Page 12 of A Father's Insistence

“Good,” my father answers.

Theodore turns me around, so we are able to sit down together. When I finally lift my head, I notice my father and mother are sitting opposite us. Both have lines of worry etched on their faces. My mother looks older…so much older than I remember her being a year ago. This has been hard on her. She wanted to run away, but it never happened. My head hurts, my body hurts, and I want to go back to sleep.

“Joanna.” My father leans forward in his chair. His eyes are full of kindness and love. He’s sorry for what happened. I can see it in that moment and let out a whimper. “If I could have changed anything about that night, I would have. You’re my only daughter, my little princess, and I love you so much.” He stops himself when his voice breaks and takes a deep breath. “I’ll do anything it takes to put a stop to your hurt. You have my word. Theo is a great man. I couldn’t wish for a better husband for you.”

“Thank you.” My response comes out like the squeak of a little mouse.

“How do you feel?” my mother asks.

“Good.” I find my voice. “Theo has been feeding me well. It will take a while, but I’ll be all right.” I repeat the motto, which Theo used to calm me down before my parents entered the room.

“You will.” Her mouth smiles at me, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. I know she fears for my mental stability after just witnessing the attack on my father.

The butler re-enters, and Theo looks up at him.

“My apologies, sir, there is a phone-call for you. It’s one you really need to take.”

The butler taps his hand three times against his leg. It’s like a code to convey a message to Theo. He immediately gets to his feet, but I grab his hand.

“I won’t be long. I have to take this.”

“But…”

“You’ll be fine.” He smiles at my parents and then looks back to me. “You’ve got this.”

I reluctantly let him go, and he leaves the room. My mother, father, and I sit in silence.

“Theo’s a nice man,” my mother observes.

“He is. He’s being very patient for a man who’s suddenly found himself married,” I reply and bring a finger up to my mouth and nibble on what’s left of my tattered nails.

“Not the Duke but still a catch, I suppose,” my father adds, and I open my eyes wide at him. “It’ll have to do for now. At least I’ll be second in line to the title when we get rid of the brothers. My deal with Viscount Hamilton has gone well.” My father gets to his feet and comes to sit on the chair next to me. He brings his arm around my neck and pulls me closely to him. I don’t like the touch—it suffocates me and doesn’t give me any of the warmth that Theo’s does. It freezes me with its icy intentions.

“I’ve got a message from Viscount Hamilton, my little Joanna. He might not be here with you, but he hopes you are still working hard at your task.” He squeezes tighter around my neck. “Given Theo’s declaration that he’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to, though, I think not.”

“Edgar, please,” my mother begs but is silenced instantly with a furious growl from my father.

“Get Theo’s child inside you before the week is out, or there will be consequences, Joanna. Do you understand?” My father is cutting off my breathing now. I can’t believe he’s in league with the Viscount. I hoped for a father who’d be sorry for giving me away, but no, I have a devil who is still using my body and mind to get his own way. I try to speak, but I can’t. I nod my head instead. I know the consequences he speaks of will involve me being returned to the Viscount, and I don’t ever want to see him again.

“Good girl.”

He lets go of me, and I gasp for air. My heart breaks all over again when I turn to my mother, and she immediately looks away and down to the ground. A true mother would fight for me, but she’s too lost in her own tale of sorrow and despair.

“Sarah, it’s time to go.” My father gets to his feet just as Theo comes back into the room, and I manage with some difficulty to control my breathing in front of him.

“So soon?” A look of concern crosses Theo’s face, and coming to my side, he draws me into his arms. I hope he doesn’t feel the rapid beat of my heart. It might give away the fact I’m terrified, having finally realized I’ve no hope of ever escaping the impossible position I’ve found myself in.

“I fear little and often is going to be all Joanna can cope with for now. We don’t want to overdo anything so soon.” My father gives me the look of a caring and protective father, but I know differently, now. “I would like to come and see her again in a couple of days if that is all right?” my father asks.

Theo looks down at me. “It’s up to Joanna.”

I want to scream no. I’m desperate to tell him that I want my father to leave the house and never return.

“Yes, of course,” I reply in robotic fashion.

My mother and father take their leave, and I remain alone in the lounge while Theo sees them out. I’m drowning under the pressure placed upon me. I’m breaking with no chance of a reprieve.

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