Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(61)

Henry lifted one finger in the air, “Pardon me, but you have a problem.”

Avery’s eyes bore into Henry’s. “You are right. You know why you’re right? Because half the time you can’t find your way to the dining room and the rest of the time you show so little respect for the servants that they despise you.

“I’m not charged with covering up your pushing the neighbour’s visitor off of a horse, I’m charged with covering up attempted murder. Do you have a clue as to the seriousness of this?”

Henry gave his father an exaggerated grimace. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

“I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but if something like this ever happens again, I’ll let them lead you off in chains.”

Henry breathed out and let his lips make a noise. “Yeah, right.”

“Try me,” Avery said to Henry’s back as he walked out the door.

***

“She’s awake,” Cecilia said, sitting next to Edward.

He rose, “Let’s go see her.”

“We can’t. I said hello, and she said hello back, but Cara needs to check her out head to toe, and if Penelope’s distracted, Cara won’t get everything she needs to treat her from now on.”

“So we wait?” Edward asked.

“Yes, although I don’t know how we are going to do it,” Cecilia said, walking in a circle in front of Edward.

Cecilia and Edward waited a long time to go in. Helen brought them tea, and the footman brought up a table for them.

“Has it been over an hour?” Cecilia asked Edward.

“Yes.”

“Do you think something is wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but it’s not a good sign.”

Cecilia stood. “I’m going in.”

Edward looked up. “You should. Let me know if I can too.”

Cecilia gave a short, light knock, walked in, and shut the door. She didn’t wait for permission.

“Hello, darling. I’ve been waiting what seems like hours to see you.” She hugged and kissed Penelope gently.

“Hello, Mother. Cara and I were going over the accident and how my face will look from now on.”

Cecilia looked at Cara. Cara said, “Penelope’s clear on the severity of her fall and the outcome. Your daughter is remarkable. Her acceptance of this life-changing event is inspiring.”

“Yes, well, I’d very much like to visit with my daughter now if that would be all right,” Cecilia said.

“Yes,” Cara answered, “and I apologize for taking longer assessing Penelope than I thought would be necessary.”

Cecilia turned to Penelope, “Are you tired? Would you like to visit after you’ve rested?”

Penelope looked at Cara. She nodded. “Can you keep it to less than a half hour?”

Cecilia smiled. “For today, that’s fine. You won’t get away with a short visit with me tomorrow, Penelope.”

Penelope smiled.

“Do either of you mind if I clean up my things here or do you need privacy?”

“That’s fine,” Cecilia said.

Penelope said nothing.

Cecilia got up, opened the door, and pulled Edward in.

“Hello, Sis. How are you? Only you could get me to sit in a chair in the hall for a week. I felt like I was being punished.”

Penelope smiled again. “Well, thank you for doing that. You didn’t let the bad guys in.”

“I didn’t. You look good.”

“Wait until you see me without my bandages.”

“Better?”

“Not quite,” Penelope said.

Cecilia looked at Edward. He stood. “I’ll be out in the hallway keeping the bad guys out. See you a little later?”

Penelope nodded.

“I’m going to check on a few of the other sick who also need me,” Cara said.

She turned to address Cecilia. “Lady Balfour, I want you and Helen in this room at all times. Don’t let anyone tell you to leave. If Penelope’s condition worsens, send someone to the village for me. I’ll be here at lunch to make sure she eats.”

Over the span of the next two days, Penelope told Cecilia and Edward the whole story of why she was found at the bottom of the cliff. Penelope knew her face was damaged beyond repair, but that didn’t change the fact that her mother and brother needed the roof that was over their heads.

She had resigned herself to accept life as she now knew it. The alternative? Being out on the street again. She knew Uncle Avery would be visiting her any day now to tell her the same thing. She might be a fourteen-year-old girl, but she was a fourteen-year-old girl who remembered what life was like when her father died.

And that visit came two days later. He somehow arranged it that everyone was out of the room at the same time. Penelope hoped he paid Helen off to get her out. At least Helen would get some money out of it.

He pulled up a chair so he sat close enough to her that they could see eye to eye. “Are you feeling well today, Penelope?”

“Yes, Uncle. Thank you for asking.”

“I’m glad. We were all very concerned about your well-being.”

Penelope didn’t know how to answer that, so she didn’t.

“Henry told me of the story about you and him that day you were found at the bottom of that cliff. If you are up to it, I’d like you to repeat that story to me.”