“Greydon…” she started but was interrupted by her father storming into the room. His eyes latched on to Greydon and they narrowed slightly.
“What is the meaning of dismissing the maid?” he demanded.
Enid tilted her chin. “I sent her away.”
Her father shifted his gaze towards her. “Do you intend to throw propriety out the window as well?”
Greydon spoke up. “If anyone is to blame, it is I.”
“I somehow doubt that,” her father muttered. “I think it would be best if you said your goodbyes to my daughter and retire for the evening.”
“As you wish.” Greydon turned towards her and bowed. “Goodnight, my lady.”
She dropped into a curtsy. “Goodnight, Lord Rushcliffe,” she responded. “Allow me to walk you to the door.”
Her father shook his head. “I will do so.”
Enid didn’t wish to fight with her father, at least not in front of Greydon, so she conceded. “Very well.”
She watched their retreating figures and then heard the main door open and close. No surprise to her, her father stormed back into the room with pursed lips. “You cannot be alone with a gentleman. Do you not care a whit for your reputation or Lord Rushcliffe’s?”
“I care greatly for Lord Rushcliffe’s reputation.”
“Then prove it,” her father responded harshly.
Her mother appeared in the doorway with a frown on her face. “George, we talked about this,” she said firmly.
Some of the anger dissipated from her father’s expression, but not much. “I just wanted Enid to know—”
Her mother cut him off. “You made your point, did you not?”
“I did,” her father reluctantly agreed.
“Now say something nice to Enid.”
Her father looked displeased by his wife’s request. In a forced voice, he said, “You look well, Enid.”
Her mother nodded in approval. “That wasn’t so hard. Was it?” She shifted her gaze to Enid. “What do you say to your father?”
Enid resisted the urge to roll her eyes but rather she said, “Thank you, Father.”
Her mother smiled victoriously as she glanced between them. “That is how you two can communicate without fighting. Isn’t it wonderful?”
“I suppose so,” her father replied. “Shall we adjourn to dinner and finish our dessert?”
Her mother accepted her father’s arm and asked, “Will you be joining us, Enid?”
“I think I will go spend some time with Marigold before she retires for bed.”
“You’d best hurry, then,” her mother encouraged.
Enid followed them out into the entry hall before she headed up the stairs. She always treasured every moment she had with Marigold. Her daughter was the reason why she had never given up, even when the odds were stacked against her, but she was beginning to realize that Greydon was right. It was time to let go of the anger of her past and embrace the future. Her future. A future that included Greydon.
ChapterNineteen
Greydon walked along the uneven pavement as the morning sun was low in the sky. His plain brown, ill-fitting jacket and matching trousers were scratchy against his skin, but he had more important matters that he had to deal with.
He had received word from one of his informants that he had some information that he would find interesting. But he would only meet him at The Shifty Bandit tavern in an unsavory part of Town at dawn.
