"I know I behaved badly. I just thought it might be easier for everyone if I kept my distance. She's your wife now. Perhaps it's best I'm not around to upset her,"
"You cannot simply vanish and hope time absolves you. You must apologize to her, in the least," Oliver said, sternly.
"What good will it do?" Theodore burst out, eyes flashing. "You've already swept in like a savior and made everything right,haven't you? She's a duchess now and her reputation is secured. Why drag up the past?"
Oliver tried his hardest to keep calm.
"The past is not ‘dragged up', it's sitting right here in this house," he said, "in the form of a young woman who was nearly ruined and is now bound to us for life."
Theodore's shoulders slumped.
"Fine. If it will make you content, I'll apologize to her. But you have not yet shown any acceptance of the thing that I wish for the most."
"""'""""'""'""'"""'"""""""'''""""""'''""''"""'Oliver regarded his brother with a disdainful look.
"What you ask for is a ridiculous thing," Oliver replied. "And I have already made my position on the matter quite clear."
"This fiasco with Lady Alethea is over," Theodore argued. "There is no reason for me to not marry the person I wish to now."
"You think because I stepped in, it all simply vanishes?" Oliver asked. "You nearly ruined one young woman. I will not allow you to charge into another entanglement while showing so little regard for the consequences. Nor will I allow you to marry a widow, when you yourself are so young and full of bright prospects."
Theodore squared his jaw. "Are you planning to forbid it, brother?"
"If necessary, yes," Oliver answered. "Until you prove that you understand honor and responsibility, I cannot in good conscience bless your union with Lady Joyce. Nor will her family countenance it if I, as head of our family, withhold my support."
"You mean to punish me forever? Keep me from Joyce to teach me a lesson?" Theodore was fuming now.
"This is not punishment for its own sake. It's ensuring you do not compound one mistake with another," Oliver offered.
He knew that his brother had a lot of growing up left to do, and in time, he would come to see the ridiculousness of his own ways.
"I will not stand for it. All my life you've lorded your precious sense of duty over me. When will you realize that I am not a child anymore?"
"When you stop behaving as one," Oliver said, simply. "Start acting like a man who understands what his reckless actions cost others."
They stood facing each other.
"You know what, Brother?" Theodore took a step backwards. "Do as you please with your approval. Joyce and I will be happy without them."
He pushed past Oliver then, striding toward the door .
"I am not done speaking with you," he called out.
"But I am," Theodore paused only to throw a final look over his shoulder.
With that, he yanked the door open and stormed out. Oliver stood in the sudden silence, pulse pounding in his ears. He realized his hands were balled into fists at his sides. Taking a long breath, he unclenched them slowly.
The confrontation had not gone as he'd hoped. Instead of clarity, it had ended a fresh rift between the two of them.
If anything, it had given Oliver more to worry about. If his brother's impulsiveness had caused havoc once, there was no telling what he might do next.
Still, Oliver knew he had been right to stand firm. He would not permit further dishonor.
CHAPTER 6
"Do you not think so, Alethea?" Clara's bright voice cut through Alethea's otherwise worried thoughts.
"I'm sorry, I—what were you saying?"
