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Olivia felt the heat rise into her face again. "I assure you, Aunt, nothing about my marriage was planned."

"Of course not," Charnley replied with a thin smile. "You simply happened to encounter a duke and somehow found yourself married to him within days instead of Boulton. How remarkably convenient."

Olivia swallowed. She had endured enough. "You arranged for Boulton to marry me. You gave me no choice."

Charnley's expression hardened. "And yet you escaped."

"Yes," Olivia answered, her composure beginning to fracture. "I did."

"And now you stand here dressed like a princess because a man twice your importance decided you were worth taking," Charnley said bitterly.

Olivia's eyes flashed. "James did not take me. We chose each other."

Charnley laughed under her breath. "Do not be foolish. Men like His Grace do not marry women like you because they are swept away by romance."

Olivia's heart gave an angry thud. "You know nothing about why he married me."

"I know enough," Charnley replied. "And I know you will ruin him if you are not careful. You have always been the bad twin, after all."

"That is enough." The deep voice came from behind Olivia, and she turned sharply.

James stood only a few feet away, his expression colder than she had ever seen it.

He had clearly heard the last portion of the conversation. His gaze moved from Olivia to Lady Charnley, and whatever warmth he had possessed earlier in the evening had vanished entirely.

"I warned you once," he said to Charnley, stepping beside his wife. "I will not warn you again, Lady Charnley."

Charnley straightened, visibly startled.

James continued in a controlled voice. "I know what happened at Charnley Manor. I know you held my wife and her sister there against her will and attempted to force Olivia into a marriage she did not want. If necessary, I will go to the authorities and tell them everything."

Lady Charnley's face drained of color. "You would not dare."

James's expression did not change. "Try me." He folded his hands behind his back. "If the authorities become involved, your position in society will not protect you. You will become a pariah, and everyone who matters will know precisely why."

Charnley gasped, looking toward the surrounding guests as though suddenly aware that several people had turned to listen.

Olivia's heart pounded. Part of her was grateful James had defended her, but another part bristled at being rescued as though she could not fight her own battles.

She turned toward him and lowered her voice. "Thank you, James, but I do not need your help."

His eyes met hers, surprised.

Olivia lifted her chin. "And threatening my aunt will not be necessary."

James stared at her for a moment, but she refused to explain herself there. She turned away from both of them, gathering her dignity around her like armor, and walked toward the entrance.

She was furious with Lady Charnley, irritated with James, and more confused than ever about the man she had married.

Most of all, she was beginning to realize that she did not want James to protect her from every battle.

I want him to trust me enough to stand beside me while I fight them myself.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

"What have I done now?"

James mumbled to himself as he followed Olivia out of the ballroom, his expression hardening as the cool night air met his face.