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Constance sat at the kitchen table before everyone had come down for breakfast. It was about two months to the day that she’d gone out to the Keagan’s property with James. She stared at the contents of her steaming mug, getting lost in her thoughts.
She’d just completed one overloaded semester and was getting closer to becoming a veterinary technician. After that, she’d have a couple more years of coursework and she’d be on her own.
Fear was becoming a thing of the past. With a degree like this, she wasn’t as worried about her father kicking her out of their home. The closer she got to it, the more she realized that maybe she’d assumed the worst of her father.
What man would kick out his daughter for wanting to get married? Sure, he’d threatened it when they were teenagers, but now? The thought seemed preposterous.
Zeke entered the kitchen and headed straight for the coffee maker. He opened the cupboard that was over the machine and retrieved a mug. His eyes met Constance’s briefly and they exchanged small smiles. He set to work dumping some sweetener and a little cream into his cup, then stirred it before he strode toward the kitchen table.
He sat down with a grunt and reached for the morning paper that sat unfolded on one side of the table. His grey eyes shifted to her before he started reading. “You have always been an early riser, but even this seems a bit early for you.”
She smiled, more to herself than to him. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Zeke’s gaze cut to hers for just a moment, then he flicked the paper and continued scanning it. “Anything I should be worried about?”
Constance turned her mug between her hands, attempting to come up with the words that had been begging to be let loose the second James had asked her on that first date. She opened her mouth, then shut it.
As much as she’d like to think there was an easy way to bring up the topic, she knew better. This was the one rule that even Adeline hadn’t been able to convince their father to drop. Why did she think she was any better?
No one else had stood up to him before, that’s why.
Constance chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I was thinking about the rule you have about getting married.”
The paper fluttered to the table and Zeke’s features tightened. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. His dark eyes seemed to grow cloudier and his jaw was so rigid that it could probably cut a diamond.
She ducked her head and lifted her mug to her lips. The scalding liquid burned the sensitive skin there and she winced. “Not that I want to get married right now, but I was wondering if I were to meet a man who you approved of… would I be given the chance to—you know—date him?”
“Is this about Dr. Pratt?”
Her eyes rounded and she shook her head vehemently. “No, it’s not about him. I mean it isn’t about anyone in particular.” Inwardly she cringed at the lies that continued to spew from her lips. When had telling lies become so second nature to her?
Constance’s stomach churned and suddenly she’d lost her appetite. She didn’t even want to hear her father’s response. Already she knew she’d hate it. If she could somehow make herself invisible and slip out of that room unnoticed, she would.
She just wasn’t that lucky.
“In answer to your question.”
Constance flinched, unwilling to meet her father’s shrewd gaze.
“No. I don’t see the purpose for any of you girls getting married before it’s your turn.” His voice was gruff and unwavering. He’d made his decision and she’d be forced to follow his rules.
“But Brielle isn’t—” she started.
“Brielle will decide when she’s good and ready. You don’t need to go off and marry the first man who gives you attention. That’s where you get into trouble. You need to find someone who is willing to wait for you.” He probably meant for his words to be inspiring or at least moderately romantic, but all she heard was the clanging sound of a cage being built around her.
She shot out of her chair and strode out of the room without another word. She’d heard that tone of voice before. She knew it like she knew every line, every wrinkle in her father’s face. He wasn’t going to change his mind for anything. The only way she’d get what she wanted was to break the rules and move out.
If she did that, she’d not only lose her home and her inheritance, she could possibly lose the relationships she had with her family. That was something she wasn’t prepared for.
Constance charged out the back door and toward the barn. Her father wouldn’t even consider listening to her side of things. Why did he have to be so stubborn? She wasn’t one of those girls who threw themselves at every guy they met.
A snort escaped her throat. Brielle fit that bill more than she did. As Constance continued her angry pace, her whole body was electrified by the fury she felt over not being heard. But it wasn’t just the fact her father had shut her down. She hated that she’d felt the need to even ask.
The more time they spent together, the more James brought it up. He might not say it in so many words, but he didn’t seem to mind hinting at it. She could practically read his mind on the subject. He wanted her to talk to her father so that they could be more out in the open. He wanted to hold her hand or kiss her without being worried that someone was watching or judging.
He’d do all of that and more if she didn’t put parameters around their relationship. She shouldn’t even have to make excuses. If James cared about her, he should be willing to accept what little she could offer right now. Was her dad right? Should James be willing to wait for her? It was all so confusing.
Constance stormed into the barn and saddled her horse as quickly as humanly possible. For once, she didn’t want to be here when James showed up. She couldn’t look him in the eye and tell him about her father without bursting into a puddle of tears.
