Read The Selfless Sister for Free Online Page A

girl.”
    Douglas was compelled to take a moment to get over his surprise. Never, since the tragedy that happened when he was but six years old, did he think his family would even speak to a Linley, let alone marry one. “Nothing surprises me,” he said finally. “But you do realize that such an attraction is perilous in the extreme, as well as hopeless.”
    “Do you object?”
    “Of course I object. What you’re proposing is sheer madness.”
    Alex appeared not in the least dejected. “It’s like Romeo and Juliet, isn’t it?” he asked brightly, then grew reflective. “Doesn’t this remind you of the Montagues and Capulets, only now it’s the Belingtons and Linleys?”
    “You have given some thought to how the play ends?” Douglas remarked dryly, “both the lovers dead, as I recall.”
    “That’s not likely to happen,” Alex answered with all the bullish confidence of a twenty-six-year-old. “I love Alethea, and she’ll love me, once she gets to know me.”
    “Good Lord.” Douglas flicked a glance upward in disbelief. “Does she even know you exist?”
    “Probably not. After Almack’s I saw her only twice more, once at a concert, once at a soiree.” Eagerness shone in Alex’s eyes. “Why do you think I’m so anxious to go to Lady Perry’s ball? She’ll be there. I shall tell her who I am—declare my love—”
    “And love conquers all?” Douglas asked, not bothering to conceal his skepticism.
    “Don’t spoil it for me. Yes, love does conquer all...” in the face of Douglas’s incredulity, Alex faltered “...well, somehow.”
    “Ah, Alex, such folly.” Trying to arrange his thoughts, Douglas nudged his mount and continued toward home.
    “What do you mean, folly?” Alex asked, riding up alongside.
    “When you love as much as that, you lose control. That’s why I shall never fall so completely in love I lose my power to reason.”
    “You seem very fond of Rose.”
    “Granted, there’s Rose, and the ladybirds who came before her, but that’s different. I take love as a more practical matter —a necessity, of course, but I’ve never met a woman from whom I couldn’t walk away. Naturally I’m fond of Rose. Right now I should hate to lose her. But I’m not besotted with her, as you seem to be over Miss Alethea Linley.”
    “You should see her,” Alex exclaimed, energized by the mere sound of her name. “The fairest of skin —the bluest of eyes—fragile as a Dresden doll. And the blush upon her cheeks—”
    “Spare me,” groaned Douglas. “I cannot believe you would commit such folly.”
    To his surprise, Alex laughed and replied, “Some day you’ll know exactly how I feel, my hard-hearted brother. You, too, will fall in love, and when you do, you will toss and turn all night thinking of her. She will be on your mind every waking moment. You won’t be able to eat—”
    “Please, you make love sound like some disease.” Douglas raised his palm in protest. “Such nonsense. I could never be such a fool.”
    Alex fell silent. “There may be some difficulties,” he finally said, “but I truly believe we can resolve them all. God’s blood! the whole tragic affair happened twenty-five years ago. Ancient history. Who cares anymore? Times change.”
    Douglas answered, “I care. I care very much. What might seem like ancient history to you is to me like yesterday.”
    “You are letting it ruin your life.”
    “Nonsense . I lead a perfect life in London.”
    “No you don’t. You’ve built a wall around yourself. Half the belles in London would throw themselves at your feet if they thought you would give them a chance, but you won’t. Instead, you’re content with women like Rose who give you what you want —or what you think you want, for a price and no strings attached. That’s no perfect life. You’re fooling yourself if you think it is.”
    Surprised at his brother’s unusual outburst, Douglas started to answer, but before he could get a word out, Alex