Page 79 of The Blacksmith

A rather strange question from a man who rarely asked for her opinion and had never seemed to care about securing her approval.

“I do. And can understand his methods,” she admitted.

“Then?”

“He claimed to love me, and yet he waited until the last possible moment to share his true purpose with me,” she blurted out, her cheeks flaming with heat. If she thought it difficult to speak of such things with her mother, this was much, much worse.

“These are serious actions with even more serious consequences. For the blacksmith and for us.”

As if she did not understand her father, and Stanton by extension, flirted with treason.

“Aye, Father.”

Her hand found its way under the long sleeve of her gown to the bracelet she’d been loath to take off since her mother had abandoned it at the market. She knew her mother had likely not forgotten it—that she’d given it to her as a remembrance—yet she had not found the strength to give it back.

Twisting it, she waited, trying to understand what her father wanted from her or hoped to gain from this discussion. So he knew of Lance. And yet he’d not condemned her as a fool.

He’d not reacted as she’d feared.

“I would see you betrothed,” he said finally.

Her head shot up. “Nay!”

“It is time for you to marry,” he continued as if he’d not heard her. “Tilly will soon be of age.”

“Nay,” she repeated. “She is still a child.”

But it was untrue. She’d seen the signs, even if she wished to ignore them. And she’d always known this day would come. When her father stopped asking and began demanding.

“There is one man who asked for my permission, and despite the circumstances, I plan to give it.”

Twisting the bracelet faster and faster, Idalia desperately tried to think of an argument. Did her mother know of his plan? Why had she not warned her?

“Please, Father.”

Not yet. Not when her heart was still broken.

“You do not even ask his name.”

She didn’t care who he was. Idalia would not marry a stranger, no matter how handsome or powerful or kind.

“Please . . .”

“I may reconsider if you answer me honestly. I’ve just one question remaining.”

Idalia nearly fell off her chair. He would reconsider?

Her mother’s illness and recovery truly had changed the man she’d thought she knew.

“Do you love the smith?”

“Lance?”

She realized her mistake immediately. “That is to say, Master Lance?”

Her father just looked at her pointedly, waiting for an answer.

She could not look her father in the face and lie to him. Nor did she wish to lie to herself. So, after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. “Aye, Father. I love him still.”