Page 94 of The Lady and the Footballer
Lord Harcourt eyed him with surprise. “That is kind of you, Mr. Thornton. As it happens, we found him a placement elsewhere, in a more… safe job.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Now to more important matters,” the viscount continued. “You're the young man trying to take my daughter from me."
Colin met his gaze, the weight of the moment pressing on him from every direction, yet he sensed that Lord Harcourt would prefer directness to cowardice. "Yes, my lord," he replied, steady despite the thrum of nerves. "I am."
"You must be quite pleased with yourself."
The words were a challenge, their sharpness slicing the air between them. Colin knew he was on trial here, but something in the older man's tone carried a reluctant admiration. He seized on that, determined not to flinch.
"I am pleased only that a woman as incredible as your daughter could love me," Colin said. "I would do anything for her."
"Is that what all of this was about?"
“It started as an intention to help the team, but turned into so much more than that,” he said. “I love her, and I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that I am worthy of her.”
There was a tense pause, as if the room itself was holding its breath. Lord Harcourt tapped a finger on the armrest, his eyes never leaving Colin’s.
"You have tenacity," he conceded at last. "And a measure of honor I did not expect." The words were reluctant but solid. "Perhaps you do have a future, after all."
Colin's heart raced. This was more than he hoped. It was not complete support, not yet, but the opening of a door that he would have guessed was forever barred. He nodded, accepting the challenge that still hung between them.
"Thank you, my lord," he said, leaning forward. “I have an ask.”
Lord Harcourt lifted a brow.
“I would like to marry Lily, and I know that she loves me as equally as I love her. I would prefer to have your permission. I understand all the reasons that it doesn’t make sense for us to be together, but I love her more than I would have ever thought possible. I might not be able to provide her the style of living she is accustomed to, but I promise you that I will spend my life providing her more love than any other man ever could.”
Her father studied him, taking his measure, but before he could answer, the door burst open and Lily entered the room, her presence like the sun breaking through a thundercloud.
“Colin!” she said in surprise and delight, walking over to him, linking her fingers through his as she stood beside him to face her father. “How is your… conversation?”
Her father sat back, a shift in his demeanor allowing a begrudging softness that was absent before.
“Father?” she said in question.
Lord Harcourt inclined his head, ever so slightly, but Colin knew what it was. Permission, if not approval, surrendering in this fight he had waged to keep them apart.
“I know you have made your choice, Lily,” he said. “I will not stop you. I am unsure if I am making the right decision, but I would prefer that you remain in my life, and I know the only way to ensure that happens is to accept this young man.”
Colin and Lily looked at one another in surprise before returning their attention to Lord Harcourt.
“Thank you, Father,” Lily said softly, her voice just above a whisper.
“You might not be who I would have chosen for my daughter,” Lord Harcourt said, fixing his stare on Colin. “But you have proven your worth.”
It was more than Colin would have thought possible, and he had to blink a few times to make sure that this moment was real.
“I would obviously prefer that my daughter’s husband is able to support her,” he said, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest. “I have two things for you. Lily tells me that you were training to be a solicitor until you were forced to leave to care for your family.”
“I was.”
“I will support you while you finish your education. I would prefer my son-in-law have a profession and not only work in my mill.”
“Thank you, Lord Harcourt. I do appreciate that, and yet, I wouldn’t feel right about leaving the mill. There are improvements I would like to make, that I want to talk to you about. People that I feel a responsibility to look after.”
Lord Harcourt uncrossed his arms them refolded them over his chest and stared at him.
