Page 82 (1/2)

“Do not testto tell me what I can and can’t do! Only my wife

has ever been able to order me and…” He seemed to remember then that his as lost to hi, and his face twisted as he fought the pain But evidently it was too much for him His Grace, the Duke of Baralked out of the room

With a speaking look at his wife, Oliver followed Marietta could feel Vivianna’s eyes on her, like little daggers in her back She took a breath and turned to face her sister What she saw frightened her Vivianna had always protected her and looked after her She loved Vivianna, and knew Vivianna loved her, but there was no love in her face now—just a hard, angry dislike

“How could you?” she whispered “You have put Oliver in an untenable position What do you think you are doing, ah, but now you ive you for this, Marietta Never!”

Tears fell from her eyes and she fled from the room

Marietta stood, shocked She knew her own face hite, because when Oliver caht over to her, took her in his arh she felt like it

“I didn’t mean to harm you or Vivianna,” she said in a little voice “I would never do that, Oliver”

“I know, ’Etta Vivianna knows it too, she’s just upset”

“She hates me”

“The baby tires her, and withaway…She’s worried about you—she thinks she’s failed you and heryou You slipped beneath her watchful eye and she’s berating herself for that Forgive her, Marietta”

But Marietta wondered whether Vivianna would forgive her, especially when she learned her ard sister had no intention of changing her iveness and not alter one’s behavior one jot

“What do you plan to do about Max Valland?” Oliver said softly, and held her away, his handsoazed down at her “Has he asked you to marry you?”

“Yes, he’s asked o to Cornith him,” she admitted, “but I’ve told him no He knows I can’t, he knows I have other plans and that I won’t let ain”

Oliver shook his head at her “But ’Etta,” he said gently, “you can’t guard your heart It’s impossible And if you do…well, you will never be properly alive if you don’t love I know you’ve been hurt but you can’t go into hiding because of it Your heart will shrivel and die if you don’t give it a chance to love again”

“You just heard what Max’s father said,” she wailed “He won’t let ht to refuse I’ain”