Page 75 of His Duchess of Scandal
Charles broke their stare, furrowing his brow pensively. “My only duty is to protect my daughter.”
“And as hard as it is, sometimes protecting her means letting her get hurt, for how else will she grow strong enough to face the world? Do not hide half of her life from her because it hurts you both.”
Charles jerked his head towards her, a rebuke no doubt ready, but she continued, “Your daughter does not need a silent guardian. She needs herfather.”
But her husband was already standing up, using his height to assert his authority over her, forcing her away from the desk.
This time, he didn’t approach her like he had in the entrance hall after the dinner party. No, he simply made for the door and shot her a dark look over his shoulder.
“My role is to protect. That is my duty. That is my purpose, Hermia.”
Before Hermia could respond, tell him that his purpose was hurting Phoebe, he exited the study.
And left her standing there in the flickering candlelight.
Chapter Twenty
Charles had been on edge ever since Levi’s visit.
Hermia had scolded him for his behavior towards Phoebe and for not answering questions. She was right; he didhide behind those reasons, and while he cared for them, for Phoebe, he knew he was avoiding speaking of his past.
So he had thrown himself into work.
But right as he strode towards the front doors of the townhouse, his name rang through the hallway. He tensed, turning slowly to find Phoebe bounding towards him, her shoes clicking lightly on the polished floor.
She wore a powder-blue dress with little white shoes that possessed small bows of silk. The weather was bringing out some of her freckles, and her curious eyes were already fixed on Charles. He could already hear the tirade of questions.
Behind her, Hermia approached, her hair styled back elegantly, her dress a dark blue. For a woman who often wore bright colors since becoming his wife, he immediately grew suspicious.
“We are coming with you,” Hermia announced, before he could even ask what on earth they were doing.
“No,” he answered.
“Today is the day you are visiting the cottages, is it not?”
“It is, but?—”
“Then we are coming with you. I know the area—a bit—and Phoebe wishes to know more about what you do. She knows about my duties, but not so much about yours. Besides, you have not spent much time with her lately.”
“Because I have not wanted to fall behind on work,” he said drily.
Already, he could picture the reported leaks getting bigger while Hermia spoke, and the rot spreading through the storerooms.
“And that is why you can do both at the same time.”
“I mustn’t have any distractions.”
“I do not think we will distract you, husband.” Her lips curled, humored by his refusal. Humored by whatever plan she thoughtshe could insert herself into. “Not to mention, Phoebe will one day be a mistress of a house. Let her see some of the land and the tasks to be done. It would be an excellent lesson on leadership and problem-solving.”
“Please, Papa! Please,please, please.”
His daughter’s pleas softened him bit by bit, but even if he kept refusing, the two of them had him cornered.
His carriage was ready to go, and the cottages were about a two-hour ride from London. There was little reason to keep refusing.
“Fine,” he snapped. “But we are leaving immediately. Into the carriage in less than a min?—”
“I am already ready!” Phoebe bolted out the front door, giggling to herself as she raced for the carriage.
