Loving Lord Bridgerton

Chapter Seventeen

Since the wedding was so close, I was moving into Daphne's home to make sure I didn't see Anthony the night before the wedding. Dorota packed my bags while I bossed her around as a big ball stress. There was a knock on the open door, and I quickly whipped around expecting to see Anthony. Instead I saw a face I haven't seen in what feels like forever. "Daddy?" I asked like I couldn't believe my own eyes.

He smiled at me, wrinkles went around the side of his eyes. He has age well, but he still looked tired. "Hello, darling. Shall we go for a walk?"

I held my breath, nodding. My father held out his elbow towards me and I put my hand on his arm, walking out of the Bridgeton house into the yard. He didn't say a word as we walked and I could feel myself watching him as carefully as I could. His black hair was mostly gray now matching the full beard on his face. "You look tired." I said once we made it into the London air.

"So do you." My father said and I let out a deep breath.

"I am to be married. What is your excuse?"

"I am married."

I laughed. I imagine being married to my mother was a never ending job.

"I am very sorry Charlotte." My father's voice was sober. I looked over at him and saw the sadness on his face.

"For what? You did nothing to me."

"Yes, I did. Not taking more control when you were growing up. Always taking your mother's word for it without question. I just assumed she wouldn't let her mother get to her. I should have seen the changes before it got this far."

"What do you mean? No one ever talks about grandmother, but the few times she's mentioned...it's never good."

My father let out a deep breath. "Your grandmother has always been...a strong opinionated woman. She had her beliefs and if your mother ever strayed...- She only ever did once."

"What did she do?"

"She married me."

"Would she be against that? You have money, a good name."

"I also gave your mother a chance to be herself. I was a threat to what your grandmother wanted."

She thinks Anthony is a threat.

"If mother wished to be so different, what happened to make her so cruel?" I asked, not caring how it sounded.

"I wish I could tell you. I just don't know. I had to leave to check on some of my properties and your grandmother came to keep your mother company while she was pregnant. They had a big fight and when I was back, I couldn't reach her anymore. She shut me out completely. She has been filled with this irrational fear. Every time I tried to talk it through with her, she shut me out even more." I could tell by his voice that his frustration was still strong. "I wish you never have the same fate."

"Anthony says he will still marry me."

My father chuckled. "He is much like his father. Hold the same passion inside of them. He came to my office he explained how wonderful you are and how upset you are. Said he would never go back on his word. I told him that your dowery still stands." My father paused, letting out a deep breath. "I don't know why your mother would say otherwise."

I know why.

"Are you worried about not having any sons?"

"Did I want sons? Yes. Am I worried? No. God gave me you as a daughter, and I couldn't be more proud of you. You are going into a wonderful marriage where I know you will be taken care of with the son of the man I respected most in this world."