Tristan’s eyes became two slits. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Please.” She touched his hand. “Let Papa talk.”
But Papa didn’t go on. He drummed his fingers on the armrest.
“Papa? I’m sure there’s a ‘but’ coming.” She pressed her lips hard.
He was pushing her to elope. She would do it if he didn’t leave her any choice.
Papa cleared his throat. Once, twice. He started to talk, then stopped, then started again. “If marrying Montcrest makes you happy, then I won’t oppose the union, only and exclusively because I love you, Effie. There isn’t any other reason.”
She shot up and hugged him. “Thank you.”
Papa patted her back. “But don’t expect me to become his best friend or sit with him in the drawing room at Christmas and smoke cigars.”
“As if I would ever want that,” Tristan muttered.
“Please,” she mouthed, shaking her head. “Would you shake hands now? Like two businessmen,” she said loudly.
She’d seen rival cats less belligerent than them. At first, neither of them moved, and she feared they might shout at each other.
“Please,” she said again, glancing from Tristan to Papa. “For me.”
Tristan’s jaw clenched as he shook Papa’s hand. Papa stared at him as if he were ready for a duel.
“Make her happy,” Papa said.
“I will make her very happy,” Tristan said in a steely tone.
They stood in front of each other for a moment too long, and the handshake became a tug-of-war with them squeezing each other’s hand too tightly.
She slid between them, separating them. “Excellent. So all is well.”
They both muttered under their breaths, and she chose not to bother understanding what they were saying. Besides, she didn’t care.
She was more than happy. “Would you mind leaving us alone for a moment?”
Papa’s expression said he didn’t approve. “Effie.”
“Please?”
He shook his head and took her hand before he looked at Tristan.
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek, aware she was pushing her luck.
Tristan said nothing, which was a good thing.
“We don’t have anything else to say for now.” Papa squared his shoulders. “Montcrest.”
“Winchester.”
If she paid attention, she could hear the noise of frost growing between them.
The moment Papa left, she jumped into Tristan’s arms. “I’m going to be Lady Montcrest.”
“And I’m going to be happy.” He kissed her almost savagely, causing her toes to curl. But what made her heart soar was knowing that feeling wasn’t going to end.
