Chapter 9
It was likely grossly inappropriate to be whistling as he strolled toward Da’s library, hands shoved in his pockets, but Phineas was doing exactly that. He needed to find his sister, and get her thoughts.
At Dumpkins, he’d dropped Olive off at her room, after garnering a few surprised looks at their damp state, and told her he’d get his jacket later.
At the door, however, he’d lingered for a gentle kiss, and had loved the way her eyes had widened behind her spectacles.
She hadn’t expected that, which just meant his sweet, innocent little scholar had no idea what he was planning.
Innocent? No’ anymore.
But he couldn’t feel guilty about that. He’d just had the best sexual encounter of his life, and with the woman he wanted to spend his future with. Best of all, she’d been the one to initiate everything, so he knew she’d wanted it as much as he had.
Just the thought of the bold way she’d removed her clothes, or the way she’d caressed him, or the way she’d taken hold of his cock and slid her tight warmth around him…
Well, it was damned inconvenient getting a cockstand in the middle of the corridor, but likely worth it.
And the hard ride he’d taken to get from Dumpkins to Newfincy had cured his erection. The fresh, rain-scented air had been good for his head, and now—
“Phin! What has ye looking like a cat who’s found the milk saucer?”
His sister’s teasing call had him grinning.
Just who he was looking for. He ducked into the library to see Athena sitting with her feet crossed in front of her on the ottoman, a book of children’s tales open on her lap.
It took a moment to notice wee Callan snuggled up beside her, almost hidden by her simple day gown.
It was a picture of domestic tranquility, assuming one didn’t actually know the lad’s angelic grin hid a rascal.
Once again, Phin recalled he hadn’t retrieved Olive’s spectacles.
Ye’ve been busy.
“Found ye at last!” he announced with a mock glare as he stepped into the parlor. “Reading to that scamp, as if the ruffian doesnae have crimes to answer for?”
Callan must’ve realized his threatening mien was all bluster, because he jumped to his feet with a cheeky grin and swiped the book from Athena’s hand.
Before she could object, he’d planted one foot on the armrest of the settee and launched himself over it onto the floor.
She’d opened her mouth to call his name when he turned back and swiped the pillow—almost as large as he was! —from behind her on the settee.
As the lad ran for the door, Phin made a desperate grab for him, but the lad ducked, first right, then left, as he swerved around him, Phin was left clutching empty air.
Athena, of course, thought this was hilarious.
“Och, let the lad go! It isnae as if ye dinnae ken where he sleeps!” She chuckled.
Phin crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “He has too much freedom as it is.”
But Athena just clucked her tongue and lounged against the back of the settee.
“Ye are welcome to try parenting him, since ye think such a puir job is being done.” Before Phin could answer, his sister shrugged.
“Besides, what does it matter if he has a bit of freedom? A bit of fun. He is no’ bothering anyone. ”
Phin considered telling her about Callan’s eyeglass theft, but figured it didn’t much matter. It mean having to chase after the lad, and he was in too good a mood to really care at the moment.
Seeming to understand, Athena smiled slyly and stretched one arm across the back of the settee. “Besides, the scamp kenned ye werenae threatening. The whole castle likely heard yer satisfied whistling. I assume ye have found a bit of skirt, eh?”
It wasn’t something a man liked to discuss with his sister, but Athena was different from most women in their social circles. Different from most sisters, definitely. So he shrugged.
“A bit, perhaps.”
Humming, Athena pushed herself to her feet and focused on straightening her skirts. “If ye have been spending time with one of the housemaids, ye best no’ let Olive ken it. That lass loves ye.”
A grin split Phin’s face. “Really?”
Surprised, Athena glanced at him. When she saw his expression, her own softened. “Aye, of course,” she said gently. “I ken I only just met her, and it is no’ as if she’d want to lean into the bonds of friendship with someone like me, but even I could see she was half in love with Aberdeen Jones.”
His sister’s teasing wink, and her words about his alter ego had Phin pausing. He’d been about to refute her claim that she wasn’t worthy of a friendship with Olive, but the claim distracted him with uncertainty.
Was Olive in love with Aberdeen Jones? How did she feel about Phineas Oliphant?
Might he dare to hope she cared about him in the same way he cared about her?
Phin dropped his hands to his pockets once more.
“We’ve been excavating the ruins,” he blurted, then realized he was trying to defend his time with Olive.
“I’ve been looking for the matching golden sphaera, and she’s brilliant.
She figured out what might’ve happened to it, so we’ve spent the last few days up at the dig site. ”
Athena stopped in front of him and tilted her head back, a curious expression on her face. “And did ye find it?”
“Nay.” He blew out a breath. “Today we admitted defeat.”
But the memory of the victory which had come soon after that admission had a slow smile creeping back across his face.
“And that is what has ye so happy? Or is it the housemaid—”
“Nay!” Phin shook his head emphatically. “There’s nae housemaid. There’s only Olive.”
Slowly, Athena’s eyes widened. “Phineas Oliphant, do ye mean to say while the rest of the house party thought ye were digging in the dirt, ye and Olive were…”
When she trailed off, Phin grinned proudly. “I took her maidenhead—”
His sister’s hand flashed out and her palm connected sharply with his cheek. Phin was more surprised than hurt, and when he reared back, his head slammed against the doorframe. “Ow! What was that for?”
“Ye and Olive—” she began, but he interrupted.
“Ye said ye wanted us to be together! I didnae think ye’d object this strongly,” he finished in irritation, his hand coming up to probe at his stinging cheek.
His sister’s expression softened. “I dinnae object to the two of ye finding pleasure together. I object to yer phrasing.” Her brows dipped in. “If she is nae longer a virgin, thanks to ye, it wasnae that ye ‘took her maidenhead,’ Phineas. She gave herself to ye.”
“And there’s a difference?”
It wasn’t a question, but Athena nodded sadly. “Aye, there is a difference. It is about choice, and Olive chose ye. She is likely the smartest woman I have met, so if she chose ye, I believe it was the right choice.” Her long finger stabbed at Phin’s chest. “Dinnae make me doubt her brain.”
He had to grin at the strange endorsement, even though his cheek ached. He wrapped a hand around her poking finger and tugged her closer. “I love her,” he admitted proudly. “I’ve already had a long talk with her brother, and he agrees we’ll do well together.”
“Married?” Athena asked, so suspiciously, he had to chuckle.
“Aye, ye dobber. Married. I’m going to ask her.”
“Why did ye no’ ask her when ye were—” She hesitated.
“Mid-coitus? Post-coitus? Blissfully holding her atop me? The bit where my great manhood was inside—”
The noise his sister made was half-gasp half-laugh as she smacked her free hand over Phin’s lips. “Shush! But…aye. Why no’ ask her then?”
Since her hand was still over his mouth, he made a point of mumbling incoherent syllables until she removed it with a grin.
“Well, Phin? I am waiting to see what kind of excuse ye have.”
Suddenly uncertain, he shrugged. “Um…well, frankly, I didnae ask her, because I wasnae certain of her response.”
Athena suddenly stuck her head out the door and looked up and down the hall. When she straightened again, she lowered her voice to just above a whisper. “She gave herself to ye, and ye werenae sure if she wanted to marry ye?”
He shrugged again. “I wasnae sure—still am no’ certain—she loves me.”
His sister’s eyes narrowed further. “Is she certain ye love her?”
From the way she said it, it was obvious Athena didn’t expect the answer to be aye. So Phin lifted his chin and told her the truth. “I told her so quite a few times, and each time, she ignored my words.”
Frowning, Athena pulled away. “I ken I only just met her, but that doesnae sound like her. She wouldnae just…just…use ye like that. Olive loves ye, I am certain of it. She wouldnae have given herself to ye for any other reason.”
Feeling vulnerable, Phin shrugged and shoved his hands into his pockets again. “Well… I dinnae ken. I love her and I told her so, and each time, she brushed me off as if I’d said naught.”
“She is hard of seeing, no’ hard of hearing,” his sister mumbled. “Perhaps she didnae understand…?”
I love ye. How difficult was that to understand?
There was nothing to say that hadn’t been said, so Phin just shrugged for a second time. Suddenly, Athena turned and stepped up in front of him again, her finger jabbing at his chest once more.
“Phineas Oliphant, that lass loves ye, and ye would be foolish to let a lifetime of happiness slip through yer fingers because of a misunderstanding. March yerself up to her and tell her ye love her, loud and clear. Then propose marriage, aye?”
A slow grin crept across his face. “Aye, sister dear.”
“Aye, yer dear sister wants what’s best for ye,” Athena snapped.
“Why do ye think I have been forcing myself to attend the Dumpkins events, here and there, despite the stares and whispers? It is to keep an eye on ye. Especially after I learned Olive’s interests—that is why I kenned the two of ye would be perfect together. ”
Straightening from the doorframe, Phineas grinned down at his sister. “Well, perhaps there’s time for a bit of gallivanting after all. With Olive!”