“I know what you want to tell me. I’ve waited for you all day.” She put the magazine aside. “Tristan.”
His expression hardened. “He had the cheek to come here and ask for your hand. Well, he didn’t ask. He was merely informing me.”
“Do you dislike him so much? I know he attacked you, but now the situation is different.”
“No, it isn’t.” He rubbed his chest, and she worried he might suffer from another moment of panic. “I didn’t tell you because I was too proud and didn’t want to worry you.”
“What?”
“He’s attacking me again, chipping away at my company.”
No, she wouldn’t believe that. “I doubt that. It can’t be him.”
“It can’t be a coincidence. Two people who try to destroy me financially in a short time.” He scratched his beard. “Of course it’s him.”
She straightened her spine. “He isn’t as cruel as you think. Quite the opposite. I mean to marry him.”
“I will never agree.” He meant it. His tone was implacable.
“Then I’m sorry because I love you, but I love Tristan as well.”
He took her hand and stared at her as if she were a child again and being unreasonable. “He isn’t the right man for you.”
“Let me decide that. Please. You’ve always respected my choices.”
“Marriage is forever. I don’t want to see you hurt by a ruthless man who doesn’t care about you.”
“Papa.” She squeezed his hand. “You’re wrong.”
“My lady.” A footman entered, breaking the tension. “It has just arrived, my lady. A coach is waiting for your answer.” He handed her a message.
“Who is it?” Papa demanded to know, releasing her hand.
She unfolded the piece of paper. Only a line from Tristan.I need your help. The breath flushed out of her lungs. He was going through another crisis. So soon.
“Tell the coachman I’ll go with him immediately.”
“What is it?” Papa tried to read the message, but she folded it.
“Horse emergency. I must go, or he might die.”
“Effie—”
“It’s important. I can’t let him die. He’s been under my care for a while.” She kissed his cheek. “Don’t be angry.”
“I’m not angry. I’m disappointed.”
That made her pause because it hurt. “I’m sorry, but I’m disappointed, too. You’re behaving as stubbornly as Tristan did. He came here to talk to you and show respect, and you’re using me to hurt him. But you’re hurting me.”
“It’s the opposite. I’m trying to protect you.”
“It’s my life. I want to marry Tristan. Don’t force me to do something drastic. And after the incident at Aldersgate Station, I confess I trust you less.”
He blanched. “For the last time, I didn’t lie.”
“But you didn’t change either.” She left the room before he could reply.
She got her coat and climbed into the carriage in a hurry both because she wanted to see Tristan and because she was angrywith her father. Her pulse raced as she thought of all the possible situations she might find Tristan in. If he’d been boxing again, he might have been risking his life.
