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But Winnie had already closed off her feelings.
Be like Fort Knox.
“I’ll take until Monday, if that’s okay?” she responded, then she stood, signaling her desire to end the conversation.
She couldn’t remain there any longer. She had too much to hide and too much to feel.
As they made their way to the door, Mr. Wintour continued, his eyes still soft.
“Keep your chin up,” he said with another encouraging smile. “Perfection is nice to strive for in theory, but all it really does is cause us disappointment. Humans weren’t born to thrive on such feelings, no matter what the world tells us.” They stopped at the door, and he leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. “Or no matter what our fathers tell us.”
The understanding in his tone, the words he spoke, struck a chord within Winnie’s heart, strumming it with such care and compassion, tears sprang to her eyes.
She looked away, embarrassed by her emotion. “Thanks, Mr. Wintour. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He pulled in his lips and gave a single nod just as she started down the hallway.
Now Winnie could only pray that, come morning, Mr. Wintour would show her the same forgiveness he’d shown her today because she wasn’t going to wait until Monday to make her choice. She’d already decided that Winnie-Freakin’-Knox would be leaving England tomorrow. For good.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Matthew watched from around the corner as Winnie slumped down the corridor, stopping a distance away from Dad’s study and slipping off her heels one-by-one. He had never seen her without them before, nor had he seen her shoulders so low.
It was his fault. All of it.
When it was clear to everyone that the festival had not been as monumental a success as Winnie had hoped, she’d still held that typical Winnie Knox confidence in front of them. Now it was clear how she really felt.
Instead of the satisfaction he’d hoped to enjoy at her dejection, guilt swirled in Matthew’s chest. She shouldn’t feel disappointment at all, really. Even with the small hiccups that had occurred, she’d quadrupled attendance and brought in more joy and laughter than he’d seen on the guests’ faces in years. All of this was due to her courage to try new ideas, advertise in new places, and make big changes—all of which he’d been unable to do himself.
He could only imagine what she might’ve been able to accomplish with Matthew actually trying to help. But it was too late for that. And now? Now it was time to eat crow, his least favorite meal ever. He only prayed he’d be able to stomach Dad’s look of disappointment, too.
With a sigh, he moved to the study and gave a gentle knock. “It’s me.”
“Come in, son.”
Matthew did as he was told, entering the study to find Dad sitting on his chair, staring into the fire with a book on his lap—open, though unread.
Matthew sat across from him. “I need to speak with you about something.”
“What is it?”
Matthew drew a breath. “Did you…”
“No. I didn’t let her go. And I hope you’re not here to tell me that she deserves to be.”
Matthew winced. Of course Dad would assume that’s why Matthew was there. He scooted forward on his seat. “Actually, I’m here for the opposite reason. To convince you to give her another chance at the festival.”
Finally, Dad’s eyes shifted toward him, his brow raised in surprise. “Is that so?”
Matthew nodded.
“And why is that?”
“Because she’s not to blame for the feedback the event received. I am.”
Dad stared, clearly waiting for him to continue.
“I didn’t help her when I should have,” Matthew said. “I did once, but after that, I made the conscious decision to allow her to do what she wished because I knew her changes wouldn’t be responded to well. I wanted her to fail so she would leave earlier, then I could have control over my event again.” He lowered his eyes with a self-disgracing shake of his head. “I know I shouldn’t have, and I regret it now, especially seeing what she was able to accomplish even with my scheming. But you have to give her a second chance. Let her prove to you what she’s capable of doing, and I’m sure this time, she’ll fully succeed.”
