Page 74 of The Confessions of a Lady
‘Yes. But as the commissioner said, it is your choice, Penny. No one will force you, nor would we think any less of you if you do not wish to put yourself at such risk.’
‘She damn well won’t,’ Liam growled. The men in this disgusting brotherhood were vile. They wouldn’t hesitate to hurt Penny. Especially if they viewed her as a threat. She was the last thing Liam was prepared to sacrifice.
‘I’ll do it,’ Penny stated calmly.
‘No. You won’t.’ Liam turned, holding both her shoulders. ‘I won’t allow it.’
Penny’s hazel eyes softened on Liam as her jaw firmed. ‘You know I’m not good at following your orders. You chose to take this mission, Liam. To put yourself at risk. Because you have that kind of autonomy. And while you are my employer, and you control my actions within this job, you don’t control me. I’m not beholden to you, or anyone else.’ She turned to face Philippa and Commissioner Worthington. Liam fought a wave of emotions.
God damn it. She is marvellous.
‘I want to do this. Tell me what you need.’
Never before had Liam been so proud. Never had he been so terrified.
Never before have I been in love. Until now. I love her.
His foundations shifted. His priorities adjusted. The beast within him submitted to a new master. Her name was Penny Smith.
After discussing the plan, the group determined it best Penny return to her room to avoid any suspicion from the servants. Liam objected, but Penny would not be dissuaded.
‘Molly will notice if I’m not in bed. And the Snake is down there even now, looking for you. He will wonder if you don’t return to the ball.’
With a final glance at Liam, handsome and smouldering like a golden god standing between the dark beauty of Killian and the fair fearsomeness of Drake, Penny returned to the marchioness’ suite. Hannah, Ivy and Millie joined her to help Penny change from her costume back into her maid’s uniform.
‘And just like that, the lady becomes a commoner once more,’ she whispered, staring at her reflection in the full-length mirror placed in the corner of the spacious room. Her black dress was drab in the candlelight. Her apron yellowed against the glamour of Millie’s glittering green dress, the cool blue of Ivy’s gown, and the rich chocolate shine of Hannah’s silk skirts.
Millicent wrapped her arm around Penny’s waist and pulled her flush against her in a side hug. ‘Nothing about you is common.’
Ivy stood next to Millicent. ‘I could never show such courage, Penny. That is a rare gift.’
Hannah approached her other side, tilting her head at the reflection of them all standing side by side in the mirror. ‘I wasthe bastard daughter of a mistress when Philippa took me under her wing. Now I’m a duchess.’
Millicent tightened her arm around Penny. ‘And I was a soft and pampered miss until Philippa taught me how to claim my power. Now I’m a blade-wielding countess who has killed to protect the innocent. Our beginnings are just that.’ Her gaze slipped to Ivy in the mirror. ‘A beginning.’ She refocused on Penny. ‘But we determine our path. We determine our destiny.’
‘We can change our stars.’ Penny’s voice shook. The idea was unbelievable. But so much about tonight was impossible. The commissioner of the metropolitan police defied the law he promised to uphold and supported three fierce women in claiming justice against the very lords he promised to serve. Philippa, the all-powerful duchess, personal friend of Queen Victoria, was asking Penny for her help. Penny! A maid raised in the prison system without two shillings to rub together. Liam – once the evil villain – was now an honourable lord risking everything to protect innocent maids with no more pedigree than Penny herself. And when he looked at her, the world stopped to take note. It was all madness.
But brilliance is sometimes mistaken for madness. I am falling in love with a marquess. Maybe that’s a bit of both.
The moment she realised Liam was innocent of the crimes she feared he committed, the walls around her heart shattered. As impossible as a future might be for them, tonight gave her reason to hope. And hope was a dangerous, wild creature thumping hard against her chest, fighting to fly free.
‘Just remember, no matter what happens, we are here to support you, Penny.’ Millie smiled at Penny’s reflection in the glass.
‘We are your friends. Now and forever,’ Hannah added.
‘And no matter what occurs, we will always be here for each other,’ Ivy chimed in, her voice gaining strength.
Penny took their promises with her as she snuck down the hall, pushed open the hidden door in the hallway, followed the glow of candles in the servants’ hall leading her to the room where Molly snored quietly in the darkness, and pulled back the covers to her bed.
The next morning, Penny dressed quickly and descended to the kitchen. Mrs O’Brian was putting a tray together. Mushrooms and bechamel sauce over an omelette oozing with cheese. Fresh strawberries and clotted cream with flaky scones. Kippers and tomatoes on buttered toast.
‘Himself is lying in today.’ She winked at Penny. ‘Someone ‘ad themselves a right rollicking time last night. Take this up to his lordship, then find Mr Coggins. But watch yourself. Coggins’ in a dark mood. He’s got the evil eye out for you, Penny. Mind my words.’
Penny reached out to heft the silver tray. A twinge of fear tightened her belly at the cook’s warning before she remembered Ivy, Millie, and Hannah’s words from the night before. She made her own destiny. And she would be damned if a rat-faced butler was going to intimidate her. ‘Thanks for the warning. Did you get to enjoy yourself at all last night, Mrs O’Brian?’
The apple-cheeked cook waved her hand in front of her. ‘Didn’t have time to even sip a tankard of ale. But never you mind. His lordship sent a note down this morning addressed to me, Penny. Said it was the best meal he’s ever eaten. Told me the beau monde was raging about the talents of a certain chef. Some of them poncy lords even talked about stealing me away.’ She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. ‘Imagine that. Dukes and earls talking about my food. Can you even believe it?’
Penny smiled at the flummoxed woman. ‘Of course I can. You’re the best cook I’ve ever known.’
