Her Father's Daughter by June Tate

Author:June Tate [Talley Marcia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2012-07-12T00:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Bruce made his way to the Langford Hotel, walked into the bar and asked for a large whiskey and soda. He sat deep in thought, unaware that Lily, Victoria’s mother was approaching.

‘Hello, Bruce, how’s my future son-in-law?’ She kissed his cheek and sat beside him.

‘Let me get you a drink, Lily, you can join me as I get smashed.’

‘Why, whatever is the matter?’

‘Victoria broke our engagement this evening.’

‘What? Whatever are you talking about?’

He smiled wryly. ‘She’s fallen for Johnny Daniels it would seem.’

Lily looked puzzled. ‘Say that again.’

‘I know, I could hardly believe it either.’ He rubbed his forehead wearily. ‘I don’t know what to do. I really love her, Lily, and she’s making a dreadful mistake and nothing I can say will change that.’

‘Oh, Bruce, I am so sorry.’

‘Maybe she’ll come to her senses in time, but it’ll be too late for us.’ He took a long drink from his glass.

‘What are you going to do?’ she asked anxiously.

‘Sail off into the sunset! Next week I’m being given my own vessel and we’re off for manoeuvres. Perfect timing, don’t you think?’

She heard the bitterness in his voice and was sad. She so admired this man and had thought him a perfect husband for Victoria. Now she was worried. Victoria was stubborn and wayward. Johnny Daniels was a charmer and had a way with women, she’d seen that for herself and Victoria had fallen for his charms it would seem. She was throwing her future away . . . for what?

‘Is there anything I can do, Bruce?’

He shook his head. ‘No, but thanks for asking. You know as well as I do that once Victoria has decided on something, she becomes stubborn if anyone tries to change her mind.’

‘Yes I’m afraid so, she takes after her father in that way. But on the other hand, she won’t suffer fools gladly and if Johnny Daniels plays her up, she’ll show him the door.’

‘Perhaps, but she liked him enough to sleep with him!’

Lily was shaken. This madness had gone further than she imagined – and so soon. She saw the pain in Bruce’s face and her heart went out to him.

‘I’m really sorry, Bruce. I don’t know what to say.’

He finished his drink, climbed down from the bar stool and kissed her on the cheek. ‘There’s nothing to be said, sadly. I’m going back to my quarters. I’ll be in touch.’

Lily watched him walk away. How could Victoria have been so stupid? She wanted to shake her.

Luke walked in the bar at that moment. ‘I thought I saw Bruce leaving just now.’

She told him what had transpired.

‘I’m really sorry to hear that,’ he said, ‘but Lily, you can’t interfere, this is between Victoria and Bruce. She isn’t a child and she must be allowed to make her own decisions.’

‘As if I would!’

‘Don’t look so outraged, I know you. Leave them alone!’

Luke was called away and Lily sat ruminating over his words. She wanted desperately to call Victoria and remonstrate with her but it would only make matters worse.

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