Page 47 of Papa's Captive
“Rosie! My girl, speak to me.” Papa, his face shrouded in worry, hovered over her, his palm patting her cheek.
“Oh, Papa,” she whispered. It was as though all the life had drained from her body. She did not even have the energy or will to throw herself at his mercy and beg forgiveness. There was no hope. She stood on trembling legs. “I shall go and pack,” she said, gazing into his eyes for the last time, her heart shattering.
“Little girl, what do you think you are doing?” Though the words were harsh, they were delivered tenderly. Harshness would have hurt less. She did not deserve his kindness.
“I must leave. I wonder,” her throat closed up and she needed a moment to compose herself, “if you would arrange my travel to Talcott House. I-I do not have a means to repay you, I am at the mercy of your charity.” A slow tear trickled down her cheek as she fought to maintain a modicum of dignity.
Papa closed the distance between them and tilted her face up and held her chin so she could not look away. “Did you not hear me say I love you with all my heart?”
“Yes, Papa, I did. And I love you with all my heart as well. But, love is not enough to overcome the shame of my father’s disgrace. My disgrace. I love you too much to inflict such dishonor upon you. Please, Papa, do you not see it is the only way?”
“No!” The word echoed around the garden and bounced off the walls of Craigmul Castle. “You are mine and mine you shall remain for all eternity. I took such a vow. You also took such a vow, did you not?”
“I did and I shall love you for all eternity just as I swore to do. But I refuse to bring ruination upon you and now that the truth is out it cannot be hidden.”
“Can you not see, my darling girl, the loss of you will cause my ruin. I will not be parted from you and that is final.”
“But, Papa—”
“There is no ‘but, Papa’ about it. I am deeply saddened by the way your family was treated, but none of it was of your making. Anyone who chooses to hold you to account for it is wrong and I shall be the first to tell them as much. Please, Rosie, it is my duty as your husband to protect you. Allow me the honor of doing so.”
“Yes, Papa,” she said, the fissures in her heart mending a tiny amount.
