Page 18 (1/2)

He sighed again, this tiht after He pushed up off the sofa and walked over to theHe cut a strong figure as he stood in front of the towering , clasping his hands behind his back

I’d always adth, for the way he held hinity despite how he felt

“You are so arden “She didn’t want to marry me, did you know that?”

I shookwhen I realised he couldn’t see me “I didn’t”

“She didn’t want to be a duchess She didn’t want the pomp and circumstance that came with our family seat, but when she realised she’d enter as a countess and not a duchess, she softened She spent a lot of tirew to love the local people and the surrounding areas, and it was that that ree”

“A bit like how the Queen Mother didn’t want to ht?”

“He was the Duke of York then, but yes Essentially” He tilted his body ever so slightly “Your -willed and independent as you are I have no doubt she would have carved her own path had I not convinced her thatme was the best decision she’d ever make”

“If you say so”

He chuckled “Lord, I miss her every day, you know that?”

I nodded “I do, too I wish she were here” As I had every single day since cancer had taken her froo

“As do I She’d know exactly what to do with you You and your bloody brother” He laughed quietly to hi myself what she’d tellridiculous, and I should let you do as you please, given that you’re no longer a child That it’s not my responsibility to dictate who you marry”

I fought a s to do that, are you?”

“Of course not What is my job as your father if not to look out for you?” He shook his head, but I knew fronhts yesterday when I mentioned it?”

I groaned thinking of all the progress I hadn’t n however we’d like I have no inspiration whatsoever, and that sucks because I love garden design and I think I’d like to pursue it further”

“What if we make a deal?”

“A deal?” I raised my eyebrows “What kind of deal?”