Page 80 of Teach a Rogue New Tricks
She sat up straighter and sharpened her tongue. “Everyone has a past.”
“I’m not angry with the boy, Ada. Or you.” Her father slanted a sideways glance at her. “I had him investigated. You can’t blame me for that. I’m your father. I paid a man to look into every aspect of Lord Albee’s life, instructed him to dust every cobweb, search every hidden drawer. At this point, he likely knows Lord Albee better than the man knows himself.”
“That was uncalled for and unnecessary.”
“I am going to have to disagree with you, Ada. I find it highly necessary. I would do it over again, even if it elicits your censure. I did it only to ensure your safety and happiness. You’ll have noticed I investigated only, leaving the acting up to you.”
“Tell me, Father, if you knew the sordid details of Cass’s past,why did you look the other way? Why do you ask me about him now? You should be elated I wish to leave him behind.”
Papa shifted his gaze out the window and crossed one leg over the other. He steepled his fingers under his chin. “As you say, we all have our pasts. Myself included. It’s what we do in the present that’s important. And in the present, he seemed to be paying court to a very admirable young woman. And Pansy said she liked him. Pansy has excellent taste in people.”
Ada snorted.
Papa leaned across the space between them and placed one large hand on her knee. “Ada, you are leaving to explore and not leaving to… leave, yes?”
“What is the difference? In order to explore I must leave.”
“Leaving and exploring are both acts I’m quite familiar with. I know you do not wish to hear this, Ada, but you are much like me. I merely wish to make sure you’re leaving England for the right reasons, for self-fulfillment and not out of fear. I want you to run toward something not away.”
“I am.” She had nothing to run from. Except perhaps his claim that she resembled him in any fashion. That set her feet moving quick enough. Shewasn’t like him. Not a bit. No matter what he or Sarah said. Of course she ran to something and not away from anything. Her father ran away. She did not.
Cass’s stricken face when she’d said she would not marry him appeared before her like a pair of foggy spectacles. Try as she might to rub them clean, though, she could not. Pale face, deep, hurt eyes, messy hair that hid his furrowed brow. She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“And what about Lucas?” her father said.
Lucas. Much easier to focus on him. “I wrote him a letter telling him I do not plan to marry.”
“Humph. I won’t pretend to be distraught. The man’s a prig.”
She sighed. “You never liked him.”
“He’s too closed-in for you, Ada. You need wide skies and possibilities. And he prefers ceilings and routine.”
“I know that now, Papa.”
“You’re clearly frustrated with me. The old man returns after years and thinks to tell you what’s best.Humph. I’d be frustrated with me too in your slippers.” He finally fixed his gaze back on her. “But you have earned the right to make your own decisions, to live your own life. Not many women are granted such a luxury in this country. Or in this world. The world does not think you capable of making your own decisions. I disagree. This is why I trust the decision you’ve made with Lord Albee. And with Lucas. And for yourself. If you leave with Jack and Gwendolyn, I’ll be at the docks to wave you off.” He stood.
An unexpected, fluttering happiness shot her to her feet as well. “Thank you!” She launched herself at her father, squeezing him as tightly as she could. “I will miss you,” she whispered into his chest. And she meant it.
“And I you, darling daughter.”
She straightened her skirts and squared her shoulders. “I must join Lola and Sarah, to see if they need any help.”
“But, Ada…” He cleared his throat.
She turned to him. “Yes?”
“A small piece of advice before you head out on your travels.”
She laughed. “About seasickness?”
“No.”
“About language?”
“No.”
“About customs?”
