Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(12)

Nash grinned. “No longer, Henry. But thank you for your concern.”

Henry sat up in his chair. “Oh? And how did you solve your problem?”

Nash breathed deep. He would have rolled his eyes if he could have gotten away with it. “The perpetrator was apprehended by our ten border guards. They have weapons and have been instructed to kill him if they ever see him again.”

Henry sat back in his chair. “I see.”

Avery broke into the conversation and spent most of the rest of the meal talking about the House of Lords and the London nightlife. Nash found it boring but was relieved he didn’t have to talk to Henry any longer. He cast his eyes into Penelope’s, and he knew she had the same feeling about him as he had about her. It felt like home.

After the meal was over, Nash approached Penelope. She curtsied, he bowed.

“Forgive me, Lady Penelope, but I wanted to introduce myself. I am Lord Nash Finch, your neighbour.”

Penelope cast her eyes down. “It is a pleasure to meet you, My Lord. I hope you have enjoyed visiting us.”

“Very much so. I know we have not met before, but I feel we have.” Nash shrugged. “I’ve heard that happens to people sometimes.”

“Penelope,” Henry said. “Enough of that. The Finch’s are leaving now.”

Penelope curtsied, “My Lord.”

Nash bowed, “It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Penelope.” He turned and left the house.

***





Henry didn’t know who wanted to be gone quicker, Finch or the Stantons. So they came about the sheep? He was caught and was sure his father would have something to say about that.

He got off easy. Banned from Finch’s lands. No problem. Henry would not go back to a place where they were waiting to kill him. And he knew they were waiting to kill him.

“Henry, in my study,” Avery said as he walked by him at a brisk pace.

Henry shut the door. “Father?”

Avery looked at Henry as if he was a boil on Avery’s leg. “Sit down.”

Henry sat, and Avery took no time starting in. “Why didn’t you tell me you were caught gutting the sheep? That came as a complete surprise during our meeting, and I had no response. Why are you gutting sheep on Finch’s property?”

“I didn’t think they’d come by. I thought they knew I wouldn’t be back once they caught me and that was the end of it.”

Avery stood and slapped his palm on his desk. “Why the hell are you doing it in the first place?”

Henry shrugged. “I enjoy it.”

Avery sat and blew out a breath to calm his nerves. “Look, Henry. Everett says everyone in both villages knows about the sheep but also knows about Penelope. According to Everett, the healer can’t get anything done, so many people enquire about Penelope.

“Do you have any idea how bad a screw-up that was? The animal thing is bad enough, but no one will tolerate your activities using humans.

“My reputation is at stake. I can’t defend that kind of action. I will never be able to defend that kind of action. Stop doing it, Henry. Stop it all, human or animal.

“There will be no dukedom left to inherit unless you stop. Promise me, right now. If I am stripped of my title and my lands, I will do to you what you have done to Penelope. Do you understand how serious this is?”

Henry rolled his eyes. “You are making much more of this than you should.”

Avery got out of his chair and circled around to Henry. He grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him up. “You don’t seem to understand what peril we are in. Stop. If you don’t stop, you will live in our dungeon. Is that serious enough for you?”

Henry nodded and kept his mouth shut.

“Don’t you ever, ever put me in the position you put me in with the sheep and Penelope ever again. Do you understand me, boy?”

Henry nodded and remained firm lipped.





Chapter 5


He approached Stanton and introduced himself. The man’s eyes lit up, fondly remembering Nash’s father? No, his image was too important. His reaction was for show. If he remembered the incident that had taken place shortly before he and his father arrived for his visit years ago catching Henry in the act of gutting sheep, he didn’t say anything. Although, he couldn’t possibly have forgotten, his face didn’t give anything away.

They talked amicably in front of Avery’s peers. Eventually, Nash steered the conversation to Penelope, and he asked Stanton about her. To his surprise, Stanton pointed her out across the ballroom. When Nash saw her, his old feelings for her rose up from the depths of his being. She had been too young for him when he originally met her, but he was drawn to her in a way one person is instantly connected with another. He would never forget her. It surprised him. Now quickly and forcefully, the connection returned. He had to meet her again.

My God, she was beautiful. He remembered her as an adolescent, just after her horrible incident, her scar. She was gorgeous then. But no comparison to now. From across the ballroom, Nash couldn’t see the scar very well, but he did notice those warm, soulful brown eyes that a man could tumble into.

She looked lovely. Her hourglass figure suited her well. Nash didn’t like girls who were top-heavy sticks. There should be more areas of a woman’s body to feel besides her breasts. The style and colour of her gown suited her, and she showed just the right amount of flesh.