Page 93 of Juliet's Touch

Ironically, Juliet had expected her father to cave to her whims once she bamboozled him with eyelash flutters and pleading eyes. She would never have guessed that her mother would be the one to take up her cause. She credited Eric’s magical masculine charisma for this miracle.

Father opened his eyes. “Theodosia, do you truly believe that this marriage is in Juliet’s best interest?”

Mother nodded. “I do. Mr. Stone is a good man, I can tell.”

True. And he was so incredibly handsome that no woman, not even the proper, prosaic Theodosia Coldpepper, could resist him.

“Juliet, do you understand that you will be ostracized from society?” Father asked.

“I do. But not by the Becketts. And not by you and Mother, or Maria, or anyone who matters to me. And as I said, once Charles’s story becomes public knowledge, no aristocratic man will want anything to do with me.”

“Sir, if it makes any difference to you, the gift I have coming from Chesterhill is substantial,” Eric said. “Enough to purchase a lovely home for Juliet. I plan to continue boxing. The truth is, pugilists are accepted in society, so perhaps that will help us maintain some status within theton.”

Juliet swished her wrist dismissively. “I do not give a fig about the ton.”

Father rolled his eyes. “You cared very much about their opinions a few weeks ago.”

“I don’t want to be frivolous and shallow. Don’t ask me to be, Father. It isn’t fair. Emily and Maria are permitted to be themselves. Why must I be a delicate society princess?”

Father’s mouth dropped open. “You have always naturally been the most popular girl in the room. And the prettiest.” He rubbed his forehead. “I thought it was what you wanted. We thought it was what you wanted. Help me, Theodosia.”

Mother shrugged. “Women are permitted to change their minds.”

“Women!” Father looked at the ceiling. “God, give me the strength.”

“When we have children,” Eric said, interrupting Father’s plea to the great creator in the sky, “I will be a devoted father, and I promise that your daughter and grandchildren will visit you at least once a week.”

“Oh, Dudley.” Mother clasped her hands in a pleading prayer.

“A few grandsons might be nice,” Father raised a fist to the heavens. “Give me some boys that aren’t as changeable as the wind.”

“Oh, Papa.” Juliet’s eyes filled with tears of joy, and for the second time that morning, she leaped from her chair to hug and kiss Father.