Page 47 of Cinderella's Charade With the Duke
When the door opened, she gasped at the sight of the two women, lost all sense of decorum and rushed to them,embracing them fiercely. There were murmurs, hugs, tears, laughter and a cacophony of squeals of delight that he couldn’t decipher. But one thing was certain: his surprise for Penelope was a brilliant success. He stood back, smiled and crossed his arms over his chest, pleased by his efforts and the joyful reunion. Even if he couldn’t be reunited with his family, she could be reunited with what by all intents and purposes was hers.
After another minute of wiping tears, greeting each other and fussing over Penelope’s dress and hair, the women took notice that William was still in the room and quieted.
‘William, I am so sorry. I was overcome with emotion and happiness. Please let me introduce you,’ Penelope said, wiping another tear from her cheek and facing him.
‘Let me guess,’ he added. He studied them as he approached. ‘I think you must be Miss Hastings,’ he said pointing to the tall, rather serious brunette, ‘and you are Miss Granger,’ he added nodding to the rather pretty blonde with impish features and curls fighting to be free from her bonnet.
Penelope stood between them. Her height, brown eyes and hair and soft features were a blend between them. Together they were a rather stunning trio made for each other. He smiled when the two other women nodded.
‘You are correct, Your Grace,’ Miss Granger replied and squeezed Penelope’s waist. ‘And we are so grateful for your invitation, although we were surprised it did not come from Hattie herself.’
He frowned. ‘Hattie? Who is that?’
Penelope blushed and faltered. ‘It is their nickname for me. Has been since we were children.’
‘’Tis a rather odd nickname, is it not?’ he asked.
‘I used to adore wearing hats when I was younger,’ she stumbled out, her blush deepening.
‘Oh?’ he asked. ‘I had no idea. We must contact the modiste and have a few more made. You have few hats from what I have seen.’
‘They do not travel well, so I did not bring many,’ she rushed out.
‘Yes,’ Miss Hastings added, studying Penelope. ‘They can get rather crumpled and unlike the original creation after a long trip.’
Penelope cleared her throat. ‘Perhaps you might like to freshen up before joining us for tea. Would that be all right, Your Grace?’ she offered, looking to William. ‘It has been quite a journey for them, I am sure, and Miss Hastings can get a bit peckish,’ she added in a lowered tone with a wink.
Why had he not thought of that?
No doubt because he was not a woman.
‘My apologies, ladies. Of course. Let us reconvene in an hour and have tea then and get to know one another. I am sure you have many stories to tell about my betrothed.’
Miss Hastings coughed and Miss Granger hit her between the shoulder blades. ‘Come, come, Gertrude,’ she said. ‘Let us change, so we can hear all about what Hat—I mean, Penelope’s been up to since we arrived. Thank you, Your Grace, for your kindness and generosity for inviting us. We are so delighted to be here.’
They clutched each other by the waist and followed Penelope. ‘I’ll be back,’ she called to William.
‘Take your time,’ he replied, watching them exit the room. They were an odd little pair, but for some reason he liked Penelope’s friends immediately. But perhaps he was prone to like people with ease, but who knew. He couldn’t remember much of anything three weeks prior to now, which might be a blessing in disguise.
Chapter Nineteen
‘Care to explain,Lady Penelope?’ Trudy asked in low staccato tones as she tugged Hattie to her side. Her brow narrowed in judgement.
Hattie smothered a smile and held her tongue.
‘Yes, do tell,’ Ophelia purred. ‘Thisbetrothedof yours is a delicious creature. I thought all dukes were rather old and vapid, but not yours.’ She sucked in a breath. ‘Have you fallen in love just like I thought you would?’ She sighed dramatically and pressed her hand to her chest. ‘What greater love story could there be?’
Hattie pulled them along the hallway, avoiding all their questions, but revelling in the sight, sound and feel of them being reunited. She was far too excited to see them, but she also didn’t want to tell them what was really going on until they were far from William. Even though everyone else in the Manor knew she was no Lady Penelope, she couldn’t risk William overhearing what she knew would be a rather detailed and thorough interrogation.
‘Mrs Chisholm,’ Hattie called across the hall as they reached the base of the stairs. ‘Could you bring some refreshments upstairs to my chamber for our guests and show them their rooms?’
‘Of course. Follow me, ladies.’
‘Thank you,’ Hattie replied. ‘I will be along straight away, but first there is something I must do.’
‘But—’ Trudy began. Ophelia silenced her with a finely placed elbow to the ribs.
Trudy shot her a warning look and Hattie smothered a smile. ‘I must speak with William first. Then, we will catch up…on everything.’ She gifted them a smile and turned, the swish of her skirts whispering along the hardwood floors as she rushed back to the parlour.
