Page 97 of The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter
“And therefore the urgency of a wedding,” the earl said with a nod. “He wants to know his little girl is secure.”
“Yes, my lord. It is his greatest worry. I think he will have to be carried in for the ceremony and then carried back to bed as soon as it is over.”
“How thoughtless of me to upset him with my howling at his daughter.”
“He is all right. He knows I am not spineless nor easily intimidated. It will take more than mere howls frighten me. I understood your concern. You only meant to protect your son.”
“No, I was vain and selfish, just as you accused.” He glanced down at himself as he lay on his back with a compress against his spine and a bandaged leg from where his horse had kicked him. “This is what I got for it.”
“Punishment enough, my lord,” Viola said.
“Self-inflicted,” Alex said, arching an eyebrow and folding his arms over his chest as he met his father’s gaze.
“Stop rubbing it in,” he said with a grunt. “Viola, I will stand up for you at the ceremony if your father cannot. It is the least I can do to make it up to you and my son.”
Alex let out a breath. “Thank you, Father. I hoped you would come around. But I fear both fathers may need to be carried in.”
“No, son. I will do it, even if I have to hobble down the church aisle using a cane.”
Viola put a hand over her heart. “Thank you, my lord. That is extremely generous of you.”
“Did I not tell you my father was wonderful, Viola?” Alex murmured, relief and joy evident in his expression.
Viola’s insides melted at the love both men held for each other.
Stubborn, prideful, and also deeply protective and adoring.
There was a wealth of sentiment in the smiles exchanged between them.
She was relieved this crisis had passed so quickly.
Alex must have known it would, for he knew his father very well and seemed as capable of managing him as his mother was.
“Gabriel and Graelem will hold you up if the cane is not enough. And now I will have Greaves deliver the second tray of tarts made just for you. Rest up now, and thank you again.” Alex leaned over and planted a kiss on his father’s forehead.
“And you, Viola? Do I not get a kiss from my daughter-to-be?”
“Will you allow it, my lord?”
He nodded. “If you can bear to kiss an old fool.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I will not disappoint you.”
Viola was ecstatic but completely exhausted by the time Alex excused himself to escort her home. Greaves opened the front door for them. “Your carriage awaits, my lord.”
It was a well built curricle drawn by a pair of matched bays.
Alex put his hands around her waist to boost her into the seat and then quickly climbed up beside her. “Thank you for being so gentle with my father when he was nothing but an ogre to you.”
“As you told me just today, we all make mistakes. Best to deal with them and move on. This is what your father has done.”
“And you’ve forgiven him?”
“Yes, it is much too difficult to hold onto anger. Don’t you think?”
He chuckled. “Remember that whenever we have our first fight. Although I’m not sure we will ever do more than occasionally bicker. You are too sweet and I am too much in love with you. Hurting your feelings would hurt me more.”
“Goodness, I had no idea you were so softhearted.”
