19 Reputation (AVOT)

Daisy was at a loss, unable to comprehend why her father's voice thrummed with such anger.

"What am I hearing?" He demanded, his voice heavy with accusation. "Is this the reason you wished to delay your marriage with Lord Blackthorne? So you could tarnish your reputation?"

Tarnish her reputation?

"What did I do?" She stammered, her heart pounding.

"That is precisely what I aim to find out. What have you done? Why are the townspeople whispering about you and Philip?"

Philip? Daisy's heart skipped a beat. Had they found out about the incident? No, it couldn't be. Everyone, even her father, seemed convinced that she was home all day yesterday, and the day before.

"I did nothing, Father," she protested, her voice barely a whisper.

"Are you lying to me?"

"Why would I do anything untoward? Am I known to behave so? And with Philip, of all people?"

Her father drew a deep, steadying breath, the lines on his face softening slightly as if he was willing to believe her. "Then how did these rumors begin?"

"What do the rumors say?" Daisy asked, curiosity piqued despite the dire situation.

"They claim to have seen you with Philip."

Daisy's stomach dropped. She recalled the fleeting moment when she had darted out of Philip's house, the bystanders who had seen her. Confusion washed over her.

"I never met Philip. It's merely a rumor," she insisted.

Her father's face hardened, his eyes boring into hers. "Just a rumor?" He echoed her words, disbelief etching his tone. "It seems you fail to comprehend, Daisy. A rumor is not merely a rumor when it concerns your reputation. True or false, even a shred of doubt can ruin you."

Tears welled up in Daisy's eyes, a painful lump forming in her throat. She was painfully aware of the fragile nature of a woman's reputation.

"I understand," she managed to say, her voice choked with the horror of the realization.

"You do not!" Katherine interjected, her face livid. "Your reckless actions and this rumor have jeopardized our entire family. My daughters will not have a chance now, all because of you!"

Lila and Cassandra lurked in the shadows, their faces ashen with terror.

"Thomas," Katherine gasped, clutching her husband's arm with a frantic grip. "She can't stay here."

Daisy's eyes widened in disbelief.

"She cannot. She will be the downfall of our reputation," Katherine pleaded.

Thomas turned to his wife, his eyes hardening. "Are you suggesting that I abandon my own daughter?"

Katherine faltered, her eyes filled with frustration. "Be reasonable, Thomas! You have other daughters. Are you willing to sacrifice their futures as well? You must do everything within your power to protect them at least. We cannot be associated with her."

Daisy watched her father, his body trembling with suppressed emotion, his eyes reflecting a storm of conflict.

Helena, her face filled with sorrow, stepped forward to wrap her arm around Daisy.

"Lila!" A familiar voice echoed from outside, interrupting the tense atmosphere within.

Katherine swiftly turned towards the window, her brows knitting together in annoyance.

"Who is that?" Thomas's question hung in the air as he turned to follow Katherine's gaze. His face contorted with shock and anger when he spotted Philip standing brazenly outside their home.

"Lila!" The call came again.

Lila's eyes darted around, a puzzled frown threading her brows. Helena and Daisy exchanged glances, their confusion mirrored in each other's gaze.

Thomas's face reddened, his anger surging like a turbulent sea. "How dare he show up here?" he seethed, striding out of the house, every step echoing his fury. The family trailed behind him, their curiosity laced with a sense of dread.

Philip was outside the fence, holding daisies he had plucked on one hand and his face adorned with a foolish grin. He waved cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to the anger simmering in Thomas. His gaze then fell on Lila.

"Lila!" His voice cut through the tense silence.

Thomas's anger was tangible, pouring outward in waves. Seeing Philip brazenly standing outside his house, calling out to his daughter, was a slap to his dignity. His chest heaved with his rapid breathing, his knuckles whitening around clenched fists.

Philip's audacity was like a knife, slicing through the last remains of Thomas's restraint. This was not just an insult to Thomas's pride, it was a public humiliation that he could neither tolerate nor forgive.

Emotions churned within Thomas like a storm, his fury resonating with each heavy step he took toward Philip.

"Philip!" His voice was a thunderclap, the tension shattering around them. "You will show some respect when addressing my family, or so help me..."

Philip, finally registering the wrath he had ignited, lost his smile. "My apologies, Mr. Winters. I… I only wish to see Lila."

Unable to contain his rage any longer, Thomas lunged at Philip. Seizing him by the collar, he hoisted him over the fence, his face a mask of uncontrolled anger. Shocked gasps rippled through the family as Thomas landed punch after punch on Philip's face. This was a side of Thomas they had never witnessed, a violent and wrathful side that left them stunned.

"Bring my pistol!" Thomas roared, his voice echoing ominously. "I'll put an end to this bastard!"

Helena was the first to react, rushing forward in a futile attempt to restrain him. "Thomas! Stop!" Her plea fell on deaf ears as Thomas shook off her grasp, his focus solely on the man beneath him.

Philip, desperately shielding his face, managed to gasp out, "Sir Thomas. Please give me permission. I love your daughter."

Daisy's eyes widened in shock, the scene before her more akin to a nightmare than reality. Her father's fury had taken a terrifying turn.

"Thomas! Stop this at once!" Helena's sharp command finally managed to halt Thomas. Katherine joined her in pulling Thomas away from the beaten man.

With Thomas momentarily restrained, Philip scrambled away, not forgetting to gather the daisies he had brought with him. His focus on the flowers, despite his bloodied state, was a bizarre sight. He stumbled to the edge of the fence.

"Mr. Winters," he called, his voice shaky, blood trickling down his face.

Daisy found herself silently pleading for him to stop, to not provoke her father further.

"I want to marry your daughter." He then looked at Lila. "Lila! I will be back."

She flinched, taking a step back with eyes wide with horror. This had to be a nightmare. This couldn't be happening.