Phoebe’s father hadn’t managed to wipe the surprised look from his face since they announced their engagement. It was becoming rather irritating.
“Well, this is a very unexpected development,” he said for the third time in ten minutes.
“But a welcome one,” her mother added with a warm smile.
“Most definitely,” he said with a vigorous nod before turning thoughtful. “But to be honest, I’d have thought Freddie the most likely to marry a duke.”
Freddie let out a loud snort. “As far as I am aware, the only other duke currently without a duchess is Dartmoor, and he must be close to sixty.”
“And still swarmed by fillies eager for the title,” their father added. “Besides, you’ve Hank Junior now.”
Freddie didn’t reply but her eyes noticeably dimmed.
“Have you settled on a wedding date?” her mother said, deftly changing the subject.
“We haven’t decided yet.Isuggested we elope,” Phoebe began,pointedly ignoring the choking sound her father made, “but Will talked me out of it.”
“I want to give Phoebe some time to adjust to her new role,” he explained. “And I want the whole of London society to see her become my wife.”
“Good,” her father said with a decided nod. “As it should be.” He then raised a bushy eyebrow at Phoebe, who couldn’t hide her surprise at this reaction.
“What about just before Christmas?” her mother suggested. “Oh, wouldn’t that be lovely. Think of the greenery!” She then launched into various details to consider, all of which Phoebe would leave up to her. This continued for several long minutes until her father leaned over to Will.
“I’d like a word with your betrothed in private,” he murmured.
“Of course,” Will said with a bow.
Phoebe gave him a confused shrug as she followed her father into his study.
“You’re angry Will didn’t come to you first,” she said as soon as he shut the door.
“Why must you always assume the worst of me?”
Phoebe’s mouth fell open. “I don’t!”
“You do,” he insisted. Then he shook his head. “Your mother was absolutely right. As usual.”
“What doesthatmean?” Phoebe asked hotly.
Her father let out a sigh and gestured to a chair before his desk. “Sit down, my dear.”
Phoebe hesitated for a moment before obeying.
Her father took his place behind his desk and clasped his hands. “Did you know I worked for my father’s biggest competitor before I went to work for him?” She shook her head, dumbfounded bythis revelation. Her father put nearly all of himself into Atkinson Enterprises, often at his family’s expense. “I needed to prove something to myself,” he explained. “Or maybe to us both.”
Phoebe’s mouth curved to one side. “Did Grandfather see it that way?”
He had been a stoic, intimidating man who rarely smiled, except for Freddie. She could get a smile out of anyone.
Her father let out a sharp laugh. “No. He was not pleased, to put it mildly. But I was very young and very stubborn. I got to see what it was like not to be the boss’s son and how another firm ran things. Both invaluable experiences that I brought back to the business when I was ready, which he allowed without question. Because he was a good businessman, and an even better father.” His voice warbled on the last word and Phoebe’s fingers twisted in her skirt. It would be so very difficult to remain cross with her father if he began to cry.
But then he blinked and met her gaze. The corner of his mouth lifted. “Your mother has always insisted we’re more alike than we realize. I can see it now.”
The dismissive snort was out before Phoebe could stop it, but her father was unmoved.
“I have only ever wanted what is best for you, yet you have challenged me at every turn. When I offered you a job at the company, you refused and struck out on your own. You evenlivedon your own—”
“Lots of girls do these days.”
