He is definitely hiding something
“What did he promise you, Papa?” she pressed, her tone steely.
He got the message, eventually.
“The gentlemen were giving me the cut direct and not letting me back into clubs. No invites to balls, too.”
“He promised you that you would get your access back,” she muttered.
He did not need to confirm it. She knew it was true.
It just stung that her own father was willing to throw her to the dogs because he could not sit through boredom and the loss of his access to high society.
“I cannot marry him,” she murmured.
“Wait, Vi?—”
“I cannot marry him.”
“Why?”
“I am marrying Laird McLeod.”
“What? You cannot mean that.”
“I do.”
He was watching her with open shock, like he could not believe what he was hearing.
“Won’t you long for home? It cannot be easy to adjust to your new living conditions.”
“I am happy here, Papa,” she said simply. “I love the Highlands.”
He was quiet now, watching her closely. He must have seen something in her eyes because in the next moment, his posture relaxed and his tone mellowed.
“If that is so, I will leave you to your choice, even though I am not sure about having you very far away from me in a strange land.”
“It is not so strange anymore, Papa,” she assured him with a smile.
“If you are sure of your decision, then you have my blessing.” He tilted his head up to look at the sky, then turned to Ruaridh, gaze earnest. “While the day is still early, London is still days away. Can I find a place to rest in your castle till tomorrow morning, my Laird?”
“It is nay problem. Ye can stay as long as ye wish. Violet’s family is mine, too,” Ruaridh replied. “Ye can go to the castle. Tell anyone ye meet that I sent ye. They will prepare a room for ye.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” her father said, picking up his bag from where it sat at his feet and hurrying towards the castle beforeViolet could correct him. It seemed he was in a hurry to secure a room before Ruaridh decided to change his mind.
Ruaridh was decisive, unlikely to change his mind when he had made it up, but her papa did not know that.
“Thank you for letting my father stay,” she murmured when her father was out of earshot.
“It isnae something to worry about,” Ruaridh said distractedly, as if he had heavier matters weighing on his mind. “He is yer family, so that makes him mine as well.”
Violet simply nodded, letting the silence fall over them.
His eyes watched her father go as though he worried for him, and she smiled at his thoughtfulness, though the dark frown marring his face made her curious.
“Are you well, Ruaridh?” she asked with concern.
“Aye, I am well,” he answered. “Why do ye ask?”
