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Lady Ashford pleaded with her eyes for Rose to be quiet. Rose inhaled, trying to calm herself.
“I’m afraid I cannot allow my daughter to marry a commoner,” Ashford said to Cameron.
Cam wiped his free hand nervously on his trousers. “My lord, I assure you that I can take care of her.”
“Really? Just what do you have to offer my daughter?”
“My love, most importantly.”
Ashford rolled his eyes. “You can’t live on love, Price.”
“Papa—”
“Enough, Rose. Let him speak his piece,” Ashford said.
Cameron cleared his throat. “I have a post as the house composer for the new Regal Theatre.”
“We heard his music last evening, Papa,” Lily said. “It was very well received.”
“And I can take private commissions.”
“And you expect to support my daughter in the manner she has become accustomed to as a theatre composer?”
“Well, perhaps not in the manner you have supported her, but—”
“I’m sorry, Price. It’s out of the question.”
“Papa,” Rose said. “We are in love, and we are going to marry.”
“You would defy my decision?”
“To be with the man I love, yes, I would,” Rose said.
“Well, that’s all fine and well,” Ashford said, “but you’re forgetting one tiny detail. You’re not of age, Rose.”
“I’ll be twenty-one in two months!”
“Until then, you require my permission to marry, and I will not give it.”
Rose looked pleadingly at Lily.
“Papa,” Lily said, “Daniel and I are acquainted with Mr. Price and his family. He is a good man, and he loves Rose.”
“I don’t need anyone to defend me,” Cameron said.
“Lily was just trying to—” Rose began.
“Yes, I know,” he said. “I mean no offense, Your Grace. I’m not used to having to sell myself.” He turned to Ashford. “I may not have been born a peer, my lord, but I love Rose more than anything in the world. She refused Xavier because she’s in love with me.”
“You are no doubt aware of her dowry?”
“I don’t give a damn about her dowry!”
Rose squeezed his hand, hoping he understood.
“Forgive me, my lord. I should have controlled that outburst.”
“You’re saying that you would marry her if she didn’t have a dowry?”
