Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(41)

Nash sat back waiting for the onslaught. He had no idea how difficult it might be to talk her into this plan, but he was about to find out.

“Go on a honeymoon then come back for the wedding? That is total madness. We would be the laughingstock of London.”

Nash smiled. He knew this would be her objection. Thank God, she didn’t have an objection he couldn’t overcome.

“Penelope, everyone knows we are married. I think the sheep in the Scottish Highlands know we are married. What difference does it make if the honeymoon is before or after the big wedding? You know everyone will come either way.

“There won’t be an empty pew in the church. The celebration we hold here after the wedding will probably have more people in attendance than in the church before.

“It will be the biggest ton event this season. And it has nothing to do with when we go on our honeymoon.”

He blew out a long slow breath. “Penelope, I need the honeymoon. I need to be with you without Avery and Henry and the general nonsense we have been putting up with for so long. I have my needs. And right now, my need is to make love to you in Sicily while looking out the window at the beauty of Mount Aetna.”

Penelope’s eyes were watching her hands in her lap. Nash knew she wouldn’t say no to him. She just had to come to terms with it first.

She lifted her head and looked into Nash’s eyes. “I suppose I could talk to Mother about the idea, see what she thinks. See if she’s willing to take on the project.”

Nash got up and went to where Penelope sat. He sat on his haunches. “I knew there was a reason I love you.”

She pushed his arm playfully. He fell over, his laughter making him too weak to get up.

Once Penelope was satisfied with Helen’s progress, she and Nash took their carriage to call on Cecilia and Edward. Their butler, Simons let them in, trying but failing to look stoic. Nash was sure every servant in the house was as happy as Simons.

*****

Cecilia and Edward joined them in the parlour shortly after they arrived, and tea was served promptly.

Nash observed, “I think, at least for today, your servants are the happiest in London. Fear not, once they get to know you, Edward –”

Penelope huffed. “Stop that.” She turned to her mother, “Are you settling in? Do you need anything?”

“Penelope, I have more than I could ever need. This house is lovely. I think Edward and I will be happy here.”

Nash sat up straight. “Good, because Penelope and I are leaving, and we expect to be gone two months.”

Penelope gasped and said, “Two months?”

At the same time, Edward said, “About time you went on your honeymoon.”

Penelope looked at Edward. “Excuse me, Edward.”

She turned to her husband, “Two months?”

Her reaction was just as he predicted. “Not longer, Nash. Shorter. Two months is far too long.”

“Penelope, you know the time it takes to travel. We’ll need two months if we are to stay in one place longer than a day.”

“Nash, this is a honeymoon, not the Grand Tour ... We simply don’t need that amount of time.”

Nash looked at the ceiling, counting to ten. He hoped Penelope thought he was distressed. This would only work if she did.

“What is here in London that you cannot be gone on your honeymoon with your husband? A lover, perhaps?”

Penelope gasped, and then laughed. “You’re trying to bait me.”

Nash got up and paced. “No, I’m trying to go on my honeymoon.”

Edward took the chair next to Penelope. “Perhaps I can help? I’ve heard a lot of men at the club talk about their honeymoon.”

He and Nash had arranged Edward’s participation in Penelope’s objection. Nash let him continue.

Edward said, “Well, most gentlemen take honeymoons between six weeks and three months. Why? Most travel to Paris and spend a week or two there then move on to their destination, usually somewhere in Italy or Greece. Magnificent places to honeymoon to be sure. Almost to a man, they say this type of honeymoon has been a success.”

Nash was amused to discover the only words Penelope heard from Edward’s perfect description of the honeymoon was “six weeks.”

“Six weeks, you say Edward?” Penelope said, tilting her head to Nash.

Nash pretended to act irritated. “Did you have to mention six weeks, Edward?” But he was satisfied. He came in looking for six weeks, and his honeymoon would be six weeks long.

Edward shrugged, trying to keep his smile to himself.

After a long sigh, Nash said, “Fine, six weeks. We are spending time in Paris and will sail to Sicily. We’ll just have to hurry ourselves along.”

“Oh, stop acting like a boy who has had his favourite toy taken away. We’ll have plenty of time.”

Cecilia said, “Now that the honeymoon has been settled, we will have to hurry the big wedding along.”

Nash looked at Penelope. “Well, Nash and I think we’ll get married after the honeymoon.

Both Cecilia and Edward laughed.

Nash and Penelope looked at each other. Cecilia saw them and stopped laughing.

“You are serious?” she said.

“We are. And we want you to be a very big part of it,” Penelope said.

She and Cecilia had a conversation with voices low so Nash and Edward couldn’t hear. He couldn’t vouch for Edward, but Nash was thankful he couldn’t hear it.