Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(38)

Henry snorted. “Why should I? You didn’t go to the ball last night. That was important.”

Penelope looked at Henry, “It was a ball. Just a ball. It wasn’t so important that I should have gone with a headache.”

Henry looked at her, “I’ll take the message to him. What is it you want him to know?”

“I appreciate your offer, but I need to speak with uncle on my own.”

Henry banged his fist on the table, making the plates and utensils move. “For God’s sake Penelope, what could be so important that you need to talk with him today?”

Penelope looked at Henry. “According to Cecilia and Edward, they were wondering what was so important I attended the ball last evening. Care to tell me?”

Henry shot up from his seat and moved with the grace of an elephant out of the dining room.

***

Henry entered his father’s study and closed the door. “Have you been told that Penelope wants to see you today?”

Avery continued to sort the papers on his desk while, without looking up, he spoke, “Yes, Waters told me of the request. What does she want?”

Henry answered, “I have no idea. I asked her while she was breaking her fast, and she wouldn’t say. She wants to speak directly with you.”

“Well, Henry, I have an appointment then a lunch meeting at White’s. She’ll have to wait. Have you found out if she will be at the Randolph ball this evening?”

“She will.”

Henry left not knowing if his father planned to meet with Penelope or not.

***

Nash, Penelope, Cecilia, and Edward arrived at the ball shortly after ten o’clock.

Edward pointed with his chin. “There’s a boy staying close to him. Avery’s not letting him get too far away. Right now, he’s on Avery’s right, behind him, standing alone.”

Penelope gasped. “That’s Lord Alfred. I danced with him at the first ball. He practiced on me. Sweating, red blotchy skin, and absolutely nothing to say.”

Nash looked confused. “What do you mean he practiced on you?”

“You know. Not a real girl. Just a practice girl.” She looked away.

“There you are,” Henry said loudly as he approached Nash and Penelope. “Where have you been?” he said, agitated.

Nash looked at him and shook his head, “None of your business.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re finally here,” he said looking at Penelope.

“Why?” she asked.

Henry laughed, clearly enjoying himself. “You’ll see.”

Penelope rolled her eyes and walked away. Nash followed her.

“I think we should have fun and avoid Henry as much as possible. Dance, eat, drink, and chat with friends while keeping an eye out for Henry and going the opposite way.

“Would you care to dance?”

“I would,” she said, and Nash led her onto the dance floor.

“He wants to marry you to that practice dancer, that child.”

“Yes, he does, but he can’t. Keep your head together, husband.”

Nash smiled and bent low to her ear, “I love when you called me that.”

She squeezed his arm. “Get used to it.”

Penelope and Nash were having a pleasant evening as newlyweds. The music stopped, and it was close to midnight, so Cecilia, Edward, Penelope, and Nash walked toward Avery. They planned to stay close to him until this charade was over.

Penelope suddenly felt bad she didn’t try harder to meet with her uncle.

“May I have your attention, please?” Avery said to the crowd. He was on the platform the musicians used. They had cleared it for him.

The ballroom quieted, and the guests walked closer to the platform to hear Avery better. Nash, Penelope, Cecilia, and Edward stood next to the platform on the right-hand side.

Avery looked over at Penelope and gave her a broad smile. She grinned back.

Penelope noticed Lord Alfred on the other side of the platform looking up at Avery as if he were the King of England.

“When my brother in law died suddenly, many years ago, my sister Cecilia and her two children Edward and Penelope came to live with me.

“I’ve had the pleasure of their company in my home for the past seven years. It has been one of the happiest and most gratifying times in my life.”

The ballroom gave a muted clapped, then stopped to hear more.

“Now, Edward is of age, and Penelope is having her season. I am most happy to tell you all that Lord Alfred here,” Avery waved a hand in the direction of Lord Alfred, “has come to me looking for Penelope’s hand in marriage, and I have agreed.”

The ballroom resounded with applause.

“If both of you could come here with me so I may introduce you as a betrothed couple to the guests.”

Penelope walked up to the platform and waved her uncle toward her. He came and whispered in her ear, “It’s all said and done. You can’t back out on this marriage contract.”

She whispered back to him, “I am already married.” And with that, Penelope backed away from the platform.

She, Nash, Cecilia, and Edward turned their backs on the platform and started walking toward the door.

The butler was getting the ladies’ wraps when Avery came to them. He was furious.