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“That would require a proposal.”
“One seeks to offer,” I whispered when she stood in front of me. “But I have been given a condition.”
“A condition?”
I nodded. “Your father is not pleased with my situation and will not approve until Fitzwilliam has been found.”
“What?” she asked a little too loudly, as the music faded and our dance ended. She noticed quickly and adjusted her forlorn expression.
I offered my hand to lead her from the floor. “It is my full intention to propose to you,” I whispered, taking her farther away from the eager ears. “For nothing in this world would make me happier than to have you as my wife.”
“But all that stands between us is my father?” She frowned.
“Not your father.” I did not wish her to blame him. “It is Fitzwilliam. Your father worries that with such a vicious person threatening me, you may be injured in some way.”
“Have you not been seeking to apprehend him all these years?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then it is a possibility that it could take you even more years?”
“I hope it will not—”
“But it could. What if after his attack on you he flees the country?” she pressed.
“I doubt he would.” The only way he’d managed to hide this successfully was thanks to Datura, I was sure. The woman still had spies around Everely. In fact, I was of the mind that he had confessed to his attack on me, so she had come to see herself.
“ ‘I hope.’ ‘I doubt,’ ” Aphrodite repeated sadly, holding her hands and hanging her head. “How does one cast their future on such things?”
Fear crept into me at her words. “Aphrodite, I swear to you, I will accomplish this and then—”
“And then propose?” She glanced up. “Do you not think I have waited long enough?”
“Of course, but—”
“I am tired of being forced to wait for the life I want, Evander. I will talk to my father.”
Eyes wide, I stepped in her path, stopping her. “You cannot.”
“Why not?”
“Because he has already spoken on the matter, so all you will do is anger him. He has given me a task, and I will complete it and gain your hand.”
“My hand is already yours, Evander. It has always been yours. Why must my father—”
“He is your guardian.”
“I am of age. More so now.” The determination in her eyes made my heart stir. But I couldn’t ruin my chance this time by being impatient.
“You may be of age, Aphrodite, but you are still under your father’s care. Will you make me a thief, or worse, a rogue with no respect for the order of things? He could shun us both. Your dowry, are you going to forsake that? Surely, I would take care of you always, but even still, your father may refuse to see you again. Approval isn’t just a formality, it is peace, and I could not bear knowing I had broken it in your home.”
“My father would never. You know he is a kind man.”
“Nevertheless, it is not proper to take advantage of his kindness and love of you.”
Her shoulders dropped. She inhaled deeply, staring at my hand. “I understand your concerns. Truly. Have you thought of mine?”
“Yes.”
