The Power of Love

Prologue

It was weeks since Baroness Massey gave birth to her daughter she named Grace, and only a few weeks prior, Lady Davenport gave birth to her son and heir she named Robert.

With their firstborn, Baron Massey and Lord Davenport decided to form an unbreakable agreement to secure their place in northern England by marrying Robert and Grace after their seventeenth year of life, thus, merging both houses making them one. By doing this, it would increase their wealth and power within the lands of Cheshire and Manchester.

Baron Massey walked into his daughter’s nursery, my daughter, he thought with disappointment. Yes, he wanted his firstborn to be a son, but when he looked at his daughter, all thoughts of a son disappeared. His daughter, his Grace, he thought, looking at his daughter. To see her takes his breath away, and for Baron Massey to feel this way about a daughter, surprised him, but a wonderful surprise.

To think of his daughter marrying Lord Davenport’s son, that scoundrel, he thought, moving to stand in front of the window next to his daughter’s cradle, and peering out the window to the forest beyond, and he would be the one to have a son, this thought fueled his growing anger. He looked down and found his hands curled into fists at the idea of wanting his firstborn to be a son, and it disturbed him more than he knew. A son would have solved their problems since his son would have been the one to marry Lord Davenport’s daughter. Through their marriage, his son would become lord of Cheshire and Manchester after Lord Davenport’s life ended.

This contract would have been in my favor, not his, he thought, shaking his head, no, I cannot believe such a thing. He turned back to look at his daughter asleep in her cradle, nay, look at her, my beautiful daughter, how can I think of wanting a son?

Grace lets out a cry, and he moved quickly to her cradle and when he looked down, she was asleep again.

He smiled, “My God, look at you, just the thought of this child…my daughter,” sighing, “Brings me…” You soften my heart, he thought. “…My daughter, I love you with all my heart,” he said, staring at his daughter with amazement, how this baby has weakened him, “And I am not an easy man to be weakened, but you, my daughter, you can easily bring me to my knees.”

Grace’s eyes fluttered as she tried to open them, and when she did, they were staring directly at him, and her mouth curved into a small grin at the corner of her mouth.

Baron Massey smiled, ah, she knows her father, he thought with a warm heart. With this, he knew he was done for; there was nothing his daughter could do that would anger him. There was nothing she would ask; he could never refuse. She had him, and he could not be more pleased.

Then, a terrible thought entered his mind —

Oh God, I look at this child, my daughter whom I love with all my heart.

“This baby lying here in her bed, why did I make such an agreement,” shaking his head, feeling distressed, “And yet, how can I not? To make such a deal, with a man like Lord Davenport, for what? To rectify what our family lost all those years ago —”

Baron Massey turned away from his daughter unable to look at her and returned to the window, and he looked out and allowed his mind to recall the tale his father told him about his great, great uncle —

“My father’s father felt his great uncle had so easily given up Dunham Massey Castle to a Booth when his daughter married into that family, after failing to bear an heir.” Baron Massey turned back to his daughter, “Nay, this has to happen. I pray to you, God, you will protect my daughter from not only myself but from suffering the pain of an unloving marriage as Lord and Lady Davenport do,” he said, then looked down at his daughter asleep in her cradle, he smiled and softly rubbed her tummy.

“When my Grace at age ten meets Robert, her future husband, she will take the time we give her to know the boy he will be, then the man he will become.”

At this, Baron Massey’s thoughts turned back a few days ago when he signed the contract with Lord Davenport regarding Grace and Robert’s future after the priest performed their preliminary marriage that sealed the agreement.

***

They were alone with their daughter before the priest was to perform Robert and Grace’s pre-marriage when Baron Massey voiced his doubts. “My love, our daughter is the answer to our prayers, and her marriage to Robert will return Dunham Massey to its rightful owner,” Baroness Massey said, putting her hand softly on her husband’s face with a soft caress, “To you my love, a Massey.”

Baron Massey turned and kissed the palm of his wife’s hand and said, “You are right my love,” he looked at his wife’s lovely face, her soft, smooth milky skin with high cheekbones and a slightly pointing chin, he smiled, she hates this beautiful pointing chin. Then looking at her eyes, they were large blue round eyes; at times, you could see a hint of green. “If we had a son…” he started to say, then closed his eyes feeling ashamed to what he was about to say.

Baroness Massey interrupted her husband, “Yes, my love, a son would have been a great blessing, but a daughter is double the blessing. She will give birth to a son, and with this son, he will be given ownership of Dunham Massey, thus keeping it with a Massey line. Yes, part of him will be a Davenport, but he will have all the power that comes with being a Davenport.”

“Yes, my love, you are right,” he said, then took his wife in his arms and kissed her.

It was decided, one month after Robert and Grace’s birth, when the agreement was made, and the preliminary wedding was to be performed by a Catholic priest, and both parties were each other’s witness with the priest being the witness over them all. Once both parties signed the agreement, there was no going back, and if any reason either party decided to break this agreement, then the one at fault would forfeit all their lands, wealth, and titles and be banished from the lands, never to return unless upon death. If either one refused, they would immediately be put to death; thus, an agreement no one dared break, and so the agreement said:

I, Baron John Hamon Massey the Second, on this twentieth day, in the fourth month of 1518, along with Lord John Davenport, agree to the merger of both houses. Through the marriage of Lord John Davenport’s son, Robert John Davenport, to my daughter Grace Rachel Marie Massey in their seventeenth year of life, where at that time they will marry, bringing both families together merging them as one. In doing so, both will gain power, wealth, status, and land. To secure this agreement, in ensuring this agreement cannot be broken, a preliminary wedding is performed by a priest, Father Peter of the Catholic Roman Church of Cheshire, to one, Robert John Davenport, and to one, Grace Rachel Marie Massey, until the day they will marry in the house of God, therefore, binding and sealing this agreement.

In this agreement, Lord John Davenport will assist Baron John Hamon Massey the Second in regaining their ancestry home, Dunham Massey Castle, from the Booth family, to whom now occupy this castle. After a determined time, Dunham Massey Castle will be passed to the Davenport’s family through a future descendant marriage.

If, for any reason, this marriage does not take place, regardless of reasons, the two parties in question proving to be at fault will forfeit their rights and relinquish their power, title, wealth, and land and will be banished from the land or face immediate death.

In signing this agreement, both parties agree to secrecy in maintaining their silence to the contents and reasons behind forming this agreement.

Baron John Hamon Massey the Second

Baroness Elizabeth Marie Massey

Lord John Davenport

Lady Mary Davenport

Father Peter of the Catholic Roman Church

***

Returning from his memory when the agreement was forged, Baron Massey looked down at his daughter and returned to his conversation he was having with God.

“I pray Robert and Grace will find the love and happiness her mother and I are blessed to have, and not one of obligation as Lord and Lady Davenport have. No matter how wrong I feel this is, it must be done, and this merger will unite us and make us stronger, thus allowing us the power to regain Dunham Massey from the Booths. To live on the land in this small manor,” once again his anger swelled, “This is an insult to the Massey name,” he yelled!

Grace started to cry, Baron Massey quickly softened his voice, “Ah child, I am sorry,” he said as he picked up his daughter and gently put her over his shoulder, he began to bounce her while patting her on the back in his attempt to soothe her, “Shhhh my little one. I am sorry to upset you,” he sighed, feeling ashamed that he allowed his anger to upset his daughter.

***

At Bramhall Manor, Lady Davenport was in the sitting room, holding her son while looking at his sleeping face. Every time she saw her son, she was amazed at the miracle given to her, someone for her to love, and someone who will love her in return.

Lord and Lady Davenport’s marriage was arranged as most noble families were, but unlike Baron and Baroness Massey, she did not find love with her husband, nor he with her. Yes, she believed time would change that. Still, after a year of marriage, especially after given birth to their son and heir – which usually brought couples together, finally find love – this was not the case for Lord Davenport. He did not show her any affection, and the closest he’s come to show happiness, possibly caring, was when he saw his son – his heir after she gave birth, fulfilling her duty as a wife, so long as their son survived and did his duty. To know this about her husband brook her heart, and when she thought about Baron and Baroness Massey, one of the lucky few arranged marriages to find love. When you look at them, there was no questioning how much in love they were.

So why can I not have love? Yes, he is a hard man, but I believe deep inside lies a soft man, a man I can love and a man who can love me, she thought with sadness.

Lady Davenport’s eyes began to water, and a tear rolled down her face falling on her son’s cheek. At the feel of her wet tears, her son opened his eyes and looked at her, and she quickly wiped away her tears, then looked at her son’s big beautiful brown eyes as they stared up at her. She smiled, filled with so much love for this small child, her son.

“One day, my son, you will marry, and when you do, I pray you will find the love I did not find with your father. The thought of you marrying without finding love is too much for me to bear. I do not want you to live an unloved marriage as I do,” she placed her hand on his cheek, “That you my love,” she bent down and kissed her son on the forehead, “Will be all the love I shall ever need if I never find love with your father.”

Lady Davenport heard a noise, and when she looked to see who it was, she saw her husband standing in the doorway, “My husband, come and look upon your son,” she said with a smile.

In a harsh deep voice, “Do not turn our son into a girl,” he said, walking over to his wife sitting in the rocking chair, “My son,” placing his hand on his forehead, “Will grow to be a strong man like his father, as he will be Lord of this land one day.”

“My husband, he will be the finest and strongest son in the land; after all, you are his father,” she said, looking up at her husband, and was startled at what she saw – emotion, possibly even love in his eyes. Then as quickly as she saw this, it was gone, and she wondered, was it possible he can love, looking down at her son, and it will be because of you, my son.

“Take good care of my son. I must go out and make my rounds. As magistrate, I must ensure order is kept. On my way, I am going to stop and see Baron Massey.”

“Please congratulate him and Baroness Massey on the birth of their daughter for me.”

Lord Davenport growls, then he said, “I shall do as you request; I want to lay eyes on this daughter myself. I also need to work out the final details of Robert and Grace’s betrothal with Baron Massey,” he said, turning as he leaves the room.

Sighing, I do not think he can ever love, she thought with disappointment. She looked at her son, and all sadness disappeared, “You are enough for me, my love.”

***

Baron Massey felt torn with his decision in signing the agreement with Lord Davenport, but his worry and anger may be for nothing if Grace and Robert did not live to become betrothed. No, I cannot think of such a thing, he thought. His heart hurts at the thought of losing his daughter; he’s grown to love very much. He would kill any man who would harm her. Baron Massey felt his daughter was asleep again, and he placed her back in her cradle. Oh, my precious child, what have I done, he thought.

A part of him wanted to save his daughter from such a fate, but the other part – he knew must be done, “If not this little girl, it will be another.”

Baron Massey has not shared his thoughts or feelings with his wife, he dares not, since she wanted this merger more than he did. This merger could return his ancestral estate, thus, the return of their status and power within the land to what it once was.

At the time of their marriage, Baroness Massey only agreed to marry him when he promised to fight to regain Dunham Massey – for a Massey to be Lord of Cheshire once again. For him to do this, he must align himself with the most feared and powerful man in the land, Lord Davenport.

Watching his daughter, he again prayed, “God, please protect my daughter and her future,” leaning down to kiss his daughter on the forehead.

Baron Massey was unaware his wife was standing outside the nursery door listening to him talk to their daughter – expressing his love for her. For Baroness Massey to hear her husband speak of the love he has for their daughter, she smiled, feeling great joy of their incredible miracle —

Baron Massey walked over to the window and whispered, “God, why did I sign such an agreement?”

— until she heard her husband talk about regretting the signing of the agreement – when she heard this, she began to fear and worry, so she decided to make her presence known and put a stop to her husband’s foolish talk. But then, something she heard stopped her —

With Baroness Massey’s sharp hearing, she heard her husband question the signing of the agreement and begins to fear he wanted to back out of the agreement, an agreement she knew they could not back out of, she must make herself known. Baroness Massey attempted to enter the room to remind her husband of the terms of their agreement with Lord Davenport and why it must be honored, when she heard his next words.

“How can I not?”

When she heard this, she relaxed, then decided to leave her husband alone with their daughter.

Baron Massey’s thoughts turned to his father’s portrait hanging in the great room and remembered the stories his father told him about their famous relative, Hamon de Massey, in the way he gained Dunham Massey Castle.

***

As swords clashed, Masci and his men yelled, “Attack! Attack! Attack the Normans! Kill – Kill them all!”

And they did, they slaughtered every one of them, not leaving one alive to tell the tale. Once the slaughter – the blood bath was over, Masci and his men looked at the scene, admiring the carnage before them.

To see the carnage, Masci felt it was a lifetime before they defeated the Normans than the mere minutes it took. He turned away and started for their camp for much-needed rest when he heard horses approaching, in what sounded to be hundreds of horses riding fast in their direction. Unsure who it was, Masci and his men prepared themselves for another battle, but when the riders came into view, he saw the English flag with King William’s coat of arms and was amazed to see the king himself leading his knights and soldiers. Masci turned to his men and immediately gave the order to stand down.

He lowered his sword and placed it back in the sheath and said, “Wait here, I’ll ride out to meet the king.”

Masci’s men bowed and stepped aside. Then he noticed from his side one of his men was approaching bringing him his horse. Without delay, Masci grabbed the reigns and mounts on his horse, and he rode out to meet the king.

As King William, his knights, and soldiers were riding to join the fight they saw only moments ago from a nearby hillside, were amazed to see the carnage that lay before them, with bodies everywhere, leaving nothing for his knights and soldiers to fight. Then they heard a horse riding towards them, King William’s knights quickly formed a shield to protect their king from harm, and when the man came into view, King William recognized him as the Frenchman Hamon de Masci and ordered his men to step aside.

Masci noticed the royal knight’s position themselves in front of King William, so he slowed his approach and pulled his horse to a stop, not wanting King William’s knights to think he was the enemy and kill him. As he was about to announce who he was, he noticed the knight’s move away from the king, and Masci took this as a good sign; he kicked his horse and continued to move slowly not wanting to come across threatening just in case he was wrong.

Once he was a few feet from the king, he called out, “Your Grace,” pulling his horse to a stop then bowed at the waist, waiting for the king to address him.

King William acknowledges Masci, “You…are you not the Frenchman Hamon de Masci?” King William asked.

“I am, Your Grace.”

“Monsieur Masci, rise and come forward so I may look upon the face of the man responsible for this carnage,” he said, waving his hand to encompass the slaughter behind Masci.

Hamon de Masci straightened before urging his horse to continue, stopping directly in front of the king, and when he looked at the king, he saw a sinister smile and said, “Yes, Your Grace, I did.”

“Well, Monsieur Masci, you and your men slaughtered those filthy Normans, and it seems you did not leave one for my men,” King William said in jest as he waved his arms to encompass his men behind him.

His men roared in disappointment.

Masci smiled, bowing to the king, “I am sorry Your Grace, my men were anxious to destroy these,” turning back to look at the carnage, “Filthy Normans that were plaguing your lands,” he said, spitting on the ground, then turned back to the king, “My men are strong and fierce, it was not a worthy battle, as it was over as quickly as it started. My men are willing to fight to the death, and we take no prisoners,” Masci said with pride.

“Monsieur Masci, you and your men have done England proud. This battle at Beakhamstead is the final battle to end the war, thanks to you and your men, the war is won.”

The king’s knights and soldiers raised their arms and roared, cheering Masci and his men on their success in beating the Normans.

Masci turned to look at his men who were eagerly waiting for his return and raised his sword, and he waved it in the air letting his men know all was well. When his men saw this, they cheered in triumph.

Masci felt proud, he puffed out his chest, and sat even taller on his horse, then turned back to the king, “Your Grace, we only did what was expected of us.”

“Monsieur Masci, remove the remains of these Norman scum, so their blood does not continue to spoil English soil, then take your men and rest. At the end of the fourth night, come to London, where a large celebration will be taking place, and there you will claim your reward.”

Masci bowed at the waist and smiled, “As you wish Your Grace.”

Without another word, King William, along with his knights and soldiers, turned their horse and began their long journey back to London.

When Masci returned to his men, he relayed the good news, another roar of cheers erupted, along with pats on the back.

“We will drink well this night and rest until the fourth night when we will head to London,” he announced, and another round of cheers erupted.

***

When Masci and his men arrived at the king’s castle in London, they received a hero’s welcome and were treated like royalty. Masci’s men were given bed chambers in the knight’s quarters, while Masci was given a bed chamber in the royal wing of the castle, for he knew this was a great honor.

After changing into his best clothes, Masci headed down to the celebration. When he entered the grand ballroom full of people laughing and dancing, he noticed a precise path leading directly to the king, who was sitting on his throne at the end of the room.

The grand ballroom was an enormous room, with marble columns wrapped in greenery and white roses. The ceiling was also draped with greenery along with white and gold silk, and on each end of the room were long tables with a stuffed peacock in the center surrounded by an assortment of food ranging from, English, French, Spanish, and Italian, to satisfy the guest from these lands.

Upon entering the ballroom, the merriment and conversation came to a halt, and everyone turned and looked at him.

King William looked to see why the room abruptly went silent and saw it was his honored guest, Hamon de Masci, he smiled and raised his glass, “Ah, Monsieur Massey, come forward and stand before your king.”

Masci nodded and preceded towards the king with everyone watching him, but not only watching him, they were also examining him, the women with lust in their eyes and the men, some with respect and others with suspicion. Have they not seen a French warrior before? Masci thought.

At first, this made him uncomfortable; he was not a man to draw attention to himself unless it was in battle or a good fight – he smiled a little. In this ballroom, to have so many eyes on him made him feel uncomfortable, but he must endure, so he put his shoulders back, puffed out his chest, and straighten to his full height of six feet four. At this, he heard the women say “Awww…” and whispered, “What a powerful warrior,” as they giggled to each other.

He smiled, feeling proud and increased his stride; within moments he was standing in front of the king, Masci bowed waiting for his king to address him.

“Monsieur Massey, rise and look upon your king.”

Masci rose as his king commanded, and when he did, he saw King William smiling at him.

King William looked at his people who gathered in front of him and raised his arms and said, “Behold, Monsieur Massey from Normandy France, who comes from a powerful and honorable noble family, Viscount William de la Fete of the Bellamy family. Monsieur Massey, along with his men, wiped out the remaining Normans at Berkhamsted, thus ending the war.”

As the people applauded and cheered, Masci looked around to the people surrounding him. He saw the women looking at him with lust in their eyes, while the men – some he saw earlier that looked at him with suspicion, were cheering and praising him. This was when he first noticed his men for the first time.

King William put up his hand to hush his people, then waved for Masci’s men to move forward before he addressed the good people of England.

“Now,” directing his arm to Masci, “Monsieur Massey will say a few words.”

When Masci heard this, he was not happy with the idea, but there was nothing for him to do, he could not say no to the king.

“The defeat at Berkhamsted could not have been possible without my men,” Masci said, looking at each one of his men who had formed a circle around him. Masci’s men consisted of Frenchmen, Englishmen, Irishmen, Scotsmen, and a few Spaniards.

“It was their bravery and strength that allowed me to accomplish such a defeat.”

Masci’s men yelled, “Nay, it was your leadership that allowed us to plough through those Norman bastards,” spitting on the ground in disgust.

At this, the people cheered and yelled, “here-here!”

King William raised his hand to hush the people, and the room immediately went silent, waiting for their king to address them.

“Monsieur Massey, from this day forth, you shall be known as Baron Massey of Cheshire. With this title comes with numerous lands within the county of Cheshire, and with these lands, you will receive castles and manors, among them, including Chester Castle and Dunham Castle.”

King William announced then handed Baron Masci his title and the deeds to the lands, castles, and manors.

Masci reached out and took the documents, and when he did, the people of England cheered and applauded to the new Baron of Cheshire.

With his title and deeds, Masci bowed to his king, then turned and took his leave, feeling on top of the world. After receiving congratulations and pats on the back from his men, he moved away, and when he was somewhat alone, he unrolled the document holding his title. When Masci did, he noticed an error; his surname was no longer Masci, it was changed to Massey – Baron Hamon de Massey of Cheshire. Baron Massey turned to look at the king, and when he did, he saw the king watching him with a sinister smile.

Ah, he did this on purpose, thus why he said my name wrong when he announced my new title, Masci thought. Masci – Massey shrugged his shoulders as the spelling of his name did not matter.

A few moments later, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and when he turned around, he saw a broad bearded warrior of a man watching him.

After Baron Massey received his new title and land, Lord Davenport watched the man of honor, curious about the new Baron. He also received the title of lordship with lands, including Whelthrough, Henbury, and Woodford, in his role in helping defeat the Normans. If he was correct, his land borders Baron Massey’s land in Cheshire, and decided it would be smart to befriend a man who held such prestige, honor, and power.

When he saw Baron Massey turn to face him, he approached the man, “Massey,” he called, walking over to the man.

With a slight nod, Baron Massey acknowledged the man approaching him, “To who do I have the honor of addressing,” he asked.

Bowing to the new Baron, Lord Davenport said, “I am Lord Orme de Davenport of Manchester.”

Returning the bow, he said, “Ah, an Englishman with a French name,” Baron Massey said in jest.

Lord Davenport smiled and said, “Yes, Baron Massey, my family originated from France, but we have been in England for many generations now, and I am afraid where we are from is lost to me now. My family comes from Morton, Cheshire, the place you just received from the king,” he said with a little cynicism. “And you, My Lord, from your name and accent, you are a Frenchman?”

Baron Massey smiled, “Yes, I am from Normandy France, are you familiar with the place?”

“Yes, a little,” he said, changing the subject, “Baron Massey, I hope you think right of me, I would like us to become allies. It seems our lands border each other, and with our friendship, we can become powerful allies, allowing us to rule over northern England.”

Baron Massey smiled, ah yes, our friendship can be a grand alliance, he thought, then said, “Yes, I see your meaning, and I think it to be an excellent idea, I accept your friendship.”

Baron Massey puts out his arm, and Lord Davenport grabbed it in a warrior hold sealing their newfound friendship, and when they saw a server passing by, they grabbed a drink and said, “Let us drink to our new friendship,” Lord Davenport said, raising his glass in the air.

Baron Massey also raised his glass, “To friendship,” and then they drank. He then said, “Lord Davenport — ” Well, he attempted to speak but Baron Massey stopped him.

Lord Davenport put his hand up to stop Baron Massey, “Please, call me Orme, since we are to be friends and allies.”

Baron Massey nodded in agreement.

Lord Davenport asked, “Baron Massey, are you married?”

Baron Massey smiled, “Call me, Hamon, please.”

Lord Davenport nodded in agreement.

“No, but I think the king,” looking to where the king was sitting, “Has ideas for me to marry a lady of his choosing, an English Lady,” Baron Massey said, raising his eyebrows with a sinister smile.

Lord Davenport laughed, “Ah, yes, I think he wishes the same for me, but I am already betrothed to a fine English lady, and once I have settled my lands, we will marry.”

“I see,” he said, smiling. “Well, for me, it will depend on the lady the king introduces me to, as I prefer a French woman. Now, there is nothing wrong with English women, but…” with his sinister smile and in a whisper, “French women are very passionate women, no,” he said with a wink.

Lord Davenport laughed and slapped Baron Massey on the back, then they both laughed together.

After both men gained control of themselves, Baron Massey continued, “So yes, I would prefer a French woman, but if the king can provide me with the right woman…” Massey winked again, raising his eyebrows, “Then I will gladly marry her.”

Again, both men laughed and patted each other on the back, then grabbed another drink from a passing tray, celebrating their titles, lands, and friendship.

***

Baron Massey was heading out of London with his men feeling enormously proud of what he and his men had accomplished. This was what he wished for when he left France for England to join the fight against the Normans. Now he rides, ready to begin his new duty as the new Baron of Cheshire.

Once Baron Massey arrived in Cheshire, he took ownership of his lands, castles, manors, and homesteads. Massey gave his highest-ranking men the larger manors and castles, and his other men were allowed to pick from what was left, unless otherwise arranged by Baron Massey.

Baron Massey had no issues in evicting those who were already on his land, his men, however, chose to keep the tenants to work the land, and if their homes were in good condition, the tenants were instructed to move to another location on the land and build a new home.

For himself, Baron Massey took possession of Dunham Castle, then later renamed it, Dunham Massey Castle. Lord Davenport and Baron Massey, along with their families remained friends for several generations, until a misunderstanding in the sharing of their lands destroyed their friendship, to one of severe hatred.

***

The reason for this, even to this day, is lost, Baron Massey thought as he returned to the present. My father could never tell me what caused the rift between our two families; it was something never discussed. Forbidden.

“From what Lord Davenport told me, he too did not know the reason for the end of their friendship.” He looked down at his daughter, “What could have happened? Did I make a mistake,” he shook his head, “Nay, this must be done, it was my father’s last wish on his death bed for me to regain Dunham Massey from the Booths,” he said looking at his daughter, “My daughter, I am sorry, I pray you and Robert will find love as your mother and I did.”

Baron Massey kissed his daughter on the forehead, then he turned and walked out of the room.