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Not because she was afraid—though she was—but because he would confirm her fears that it was not a threat he had given Sarah, but a promise.

He did not seem all too pleased to see her approaching him. He was surrounding other gentlemen, including Lord Frenton, who eyed her carefully.

“Not now, Emma.”

“Father, we must talk.”

“No. I am otherwise occupied.”

“It is alright,” Lord Frenton nodded. “She is your daughter after all. We shall still be here upon your return.”

She hated her sister’s appalling fiancé, but she was slightly grateful to him for that. With a sigh, her father followed her to an empty drawing room, and Emma closed the door behind them.

“Is it true?” she asked.

“That you have pulled me away from a few lovely hours of being a man rather than a father? Yes, it would appear so.”

She looked at him incredulously, her arms folded in spite of how fearful she truly was.

“Is Sarah to marry?”

“Did she tell you that? Because I–”

“No, Father. You know how gossip travels in theton, and it has led me to believe that Sarah is to marry that Viscount.”

“I will not hear a word against Frenton. He is a good man, and one that is willing to marry her quickly.”

“Lord Rosendale was much the same.”

“Lord Rosendale is young, and young men are wild. There will be no offer of marriage for months, I can guarantee you that, and by then she will be a spinster like you and I shall never be rid of either of you.”

“You do not know that!”

“I do. In spite of what you may think, Emma, you do not know very much at all. I blame that Miss Penton for that, for making you think that you are any better than what you truly are. You are not some special exception to ladies where you know what is best. I am your father, but more than that I am a gentleman. I know more than you ever could, and I am telling you that Lord Frenton is the best Sarah can do if we want her married quickly.”

“Then why did you allow her to form an attachment?”

“Because the Viscount had not shown interest then. I do not need to explain myself to you. This is what will happen, and that is final. You will not change my mind about it no matter what you say, and I do not understand why you believe you could.”

Emma took a deep breath, steadying herself. Her father had always spoken to her in such a manner, as if she were an imbecile, and it had always made her feel like one, but she knew then and there that what he was doing was anything but right and anything but fair.

“I am a good father,” he continued. “I have fed you, and I have housed you. You really should be thanking me, but instead you willingly became a spinster and allowed your sister to believe in such trite things as love. It isn’t real, Emma. What is real is protection and security, and a viscount can offer that more than any baron. Do you not want what is best for her?”

“I want her to decide.”

“Then you will be disappointed. The deal is done. The Viscount and I shall be drawing up the contract upon our return. I have half a mind to find another friend of mine and do the same for you, but as you promised to leave for your mother’s sister’s estate once Sarah married I am not too concerned.”

“You also promised I would have a year to find her a match. I still had time.”

“Yes, and instead you have spent your time with your friends, and a duke that you have no intention of marrying. You have brought shame upon us all, and yet you expect me to trust you to know what is best for your sister. Well, I do not, and so this is how it will be. If you do not wish to accept it, then there is no need for you to return home with us at all.”

Emma could feel her hands trembling. She knew that she would not have been able to change his mind, and she had only wanted to know the truth, but now that she had it she was furious. She hated the answer that she was given; that this was the way it was and to bite her tongue about it. She wanted to scream, she wanted to take the vase of flowers nearby and throw it againstthe wall with as much strength as she could muster. She wanted to release her anger out into the open and let it leave her rather than fester within.

But she could not. She knew that her place was to smile and nod and accept, and so she did. She wore the same placid smile for the rest of the night, and spoke with the other guests politely and said what a joy it was that her sister had found a match. She saw Lord Rosendale out of the corner of her eye, drinking his brandy in one motion, and pitied him greatly. She had seen his affections for Sarah, and she knew how confused he must have been. She could not tell him the truth, she thought, but she could at least speak with him and offer sympathy.

“Good evening,” she said gently, curtseying to him.

“Good evening, Miss Kendall. I am not sure it is wise for you to be seen talking to me.”