Page 3 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
The two girls had always secretly whispered when they were alone that the last name Brown suited her well because she was as dull as dry, hard, brown dirt and dressed the same.
Still, she was a kind woman, a lenient chaperone, and not as overbearing as other girls of the ton had the ill luck of having. As was the norm, the chaise had lulled Ms Brown to sleep, and she sat there with her chin resting on her chest and gently snored away.
Penelope’s mother and father were in the chaise behind them, giving the girls a moment to speak freely but in hushed tones to not rouse Ms Brown. Georgina was not related to Penelope, but they were as close as sisters and shared everything with each other.
“I am so excited for this night. Just think of it, Pen! Our first ball, I mean, yes, we have been to countless other balls, but that was back in our small town and must be ever so different from here.
I have always heard that the balls held in London are the most decadent and luxurious events one can ever hope to experience. I certainly never thought I would actually be able to go to one. Oh, thank you so much for taking me with you and your family this season.”
This was how Georgina always spoke. Like a spring chicken that had just hatched and was eager to tell her friends everything she had been thinking while cramped inside her tiny eggshell. That is not to say that Georgie, as Penelope liked to call her, was dim. On the contrary, she was very smart and always got better marks than even Penelope, who worked very hard at her studies at the finishing school they had attended together.
Georgina was also quite pretty but felt a bit like a delicate bunch of baby’s breath next to a crimson rose when she was around Penelope. Her hair was a straight sandy blonde, and her eyes a nice hazel colour, but her figure could not compare with Penelope’s luscious shape. Penelope never seemed to notice, though, and often complimented Georgina on how lovely she looked or how she wished her studies came as easily to her as they did Georgina.
“I know, I am excited about this ball, but truthfully, I am exceedingly nervous more than I am excited. I just feel like I will be out of place at such a grand affair, and everyone will have their eyes on me,” Penelope said.
“Oh, it is going to be wonderful, Pen. You know it will! The ball is in your honour. Well, your father’s honour, but you know the one that everyone will be craning to get an eye full of is you! Each time my handmaiden has returned from the market, she tells me about all the questions she gets about you. And do not fret; the entire ton will love you, and why would they not? This is you we are speaking of, and with that gown you are wearing tonight! How could they not?”
“It is quite stunning. I feel as though I am walking around in a gown made of delicate lily petals covered in diamonds from how it shimmers. And I adore yours! That soft purple really highlights your gorgeous eyes!” Penelope remarked. Speaking of eyes got Penelope thinking back on the rider from this morning and how she went hot and cold under his gaze when he looked at her.
“I do like it a lot. Thanks, Pen. I wonder if many gentlemen will ask us to dance. I so want to meet them all and see what they are like. They must be so fascinating!”
“Goodness, I hope I do not have to do too many dances. My feet already hurt in these new slippers Mamma purchased for me. I really should have heeded Ms Brown’s advice and broken them in yesterday. However, I am hopeful I will encounter that gentleman from this morning,” Penelope whispered, but not before checking to ensure Ms Brown was still snoring.
“Lord, I cannot fathom why you would wish such a thing! I already told you that he most likely is the mad duke. Who else could it have been? Every other eligible bachelor has already come to call on you at the house and make the proper introductions, aside from Theodore Winterbourne.
I sincerely think that you should do your best to stay far away from him. You should hear the things my handmaiden says she has been told of him. He is absolutely insane, and if he is there tonight, I would suggest you make an excuse to end the interaction as quickly as decorum allows,” Georgina stated emphatically.
Although it was not in her nature to be judgmental, she was worried about her dear friend from the stories she had heard of this duke.
At that moment, the chaise hit a bump in the street, waking Ms Brown from her nap. This came as a relief to Penelope because like herself, Georgina was very stubborn, and once she had made her mind up about something, there was little a person could do to change her view on the matter.
Aside from not wanting to argue with her friend, Penelope did not really have any proof to counter against what was said of the duke. Only that in her encounter with him, brief though it was, he appeared perfectly sane to her, and underneath his serious countenance, he also struck her as kind.
There was a gentle sweetness in his eyes and the overall feeling she got in his presence that did not bode of a man who had lost control of his wits. Penelope knew what a person suffering from such things was like because, in her old age, her grandmamma had got to where she did not know who she was, where she was at, or even her own son, Penelope’s father, at the end. The family had kept it hushed up so as not to tarnish the family’s image.
At long last, the chaise came to a halt, and the party climbed the steps to the ballroom entrance. The servants relieved them of their coats, and the girls picked up a dance card and slipped it on their satin-gloved wrists. Soon after being greeted warmly by their hosts, Penelope was surrounded by young men bowing and craning for an opportunity to save a slot on her card.
Penelope stood on her tiptoes in hopes of catching her father’s eye so that he might rescue her, but he merely smiled and continued his conversation with a lord. So, Penelope put her best foot forward and attempted to see the rest of what looked to be a long night of dancing with all the grace her family name required.
It was not that Penelope disliked dancing; in fact, she quite enjoyed it when her shoes were not striving to torture her toes. It was just that these men all so evidently looked at her as a prize to be won. While on the dance floor with them, they would mostly fill up the moments in her presence by trying to impress her with their masculine prowess.
None seemed to genuinely be interested in getting to know her or seeing if a love connection could be built between them. No, it was all a game to them, and she hated it. Penelope longed in her heart to find someone who would love her for her, even if she was just a poor milkmaid.
Someone she could build a life and a loving family with, and sadly this longing seemed ever more unlikely. It was clear to her that she was expected to accept an offer of marriage this season, and if she did not, her father would see to arranging a suitable match for her.
Georgina had stayed close to Penelope’s side as much as she could, and when she finished the latest dance and saw the drained and concerned look hidden behind the sweet smile on her dearest friend’s face, she said, “Penelope, I am parched. Can we please go avail ourselves of a glass of that delicious-looking punch on the table there?”
Penelope smiled gratefully and agreed. As they stood near the table, a man approached them, and Penelope took one more sip of her punch, hoping it would steady her for yet another suiter, and was ever so relieved to see an old childhood friend, Henry Carlton. Henry bowed, and Penelope extended her hand for him.
“Henry, I am so pleased beyond words to see you again. You do, of course, remember my good friend Miss Georgina Stuart. Her father is my father’s business partner and lifelong friend. She came with me on many of my trips here in London when we were young and visiting my grandfather’s estate.”
“Yes, miss, I do remember you, and it is an honour to see you again and looking in such good health.” Henry bowed towards Georgina.
“Penelope, I was greatly grieved to hear of your grandfather’s passing, though I am pleased it has finally brought you and your family here to London permanently. The ton life simply is not the same without you present! Would you do me the great honour of dancing with me this evening?” Henry stated, his voice dripping with flattery.
“I would be delighted. I have but one dance left on my card. The second to the last dance of the evening.”
“I will count down the moments until then.” And with that, Henry bowed and took his leave of the ladies, though not before kissing Penelope’s hand and gazing into her eyes as he did so.
