"Oh, does it? I don't know if I want it softened, ruins my manliness. I have a reputation to uphold, after all," He grinned and then raised a brow, "Just tonight? Not now? Damn, and here I thought we were heading home to celebrate."
James jested, and then frowned when she finally made sense of what they were talking about. He brushed his thumb along her cheek, and leaned in to kiss her lips softly, "Maybe, this will weaken your father's resolve in time, and he'll be less strict; or, perhaps your cousin and Aunt will find more resolve in this, and follow in your steps. At this point the choice is theirs, right or wrong, and you can't worry about that or them. They are their own people, they will have to make their own decisions, and if they love you as you say they do? They'll be happy for you. They have to be."