The door opened, and Gillingham stepped into the room with his usual composed air. “Lord and Lady Wilton have arrived?—”
He didn’t finish. Richard and Dosia entered the room, their expressions drawn and anxious.
Her brother’s gaze swept over her. “Are you all right?” he asked, the question more of a demand than an inquiry.
Olivia carefully closed the book and rested it on her lap. “I am well,” she said, lifting her chin slightly.
Dosia didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room and sat beside Olivia on the settee. “What happened? Please, tell us everything.”
For a moment, Olivia closed her eyes. Just long enough to summon a thread of composure. “I woke up in a tavern. In a part of Town that I would never willingly go near. But I found a window, climbed out, and managed to escape down a tree.”
Dosia’s breath caught. “That sounds… horrifying.” She gave Olivia’s hand a gentle squeeze. “You were so brave to think clearly and get yourself out.”
Olivia looked away, ashamed of the tremor that ran through her. Brave? She hadn’t felt brave. She had felt desperate.
Richard stepped forward, arms crossed. “I think we should take you back to our home until this threat is over.”
Olivia’s eyes snapped to him. “I am home.”
“You know what I mean,” he said with a sigh. “I do not like the thought of you being here while someone is clearly trying to harm you.”
“I am safe here,” Olivia asserted.
Richard frowned. “Assuming you stay away from windows and don’t leave the townhouse.”
Olivia leaned forward and placed the book on the table with quiet finality. “I appreciate your concern, Richard. But I am not alone. Evander will keep me safe.”
He looked unconvinced. “Need I remind you that you were abducted while Westmere was mere feet away?”
A flicker of doubt crept in, but she pushed it down. “I am not leaving my home. Or Evander. And need I remind you that I was abducted outside ofyourtownhouse, not mine?”
Richard let out a noise of exasperation and turned to his wife. “Dosia, will you try to talk some sense into my obstinate sister?”
Dosia gave Olivia a small, knowing smile. “You must know he only speaks this way because he’s worried about you.”
“I know,” Olivia responded. “But I trust Evander with my life.”
With a bob of her head, Dosia replied, “Then you must stay here.”
“That’s not what we discussed,” Richard muttered.
Dosia shot him a look, her smile growing. “We must respect Olivia’s decision. Besides, it’s not as though we could force her.”
“Whyever not?” Richard grumbled under his breath.
Dosia’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Because women tend to stand by the men they love.”
Richard lowered himself into a chair across from Olivia, his expression softening. “Is it true?”
The air seemed to thicken around her. She could lie and claim it was nothing more than friendship. But something inside her refused to pretend any longer.
“It is,” she admitted. “But I haven’t told Evander yet. I’m afraid he won’t… that he doesn’t feel the same.”
Dosia tightened her grip on Olivia’s hand. “It’s natural to be afraid. But don’t let that fear silence you.”
“My admission would change everything.”
Richard gave a faint nod. “Yes. But for the better. This—this love—is what our parents would have wanted for you. To love, and be loved in return.”
