weight of the earlier confrontation.
Cecilia felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, disbelief coursing through her veins. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant has shifted, and for the rest of the night, could no longer meet the duke’s gaze.
CHAPTER 8
“Evie, are you sure you’re quite confident to accompany me? It’s been a long day, for all of us, you could always show me a visit to the library some other time.”
Cecilia pursed her lips, glancing at her friend as they strolled through the dimly lit hallways of the Holloway estate. The air was thick with edginess, the evening's events still lingering in the back of their minds.
Evangeline smiled. “No, Cece, it is fine, truly. We shall be a bit busy with the wedding arrangements tomorrow, so right now is a perfect moment,” she laughed awkwardly, “And we need the calm.”
Cecilia smiled weakly at her soon-to-be sister in-law’s positivity, “I suppose you are right, but still.”
“Of course I am,” With a bounce on her feet, Evie turned and walked in front of Cecilia suddenly. “In fact-” she hesitated, her gaze drifting over Cecilia’s shoulder. “I was just?—”
Before she could finish, soft footsteps echoed behind them, and Cecilia turned to find Nathaniel walking towards them, his presence shifting the atmosphere.
He offered Cecilia a weak smile. “Sister, may I speak to my bride Evie for a moment?” he asked, his tone desperate to be casual but with an undertone that suggested urgency.
Cecilia’s heart thumped slightly. She could sense the tension in the air, but she pushed it aside. “Of course ,” she replied, forcing a smile and a calmness in her voice. “I’ll… head to the rooms, I suppose?”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Oh, no, no, please, Cece. Head to the library. Follow the directions I listed earlier. It’s not quite hard to find. You’d love it, I promise. You’d find a number of books that could help you research too.”
Cecilia raised a brow in thought. “I don’t know. It’s already quite late, and-”
“All the more reason you should go!” Evie was quick as she cut in, “It’s best you familiarize yourself with the place, so returning at another time would prove less difficult when finding what you need.”
Nathaniel nodded with a half smile, “Go bury yourself in books till you’re ready to shut your eyes, sister. It would be a healthy distraction.”
Cecilia could tell the couple felt somewhat guilty for her butting in to defend their matter. She watched her brother closely, hoping he wasn’t so terribly upset, and his romance could trump these complications .
“All right,” she nodded with a smile. “I shall attempt to find the library by myself.”
Nathaniel chuckled, “God speed, sister.”
