“I invited your father,” Daphne suddenly said as she came up from behind. She had chosen a dark green dress with emeralds and placed her hair in a bun at the back of her head. “I didn’t think he should miss his youngest daughter’s wedding,” she explained. “I’ll admit that I didn’t expect him to come, but now that he is here, I am glad I sent the letter.” She looked at her daughters. “Everyone deserves a second chance, no matter what they have done in the past.”
“I’m sorry for everything that happened.” George twirled the rim of his hat in his hands as he took a step forward. “For everything that I’ve put this family through,” he said earnestly as his eyes filled with tears. “I know it may be hard to believe, but I only ever wanted to provide what was best for my family.”
“What the devil?!” Darragh spluttered angrily as he too joined the group. “What are ye doing here?” He advanced slightly with his fists at his sides.
“Calm yourself, my love.” Avery placed her hand on his arm. “My mother invited him with good intentions.” She held his gaze as she spoke. “He’s trying to change, and Mama thought it wouldn’t be right if he missed his youngest daughter’s wedding.”
Darragh clenched his jaw in anger but held his tongue as he looked into the eyes of his wife, slowing his breathing to match hers.
“My love?” George repeated with a slight smile. “So, things turned out to be a love match, after all?” He nodded in approval. “I’m glad that something good came out of everything. I wish the both of you nothing but happiness and joy.”
“Dinnae dare take credit for the love we have,” Darragh said through gritted teeth, then lowered his voice menacingly. “Avery an’ I built this love on our own. We found each other in the darkest of situations. I willnae let ye say that ye were the one responsible for that.”
“And I’m glad for it. I only meant that I…” George tried again but was quickly cut off when Daniel joined the party.
“Why are we all gathered here?” Daniel asked before stopping and glaring at George. “Will anyone care to tell me what’s happening?” His voice was low with anger, having dealt with George in the past and knowing everything that had happened.
“Mama invited him,” Melissa said, on the verge of tears.
She was having a hard enough time dealing with the fact that she married a rake, without having to deal with her past and the trauma her father’s actions had inflicted on the family. Looking at her mother, she noticed how she stood beside her father as if she were trying to win his approval again.
She knew that her mother had been content living at the castle with them all, but there had been times when Daphne had been lonely, longing for companionship that none of her daughters or grandchildren could provide. It made Melissa slightly ill when she began to wonder if her mother hadn’t been writing to her father all along.
“I see,” Daniel said coolly, glaring at the viscount.
“I want to apologize to everyone,” George said to him. “Now that you’re all here. I think it’s best to get it out of the way.”
“Get it out of the way?” Melissa said angrily, balling her fists at her sides. “Just like you tried to get your eldest daughter out of the way by using a marriage of convenience that would benefit your pocket as well as your reputation?” Angry tears spilled down her cheeks. “You never once thought of what you were doing to any of us. Why would now be any different?” The anger she had been suppressing for far too long suddenly bubbled to the surface. “Why should we believe that anything has changed now?”
Daniel placed his hand on her shoulder, pulling her back with gentle firmness. “I dinnae think this is the time,” he said calmly. “Yer daughter has just gotten married, an’ as noble as yer intentions were, I think we should all take a break an’ meet again in the morning.” He looked at each one in their little group. “I think Melissa needs some time to rest.”
Melissa felt a strange kind of warmth at the sudden protectiveness Daniel displayed toward her feelings and well-being.
He turned toward George. “I trust that ye have a place to stay?”
Darragh and Avery exchanged glances as they listened to Daniel speak. It was clear that everyone was taken by surprise at his sudden change in behavior toward his bride.
“I have a room in the tavern,” George answered sheepishly while rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s modest accommodation, but it is something, at least.”
“I think that might be best,” Daphne said, fully aware of how everyone was judging her for inviting her husband without saying a word. The proud glint in her eyes let them know that she stood by what she had done.
“I think we should proceed to the feast,” Darragh eventually added. “All of the guests will be waiting for us. Daniel is right, we can all look at things again in the morning when we’ve had time to rest.”
Daniel nodded in agreement. “We can talk again once everyone has had time to think.” He took Melissa’s hand, looping her arm through his while walking away from the group, gently guiding her along. “Now, if ye will all excuse us, there is something that I would like to show me bride,” he called over his shoulder. “We will join you all at the feast once we are done.”
Melissa watched as Avery gave Darragh a concerned look before biting her bottom lip. “Where are we going?” she asked as Daniel led her away. Her stomach was churning with nerves as they walked toward the castle.
Is this what Avery was referring to when she’d spoken of Daniel expecting more from me once we were married?
She hadn’t expected to be dragged away directly after sayingI do. If anything, she’d been preparing herself to push him away once they were alone after the feast.
“Ye will see.” He picked up the pace, guiding her toward the castle and leaving their guests behind. “I think ye need to see what I’m about to show ye.”
Her heart galloped in her chest as her long train fluttered behind them in the slight summer breeze.
Why am I not stopping him?
She felt herself wondering as they left the sounds of others far behind, headed to an unknown destination, hand in hand.
