"Their happiness was not something Theodore was considering when he nearly ruined you," he retorted. "Forgive me if I am not inclined to reward him by allowing him to run straight back into Lady 'Albourne's arms."
Alethea flinched at the sudden hardness in his tone. She took a half-step back, unconsciously creating distance. Oliver instantly realized his raised voice and reached for her.
"Alethea…"
But she had already recoiled, eyes downcast. Her heart thudded, and she cursed herself for reacting on instinct.
He is not going to hurt you, she told herself firmly. Indeed, his large hand gently clasped her forearm in remorse, not anger.
"I'm sorry," Oliver said at once, his voice strained. "I shouldn't have spoken so sharply."
Alethea drew a slow breath, willing the memory of past harsh voices from the nunnery.
This was Oliver. He would never harm her, she knew this. Still, her body's reflex had betrayed her, making her flinch as if she were that frightened girl again. She felt a wave of embarrassment.
"No, I…I apologize," she managed quietly, raising her eyes to meet his. "I didn't mean to react so."
"You have nothing to be sorry for. It was my fault entirely." Keeping his touch light, he slid his hand down her arm to take her hand in his. His palm was warm, slightly trembling. "I swore to myself I would never cause you to feel fear."
Alethea's heart twisted at the pain in his voice. She could see how deeply it affected him. She had only flinched and he was as shaken as she by it. Without thinking, she stepped close and tightened her fingers around his.
"Your Grace, it's all right. I was startled, that is all. I know you would never hurt me."
He searched her face, as if to assure himself her words were true.
"Still," he said hoarsely, "the fact that you flinched at my tone… It tells me more than perhaps you intend. About what you've been through. It makes me want to find whoever ever frightened you that badly and…"
He stopped himself, jaw clenched. But Alethea could guess what he'd been about to say. He didn't need to finish; she saw it in the taut line of his mouth.He wanted to hurt the one who hurt me.
Her own eyes prickled with emotion. Gently, she reached up with her free hand and brushed her fingertips along his cheek. Oliver's breath caught at the touch.
"You are a good man," she whispered. "Better than any I have known. Please don't look so stricken. I truly am all right."
"When I think of what you endured… How you were mistreated under the guise of discipline." He exhaled shakily. "I have…very dark thoughts, Alethea."
Alethea's hand drifted from his cheek to his shoulder. His confession did not frighten her; on the contrary, it moved her deeply. That he cared enough to harbor such protective fury on her behalf.
"I know," she said softly. "And I know you. Whatever dark thoughts you may harbor, you would never turn them on me. I trust you. Completely."
With that simple declaration, something in Oliver seemed to break. He pulled her into his arms then, wrapping her in a firm embrace. She rested her cheek against his chest, right over the steady beat of his heart. For a long moment, they simply held each other.
Oliver's hand cradled the back of her head. She felt him press a kiss into her hair.
"No one will hurt you again," he whispered.
Alethea closed her eyes against the stinging of tears. She clutched at the front of his coat, anchoring herself to him.
"I believe you," she breathed.
They stood like that for a long moment. Her mind was whirring in all direction. Surely, this felt more than just a duty.
Love had already bloomed for her, but in that moment, she wondered for the first time if the same held true for him.
"We should return inside," Oliver broke the silence after a while. "They'll be missing the hostess."
Oliver was pulling back behind his walls. She understood this. She mustn't push; she told herself. The look in his eyes was already conflicted enough.
"As you wish," she replied softly. She hoped he could not hear the disappointment she tried to hide. With care, she composed her features into a semblance of calm.
