“Be quiet, Montague!” Eleanor said. She approached Olivia and linked their arms. “Can’t you see your sister’s distressed?” She turned her attention to Olivia. “What’s happened, dearest?”
“That’s what I’m trying to ascertain,” Montague said. “My sister is not in a position to compromise herself, given her background, and—”
“Please!” Olivia cried, shame threatening to overcome her. “Must you humiliate me in front of others? I merely came out to the terrace for some air, yet you accuse me of…of…”
“I see,” Eleanor said, glaring at Montague. Then she turned her attention to the silent, brooding man. “What isyourpurpose here, sir? If some mischief has occurred, I doubt that my sister is wholly toblame.”
“You’ll get no reply from him,” Montague said.
“Why not?”
“For the same reason that I know my sister is playing me false when she claims to have engaged in a discussion with him. He does not speak.”
Eleanor let out a snort. “Ido not speak. I loathe conversation and meaningless social niceties and do my utmost to avoid it at all costs.”
“I know that, my love,” Montague said, exasperation in his voice. “But this fellow here does not speakat all.”
The giant set his mouth into a hard line, and Olivia shivered at the quiet anger in his expression.
“Notat all?” she whispered.
“He’s not spoken a word since I’ve known him,” Montague said. “Renowned for it, he was, at Eton.”
“You were at school with this man?” Eleanor asked. “So, you know him well?”
“We were in different houses. But I knew him by sight. Some of the other boys used to taunt him and…”
He paused as a low growl emanated from the dark figure.
“That’s right, is it not?” Montague said. “They used to call you—”
“Stop it!” Olivia said, stepping forward. “Must you torment him as you torment me, brother?”
“Why defend him, sister, unless you have compromised yourself?”
“Of course I haven’t!” Olivia said.
“Then why utter falsehoods, spin tales about your reasons for being out here tonight? It doesn’t paint you in a particularly good light.”
“Montague…” Eleanor began, but he raised his hand.
“No, I must have satisfaction.Wemust have satisfaction for the sake of the family.” He turned to Olivia and spoke in a low voice. “I want what’s best for you, sister, believe me. At this moment I care notwhether you’ve tossed up your skirts to trap a man into matrimony. It’s not what I’d have wanted for you, though I understand your desperation. But the very least you can do is pay me the courtesy of speaking the truth.”
A knife sliced through Olivia’s heart at her brother’s words. Though his tone conveyed the love he bore her, did he really think she’d stoop so low as to act the slattern to ensnare a man—and not just any man, but the huge, towering beast before her?
The urge to strike her brother swelled within her, but before she could surrender to it, Eleanor drew back her hand and struck him across the face with a resounding slap that echoed across the terrace.
“Eleanor!” Montague said, rubbing his cheek. “I—”
“How dare you blame your sister in this!” she said. “This man is culpable.”
“He’s done nothing!” Olivia said. “Neither of us have.”
“Then why did I find the two of you embracing?” Montague asked.
Olivia opened her mouth to respond, then her heart sank as a familiar, nasal voice spoke.
“I say! Is this a private party, or can anyone join?”
