Page 20 of The Misfortunate Miss Farthington
She rather wished this upstanding earl would disappear.
“I see,” she managed.
For a little while there, after her broken engagement when her name was tinged with scandal, she’d thought perhaps her parents had given up on the idea of her marrying so well. But it seemed one whisper of gossip that an earl found her of interest was enough for her father to set his sights on having a countess for a daughter.
Nevermind the fact that she’d never met the man.
Nevermind the fact that she had absolutely no desire to be a countess!
Richard seemed to be waiting for more of a response. She forced her hands to uncurl and took a deep breath. “Was that my father’s only hesitation?”
She was already thinking of ways she might explain to her father that the life of a countess wasn’t for her. That she’d choose love over wealth any day. She wanted to say as much to Richard, but the words caught in her throat as her belly churned with apprehension.
She would fight for this man, if that was what it took.
But only if he wanted her to. And right now…
Right now she wasn’t so surewhathe wanted.
He took a step forward, the look in his eyes so earnest, it hurt. “Your father wants what’s best for you,” he said.
And that, for some reason, hurt most of all. That Richard couldn’t see thathewas what was best.
“So do I,” he continued softly.
She swallowed convulsively as she searched his eyes. What was he saying? Was he really going to just walk away from this connection they shared?
Was he really going to give up on her? On them?
“Tessa,” he said softly. “I want you to be happy.”
And with that something inside her snapped. Her father wanted what was best for her. Richard wanted her to be happy. But really…
“Has anyone thought to ask whatIwant?”
It came out so loudly, even Daphne glanced over in surprise, before clearly remembering that she was supposed to be too engrossed with the weather to be paying them any mind.
Richard’s eyes widened as well, and she caught a flash of pain. “What do you want, my love?”
My love. The words were a balm and a knife in her chest all at once. Because the look in his eyes held regret. Sadness.
Not the sort of conviction she felt right now. “I want you,” she said.
It came out as a whisper and he tugged her into his arms. “Oh, my darling, I want nothing more than to be with you.”
“Then don’t let my father chase you away,” she said, her fingers gripping his lapels like she could physically force him to stay in her life, in her future.
His gaze raked over her face hungrily, and she could have sworn she heard his quick brain whirring, thinking, analyzing. “Would it be enough, Tessa?” His gaze met hers, stark and earnest. “WouldIbe enough?”
“Yes,” she said simply. His eyes held more than a hint of doubt. So, she said it louder. “Yes, I’m telling you, yes.”
“But you don’t know that. Your father is right in that you are young—”
“Not that young.”
“And you are sheltered,” he continued. “You’ve grown up the daughter of a viscount, the only granddaughter to an earl and—.”
“I know my own lineage, Richard,” she muttered. “Don’t speak to me like I’m a child.”
