Page 51 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“Ah, I was wondering when you would notice.” Evelina came in beside her.
“Who is she?” Penelope scowled.
“Lord Kenbrook’s daughter.” Evelina scoffed. “Honestly, is she not embarrassed? The way she follows him about like a lost puppy.”
“It doesn’t look as if he means to stop her.”
Penelope’s insides squirmed when she registered the name. It was a dim memory, but was Lord Kenbrook not the one who Dorian had insisted that she invite all those weeks ago? She had not understood why at the time, but was this the reason? A desire to meet his daughter and… the sickness grew.
She pulled herself from that line of thought, not daring to consider such a thing. Even once she turned away, she was unable to stop looking over her shoulder, always finding the two of them together.
It should not have bothered her.
Even now, as she dared another glance, she took note of an older lord approaching her husband and the young redhead, who must be his daughter. To most, it would look simply like he was entertaining his friend’s daughter, nothing at all alarming or worth paying attention to.
Besides, Dorian had already made his feelings for her known, anyway. So even if that was not the case…I should not care! Not one little bit.But that she did was further confirmation that Penelope was still not past her feelings for her husband. Even if she very much wanted to be.
“Penelope!” Barbara was on her, grabbing her by the arms, eyes wide with panic. “Say it isn’t true.”
Penelope frowned. “What… what’s wrong?” She looked at her sisters, who were a mass of giggles. “What did you say to her?”
“Nothing,” Alexandra laughed. “We were just telling her what you had planned for later.”
“I don’t have to do it, do I,” Barbara begged. “I… I don’t think… please don’t make me.”
“For later…” Penelope frowned, not sure what they were speaking of. That was until she was. “Ohhhhh…” She grimaced at Barbara and then smiled awkwardly. “Surprise.”
“But –”
“You wish to speak with Nicholas, yes?” she cut her off, eyebrow raised in question.
Barbara pulled back, jaw clenched into an unsure grimace. “I… I think so…”
“This is the best way,” Penelope assured her. “Believe me, if he approaches you beforehand, his father or your brother will be there – which might sound nice,” she cut Barbara off before the woman could interrupt. “But if you really want to get to know him, it is best that the two of you have some time to talk alone.”
“Talk about what?” she swallowed nervously.
Penelope shrugged. “Anything. And if it is truly a terrible time and you have nothing in common, then at least that way you will know that it is not meant to be. Barbara…” She took her hand and met her eyes. “You said that you trusted me, remember.”
“I… I do trust you.”
“Then trust me in this,” she easer her, sensing her begin to relax. “You brother assures me you are quite the dancer, and there is nothing to be afraid of.”
“Easy for you to say,” Barbara muttered. “You are not the one being forced to –”
“On the contrary,” she spoke over her. “I will be there. As will my sisters.” She looked at them and widened her eyes so they would know this was not a conversation. “We will all be there, and if any of us sense the worst is going to happen…”
“We will make a scene,” Evelina promised here. “I will… fall and pretend to twist my ankle.”
Margaret laughed. “And I will cry out as if I have been stung by a bee.”
“It will be perfectly fine,” Alexandra assured Barbara. “It is just a dance. Once dance. What harm can it do?”
Barbara still did not look so sure. But she did not argue with them, and Penelope could see her slowly coming around to the idea. Again, a sign of how much the young woman was changing. And how much she wanted this.
With a word to the musicians, Penelope organized a waltz for the middle of the ballroom.
Mostly, the couples were comprised of husbands and their wives. For those who did not have that option but still wished to join in, Penelope had paired together names she thought might work together. With the help of Dorian, of course, as this had been organized days ago.
