Page 73 of The Duke of Pain

Brookton snorted. “What is this? What possible secret do you have to tell that involves your paramour? No disrespect meant, my dear lady.”

Olivia could see fire come alive in Gideon’s eyes. There would be fisticuffs if she didn’t intervene.

“For your information,” Olivia stated evenly. “I am not his mistress, nor am I a courtesan. I am Gideon’s fiancée. We are to be married.”

“Congratulations, I suppose? Is that the secret? I am not to repeat where you met? You have my word. I shall keep those scandalous details to myself. At least, society would deem it a scandal, not I.” Brookton turned his attention to his plate, eating more egg and bacon, then he buttered a cheese scone.

Gideon inclined his head toward Brookton as if encouraging her to continue.

“That is not what I—we—wanted to speak with you about,” Olivia continued. “But we appreciate your discretion regarding how we met. No, I wish to discuss your wretched father and the fact he has illegitimate children. Gideon tells me you wish to find some of them. Why?”

Brookton slowly raised his head and pinned her with his intense blue-eyed stare. The exact same shade of blue as her own eyes.

“Why? It’s none of your concern—why.”

The words were coldly spoken.

This was more difficult than Olivia had imagined. Best to just put it out there.

Mustering her courage, she said, “I am your half-sister.”

Brookton didn’t move or change his expression. Then his gaze slid to Gideon.

“What in hell is this?” he spat. “What did you tell her?”

Gideon explained about the nuns and the name her late mother spoke over and over. How she was adopted by a vicar and his wife. Even how she came to be abandoned in London.

Brookton turned as white as a sheet. “This cannot be true.”

“My God, man. Look at her!” Gideon exclaimed. “It’s like looking in a mirror. Olivia is your older half-sister. There is no mistaking the resemblance between you.”

Brookton ran his fingers through his golden hair. “I’ve spoken to doctors and scientists. The European medical field is working on classifying blood types in people. One possible benefit from this? They may be able to determine if someone is blood-related. But the science is a couple of decades away, perhaps longer. In the meantime, there is no way to scientifically prove such.”

He looked to Olivia, and his expression softened. “There is only someone saying they are related. But Gideon is correct; the resemblance is there. I cannot deny it.”

“I never knew my mother. She died shortly after my birth,” Olivia stated, her voice quiet and reflective. “The nuns contacted your father. He did not deny knowing my mother, nor did he deny that I was his offspring. My mother and your father obviously had relations.”

“Obviously,” Brookton muttered.

“I can give you the name of the order as they are located north of here. I spoke to Sister Rose two years ago. She remembered my mother and the incident of my birth vividly. But first, you must promise me not to tell your father. I don’t want him to know, and I don’t want to know him.”

“How very wise of you. Stay clear of the man. I give you my word that I shall never tell him. Olivia, may I call you Olivia?” Brookton asked.

“Yes.”

“Then you must call me Damon. I do apologize for my past crass behavior toward you. I have no excuse except I can be a horrid human being. Shall we become acquainted? Could we be friends? Will we, at some point, think of each other as brother and sister? Can it be achieved?”

Olivia’s eyes welled with tears as emotion threatened to overtake her. “I would like to try.”

“Don’t think I’ve made some miraculous change in personality,” Damon said. “This news has had the most profound affect on me. I need time to reflect on it. But as far as you concerned, Olivia, I will curb my worst impulses.”

“That is quite the concession,” Gideon said, sardonically. “And I am glad you apologized for your actions, especially at the park. Perhaps there is something worthwhile in that empty soul of yours.”

“Oh, please. The fact that I made a lewd proposition toward a woman who turned out to be my half-sister has scarred me for life. And deservedly so. I apologize once again.”

He sounded sincere. Olivia acknowledged his apology with a smile.

Hobson entered the room. “A Miss Althea Galway to see you, Your Grace. She insists that it is urgent.”