Nicholas raised his eyebrow. “My dear, that much was obvious to me the first time I saw the two of you interact. I do not know why you thought I would judge you on this, when I have been pointing it out to you all this time.”
Deborah bit her lip, “There’s more to the story.”
“More?” he questioned. “Well, did something happen between the two of you? Or did the Duke confess his feelings for you?”
“Well…” Deborah paused for a moment, gathering up the courage. “He has not confessed anything to me, but… I cannot stop thinking about him.”
“Oh, really, now?” Nicholas smiled, amused by how uncomfortable his sister seemed when recounting the story.
“I cannot control it. At first, I thought it was just because of his insufferable nature. But now, I am growing quite worried at why he seems to have such a hold on my thoughts.”
Then, suddenly, Nicholas’s amusement grew into joy, and he burst out laughing.
“Oh, this is truly the stuff of romance novels, just as I had predicted to you earlier,” he said, still chuckling. “What do you plan on doing now? Are you certain that you like him?”
Deborah shook her head furiously. “I have no feelings for him.”
“Clearly, you do,” Nicholas told her. “Or else, he would not be occupying so much space in your mind.”
“Fine, I have conflicting feelings about him,” she admitted. “But that does not mean that I like him.”
“Denial won’t help you.”
“He just…” Deborah sighed. “He is a confusing character. When I am around him, I am annoyed by his every move. But when we are not around each other, I find myself craving those arguments.”
“Sounds very unhealthy.” Nicholas laughed. “A true romance.”
“Stop,” Deborah warned again.
“I believe you should follow your heart,” Nicholas advised her. “After all, I have never seen you so worked up about anyone before. Clearly, he means a great deal to you.”
“Follow my heart? Nicholas, that is terrible advice,” Deborah whined. “You do know that he is to be engaged to Lady Joanna soon?”
“Why does that matter?” Nicholas shrugged as if it were no big deal. “They are not engaged yet, and even if they were, engagements do get broken all the time.”
“I do not even know if he feels the same for me,” Deborah said, vulnerability seeping into her tone.
“He might,” Nicholas stated. “It is worth the shot if it means a lot to you.”
“I know for sure that I am not in love with him,” Deborah admitted.
“But you cannot simply bear to be without him either?”
Deborah nodded. “Is that bad?”
“Oh, Deborah.” Nicholas’s lips curled into a devilish smile. “That means you are in a lot of trouble. Welcome to the world of adults, where people find love with other people and not just books.”
“I am not sure if I prefer it.” Deborah sighed. “I liked it better when the objects of my fascination remained in my mind and could not talk back.”
“Did you, really?” Nicholas asked. “I think you are just as thrilled by this entire thing, as much as you are horrified.”
Deborah hated the fact that he was right.
“Admit it.” He nudged her gently. “You like the Duke.”
“He is with Lady Joanna,” she said in a small, disappointed voice.
“That is merely a small obstacle in the greater pursuit of love,” he said, and then smiled, as if he had a secret of his own. “Besides, Lady Joanna seems to be a lovely woman. I am sure she will have no trouble finding a match with someone else.”
