Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(31)

“I was not of age when my father died and had since thought it unnecessary. We are under my uncle’s roof at his mercy. Until now, I hadn’t considered making the change. I should have, to protect her from the wrong kind of marriage. It never occurred to me. I’ll call on my solicitor today and see how long it takes to make the change.”

Nash nodded. “Go quietly. If he catches wind, you might be thrown out without a roof over your head. He might not throw Cecilia or Penelope out, but I’m not sure he would feel the same about you.”





Chapter 11


Nash called on the Balfour ladies at one, just as he did every day of the week. The ladies curtsied when he was let into the parlour, and he bowed.

Nash stayed standing. “I would like to invite you ladies for a walk this fine day. I have something I’d like to talk with you about, and I prefer not to be interrupted.”

He turned to Cecilia. She looked quizzical but said, “If you wish. My leg bothers me today, Your Grace. May we take the carriage?”

“Even better.”

Cecilia and Penelope sat on one bench, and Nash sat across from them. Nash had instructed the driver to take the roads through the parks until he knocked on the roof to take the ladies home.

“Thank you for indulging me on this ride, My Ladies. Henry told me something at the musical last night that concerned me. He let it slip that it wasn’t he who is trying to break us up, it is Avery.”

Cecilia gasped and said, “Oh, my.”

Penelope sat frozen.

“This is a problem for both Lady Penelope and myself. I had planned on approaching Avery to ask for Penelope’s hand in marriage.”

Nash turned to Penelope and gave her a small smile then turned back to Cecilia.

“If Avery is trying to break us up, and I believe he is, then he would not agree to the match, and we would not be allowed to see each other again.

“He may choose a man for you. Someone weak and able to take directions from him. You see, I’m a threat to him because I could expose Henry’s behaviour, and he could do nothing about it.

“So, my first question is, Penelope will you marry me? I love you, and I would spend every day of my life trying to make you happy.”

Penelope had tears in her eyes and a wide smile on her face. “I was hoping you would ask. Yes, Nash, I will marry you.”

Cecilia smiled and let out another, “Oh.” It was a happier sound this time.

Nash sat back on his seat. “You have made me a very happy man. But I cannot go to Avery and ask for your hand. He’s trying to break us up.”

Cecilia asked Nash, “We must make this happen. Should I go speak with Avery?”

Nash shook his head. “No, My Lady. I don’t think you have enough influence over him to change his mind.

“Edward and I discussed it. Edward is at the solicitor’s now, asking to become Penelope’s legal guardian. Now that he is of age, he has that right. He will come back with the outcome of that meeting.”

“Will Avery throw us out when Edward becomes Penelope’s legal guardian?” Cecilia said, wringing her hands.

“It won’t matter. Once Penelope and I are married, you will move to my mother’s townhouse and have full and free access to all my properties. Edward and I will begin discussing your living arrangements. You’ll never worry about a roof over your head again.”

Penelope gasped. “You can do that?”

He smiled at her, “Yes, my love. I can.”

Nash breathed deep. “There is another solution.” Penelope sat up, her spine ramrod straight. “No.”

Cecilia moved a little closer to Penelope on the carriage bench. “Don’t be so hasty, dear. Think of all that is at stake here. What if Avery tells you at dinner tonight that he has found a husband for you?”

Penelope looked up at Nash with pleading eyes. He said, “Let’s wait to see what Edward finds out, shall we? I’ll do this any way you want, Penelope, but I would feel more at ease if we married right away and got all of you out of this house.”

Penelope put her thumb and forefinger on her brows. “We’ve talked about so much; I need time to think. Will I see you tomorrow at one o’clock? Maybe we can take another carriage ride then?”

Nash knocked on the roof of the carriage, and it headed back to the Balfour residence. “But you do want to marry me, Penelope? Even if it is complicated?”

Penelope grinned back at Nash, “Yes, I do want to marry you, even if it is complicated.”

Nash let the ladies down from the carriage.

“Where have you been?” came the full whiny voice of Henry.

Cecilia took Penelope’s hand and patted it. “We went on the most glorious ride through the flowers in the parks around London. Let me come in and tell you all about them over tea, Henry. The lilacs–”

“No, Cecilia, I don’t want to hear about the flowers.”

They were in the entrance taking care of their coats and wraps. They ordered tea and went into the parlour.

Nash jumped in. “Were the lilacs your favourite? I was partial to the tulips. It’s such a harbinger of spring.

“Stop it, all of you,” Henry said, his face getting red, his arms flailing.

Penelope smiled tightly. “What is it, Henry?”