Page 53 of Her Sinful Duke

Penelope frowned. “I’m not really certain about that, Adeline.”

“Trust me,” Adeline urged.

Penelope sighed again, deciding to change the topic. “But do tell me about yourself, my dear Adeline. What has been happening with you? And what about Mother and Father?”

She wasn’t particularly interested in what was happening with either her mother or her father. After all, they had thrown her in that nunnery, leaving her without a word for five whole years. She had learned to live without them a long time ago. As any dutiful child, she didn’t bear any ill will against them, but they had lost their status as her mother and father a long time ago. Still, it was courteous of her to ask, so she did it out of mere politeness, nothing else.

Soon enough, speaking with her little sister somehow eased Penelope. With each passing moment, the heavy weight of worry began to lift from Penelope’s heart, replaced by a sense of warmth and belonging in the presence of her beloved sister. They laughed together, their voices mingling like music in the quiet sanctuary of the estate, chasing away the shadows that had haunted their thoughts for far too long.

“Don’t worry,” Adeline said one last time as they were ready to bid each other goodbye. “Everything will be fine. Just… give him some time, but make sure he knows you are here, if he needs you.”

Penelope inhaled deeply. She had no idea how to go about doing that. She wanted to be by James’ side, but she couldn’t be, because he wouldn’t let her. Not yet. Hopefully, that would change soon, so she needed to be ready for that moment.

“Thank you so much for coming.” Penelope embraced Adeline one more time then she allowed her sister to climb into her carriage. “Send my regards to Mother and Father,” she added out of sheer politeness.

This time, however, she didn’t even ask about Vanessa. She felt that their older sister had now disappeared from their lives. Of course, Penelope hoped that wherever she was, she was all right. That she was safe and sound. That was all that mattered.

She waved at Adeline’s departing carriage, waiting until she completely lost it out of sight. Then, she turned around and walked back into her home with a newfound sense of hope, emboldened by Adeline’s words.

Perhaps, Adeline is right,she reminded herself.Maybe I just need to be a bit more patient, and James will come and find me and tell me everything he could not tell me before.

CHAPTER26

Two more days passed, and nothing changed. Penelope was becoming more and more worried, unable to shake the gnawing sense of unease that weighed upon her heart. As she was sitting in the drawing room that morning, endeavoring to focus on a book, a soft knock on the door interrupted her, pulling her out of the storm of her mind thoughts.

“Yes?” she called out.

The door opened, revealing her lady’s maid. “I do beg your pardon for interrupting you, Your Grace, but this letter has just arrived for you. It is marked as urgent.”

“Urgent?” Penelope lifted an inquisitive eyebrow. She wasn’t expecting any urgent correspondence.

She got up and walked over to Charlotte, accepting the offered letter. She recognized the seal immediately. How could she not? After all, it belonged to her family. But… why would they be sending her a letter? Adeline had just visited her. What would be so urgent that they had to contact her so soon after her little sister’s visit?

“Thank you, Lottie.” She smiled at her lady’s maid. “That will be all.”

She listened to the sound of closing doors then she focused on the letter in her hand. Her fingers trembled slightly as she broke the seal and unfolded the delicate parchment within. As she read the words inscribed upon the page, her breath caught in her throat.

Dear Penelope,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I write to you today with joyous news: your older sister has returned home after her travels abroad. Her arrival has brought a renewed sense of warmth and happiness to our household, and we are eager to celebrate her homecoming in grand fashion.

To mark this joyous occasion, we extend to you and your esteemed husband a most cordial invitation to join us for dinner at our estate. It would bring us great pleasure to welcome you both into our home and to share in the revelry of this special occasion.

Pray, let us know at your earliest convenience if you are able to honor us with your presence. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to reunite with you and to partake in the merriment of the evening.

Until then, know that you are always in our thoughts and prayers, and that our hearts are filled with love for you both.

With warmest regards,

The Earl of Montgomery

Penelope couldn’t believe what she had just read.Travels abroad? Celebrate her homecoming in grand fashion?Were they honestly pretending that Vanessa hadn’t run away? And her father, signing his name with his title when writing to his daughter. What sort of a father did that?

Penelope angrily crumpled the letter, throwing it against a nearby wall. Why were her parents excited about any of this? And why on earth would they make a public spectacle of it? When she acted out, it was something far less dangerous and damning than what Vanessa had done — which was running away from an arranged marriage and then disappearing off God knows where for months, only to reappear out of nowhere. When Penelope did something far less risky, she was sent to a nunnery, as if she had transgressed against the Queen herself and needed to be adequately punished for it. But when Vanessa did the worst thing possible? She got to come back without any repercussions. Worst of all, her return was celebrated. Penelope’s was not.

“Argh!” Penelope found herself unable to control her temper as she slammed her fist into a nearby pillow that rested on a chaise longue in an effort to push out all the anger that was consuming her entire body.

Only then did she realize that there was an audience for her burst of outrage.

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