"We enjoyed it too. And... we're happy that you are here with us," she said sincerely.
Emotion tugged at Alethea's chest.
"That means a great deal to me," she replied, equally earnest. "I hope I will be the sister you deserve."
With a final warm smile, she left the girls and retreated to her own chambers to calm her nerves before the evening. As she went, she silently prayed that Oliver would never give her cause to fear him, and she chastised herself for being so easily panicked.
He is not like them,she repeated in her mind but it would take her more convincing.
"Give me your best shot."
The duke had come out to meet his dear friend, Alexander. He had hoped to the spend the remainder of the evening doing any activity that he loved greatly.
Boxing.
The two men circled one another, as they traded blows. Oliver drove a right jab toward Alexander's midsection with more force than usual, causing his friend to grunt.
"Steady on," Alexander laughed, dodging the next swing. "At this rate I shall return home with more bruises than I had hoped to incur. It seems that marriage has certainly put some fire in your blood."
Oliver decided to ignore the comment.
Forgive me. I was distracted." He stepped back, lowering his fists to signal a pause. In truth, he had been channeling his frustration. Physical exertion usually cleared his mind, but today it did little to soothe him.
"Dare I hope that means your thoughts were on your lovely new bride?" Alexander shot Oliver a teasing grin.
"Not in the way you imply, you rogue," Oliver rolled his eyes. "My thoughts were on responsibilities. There is much to do these days."
"Is that what they're calling pretty young wives now?"
Oliver cast him a warning look, though a corner of his mouth twitched despite himself.
"Mind yourself."
"Truly though," Alexander went on more seriously, "the news of your sudden marriage gave everyone in the club a start. One day you were London's most elusive bachelor, the next – married in the country with little fanfare. You must tell me at least something to satisfy my curiosity."
Oliver tensed slightly. He had expected inquiries; he just hadn't anticipated how reluctant he would feel to discuss it. He considered his words carefully before speaking. Alexander was a trusted friend, yet even he didn't know the full story. Very few did, thankfully. But Alexander was aware of Theodore's impulsive nature, so it should come as a great surprise to him.
"It was a matter of necessity," Oliver said at last. "There was a situation involving my brother that threatened to become a scandal. I intervened in the only way that could protect the lady's honor and my family's name."
Alexander's eyebrows shot up. "
So the rumors of Theodore causing mischief were true, then." He shook his head. "What did he do? Actually, let me try to guess: did he attempt to elope with the girl?"
Oliver's jaw tightened at the memory of that night two weeks past.
"Something along those lines," he muttered. "I did what was necessary. Theodore had gotten himself in over his head. The young lady was vulnerable. If I hadn't stepped in, both of them would have been ruined. As it stands, an honorable marriage has put things right."
Alexander studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Spoken like a true duke, honor and duty above all." There was respect in his tone, but also a note of curiosity. "And how does the lady feel about all this?"
Oliver exhaled, his breath still slightly ragged from exertion.
"She has been... extremely gracious. Given the upheaval in her life, she has shown nothing but obedience." He paused, frowning faintly as he replayed recent moments in his mind. "In fact, I would argue that she is too obedient on occasion, at least that is what the staff has told me."
His friend looked surprised.
"Too obedient? Most men would count themselves lucky. But I suspect there is a story behind that comment," Alexander said, his curiosity out in full display now.
"I hardly know the story myself," he admitted. "Alethea was raised at a nunnery from childhood and has only recently been reunited with her family. I knew little of her until this all occurred."
