He kissed her forehead and pulled her against him tighter. Across the seat, Daphne tried to hide a grin as she looked away. Elias, however, chuckled as if it were funny to see his sister kissing a man.
When the coach stopped, Broderick opened the door and hopped out before assisting Emmie down. She glanced at the second coach that had a few of her mother’s servants along with Anna as they rode with the trunks. Emmie didn’t want to wait for Anna to climb out to instruct her on what to do, so she hurried toward the house, Broderick following closely behind. Thankfully, Mr. and Mrs. Crampton had decided to stay in Brighton for another day to allow Emmie’s family to use the house for their special homecoming.
When they reached the door, she inhaled deeply before entering. She looked at Broderick and smiled. “Let me do all the talking.”
He chuckled. “Yes, dear.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.”
She hurried inside, peering in every room until she noticed her father reading a book on the sofa in the sitting room. Moistening her suddenly dry throat with a swallow, she stepped inside.
Her father’s head jerked toward her. Immediately, he set the book down and stood, holding out his arms. He beamed with happiness. “Welcome back, my little Emmie.”
She rushed into his embrace and hugged him tight. “Oh, I have missed you so.”
“Not as much as I have missed you.” He kissed her cheek and pulled away.
It was then when his attention moved behind her. “Father,” she said quickly before he could ask, “I told you I was bringing you a couple of surprises, and this is one of them.” She motioned to Broderick. “Father, meet the Marquess of Wilshire, Broderick Worthington. He is Mr. and Mrs. Crampton’s nephew.”
Broderick stepped forward and offered his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir. I feel as if I know you, since your daughter has talked nonstop about you.”
Her father shook Broderick’s hand. “It is always a pleasure to meet Henry’s family. I fear it’s been years since I have seen my good friend. How is he faring?”
“Quite well. He and my aunt will be home tomorrow. I’m sure my uncle will enjoy catching up on old times with you.”
Her father nodded. “I would certainly enjoy that.”
She dared to move closer to Broderick, even right up next to him. Slowly, Broderick slid his arm around her waist. Her father watched every movement until his eyes widened in understanding.
Once again, she quickly offered up explanation before her father said anything. “And Father, Broderick and I have become… um… very close lately. And he would like to ask you a question.”
Broderick cleared his throat and squared his shoulders. “Lord Langston, I have fallen deeply in love with your daughter, and I would like your permission to marry her.”
Emmie held her breath as her father’s focus darted between her and Broderick. Smiling, she cuddled closer to him and laid her hand on his chest. “Father, I love him with all my heart, and I cannot imagine life without him.”
Blowing out a gust of air from between his lips, her father scratched his brown hair, sprinkled lightly with strands of white. He scrubbed his chin, studying Broderick closely.
She removed her attention from her father and gazed lovingly at Broderick. He had colored his hair brown again to hide the natural black. He did this so as not to get noticed. One of these days she would like to see him with his natural color. Their children would have raven hair, too, she just knew it.
“Well,” her father finally said. “I must admit this is quite a surprise—a shock, in fact. Emiline, my dear, I had no idea yoursurprisewould be bringing home a man.”
She chuckled. “Actually, I brought home more than that, but right now, I wanted to have you meet this wonderful man who risked his life to save mine.”
Her father’s eyes widened. “What is this you say?”
Shaking her head, she waved her hand through the air. “That is another story, which I will gladly tell you, but for now, we are anxiously awaiting an answer.”
He paced in front of the hearth with his hands behind his back. “I suppose I need to know where the marquess plans to live if I give you both my blessings.”
“Actually,” Broderick said, “we plan on living in Devonshire. I have recently been given this title and some lands in that location.”
Finally, her father stopped and faced them, a smile stretching across his face. “Now that is the answer I was seeking.” Hestepped forward and clapped his hand on Broderick’s shoulder. “Welcome to the family, son.”
Emmie sighed in relief and hugged her father. Broderick moved to shake his hand again, but her father gave him a hug instead. They all laughed together. It was then she realized Broderick was even taller than her father, and she’d always thought he was a large man. And even though her father’s shoulders were wide, Broderick’s were even wider.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to give him the next big surprise. “Well, now that is all settled, do you want your next surprise?”
