Page 87 of The Moonstone Hero
“But Papa—”
“No!” He frowned at her, as well as Imogen, and even their dear mother. They were all in his study, the ladies summoned by him for a conference immediately upon their return from Lady Mayberry’s musicale.
What a disastrous affair that turned out to be.
First to be called an immoral harlot, then to watch a fight almost break out between Caden’s grandfather and those Scottish dukes. But it hadn’t ended there, and Ella quickly related to Imogen all that had gone on. “Then Caden’s grandfather turned on him and spouted the foulest invectives.”
“What a show that must have been,” Imogen muttered.
“The young ladies who were giving their recital were so rattled, they could not sing a single note in tune. Not one of them. It was painful to watch.”
“And how was Caden through it all?”
“I hardly saw him afterward. He disappeared with Solway and Mar, and only turned up at the very end of the evening. That did not sit well with Papa, hence his ranting at me now.”
“Ella, that is so unfair.”
Their father heard the comment. “Unfair? Am I supposed to laugh off the insults hurled at Ella?”
Imogen stared down at her toes. “No, Papa.”
Ella cleared her throat. “They were whispers. No one dared say anything to my face.”
“And is that not worse? Lying, scorning, and belittling you behind your back?” He turned to their mother in chagrin. “Charlotte, am I wrong in wanting to protect our daughter?”
Ella groaned inwardly because she already knew what their mother’s answer would be. She had never disagreed with anything their father had said during the entire course of the marriage. It was quite frustrating oftentimes, because she was so steadfast in her support of him. She was no simpleton who merely nodded on command and deferred to all his opinions. In her eyes, their father was the most brilliant man who ever existed. It was as simple as that.
“No, my love. You are not wrong,” she said.
Her husband gave a satisfied grumble. “You see, Ella? We are only thinking of your well-being.”
Ella stood to face her father. “No, Papa. You are thinking like a father wanting to protect his child. But I am not a child anymore. I am old enough to be married, and my heart wants Caden. I could never accept anyone else. So do not think to have us end the betrothal. Let us marry quietly now. We can still hold the wedding breakfast as originally planned. We can even go through with a second wedding ceremony as originally planned, if you wish. But do not ask me and Caden to separate.”
Her father cast her a stubborn scowl. She had never seen him look so put out before. “What you experienced this evening will be nothing to the dirty tricks the Duke of Seaton will play while trying to stop Lord Mersey from swaying the House of Lords. I appreciate that Caden is fighting for justice, but his grandfatherand his business associates are fighting for a king’s ransom wrapped up in those gold mines.”
“Which Fulke unlawfully seized forthem, and not the Crown, at the cost of the lives of hundreds of men. Caden is not suggesting we do anything but return those properties to their rightful owners and strike our deals with them, whether it be to purchase those mines outright or operate in partnership, or merely contract for the mineral rights.”
“I don’t care what his reasons are. I will not have you caught between two raging bulls. Mersey was right to keep you out of it. I’m sorry he changed his mind, and even sorrier I agreed.”
Ella was now on the verge of tears. “So you would humiliate me further by making me break off the betrothal? Tear us apart? I will be ruined if you make me do this.”
Her father caressed her cheek. “I am not saying you cannot ever marry him. You would only have to wait until this matter is resolved in Parliament.”
“But it could take years!” What if Caden got tired of waiting for her? She was two years away from being of age to marry without her father’s consent. While she and Caden could run off to Gretna Green, when would they do this? He was going to be caught up in political haggling for the foreseeable future. If he left London now, it would set his cause back, perhaps irrevocably.
Her father was unmoved. “He will understand. If he loves you, he will wait forever.”
“Can you promise me this?”
“You know I cannot, my child. But perhaps Lord Mersey can give you some assurance.” He glanced over her head toward the door, where their butler and Caden were standing.
Ella was surprised to see him quietly waiting there. How long had he been listening in?
“Never mind announcing him, Merrick.” Her father waved Caden in. “Join us, lad. We have a lot to discuss.”
“So I gather. Ella…” Caden opened his arms to her, and she ran to him.
“He wants me to break off our betrothal. Tell him it is a terrible idea and he is wrong.”
