Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(29)

He must’ve said ‘Pardon me?’ twenty times before the evening was through, missing parts of conversations while thinking of their kiss. Each time he said it, Penelope looked up at him and smiled, the smallest of smiles, at their own private joke.

As usual, the ladies congregated together, no doubt to hear the latest word about a member of the ton. That kept them way too busy in Nash’s opinion, but who asked him for his opinion? No one.

Edward dragged Nash into a corner of the room to ply him with questions about Penelope. Nash explained a little problem he was having.

“Edward, I don’t know what to do about Avery. Henry has been doing everything possible to break us up. What if Avery put him up to it? I’m beginning to think Henry’s doing Avery’s dirty work for him. You know Avery likes to keep his hands clean.

“So if I approach him for Penelope’s hand, he may say no, and I will never be able to see her again. I don’t want that to happen.”

Edward turned to face Nash, “That would devastate her. I know she loves you. She told me. She would never recover from it. And with her face–”

“Don’t even say it, Edward. I understand. I sometimes think Cecilia, you, and I are the only people who don’t see the scar when we look at her.

“Hello, gentlemen,” Henry said and bowed.

Oh, but didn’t he have good manners at ton events. Edward and Nash bowed.

He sneered at them and said, “What are you two doing in the corner with your heads together? Plotting the overthrow of the King?”

Nash briefly closed his eyes, then opened them and said, “No, Henry, we were having a confidential conversation, the likes of which you will never be privy. If you’ll excuse us, we’ve been gone from the gathering far too long.”

Henry stepped in front of Nash. “Ah, you’re talking about one of those investments of yours that leaves your investors giddy with satisfaction?”

Nash gave Henry a hard stare. “You will never be asked to join an investment portfolio of mine, so don’t waste your breath.”

“Oh, I don’t want to join any of your investment portfolios. Father has sunk a chunk of money and is awaiting a huge return from your friend Wilson’s portfolio. You see Nash, we don’t need you, and we don’t want you. Why don’t you go away and never come back? That would make Father happier than Wilson’s payoff.”

Nash, then Edward moved away from Henry and walked to the table offering drinks. They were both smiling big, genuine smiles. Henry had finally tipped his hand.

“Edward, would you like to join me to break your fast at the club tomorrow at ten?”

“I’ll arrange a private room for us,” Edward said.

Nash was jumping out of his skin the rest of the evening. Avery wanted him gone. Henry was just an errand boy. He should have known. He needed to have a conversation with Wilson about Avery.

That one conversation he just had with Henry may just turn this whole thing around. He knew Henry had no idea he had divulged anything to them. He was strutting around the place with a smile on his face. If he realized what he had done, he wouldn’t be smiling.

Nash finally rejoined Penelope and Cecilia in a group of guests including Kitty, Isabel, and Dinah. He stood next to Jerome briefly asking pleasant questions. Vauxhall went well. If Penelope and Dinah wanted to go somewhere together again, Nash would like that. He thought Jerome felt the same.

Then he turned and joined Penelope. They carried on an amicable conversation with four people at once. Standing next to her, listening to her participation in the conversation, Nash saw no trace of discomfort, from her or from their peers, about her scar.

Could this be how they could live once married? Have friends over to the townhouse to laugh together? Nash could picture it. But, the hurdles. The hurdles.

Once the carriage started to move, Nash crossed to sit next to Penelope. He took her hand.

“Did you enjoy yourself this evening?”

She nodded. “I did. The mix of guests was perfect. I heard gossip, and I laughed. Did you?”

He smiled then ran his finger down her cheek making sure not to touch her scar. “The best part of the evening was standing in that group with you laughing and telling jokes. I will never forget that picture of you and hope it’s one of the last things I conjure on my way out.”

Penelope put her hand on his heart. “Sounds ominous.”

He shook his head. “No, I only want to leave this earth with a smile on my face.”

He took a palm on each cheek of hers and turned her head to his. “I’ve been waiting for this since the moment we arrived at the Dunhams.”

He pulled her in for a kiss. As soon as his mouth met hers, he groaned with pleasure. She leaned into him, trying to get closer. An impossibility. She moved her hands behind his neck and fiddled with his hair at his nape.

He could feel the smile on her lips. He moved his tongue against them and invaded her mouth.

The carriage lurched to a stop. Again, they parted. Nash said, “I believe the Dunhams live too close to the Balfours.”

Penelope giggled.

Nash whispered that he would let the footman guide her to the door. She nodded. If she had asked him why he wouldn’t guide her, Nash would have had difficulty coming up with a good answer or with hiding his bulge as he brought her up the stairs. He thought her too na?ve to think of such things, so he was happy she agreed to let the footman accompany her.