“Papa.” Horrified by the potential ramifications of her actions, which were swiftly exceeding anything she’d believed possible, Louise swallowed the apprehension she’d always felt over facing her father, straightened her spine, raised her chin, and infused her voice with as much strength as she could manage. “Mr. Berkly only did as I asked because he thought I’d reached my majority. He’s an excellent surgeon, Papa, without whom the world will be worse off. You cannot threaten his career due to something for which I am to blame. I simply won’t allow it.”
“You won’t allow it?” Papa stared at her as if she’d gone mad.
Perhaps she had.
Undaunted by this possibility, she stared her father down. He would not harm Mr. Berkly. “If you do, I’ll tell Mama about Paris.”
“Damn you,” Papa seethed. He glared at her as if he was tempted to call her out too.
“If that is all,” Mr. Berkly said, his tone devoid of all emotion, “I believe I’ll take my leave. Just make sure you have someone check your left eye once you arrive back in London.”
He turned away.
“Don’t you dare follow him,” Papa snapped when Louise prepared to do precisely that.
Ignoring her father’s words of warning, she went in pursuit. “Mr. Berkly. Please wait.”
“Get back here this instant, Louise.” Her father’s voice filled the air like cannon fire. She did her best to block it out and called for Mr. Berkly once more.
He drew to a halt and looked at her in much the same way one might regard a stranger. The blank stare shattered her heart. “I believe I’ve fulfilled my responsibilities toward you as your surgeon, my lady. My duties in London have been neglected long enough, and with your father now here to assist you, I must return.”
“What about your responsibilities toward me as a friend?” she asked, barely squeezing the words past the knot forming in her throat when he resumed walking.
“Friends don’t lie to each other,” he said, this time without looking back.
Before Louise could stalk after him, her father grabbed her arm. “Let him go.”
She rounded on him in anger and pain and pure frustration so awfully sharp she feared she might burst. “He’s a good man, Papa.”
“He may well be. But that doesn’t make him suitable company for an earl’s daughter.” He grabbed his horse roughly by the reins and began leading it to the front of the house. “As for you, I expected better. If word of this gets out, you’ll be ruined.”
“No one will know.”
“You’d better pray that’s true,” he snarled. “Good God, Louise. I ought to have you committed.”
The words were spoken so harshly they felt like a slap in the face. Fighting back tears, she recommenced walking. They’d almost reached the house before she dared say, “I’d like to see him again once we return to London.”
Papa sent her a scathing look. “Out of the question.”
“But—”
“You will never speak that man’s name again. Is that clear?”
Louise knew her father well enough to realize there was no point in arguing with him further. He’d formed his opinion and meant to stand by it. Still, she could not stop from saying, “Think what you will, Papa. In my estimation, Mr. Berkly—”
“I just sai—”
“Is worthy of greater esteem than any other man I have ever met. Including you.”
“How dare you insult me?” Without warning, Papa’s hand caught her arm. He yanked her closer to his side and told her with biting curtness, “We’re going to find you a husband so someone else can take responsibility for you. I’m done.”
He released her.
“Have you no wish to see me happy?” she asked, almost choking on her emotions.
“Happiness is inconsequential,” Papa muttered with the sort of quiet resignation that would suggest he’d sacrificed his long ago. “All that matters is duty.”
They were close enough to the front of the house now to hear a door slam. Within another couple of seconds, Mr. Berkly galloped past at breakneck speed. Louise blinked. She’d not imagined he’d pack and be gone so quickly. She’d thought she’d have time to try another apology and explanation. The fact that he’d left with such haste was testament to the extent of his anger. Her spirit drooped as a result, made worse by the smirk her father gave her.
