Emily felt herself smiling as she closed her cabin door, her back laying against it and her eyes closing. The man that was extremely gorgeous, and obviously cared a lot for her, had given her the very first kiss of her life.

The brunette gave a little squeal as her eyes opened, her teeth gnawing into her smiling lips as she thought back to the adoration she had seen in his eyes. The thought of the care and beauty that he had shared with her just made her entire body tingle with something she had never felt before.

Her head turned when she heard a door open, and her back immediately stiffened as she stood straight, her head nodding softly as she saw her father exit his room. "Hello daddy."

Carlton nodded to the younger brunette, walking until he stood right beside his daughter. "Did you have a good evening, Emiliana?"

Emily nodded before giving a small smile, her fingers fiddling with the cuffs of Aaron's jacket that she still wore. "I did. We had dinner and spent some time walking around deck and looking up at the stars and moonlight."

"And you spent time with his son."

Emily bit her lip and nodded again, looking down to her feet as her voice softened. "I did. He's very sweet, and well behaved." She looked up to her father and watched as he took a puff from his cigar. "They're both very charming, daddy. It's hard not to fall under a spell."

Carlton looked to his little girl and softened his eyes, his fingers gripping hers before leading her over to the couch. Once they were seated, his set his cigar out in the ash tray and smiled to his daughter. "Sounds like you're quite smitten, Emily."

The younger brunette chuckled and nodded her head. "Yes, I know. It's obvious, isn't it?"

His eyebrows knitted as he looked down at his daughter. "Why make it sound bad? If you like the boy, I believe you should pursue a relationship."

Emily's eyes widened as she looked up to the older man, her breath quickening as his fingers slowly rubbed across her knuckles. "Daddy, what do you mean? I just met the man."

"Emily, you need a husband. You should already be married, but you haven't been able to get along with any of the men your mother and I have found suitable for you." He smiled before kissing her forehead. "If we both find him good for you, then there's nothing to wait for."

"Daddy, you were furious at me a few hours ago." Her voice squeaked slightly as she looked up at her father with wide eyes, her mouth agape. "Why are you not screaming at me?"

Carlton let out a sigh before putting his arm around the younger brunette, kissing her hair as they settled back against the couch. "Emiliana, you have to understand why I was angry. I mean… you were naked in front of that delinquent."

Emily immediately shook her head and pulled away from her father. "Daddy, Jack is not a delinquent. And I was not naked! I had on my corset!"

"Now don't you start to argue with me, young lady."

"I will argue if and when I want to, daddy! Especially when I know that I am right."

Carlton's eyes darkened as his fists clenched. "Emiliana, you are close to a place where you do not want to be."

Emily shook her head, standing from the couch and looking down to the older man. "You cannot tell me what to do! If you want me to find a husband, then so be it. But since that is what you desire, I get to make the decisions of who I want to marry and what I will do with the rest of my life! That is how life should work, daddy. And I know deep down that you know I'm right." Her eyes watered as she watched his muscles tense. "I am sorry for arguing with you daddy, but you cannot control every aspect of me anymore."

"Emily…"

"If you want me to start my life with a man, then he will be my caregiver and my supporter. And if he chooses to tell me what to do, then I will listen to him. But that will be his job, not yours."

Carlton sighed as his fingers rubbed the wrinkles of his forehead. "And I thought this would be a delightful conversation."

Emily looked down to her father before giving a hesitant step towards him, bending down and kissing his balding head. "We should both get to bed, daddy. We can continue this in the morning, can we not?"

"Of course we can."

She gave a small smile as he stood, and gave a peck to his cheek before hugging him gently. "Goodnight daddy. I love you."

...

A/N - I'm sorry if this isn't the best chapter, but I promise that better bits are coming soon!