“It’s not about pleasing her. It’s just—” Joanna clamped her mouth shut, blood rushing to her face as she realized she was about to confess something to her father she could never confess. “Don’t mind me,” she said, dismissing the conversation with a wave of her hand. “I’m just being stupid.”

Joanna was far from stupid, and neither was Robert. He cocked his jaw to the side and gazed at his daughter. The weight of worry no longer sagged her shoulders and the lines creasing her face had faded away. Her skin glowed and her hair shone, and suddenly he recognized the glint in her eyes. His, too, had once sparkled like that, and Robert was as elated as he was somber. Joanna had found her place, and he knew it.

“Are you okay?”

Robert looked up. “What?”

“You just looked a million miles away.”

“I’m fine, sweetheart, and if you have any doubts about tonight, I suggest you look in the mirror a few more times. You’re absolutely stunning.”

“It’s not about how I look, Dad. It’s about...it’s about who I am?”

“Joanna, you haven’t changed,” Robert said, reaching out to take her hand. “Yes, your clothes are better, and your hair is styled, but when I look into your eyes, I still see the same lass I saw when you were one or two or twenty. And just the fact that you’re worried about possibly being...um...damn it all to hell, what’s the word?"

“Pretentious?”

“Yes, that’s right, pretentious,” Robert said. “And since it’s on your mind, that tells me you haven’t changed one bit, and you won’t no matter how many parties you attend or jewels you wear. I raised you better than that.”

Joanna couldn’t hold back her grin as she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her father’s cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I needed that.”

Robert could feel his emotions beginning to stir, and refusing to blubber in front of his daughter, he said, “Now, get the hell out of here before you’re late.”

“Okay,” Joanna said as she stood straight. “I’ll check in when I get home. All right?”

“I’ll expect a full report,” Robert said as he picked up his book.

“Good night, Dad.”

“Good night, lass,” Robert said as he watched his daughter head out of the room. “Oh, Joanna?”

“Yeah, Dad?” she said, peeking back in.

“Do me proud tonight. All right?”

A dazzling smile appeared on Joanna’s face. “I will, Dad. I promise.”