Chapter 240

Olivia POV

"I'm not stirring anything up!" Victoria protested. "I'm simply addressing what everyone's whispering about. Better to deal with it now than let it fester."

"Deal with what, exactly?" Charles asked, his expression stern. "My son's marriage is his own business."

"It's family business," Victoria countered. "Especially given the circumstances of Grandfather's requirement."

Harold's fist came down on the table with surprising force, making the crystal glasses rattle. "Enough! This is dinner time, not gossip hour. Whatever rumors are floating around, they can stay floating."

"But Grandfather—"

"I said enough, Victoria." His voice brooked no argument. "If I want to discuss Alexander and Olivia's marriage, I'll do it privately. Not at the dinner ta