Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(34)

Penelope lifted her head. “May I please speak with my betrothed, alone?”

Cecilia stood, and Edward pushed off from the wall. “We won’t be far,” Cecilia said then shut the door quietly.

Nash stood then sat next to Penelope. He waited. Penelope looked at him, and from the way her eyes were moving, he could tell she was studying every inch of his face.

She turned her body to face him and gave him a small smile.

“This isn’t the way I want to do this, but I don’t want to gamble you away over a childhood dream of the perfect wedding. So, I would like the rectory wedding with only my mother and brother there, and then I want to begin to plan the biggest wedding ever thrown in this town,” Penelope said, laughing at her desire for a large wedding.

Nash leaned in and kissed her. One of those slow, sexy kisses she liked so much. “The sooner, the better, Penelope.”

She batted her hand through the air. “You and Edward deal with it. Just let me know what time to show up.”

Nash kissed her quickly. “I’ll grab Edward and go now.”

When the door to the parlour opened, Cecilia rushed in. Edward was already at the front door with Nash. They walked to the corner where Nash had left the carriage.

“The Archbishop’s house,” he told the driver.





Chapter 12


Nash came calling at one o’clock. He knew it would seem strange to Henry if he didn’t. He went directly to Penelope and pulled her into the corner of the parlour, whispering what he and Edward had done since this morning. Before he could get Penelope up to date, Henry entered the room, more surly than usual. He all but growled at the four of them, complained about the teacakes, told Cecilia she looked old in that dress she was wearing and told Penelope her scar stood out even more so than usual.

At that Nash grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the wall. “How dare you speak to her that way. You are the reason she carries that scar around, and yet you mock her for it?” Nash slammed Henry’s head against the wall like a child would throw a ball against one.

Cecilia interrupted, her voice high and loud, “Nash, put him down at once.”

Nash turned, noticing Cecilia as if she had just entered the room. It had just been him and Henry.

Nash opened his fingers and walked away. Behind him, Henry crumpled to the floor choking, drawing in loud, noisy breaths.

He stood. “I demand this man be escorted from this house, immediately.” He pointed then moved to the door and opened it. “Waters, come here. Escort that man,” he said, now pointing at Nash, “out.”

“I’m sorry, My Lord, but I am unable to throw out a Duke on your orders, as you know.” He bowed and went back to his post.

Henry turned to Nash. “Don’t you ever lay a hand on me again.”

Nash laughed. “I will if you ever mention Penelope’s scar in front of me again, the scar you gave her, that you should be ashamed of yourself about.

“And what’s more, if I had been thrown out, I would have told everyone in White’s that you said derogatory things about a scar you gave Penelope. And I would tell them how you gave it to her.

“So I suggest Henry, that I don’t get thrown out of here or I’ll just have to go to White’s.”

Edward gave a small cough. “I need to leave for a doctor’s appointment. I expect everyone in this room can play nice?”

Nash rose from his seat and bowed. Edward bowed back and left the parlour.

Henry sat. Penelope passed Nash a teacup and a plate of cookies. He took one and thanked her. Cecilia sipped her tea as Henry sat. Nash winked at Penelope, and she stifled a laugh.

Finally, Penelope couldn’t take it anymore. “Mother, could we go shopping in the morning? There are a few special items I’d like to see.”

Nash asked Penelope, “When did you say we are going to the theatre?”

Penelope breathed out a growl. “I told you not ten minutes ago. We are going tomorrow evening and will need to leave at half past seven. And if you feel up to it afterward, the Bennetts are having a ball.”

“Do we want to go to the Harrington ball?”

“Yes, Nash, we do.”

“All right. Theatre then Harrington ball. Half past seven. See? I can remember.”

Henry said, “What’s wrong with Edward?”

Cecilia sat up, “Pardon?”

“He said he had a doctor’s appointment. What is wrong with him,” Henry said testily.

Nash broke in, “Cecilia, don’t answer anyone who speaks to you in that sort of voice. It’s rude and not respectful.”

Henry gave Nash a withering look. “Enjoy yourself, Finch. You won’t be around here much longer.”

Nash leaned forward and looked at Henry. He held Nash’s gaze. “Until then, Henry, you will speak to your aunt with respect.”

Henry looked at Cecilia. “Dear Auntie. Why did Edward go to the doctor? Is he well?” Penelope thought she swallowed a sugar cube; Henry’s voice was so sickeningly sweet.

Cecilia smiled at him. “I don’t know, Henry. He didn’t tell me, and I didn’t ask. I’m sure if it’s something serious, he’ll tell me. I’ll let him know you were concerned for him.”

Henry stood, “Don’t bother,” he said, leaving the room.