Loving a Fearless Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Book(72)

Henry jumped to his feet again. He tilted his head to the ceiling and screamed. He continued to scream until his voice gave out on him. Then he sat.

He’s mad, Penelope thought. Maybe he should have gone to bedlam.

In a raspy, barely audible voice, he said, “No one is coming for me?”

Edward shook his head. “No, Henry. Not now, not ever. You will spend the remainder of your days as you have spent your days here up to now. Locked in this house, with no way out. I still think you were right. It’s better than jail or bedlam.”

Nash rose. “That’s why we came. To let you know Edward is Avery’s heir, and you will be here forever.”

Henry asked, his voice still raspy, “What about Penelope?”

Nash took a step toward Henry. “What about her?”

“She liked me. She might be able to get me out.”

Nash laughed. “You tried to kill her. Years later, she threatened Avery with going to the newspaper if you didn’t stop harassing her. It never stopped. You were always a thorn in her side in one way after another. She is happy now and can finally get some sleep knowing you are here and can no longer hurt her or bother her.”

Edward shook his head. “Goodbye, Henry.”

“Wait,” he yelled while Edward and Nash left the room. Nash took Penelope’s hand and squeezed it.

They walked out the front door. Something Henry would never do.

In the carriage headed for the main house, Edward turned to Nash, “That went well, don’t you think?”

“Very well.”

*****





Chapter 29


The carriage stopped in front of Edgewood Mansion, and Penelope, Edward, and Nash stepped out. They looked up to its tall spire pricking the sky. The front doors, double, heavy wooden doors, were closed. Above them, a stained glass circle dominated the fa?ade.

The foyer was two storeys high with the feel of standing inside a kaleidoscope. Edward wasn’t sure he liked the feeling but would probably get used to it as well as many of the other quirks of Edgewood.

The butler, Thomas, ushered them in, and took their travel cloaks. Once introduced, he offered tea.

The travellers went to the parlour. It was comfortable and understated. They would find a similar feel through the rest of the house. A complete turnaround from the foyer.No heavy brocades or white linen upholstery. Function and form were considered.

“When would it be convenient for me to lead a tour, My Lord?” Thomas inquired when tea was winding down.

Edward looked at Penelope and said, “We will need to rest after our journey. Around four o’clock before we take afternoon tea?”

“Very well. Your trunks have been taken to your rooms, My Lord. Jack will show you the way.” Thomas bowed and left the room while Jack gestured for them to go ahead.

Edward soon found out the architectural interest in the foyer didn’t repeat throughout the house.

Serviceable furnishings were found in every room. Whoever had decorated was either repulsed by colour or colourblind. The different tones of brown, beige, and moss green were used throughout. Edward found it calming. Penelope found it to be a new wife’s dream come true.

“Edward, I hope you know that when you marry, the inside of your home is hers to do with what she may.”

“Of course, Penelope. Your point?”

“Her redecorating budget should be rather large.”

Edward said nothing and moved on. During teatime, Penelope made several observations about the house.

“Your staff is all very nice, very capable people who have been adrift on a ship with no captain. I think they have done an admirable job, but the ship needs direction. And soon. You will get nothing done outside this house if you must take your valuable time with needs inside.”

“I would like to send you someone for the short term. To right your ship. She’ll get everything in order then you can come back to London next season and find yourself a wife. It will fill the gap.

“I’ll send along her companion, so there is nothing untoward about the arrangement. You won’t even have to think about the inside of the house again.”

“One of your tea ladies, I suppose?”

Penelope smiled. “Of course. Mirabelle knows how to run a house. She is doing so now. I would never send you someone in need of training.”

Edward looked out the window for the fifteenth time. Penelope knew he was distracted, wanting to ride into the village. “So, it’s settled then. I’ll bring her here within the month.”

“Um, hmm, “Edward said. He looked up at Nash. “Shall we go into the village?”

“Yes, let’s,” Nash said. As he passed Penelope, he whispered, “Are you in the least bit ashamed of yourself for foisting that girl on Edward?”

Penelope turned her head, offering Nash her cheek. “Have fun in the village, dear.”

*****

Edward had arranged for the villagers to meet with him at noon the following day. The village had a meetinghouse, so Edward arranged to have lunch brought in. After walking through the hall, meeting people who he promised to forget their names, Edward went to the end of the hall, stood on a chair and spoke.

“Thank you for coming. I am the next Duke of Somerset, Edward Balfour. As a child, I lived in the manse. I remember the village fondly. I have plans for this village, to improve it in many ways, but I will do nothing without hearing first from every one of you who would like to speak on improving our village. Any other topic will need to wait another day, but I seek your advice on the village. Would anyone like to begin?”