Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(55)

“What are you laughing at?”

“You. Walking down the aisle watching the reaction you were getting from the guests. You loved it, didn’t you?”

Penelope tilted her head. “I wouldn’t say I loved it. I enjoyed it. Thank you for agreeing to this. Many gentlemen wouldn’t.”

Nash laughed. “Ah, but I’m not any gentleman, am I.”

Penelope laughed. “No, you are not.”

Couples began streaming into the townhouse ballroom, getting drinks and various foods delivered on trays by footmen circling through the room.

Edward, Cecilia, and Avery joined Nash and Penelope in the receiving line. Avery took the opportunity to show his peers the special place he had in the Duke and Duchess’ wedding.

Nash leaned into Penelope. “He’s acting like he threw this wedding.”

Penelope shrugged. “He took us in for all those years, whatever his motivation. Giving us a roof over our heads is never far from my mind.”

Nash agreed. “You’re right. It would have been a good thing too, if not for Henry. I like watching him work a room. Today should be fun.”

Penelope pulled back. “I hope so. It’s one of our wedding days.”

Nash grinned.

Penelope picked a nonexistent piece of lint off Nash’s elegant jacket. “I was thinking.”

Nash perked up and gave her all his attention.

“Now that we are married –”

“No.”

“But why not?”

Nash leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Because you would want three months, and I can’t take that much time right now.”

The lull in the receiving line was over, and they went back to greeting guests.

As the reception went on, Penelope found her guests stared less at her scar. They got to see it, and it wasn’t such a mystery anymore. Guests were frustrated she didn’t give details when they asked how it happened. Telling them it was an accident caused disappointment.

Nash and Penelope danced to waltzes but mostly talked to the guests. Young ladies in their season asked Penelope how she snagged a Duke. Penelope had to hold down laughter at each question. “The right man will see through all that,” she answered.

Then Nash and Penelope had to form another line by the door to thank the guests. Except for Cecilia and Edward, Avery was the last to leave.

He stood in front of Penelope, her hand between his. “Thank you for having me. It would have been difficult to explain my absence to my peers if you decided not to have me. Best wishes on your marriage,” he said turning to Nash then back to Penelope, “and your happiness.” He kissed Penelope’s cheek and shook Nash by his hand. Coleman handed him his hat and walking stick. He was gone.

Penelope turned to Nash. “I think he was sincere.”

Nash nodded. “I think you’re right.”

“Shall we go to the parlour so we can gossip?”

Edward laughed. “So much to say. So little time.”





Chapter 23


Living with Uncle Avery was everything Penelope could dream of except for Henry. She turned fourteen, and her body started to change. Henry’s rudeness ratcheted up a notch.

Penelope and Edward had a tutor Henry didn’t need. They got a break from him during their studies. He was almost of the age to attend Cambridge. How the townhouse would be different then.

When Penelope started becoming a woman, an uncomfortable time on its own, Henry’s comments became even more difficult to bear. He made comments about the changes in Penelope’s body, embarrassing her and making her feel self-conscious. The more she blushed or became flustered, the more he was spurred on to say embarrassing things.

This type of behaviour was shocking to both the women and men who heard it. No one discussed such personal things. Avery lectured Henry for his behaviour, but his words fell on deaf ears. He would roll his eyes as soon as he left Avery’s study, muttering that he was going to kill Penelope.

Edward would lose his temper. “Shut up, Henry. Do you have any idea what a jerk you sound like? Keep your ridiculous thoughts to yourself. I’m bigger and stronger than you are, and I’m sure in a fist fight I would come out the victor. You are such a bully; I would be happy to put you in your place.”

“Father would throw you out if you laid a hand on me.”

Edward laughed. “That’s where you are wrong, Henry. Your father would know you had it coming. Be careful, Henry. I’m itching for you to give me an excuse to let it happen.” Edward was right, he was bigger and stronger, and he wouldn’t hesitate to unleash his anger on Henry.

It was about the time Henry began to concentrate on Penelope when the two of them were alone. His senseless prattle bothered her, but she didn’t want Edward to interfere. Henry couldn’t help it. Penelope had known for years there was something wrong with Henry. His glee in watching animals suffer was matched by his glee to watch the people around him squirm and twitch the same way.

He couldn’t go long between his times in harassing Penelope. What Penelope didn’t know was that Henry was making plans to rid himself of his most annoying problem.

*****

Henry was tired of being bested by Penelope. She was a fourteen-year-old girl, and he wasn’t going to put up with her anymore. She thought she was better than him? He would show her. It was time she was no longer a thorn in his side.