Her Father Forced Her to Marry a Penniless Servant — Then She Discovered the Secret Beneath His Wedding Vows

“You.”

Daniel lowered his head.

“Yes, miss.”

She stood.

“Did my father send you?”

“He asked me to marry you.”

Her face went pale.

For several seconds, she stared.

Then a bitter laugh escaped her.

“Of course he did.”

She turned away.

Daniel remained still.

Finally, he spoke.

“I told him I wouldn't agree without speaking to you.”

Elizabeth looked back.

“Why?”

He hesitated.

“Because you should have a choice.”

She stared at him.

Then laughed bitterly.

“A choice?”

Her voice trembled.

“My father has threatened to withdraw support from my mother and make certain I have nowhere respectable to go.”

Daniel's expression tightened.

Elizabeth continued.

“He has publicly announced that I must marry. The town is laughing. Men have been visiting the estate like buyers inspecting livestock.”

She looked toward him.

“And you're asking whether I have a choice?”

Daniel swallowed.

“No.”

She stared.

He continued.

“I'm saying I won't be another man who pretends your father can make this decision for you.”

For several seconds, she remained silent.

Then she asked, “Do you want to marry me?”

Daniel looked toward the dark gardens.

The question struck him with surprising force.

He didn't know her well.

He had never imagined a future with her.

And he couldn't pretend the circumstances were anything but cruel.

“No,” he answered honestly.

Elizabeth flinched.

He immediately continued.

“Not like this.”

She stared.

Daniel looked toward her.

“I would never ask a woman to marry me under threat of losing her home or family.”

Elizabeth felt her eyes fill.

For a moment, she looked away.

Then she whispered, “My father says if I refuse again, he'll make certain my mother suffers for it.”

Daniel's jaw tightened.

He considered his words carefully.

Then said, “If you choose the ceremony to protect her, you need to know what I will and won't do.”

Elizabeth looked up.