Page 12 of The White Enchantress

“I know, but he was unreasonable on the phone the other day. He wouldn’t listen to me.”

“Put yourself in his shoes, Ginny. You left for America without saying why. You and Wesley seemed like lovebirds. To Edmund, a proposal was inevitable. While you were away, Wesley came over to Eden Manor. I do not know how he knew you were in America. Especially knowing now that you were no longer on speaking terms with the man. Wesley had a whole story prepared. How he proposed, your immediate happy response, even details of wedding plans you had left him. He must have an inside source.”

“Cecily. That little bitch. She will do anything to ruin my life.”

“Do not lay blame before you have proof, Ginny. I know she can be awful, but she is your sister. Do you really think she would organize this fake wedding to ruin your life?”

“Yes, yes I do. IknowCecily would do something this insane just to see me unhappy. Either way this plays out, Cecily wins. I either marry Wesley and live unhappily ever after, or I don’t marry Wesley and Ed will disinherit me.”

“He will do no such thing. Edmund might be angry with you. Still, he loves you with all his heart. All he wants is to see you happy.”

“Guinevere?” I turn around. Ed stands in the doorway. Turning back to Uncle Aldon, I question him with my eyes.What do I do? I’m not ready to speak to him.He, in turn, gives me a sharp look telling me to buck up and get it over with.

I stand up, walking over to my dad. “Shall we go somewhere private?”

Edmund turns on his heels without answering, leading me into a small private waiting room. My insides are compressing into a large ball, ready to suffocate me. The anxiety is unbearable. I keep forgetting to breathe.How the hell am I getting out of this one?I love my father. Since the first day I laid eyes on him, I have adored him. But it wasn’t until I moved into Eden Manor full-time that I felt my love returned in full. Our bond deepened through the grief we felt in losing my mother.

Though we would butt heads from time to time, Ed and I could always reach a compromise. He is in my court. We are playing on the same team. I know he wants what’s best for me, but he also wants me to be happy above all else. To my core, I know this to be the truth. As I stand in the waiting room with him, struggling to contain my anger and reel in my anxiety, this doesn’t feel true anymore.

“I know you are angry with me. I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have left for America without speaking to you.”

“Your mother left me on our wedding day. Without a single word. Do you know how hard that was for me? She ripped my heart out that day and every day after. For five years I did not know where she was, why she left, if I would ever see her again. Then you left. Guinevere, my heart can only take so much. I thought you were happy. You seemed so happy with Wesley and with your life here.”

“I was happy, dad, just not with Wesley. I thought I had explained myself well enough in that letter–”

“That blasted letter!” Ed yells, seething anger I have never before felt directed at me. “I read that letter countless times. Nothing. You explained nothing. Only that you needed to soul search and be independent. How the bloody hell was I supposed to know what you were talking about?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t emotionally prepared to tell you what had happened.”

“Emotionally prepared? Guinevere, you were the walking personification of happiness the last time I saw you. I understand choosing to marry someone is a major decision for you. That you want to get it right the first time. Guinevere, you cannot accept a marriage proposal, plan your wedding with your fiancé, and then leave him in the dust. If you had changed your mind, you should have told him so. This drama you are creating is only making things worse.”

“Drama?Mydrama? Wesley made this whole thing up. I told you this already. He never proposed. He sl–”

“I have had enough, Guinevere. You will make things right between you and Wesley before your wedding day. A date you picked yourself, I might add.”

“And what date is that, dad?”

“June 8th.”

“The anniversary of my mother’s death? Why the fucking hell would I pick that date?”

“Wesley explained that you wanted to transform a day of grieving into a day celebrating love and life.”

“Bullshit, dad.”

“Guinevere, I really do not know what crazy shit is going on in your mind. Get it together.” Edmund storms out of the room.

The anger I feel fuming off his body is raw. I had hurt him by leaving for America. I know that now. He no longer trusts me. I need to gain his trust back somehow. Before our heated encounter, I had planned to stay at Josh’s until this all settled down. But I needto go back to Eden Manor, show my father that I am not crazy, that I am not taking him for granted, and most importantly, that I love and respect him.

Chapter 5

“Are you sure youwant to be doing this, Guin?” Josh asks, his Irish lilt coming through strongly in his agitated state.

I haven’t moved from my spot near the window and remain silent, gazing out into the parking lot as guests begin to arrive. Today is my wedding day. A day that is supposed to be filled with unlimited joy and happiness. All I feel is dread and anger.

“No. I’m not marrying Wesley. But I don’t want to make things worse for Ed. I just need him to hear me. I don’t want to lose him.”

“Guin, your father loves you. I know you two have been butting heads recently, but he loves you. Use that. Be honest about your feelings. If anyone understands the situation you are in right now, it’s him.”

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