Page 68 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“Argument?” It took Penelope a moment to understand what she meant.
“My father overheard you,” Henrietta explained with a smile. “Not on purpose, but as he said it, the two of you were not exactly being subtle. For what it is worth, I agree with you.”
Penelope had no idea what was going on. Her stomach turned a little, that feeling that whatever this was, she should have felt worried. But Henrietta was being so kind it was hard to justify why she should.
“From what I understand, marriages are hard work,” the young redhead continued. “And if one knows that it is not worth the effort, why waste the time?” She shrugged. “Truly, I am sure there are many wives who are even envious of you.”
“I don’t…” Penelope gave her head a shake. “I don’t know what you think you heard, but I can assure you that His Grace and Iare not…” She clicked her tongue with frustration. “We are not wasting time. There is nothing wrong with our marriage.”
Henritta’s eyes widened. “Oh! I did not mean – forgive me.” She reached out and took Penelope’s hand. “I did not mean it like that. Truly, I think it is very brave what you are doing. And smart, truth be told. I mean, just imagine if word got out about the two of you…” She shuddered. “The things that people would say.”
“That they would… what do you mean?”
“Oh, you know how people gossip,” Henrietta said. “Even if there is no truth to it, that matters none. I know His Grace to be a proud man, and such slander as that would surely ruin him. And if not him, the effect it would have on those close to him. His sister for example…” A deep sigh as if with regret. “It is smart that the two of you are keeping it so close to the chest.”
Penelope had no idea what was going on.
It sounded to her like the young woman was threatening her, although she didn’t understand to what end exactly. She was being so kind and gentle, as if she truly cared for Penelope’s well-being.
“Thank you for your concern,” Penelope said carefully. “But what His Grace and I do – where our marriage is concerned. It is nobody’s business.”
“I could not agree more,” Henrietta said earnestly. “And deciding against having a child too, very clever.” She nodded seriously. “To bring a child into a home without affection would only confuse things further. Not to mention that if an annulment was ever sought, it would make it impossible. You have clearly thought ahead.”
“I… that isn’t --”
“My business,” Henrietta said quickly. “And I should not have said anything. In truth, I hope that you and His Grace work things out.” Still holding her by the hand, she squeezed it. “If that was to happen, it would not matter what people said. Of course, if you didn’t…” She grimaced. “Let us not say such things.”
Penelope stared blankly at the young woman, still confused, still reeling because she hadn’t considered any of what Henrietta was saying. But to hear it put so bluntly…how could I have missed it?
All this time, Penelope had considered her marriage to the duke from her point of view only. How it might affect her. How her life was that which suffered. Not once had she thought about it from Dorian’s point of view, not to mention the consequences should things turn even worse than they already were.
Sure, if things worked out, none of this would matter. But what if they didn’t? What if they tried, and failed, and then word got out? And if she was to have a child…
It was silly to let such things worry her. Not now, when finally she and Dorian were so close to being on the same page. But a coldness slowly started to seep through her body and she shuddered as if from a chill.
“Have you see my husband today?” Penelope asked.
“Not, Your Grace. I assumed you would know where he was.”
“I…” She turned again, searching for Dorian, finding him nowhere. Why was he not here? Had he too come to understand what Henrietta was saying?
Penelope did not want to make things harder for Dorian. And she certainly did not want to make things worse for Barbara. But is that what she was doing? By reinserting herself into their lives, was she set to ruin everything?
“I should go,” Henrietta said suddenly, pushing back her chair.
“Oh… yes…”
“And good luck…” For the first time, she wasn’t smiling. In fact, worry crossed her face, a sense that she wanted to say something else. It was subtle, but her eyes then flicked across the ballroom, widened as if from panic, and looked away. “I will… later…” She put her head down and fled.
Penelope watched her go, finding that she hurried to the corner of the ballroom where her father stood waiting. They spoke inhushed whispered, Henrietta with her head bowed, her father speaking sharply by the looks of things. Very strange…
But not what had Penelope so worried.
That was saved for Dorian and her marriage. One she wanted to pursue but now wondered if it was worth the cost. Her own happiness for the sake of his and Barbara’s? To risk ruining their lives on the off chance that she might finally find that purpose she was so desperate for.
It was an impossible question to answer, and Penelope could not fathom how she might come to do so. She needed to speak with Dorian again… about what? What she might say? How she might frame such worry? She did not have a clue.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
