Page 56 of The Earl's Scarred Bride

The momentary levity faded as Harriet's expression grew serious once more. "And what of Father?" she asked suddenly. "Have you thought about how he'll react to this...reconciliation?"

"Father will only be pleased," Elizabeth said firmly, though her fingers clenched in the fabric of Cecil's coat. "As long as the marriage remains intact, he'll have no cause for complaint."

"You know that's not true," Harriet said softly. "He'll want to know why his lordship left in the first place. He'll demand explanations."

Cecil's arm tightened around Elizabeth's waist. "I should speak with him," he said, his voice taking on an edge that made both sisters look up sharply. "Explain my actions."

"You don't owe him any explanations," Elizabeth protested, turning to face him fully. "Cecil, please. There's no need to?—"

"I do," he cut her off gently, bringing his free hand up to cup her cheek. "Not for my sake, but for yours." His fingers traced idle patterns on her hip as he spoke. "I won't have him thinking you're to blame for any of this." A hint of his old wolfish grin appeared. "Besides, I believe I still owe him some choice words about how he's treated you over the years."

"Cecil," Elizabeth warned, though warmth bloomed in her chest at his protectiveness. "He's still my father."

"And you're my wife," he countered, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Don't worry, my love. I'll be perfectly civil." He paused, that wicked smile widening. "I'll simply remind him that you're now a countess, and if he ever speaks to you disrespectfully again, he'll find himself unwelcome in every notable house in London."

Harriet let out a startled laugh. "Oh, I should very much like to see that conversation. Father's face would be quite the sight."

"Harriet!" Elizabeth tried to sound scandalized, but she was fighting back a smile herself. "You shouldn't take such delight in it."

"Shouldn't I?" Harriet raised an eyebrow. "After all the times he made you feel worthless? All the cruel comments about your scar? The way he blamed you for Mother's death?" Her voice softened. "He deserves to be taken down a peg or two, sister. And who better to do it than your devoted husband?"

"My thoughts exactly," Cecil murmured, pressing a kiss to Elizabeth's temple. "Though I suspect your sister would prefer I show some restraint."

"Since when have you ever shown restraint, my lord?" Harriet asked innocently, making Cecil chuckle.

"You make an excellent point, Miss Cooper. Perhaps I should let my natural inclinations guide me after all."

"Both of you are impossible," Elizabeth declared, though she couldn't keep the fondness from her voice. "I should never have let you two meet. You're far too alike for comfort."

Harriet's expression softened as she looked between them. The rigid set of her shoulders gradually relaxed, and something like acceptance flickered across her face.

"Well," Harriet said thoughtfully, settling back onto the settee, "when Father first suggested this match, I would have createdquite the scandal if I was here. May be drag you away from the whole situation."

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh. "And how well do you think that would have gone? Cecil is not a man easily dragged anywhere.""And as if I would have let you," Cecil said mildly, though his arm tightened protectively around Elizabeth's waist.

"No, I don't suppose you would have." Harriet's lips curved into a small smile. "Though I must admit, your devotion to my sister is...unexpected."

"Why?" Cecil challenged, his voice taking on an edge. "Because of her scar? Did you think me so shallow?"

"Cecil," Elizabeth murmured, placing a calming hand on his chest. "She didn't mean?—"

"No," Harriet interrupted, stepping forward. "Let me answer this." She met Cecil's gaze steadily. "I thought you shallow because you left her. Because you made her believe she wasn't enough. The scar never mattered to those who truly loved her—it was your actions that made me doubt your character."

A moment of tense silence followed before Cecil inclined his head. "Well said, Miss Cooper. I deserved that."

"Yes, you did." Harriet's expression softened further. "But perhaps I was too quick to judge. The way you look at her now... it's different than before."

"Everything is different now," Cecil said quietly, his gaze dropping to Elizabeth's face. "I was a fool before, running from my own feelings. Running from her."

"And now?" Harriet pressed. "What's changed?"

"Now I know what it means to lose her," he answered simply. "I won't make that mistake again."

Elizabeth reached up to touch his face, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "You haven't lost me. You won't."

"Promise me," Harriet said suddenly, drawing their attention back to her. "Promise me you'll cherish her as she deserves. That you'll never make her doubt her worth again."

"I swear it," Cecil replied without hesitation. "On my title, my fortune, my very life—I swear to spend every day showing your sister exactly how precious she is to me."

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