Page 58 of The Lady and the Footballer
“Rumors,” Lily repeated. “So, you are basing your opinions on unsubstantiated rumors rather than your daughter’s word.”
“We might not know if this is true,” her mother said, “but this could all be avoided if you would settle down with a good man.”
“A good man meaning one chosen by you,” Lily said, uncharacteristically defiant. “I must ask you something. What if the rumors were true? What if Iwasin a romantic relationship with Mr. Thornton?”
Her mother gasped while her father’s fingers curled into fists on top of the table.
“For I will tell you this,” Lily continued, her anger growing as years of being told what to do, being denied what she wanted, of listening to her parents look down on those beneath them rose within her, bubbling to the surface. “Colin Thornton is a better man than all the men you have paraded before me combined. You shudder at the thought of me being with him, but the truth is, I would be the lucky one to have a man like him.”
“Where is this coming from?” her mother said in despair. “You have been spending far too much time with that awful Whitmore girl?—”
“This has nothing to do with Emmaline!” Lily protested, her mother’s comment only further angering her.
She pushed her chair back and stood, ready to storm out, but her father wasn’t finished.
“Whether or not anything is happening between you and Thornton, you will not be seen anywhere near him in the future. Do you understand me?”
Had he heard nothing she had just said?
“Or else what?”
“Or else he will lose his job. His position on the team. And I will marry you off to whomever I choose, which could very well be Lord Nathaniel if no one else is interested."
It was all of their worst nightmares coming to fruition.
“You wouldn’t do that,” she said, trying to call his bluff.
“Oh yes, I would,” he said, leaning in toward her, his brow furrowed.
“No, you wouldn’t,” she said much more confidently. “For this weekend is the second round of the FA Cup. Colin is your best chance at winning against the Old Etonians. You are not going to sacrifice all of the time and effort and money you have put into this club because of arumorabout me and Mr. Thornton.”
As she repeated his name, she realized she had made a mistake. A huge mistake. She could only hope her parents wouldn’t notice.
“So, thereissomething afoot,” her mother said, straightening her shoulders. “Colinto you, is it?”
“I have heard the players call him that, which is why I did as well,” she attempted, but it wasn’t enough.
Her father’s face was mottled an angry purple shade.
“I’ve had enough of this,” he snapped. “Your mother is right. I have been far too lenient with you. I do need to marry you off, and it will happen soon before this nonsense can go any further.”
“I will not marry someone I do not love.”
“You are not going to have a choice!”
What were they going to do? Lock her in her room until the wedding and march her up the aisle with a gun to her back?
“If you will excuse me,” she said, pushing back her chair. “I have lost my appetite.”
She hurried up to her bedroom, no longer caring if anyone knew that she was sneaking out of the house. She had beengone for twelve hours one night, and no one had even noticed – although, she supposed, they would be watching her more closely now, but what could she do?
She checked the time. It was late, and she couldn’t remember if Manchester had practiced this evening. She was sure Colin would either be at home or with the other players at the King’s Head. She would have to take a chance.
She pulled a cloak over her head, not hiding her identity this time, and stole out into the night to find a hack.
She didn’t know the path forward.
She only knew who she was seeking.
