His voice was low and shaky, and nearly as soon as his mouth opened, it closed.
Without another word, he retrieved the ball from the water and walked away, his back turned to her, leaving her to grapple with the sudden whirlwind of emotions that swirled within her.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Abel sat across from his sister as they ventured into town for wedding shopping. Olivia kept peeping out the carriage window, following Bridget and Elliot’s carriage with her eyes.
The pair of siblings were accompanying each other for the task at hand.
Olivia turned to Abel, a tense look on her face as she reminded him to be civil with Bridget as soon as their carriages came to a stop. He nodded in response without a single hint of objection.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed at his silence and compliance. “Not a word against that, Brother?”
Abel shrugged and kept his eyes out the window next to her head.
Olivia’s eyes widened in shock at his sudden change in behavior. “You still haven’t told me what took you and Bridget so longsearching for that tiny ball in the bushes the other day.” Her lips curled in a knowing smile as she inquired, her curiosity evident.
Abel scowled, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the topic. “It was but a small ball, Sister. Naturally, it took a little while to find.”
His tone was defensive, and from the corner of his eye, he caught Olivia’s smile, but knowing him, she knew not to push any further.
Abel adjusted his coat as the unspoken knowledge between them lingered. He avoided his sister’s eyes, suddenly desperate to be out of the carriage and busy himself with wedding preparations.
Finally, both carriages came to a stop, and the pairs walked in a single group. Time went by quickly, and as they strolled through the cobbled streets, Olivia and Elliot remained silent, exchanging surprised glances as they watched their siblings engage in a spirited conversation.
After Bridget pointed out a bookshop, Abel inquired if she was an ardent reader, only to discover they had a shared interest. In a matter of seconds, they started a vigorous conversation.
“Ah, but do you not find that books like that can be a mere flight of fancy?” Abel questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity. “I prefer the practicality of the real world.”
“Your Grace, you underestimate the power of literature.” Bridget’s eyes sparkled as she responded. “You limit yourself greatly. Fiction holds a mirror to our own lives while still offering different insights into the human condition and helping us understand ourselves from a different light.”
Her eyes shone with enthusiasm as she added, “I have been engrossed in the works of a certain Madame Monroe lately. Her books are among my favorites. The wit, the romance, and the societal commentary are beyond captivating.”
“You would read such time wasters?” Abel raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
“While I appreciate the elegance of Austen’s prose, I find myself more drawn to the thrilling tales of adventure and mystery when I desire fiction. The works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, particularly the Sherlock Holmes series, captivate my imagination.”
Bridget chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with friendly disagreement. “Well, while I can understand the appeal of a good detective story, I’d rather be transported to a time of elegance and true romance.”
Abel leaned back, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “A spinster? Desperate to learn about romance? What news!”
As Bridget swatted at his arm, he burst into hearty laughter. While she glared at him, he grinned and pushed on.
“The adventures of Sherlock Holmes are filled with intrigue, clever deductions, and unexpected twists. That trumps the elegance of romance any day. The thrill of solving a mystery is by far more captivating than courtship.”
Bridget crossed her arms, a challenge in her voice. “I disagree. The dance of courtship is more than meets the eye. It’s just as captivating. The subtle nuances of Society, the power of a well-timed glance, and the art of it all hold a charm that cannot be replicated.”
Though still holding onto his reservations, Abel couldn’t deny the allure of her words as she went on. A newfound curiosity awakened within him, as if a hidden world of imagination and emotion had been unveiled.
“Fine. It seems we have found ourselves at an impasse. Shall we agree to disagree?”
Bridget laughed and shook her head. “Your Grace, I caught your expression a few seconds ago. Just admit, I’ve convinced you to pick up a romance novel, haven’t I?”
Abel’s ears were hot as if he was suddenly caught in a shameful act. “Absolutely not.”
He shook his head at her and sighed. “So now you shall go around, spreading false rumors of my love for romance literature? This is because of the spinster joke, is it not?”
Bridget’s eyes glittered as loud laughter escaped her lips. She continued to laugh, almost unable to get a word out.
