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He sighed again, this time rubbing his hand down his face right after. He pushed up off the sofa and walked over to the window. He cut a strong figure as he stood in front of the towering window, clasping his hands behind his back.
I’d always admired my father for his strength, for the way he held himself with the utmost dignity despite how he felt.
“You are so much like your mother,” he said softly, staring out at the garden. “She didn’t want to marry me, did you know that?”
I shook my head, stopping when I realised he couldn’t see me. “I didn’t.”
“She didn’t want to be a duchess. She didn’t want the pomp and circumstance that came with our family seat, but when she realised she’d enter as a countess and not a duchess, she softened. She spent a lot of time in Cheddar and grew to love the local people and the surrounding areas, and it was that that made her agree.”
“A bit like how the Queen Mother didn’t want to marry King George VI, right?”
“He was the Duke of York then, but yes. Essentially.” He tilted his body ever so slightly. “Your mother was just as strong-willed and independent as you are. I have no doubt she would have carved her own path had I not convinced her that marrying me was the best decision she’d ever make.”
“If you say so.”
He chuckled. “Lord, I miss her every day, you know that?”
I nodded. “I do, too. I wish she were here.” As I had every single day since cancer had taken her from us just before Christmas four-and-a-half years ago.
“As do I. She’d know exactly what to do with you. You and your bloody brother.” He laughed quietly to himself. “Right now, I’m asking myself what she’d tell me to do with you. She’d tell me I’m being ridiculous, and I should let you do as you please, given that you’re no longer a child. That it’s not my responsibility to dictate who you marry.”
I fought a smile. “You’re not going to do that, are you?”
“Of course not. What is my job as your father if not to look out for you?” He shook his head, but I knew from his tone that he was smiling. “What’s your current assignment? The one that makes you resemble a deer in headlights yesterday when I mentioned it?”
I groaned thinking of all the progress I hadn’t made. “We’ve been given a plot of land to cultivate and design however we’d like. I have no inspiration whatsoever, and that sucks because I love garden design and I think I’d like to pursue it further.”
“What if we make a deal?”
“A deal?” I raised my eyebrows. “What kind of deal?”
“There are portions of our estate that are in need of some love.” He finally turned around and met my eyes. “I will have Miles draw out a plot for you that is equal to your assignment. I understand you’re running out of time for your assignment, but I will give you two weeks. In that two weeks, I will refrain from my usual matchmaking and leave you be, but you will create a space that will eventually be part of the public gardens.”
Gulp.
His gaze bore into me. “If you fail, you will meet with men whom I deem to be acceptable suitors for you.”
Double gulp.
“If you succeed…” He trailed off and steeled himself. “I will pay for any and all courses you need to fulfil your dreams, and I will refrain from playing Cupid and allow you to live your life the way you see fit.”
Oh.
That was unexpected.
“Gabriella?”
“I’d take it.” Aunt Cat leaned against the door frame with her arms folded across her chest. “It’s the best you’re going to get.”
I glanced at her. “I have two days to submit a plan for my assignment.”
Daddy looked at me, his eyes shining with laughter. “You’d better get started then, hadn’t you?”
CHAPTER SIX
Getting started was easier said than done when you considered I had one hundred people every single day vying for my attention on the Internet.
After retiring to my bedroom with both my dinner from the previous night and my breakfast from this morning, I answered a ton of questions and scheduled the replies to post over the course of the next two days. I needed to focus entirely on this assignment, and maybe a physical plot of land was what I needed to get inspired.
Although I was really pushing it at this point.
I clasped my notebook with grid paper close to my chest as I made my way to the unused area of land my father had long wanted to expand the public gardens into. I already knew exactly which area he’d given me—it surrounded a large patio that he wanted to house picnic benches so visitors could sit and enjoy lunch. It was a little out of the way but close to the play area with swings and other things for children, so it was perfectly situated for parents.
