'Cordelia, you must sit and listen to me. This is a story I do not want to keep to myself anymore.' Oliver could no longer look at their faces.
Cordelia sat and stared at her brother.
'Many years after Thomas sought your hand, he found that a child was not forthcoming. Thomas wanted to make sure it was no fault of his before confronting you and so he begged me to lay with you.' Oliver's eyes danced around the room, but he spoke to Lucy.
She was crying silently for she understood how grave what Oliver said was. How was it possible that she lay with him and yet, she could not recall an event like that happening?
'Oliver, why have you come to my house to tell lies? When is it that we laid together? Why have you come to embarrass me this way?' Lucy's eyes were closed. She could not bear to look at Oliver for she thought he was lying.
'You must listen to me, Lucy.' Oliver banged the table.
