The Governess Game (Girl Meets Duke #2)(59)

“Lady Penelope would welcome you.” She worked her fingers into her gloves with short, impatient tugs. “She takes in every creature that wanders past, no matter how ill behaved.”

Chase knew the tone of a woman’s enthusiastic invitation, and that was not it. Alex was clearly hoping he’d decline.

This afternoon, he’d be disappointing her hopes once again. “I’ll order the carriage.”





Chapter Twenty-Six


Alex cursed herself all the way to Penny’s house. Why had she invited him? She’d been so relieved to see him well and strong again, she hadn’t been thinking clearly. And she never dreamed he’d accept.

The carriage ride to Bloom Square wasn’t a long one, and they arrived before she was ready.

Once Chase had helped her out of the carriage, she kept a tight grip on his hand. “Lady Penelope Campion and Nicola Teague are two of my dearest friends in the world.”

“I understand.”

She didn’t think he did, not truly. “Penny and Nic . . . well, they’re not the usual sort of ladies. They weren’t among the finishing school set. If you are even the slightest bit teasing or unkind, I will rip that gold earring straight through your earlobe.”

He cursed and fumbled at his ear until he’d removed it himself.

She shouldn’t have mentioned it.

“One last thing,” she muttered as Rosamund reached for the door knocker. “If Lady Penelope Campion offers you a sandwich—you will eat it. And you will like it.”

“Why does that sound like a threat?”

She didn’t answer. He’d learn soon enough for himself.

The door opened, and Penny greeted each of the girls with sound kisses on their cheeks. “Come in, darlings.”

Then she noticed Chase, and Alex sent up a prayer. Please, Penny. For once, remain calm.

Penny threw her arms around Chase and caught him in a hug, rocking him back and forth. “I’m so relieved to see you. I’ve been desperately worried ever since I heard you were ill. Alex was beside herself.”

Right. Brilliant.

“Come in, come in,” she urged. “Nicola’s already here. She’s made teacakes.”

Alex held the girls back. “Wait. You know they’re meant to be practicing. Go on, girls.”

The girls curtsied. Not especially smoothly, but they were improving. “Good afternoon, Lady Penelope,” they said in a chorus of two.

“Rosamund, would you introduce Lady Penny to our guest?”

“Mr. Reynaud, may I present—”

“No, no. The other way around,” Alex said. “You ask Lady Penelope if you may present him, because she’s his superior in society.” And his superior in many other ways.

“Alex, you know I despise that sort of thinking,” Penny said.

“They need to learn. Their guardian wishes them to be proper young ladies.” She turned to Chase. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Reynaud?”

Rosamund began again, the promise of teacakes outweighing her impatience with the exercise. “Lady Penny, may I present our guardian, Mr. Reynaud. Mr. Reynaud, this is Lady Penelope Campion.”

Chase not only bowed, but took her hand and kissed it with devilish charm. “Enchanted, Lady Penelope.”

“Oh,” Penny sighed. “You are wonderful. I knew you would be.”

Etiquette lessons were left at the door. Penny’s house didn’t lend itself to propriety, anyway. The upholstery was shredded, and the carpet pattern was medallions interspersed with tufts of loose fur, and if a one-eyed kitten wasn’t mewling and climbing the draperies, a yipping two-legged dog was racing around the room on its specially made cart.

Alex loved the place unreservedly.

Chase was introduced to Nicola, whose reception of him was as icy as Penny’s was warm. No kisses on the hand. Nic swiveled her gaze to Alex the moment he’d turned away and mouthed a simple Why?

Alex could only shrug.

They all settled themselves in the parlor. The girls dashed off to the back garden at once.

“Where are they going?” Chase asked.

“Oh, they’ve gone to feed Hubert his tea,” Penny explained.

“Hubert?” he asked.

“The otter.”

“Yes, of course. A beautiful creature, the otter.”

“Isn’t it, though? They’re so affectionate. Hubert adores Rosamund and Daisy. We all do. You must be so proud of your girls.” She lifted a plate and offered it to him. “Sandwich?”

Aha. Here was the moment of truth.

“This one is a new recipe of mine.” Penny pointed at one half of the plate. “I call it tuna-ish.”

“I’m . . . unfamiliar with that.”

“Well, the tuna is a Mediterranean fish, and I had a letter from a cousin in Cadiz who told me it makes an excellent sandwich with a bit of soured cream. But I don’t consume animals, so I made my own version. Instead of tuna fish, it’s tuna-ish. The secret is in the brine.”

She pointed at the other half of the plate. “And this is my usual specialty. Sham. It’s everyone’s favorite.”

“Sham?”

“It’s like ham. Only made from vegetables, all pressed together into a loaf and sliced thin. I’ve been told it tastes even better than the real thing.”