Her Sister's Fiancé - Book #1

Chapter 20

Lavinia crept down the hall in her bare feet, almost afraid to knock on her father's study door. How had the talk with Ethan gone? Was he angry? Above all, what memories had resurfaced after this? She had always known there was something more to her father than what met the eye, but he never talked about it, never complained. There had been another woman before her mother came into the picture, that much she knew.

Drawing a breath, she lifted her hand to knock. Likely, her father was in need of comfort of some sort. He was a man who would have liked to laugh a little more in life, but his wife was a disapproving sort of woman who watched his every move like a hawk, careful to point out anything that wasn't up to her standards.

"Come in, Livy." Her father's voice said just as she was about to knock.

A smile touched her lips as she opened the door and slipped inside. The room was warm and cheery as usual, but its owner wasn't the same. There was something in her father's eyes that tore at her heart, and she flew across the room into his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Hey now, what's this, eh?" Her father said quietly, his hand gently stroking her hair.

"This has upset you, hasn't it?" Lavinia drew back to look into her father's face. "I know it has. Ethan should have married Cassandra, that's what you're thinking, and you're probably right."

"Livy," Her father said gently.

"I can get out secretly, pack my things and go to Brighton. I was planning to do that after the wedding anyway." She spoke quickly.

"Livy,"

"Surely after I'm gone, the marriage can go on. That's best isn't it? Yes, of course it is."

"Livy," Her father said again, and there was some amusement in his voice. "I didn't ask you to come, so I could send you away."

"But surely—" He cut her off with a look.

"You and I both know that wouldn't work. Ethan would follow you to the ends of the earth without you even having to beckon to him. He loves you."

"I know." The words came out half despairing, half smile-inducing.

"Now, I want you to tell me truly, setting Ethan's feelings and thoughts aside, do you love him?" Her smile returned at the words, and she nodded. "That's all I needed to know." Her father nodded. "He's asked if he can marry you."

She nodded. "He asked me out on the road."

"Yes, he told me as much." Her father sighed, leaning back in his chair and looking into the flames.

"What's wrong? You don't approve? What was your answer?" She asked in one breath.

"Nothing's wrong, Livy, you can set your mind at ease. I couldn't be happier for you," he didn't look happy. "I didn't answer him yet. You see," he wetted his lips thoughtfully. "I want to see what Lord Brodi intends to do before I give my blessing."

"Lord Brodi?" She frowned. "I don't understand, what does he have to do with it?"

"A great deal," her father rose, agitation in his movements. "He's threatened you, Livy." He turned to look at her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen her father angry, if at all. Usually, he was a calm congenial man, but there was a sudden harshness in his voice that startled her.

"Oh," she raised a brow, nodding thoughtfully. Her usual calm had returned, and the thought that Lord Brodi would make some kind of threat against her didn't surprise her at all. "Of course he did."

"If he goes through with his threats, your name will be utterly ruined. Your time with Ethan has given the gossips something to talk about, and after he was through, they would think it was much more than um—brotherly and sisterly affection." He said pointedly. She looked up at her father and wetted her lips.