Page 76 of The Duke of Kisses
Tears stung Fanny’s eyes as she realized she didn’t know when she would see Patience next. But wait, of course she did. “Patience, you must come to Suffolk for my wedding. Promise me you will. I will pay for everything, if you need me to.” Fanny winced inwardly, hating how that sounded, but desperate for her friend to come.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Patience’s eyes shone as she beamed at Fanny. “Now, go on your way before we both turn into watering pots.”
Fanny bent and kissed Frances’s cheek, then did the same to her mother. Moving quickly, she exited the church, where she met John and Mercy, who were speaking with guests as they departed. She darted a glance toward David’s coach across the street but didn’t see him.
“Are you really not coming to the breakfast?” John asked, drawing her attention. He was tall and fair-haired like their father, before the elder John’s hair had turned mostly white.
“No,” she said. “I’m eager to start my journey south. Mother and Father wouldn’t want me there anyway.”
He exhaled. “No, they likely would not. I’m sorry to see you leave like this, Fanny. I do hope your earl will marry you.”
“You don’t believe he will either?” She let out a rather unladylike snort.
Mercy elbowed her new husband in the ribs. “Of course her earl will marry her. Don’t be a dolt like your father.”
Fanny had to stifle a smile at her friend and ally. Feeling slightly better, she turned to her brother. “I wish you every happiness, John.” She gave him a brief hug, then hugged Mercy.
As she pivoted toward her coach, which was parked in front of David’s, she wondered if he had perhaps changed his mind about speaking to her father. That might be for the best, she decided.
Alas, David had not changed his mind.
He approached her parents, who stood on the path leading to the street through the churchyard, his face intent. Fanny hurried to join them, hoping things could stay somewhat civil.
David offered a gallant bow that made Fanny’s heart sing. If this went poorly, it wouldn’t be because of him. “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Snowden. I’m St. Ives.”
Her father sneered. “The jackanapes who plans to run off with my daughter.”
Fanny moved to stand next to David. “He’s not a jackanapes, Father.”
“Nor am I running off with Fanny,” David said calmly. “We are to be wed in Clare. We’d hoped to obtain your blessing.”
Fanny’s mother reached for her and clutched her hand in a rather painful grip. “You can’t marry him. His family likely had your great-uncle killed.” She dashed a furtive glance toward David.
“We did no such thing.” David’s evenness was beginning to fray as his voice rose slightly. He sent a dark stare toward Fanny’s father. “Your uncle kidnapped my aunt.”
Fanny’s father leaned forward with a menacing glower. “He did no such thing. They were in love. He wrote a letter to my father saying so.”
David’s gaze flickered with surprise. “Where is this proof?”
“Long since lost.” Fanny’s father shifted his weight. “That doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Forgive me if I don’t believe you,” David said, his lip curling.
Fanny wanted to side with David—the man she loved. But it was entirely possible the story her father told was true. She moved slightly, angling herself between them. “There’s no way to know what happened. We can all agree on one thing: it was a tragedy. Would it be better to move forward with a joyous occasion such as our wedding?” She wasn’t sure why she was even trying to make amends with her parents when they were so intent on being disagreeable.
Her father turned on her, his eyes blazing. “It would not be a joyous occasion, you ridiculous chit. It would be a betrayal—as bad as anything your sister has done, if not worse.”
“What did you just call her?” David’s question was deathly quiet, but the violent surge in his gaze made Fanny’s neck prickle.
“Whatever I want.” Her father barely spared him a glance.
David’s arm shot out fast, his hand gripping her father’s elbow. “Apologize to her. I won’t allow you to speak to my future wife in such a manner.”
Her father wrenched his arm away. “I’ll speak to her however I damned well please.”
And then he pulled his other arm back and sent his fist into David’s face.
* * *
