Harrison pushed to his feet, planting his fists into the surface of the desk. “I do not give a damn what you do with what you purchased for whatever sister of mine you imagined up. Emblyn is my sister, and that is that. She will always be welcome here, no matter the circumstances. And you will allow her into your company and treat her with the respect a sister of mine deserves.”

Adelaide stared silently, her fine jaw tensing and relaxing in an almost comical pattern.

Would the irregularity of the situation be too much for her refined principles? Would his vision for the family he created at Trevadden be forced to adjust to the discontent of his wife for the sake of his sister’s happiness? Would he be able to keep his sister in his life in the capacity he wished in spite of Adelaide’s distaste?

“At least she will fit in among the guests if she wears that gown,” Adelaide finally grumbled, her sigh as heavy as the weight in Harrison’s stomach. “Lord only knows what she might wear of her own accord.”

“Try to avoid insulting her with every breath,” Harrison suggested, tasting his own spite. “You’ll only earn yourself worse in return.”

“From you?” Adelaide laughed a hard, disparaging laugh.

Harrison grinned slowly, shaking his head. “No, my lady. From her.”

That sobered her into a wariness he rather enjoyed. “You said she was shy.”

“And she is. In company. Among family, however…” He shrugged, still grinning. “She speaks her mind and speaks it freely. It’s utterly refreshing.”

Adelaide gaped in shock. “You would let your sister insult your wife in her own home?”

Harrison raised a brow. “I’d let you both insult each other, to a degree. Not in public, of course, but in private. I’d intervene when tears began to flow.”

“I never shed tears,” Adelaide protested, outrage streaming from every facet of her features. “It would go on for ages!”

“Then you’d best be sure to leave the battle before it goes too far,” he suggested. “I doubt Emblyn is one to back down.”

Her jaw shifted as though she ground her teeth together. “Then invite her to dine with us before the party. We will just get our insults out of the way before we can be expected to behave like a proper family before company.” She paused, snorting softly. “Proper. What a joke.”

Shaking her head, Adelaide turned for the door and stormed out of the room.

Harrison waited a moment, then sank back into his chair with a groan. Despite what he had said, he did not wish for Emblyn and Adelaide to spar with words. He rather hoped they could form a friendship, as unlikely as it may have seemed. From where he stood, the two of them would either become the greatest of friends or the worst of enemies.