Oliver stood and started walking toward the door, he was done going in circles about his feelings for Elizabeth. He was planning to show his friend out. But as he passed Kensworth, the man’s arm shot out and caught his chest, not letting him take another step. “Why are you hiding your feelings?”
“Why are you playing matchmaker?” The man’s persistence was beyond irritating.
“Because you are acting a fool. And because I care deeply for you and Elizabeth and want the best for both of you.”
Oliver shot his gaze to Kensworth. “If it’s the best for both of us that you want, then you will let this g
o and marry Elizabeth off to Hastings as soon as possible.”
“Why?” His hand was still on Oliver’s chest.
“Let me go, Kensworth.”
“Oh, my whole title. This is serious, isn’t it?”
“I’m warning you to let me go.”
“Not until you tell me why you won’t admit your feelings for Elizabeth.”
Something in Oliver snapped. He threw Carver’s arm off him and he spun to face him. “Because I will hurt her! My father was an alcoholic as well as abusive and he hated me more than anything in this world. His blood runs through my veins. And if there is any chance that I will ever be the same father to my children, or hurtful to Elizabeth in any way, I will not take it. Now, I’m begging you to drop your persistence and allow me to let go of her.” Oliver’s voice echoed off of the walls, making the silence that followed feel that much heavier.
“Blast,” muttered Kensworth. “Why did you never tell me that? You always made it sound as if you and your father simply had differences of opinions.”
Oliver scoffed turning a half circle and thrusting his hand into his hair. “His opinion being that I should never have entered this world and mine being that a man shouldn’t hit his wife and child.” He paused and dropped his hand, giving a light shrug when he knew that Kensworth was still waiting for an answer to his question. “I never told you because…I was ashamed. Like it was my fault somehow. The duke has always been such a good father to you. Sometimes it was unbearable to see the comparison between our upbringings. Your father loved you and mine despised me. So, I simply hid it. It was far easier to pretend it didn’t happen rather than speak of it.”
Kensworth pushed out a heavy breath through his nose. “I’m so sorry, Oliver. And here I was, pushing you to return to a place I cannot imagine is very pleasant for you to visit.”
Oliver breathed. His chest felt a little lighter to finally admit the things he had been hiding. “It’s all right. Now I know your whole ploy was simply getting me here so you could play matchmaker.” But he instantly regretted bringing the conversation back to Elizabeth. Before Kensworth could open his mouth again Oliver hurried on, “Besides, although I’m loath to admit it, you were right. It’s good I came and faced the demons of this place again. Especially since I’ve decided to live here from now on.”
“What? Why the devil would you do that?”
To prove Frank Turner wrong. He thought Oliver was a good-for-nothing spendthrift? He was going to make his father roll over in his grave. “The estate is much more profitable than I originally realized. I think it would be a shame to sell it.” He looked around the room as if he were envisioning a beautiful home with fresh paint and new paper and curtains rather than seeing all the corners he used to hide in as a child. “I think I could fix it up and make it livable.”
Oh, no. Kensworth was scowling. That wasn’t good. “Livable for you and Elizabeth?”
Oliver turned away. “No, Kenny. I already told you, Elizabeth is going to marry Hastings and I am not going to stop her.”
“But you do love her?”
Oliver shut his eyes and clenched his teeth together, letting the heaviness of those words weigh on him. “Yes. I do love her. That’s why I’m letting her go.”
He felt Kensworth’s hand clasp his shoulder and grip it. “For what it’s worth, there is not a single man in the entire world who I would trust with my sister more than you. Don’t lose her because of your fears.” But did he even have her to begin with? Had she not told him earlier that it was Hastings whom she wanted?
Kensworth walked toward the door and paused before he left. “Oh, and Olly…a few months ago during the ball that Mother held in honor of Father’s birthday, I overheard him telling a friend how blessed his life was because he had been given a loving wife, three fantastic daughters, and three wonderful sons: myself, Robert through marriage, and you. He said he would always claim you because he loved you as if you were his own son. So don’t think for one moment that Frank Turner is the only father you have had in this world.”
An uncomfortable sting hit Oliver’s eyes. It was completely unacceptable as a man to cry in front of one’s friends. Therefore, Oliver choked back his feelings and grimaced. “You do realize that if the duke is claiming me as a son, that would make Elizabeth my sister? Definitely couldn’t shackle myself to her, then.”
Kensworth just shook his head and chuckled before leaving the room.
Chapter Thirty
“You’re sure you’re all right, dearest?” said Lady Hastings for the second time since Elizabeth had claimed a headache and the need to go lie down after dinner rather than participate in a round of charades as the dowager had suggested.
“Oh—quite well, I assure you. I think I simply spent a bit too much time in the sun today. I shall be well tomorrow.” Elizabeth smiled sweetly at the dowager while trying to discreetly edge out of the dining room.
Everyone had finished eating and the ladies were all going to make their way into the drawing room and prepare for a game of charades, while the men retired to the library for port until everything was set up.
But Elizabeth had other plans.