“A man’s reputation is not as fragile as a woman’s, and it can be restored over time.”
Enid pushed the food on her plate around with her fork. “What if Lord Rushcliffe grows tired of having me as a wife? Will he grow to resent me?”
Her father sighed. “I know you have endured more obstacles than most, but that doesn’t mean you give up on love.”
“I have Marigold to think about now. I can’t just do whatever I want, no matter what my heart dictates.”
“Yes, but Marigold needs a father.”
Enid placed her fork down as the image of Greydon holding Marigold in the gardens came to her mind. He seemed so unsure, but he was still protective of her child at the same time. He would make a brilliant father, but was he prepared for the responsibility of raising another man’s child?
“You are smiling,” her father pointed out.
“Am I?” Enid asked as she schooled her features.
Her father gave her a knowing look. “I daresay you agree with me.”
“That is impossible,” Enid joked. “We haven’t agreed with one another in years.”
To her surprise, her father chuckled. “That we haven’t, but I am hoping that will change in the future.”
Enid felt herself relax around her father. Perhaps they were on a path of reconciliation? Or was she being entirely too optimistic and misjudged the situation completely? She never knew with her father.
“In a world full of uncertainties, shouldn’t you try to live life to the fullest?” her father asked.
“It isn’t that simple.”
“No, it isn’t,” her father said, “but Leonardo Da Vinci once said- ‘Life without love, is no life at all.’”
“Should I just ignore everything that Lord Rushcliffe has to give up to be with me?”
Her father’s face softened. “I suspect that he doesn’t think it is much of a sacrifice,” he replied. “My question to you is- what are you willing to give up to have a chance at happiness?”
“I am happy,” she rushed to reply. “Marigold makes me happy.”
“I don’t dispute that, but you deserve to carve out your own future.”
Enid lowered her gaze to her plate as she tried to come up with another argument about why she couldn’t be with Greydon, but her mind was blank. She wanted to be with him. She wanted to love him. But it was her own fears that were stopping her.
Her father leaned forward and said, “I know you are scared, but what is your heart telling you to do?”
She brought her gaze back up to meet his. “My heart beats only for him.”
“Then you must do something about that.”
“And if I am wrong?”
His eyes held mirth as he replied, “You already got rid of one husband, why not another?”
Her mouth dropped before a slight giggle emerged. “That is awful of you to say.”
“But it made you laugh.”
“That it did,” Enid agreed.
Her brother’s voice came from the doorway. “Did I hear laughter in here?” Malcolm asked. The confusion was written on his face.
Her father leaned back in his seat and the usual gruff look came to his face. “You must have been hearing things.”
