Henry chuckled. “You’ll have to face them sooner or later if you intend to proceed with this plan. Best sooner I’d say, so you save yourself from having to explain this muddle several times over.”
“But do you think your father will even be amenable to the idea after all I’ve done?”
“If you’re referring to your ungentlemanly lack of restraint with regard to Lilliana, I suggest you avoid the subject and focus on how you intend to acquire his blessing.”
With that Henry departed, leaving Tristan no less nervous than he’d been half an hour before.
Elation filled Lilli from head to toe the moment she entered her father’s study and saw Tristan. He was truly here. When the butler had announced him, her heart leapt. She’d scarcely dared believe it. So remaining in the parlor while Henry met with him first had not been easy. But one swift look at Papa had informed her she’d best not test him. So she’d sat utterly still, pretending invisibility, until Henry returned to calmly request Papa’s and her attendance.
“I’ve nothing to say to that man,” Papa said.
“On the contrary, I think you ought to hear him out,” Henry had told him, then added, “I’m glad I did.”
“Fine. But Lilliana stays here.” Papa stood. “I’ll not have her anywhere near him.”
“I was of a like mind until a few minutes ago,” Henry said, “but I’d like you to trust me, Papa. Lilliana needs to hear what he has to say as well.”
Additional arguing had ensued until Papa grudgingly conceded and agreed to let her join them.
Now her gaze met Tristan’s, the affectionate look in his eyes warming her until it felt like her whole body sparkled. It lasted but a second before he turned his attention to Papa. “Thank you, my lord, for agreeing to meet.”
“Considering my last encounter with you, I’ve a good mind to run you through.” Papa shifted his gaze toward the sword that hung on display above the fireplace.
“Duly noted.” Tristan held Papa’s gaze as if daring him to make good on his threat. Hard lines around his mouth accentuated the underlying determination with which he’d come.
Lilli’s heart beat faster.
“Say what you must then,” Papa ordered. “I’ve no mind to stand about here for the rest of the day.”
“My lady,” Tristan said, addressing her with a gentleness that stood in stark contrast to his rigid posture. “Perhaps you’d like to sit?”
Since the room contained only three chairs, Lilli declined the offer. “I’m fine. Please proceed.”
The edge of Tristan’s mouth drew slightly upward, revealing the barest hint of a smile. “Very well. For starters I think it prudent to make one thing perfectly clear. I love you, Lilli. Your ability to look beyond position and station and see a person for who they are at their core has captivated my heart entirely. I love you for your boisterous nature, your energetic approach to life, and your joyful spirit. Your fondness for your family, the concern you show toward the dowager countess, and the affectionate way in which you speak of your parents and brother reflect your caring nature. You’ve a gentler side I’m sure is often missed on account of your forceful vitality.”
He paused for a second, allowing Lilli to return to solid ground. Because the way he described her not only confirmed his love, it proved that he truly saw her. Not simply as the lady she’d been raised to be or the restless girl who’d always struggled with every rule of propriety forced upon her, but as a person with wonderful characteristics.
Even as her eyes misted with deep emotion, she dared a glimpse at Papa and noted his features had softened to some degree.
“As Lord Islington’s employee, however,” Tristan continued, “I knew you were beyond my reach. It was wrong of me to enjoy your company as I did since nothing could ever come of it. But with each passing moment we shared, adding distance grew harder until…” He cleared his throat and straightened his back. “In a way, I’m thankful to Islington for ending my employment and forcing me away, because it provided me with the only opportunity I’ll ever have of trying to win you in earnest. As a gentleman.”
“Tristan, you know I’d have–”
“Lilliana,” Papa warned with cutting efficiency.
Tristan glanced at him before shifting his gaze back to her. “Whatever hasty idea you may have had, Lilli, I would never have let you implement it.”
Silence followed as everyone absorbed that statement. Blood rushed through Lilli’s veins. She could scarcely believe it. The man she loved and who’d just declared loving her in return would not have agreed to elope with her after the masquerade if they had not been discovered?
As if hearing her unspoken question he said, “The last thing I’d ever want is to wreck your life and leave you worse off than before you met me. With nothing to offer, I saw no point in telling you the truth since I didn’t believe it would make any difference. Until I returned home and learned of a deal my father made with Baron Shrewsberry.”
“Shrewsberry?” Papa practically spat the name. “What the hell does he have to do with all this?”
“He’s engaged to my sister, Iris, who’s only sixteen years of age,” Tristan said, the disgust he felt at the very idea evident in his twisted expression.
Lilli took a sharp breath. Grandmama had been right. The stone would not make an impossible match which had to mean…
“You’re more than what you gave yourself out to be,” she said with rising excitement. “You must be if a baron is willing to marry into your family.”
