Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
T he ride to the church was too short for Penelope’s comfort. They entered London from Egerton Manor, which was located in the country. It was a good few hours before the carriage entered the city, but for her, it was nowhere near long enough time.
Across from her, Owen rested his eyes. That was what he always said when he planned on falling asleep. Sure enough, with his head resting behind him, soft and level breathing came from his nose, lips slightly parted. Penelope wasn’t surprised that the carriage ride quickly rocked him to sleep. Undoubtedly, he lacked sufficient rest, spending most nights stressing more about the coming months.
At least, in Penelope’s case, she hoped he could rest assured that one probably was being dealt with.
Her oldest and largest dog, Titus, rested his long head on her lap. His long, dark coat stood out against her baby blue dress, and his brown eyes looked up to stare lovingly at her. Penelope smiled, rubbing her thumb along the top of his head, behind his ears, and down the length of his back. Titus grumbled against her in pleasure.
Another animal huffed from the floor.
“Apologies, Brutus,” she whispered, leaning forward to give the same attention to the other wolfhound that rested against the carriage floor. “Can’t forget about you.”
They were the first dogs she ever rescued. One of the only fond memories she could conjure up about her father concerned Titus and Brutus. Without her father’s compassion, the animals would have remained strays, left out in the cold streets of London. Penelope knew that any other father would have pulled their daughter away from such beasts, and for that, she was grateful.
Now, Titus and Brutus were her old companions, who walked slowly but never failed to remain loyal. Their constant presence kept Penelope sane, and it was precisely why she insisted on them attending the wedding as well.
Owen mumbled in his sleep.
“What was that?” she whispered.
“Your big dog,” he muttered, blinking awake, “is on my foot.”
Stifling a laugh, Penelope reached to tap Brutus’s rump. The hound huffed before shifting over, resting himself against her legs. “He only wanted to keep you warm, brother.”
“Very funny.” Owen stretched, straightening out his coat before peering out the window. “I just can’t believe we had to send Mother in a separate carriage.”
“Are you still upset about that?”
“She’s our aged mother, Penny,” Owen snapped. “Not only that, but she does still happen to be Lady Egerton. Have you forgotten everything your governess taught you?”
Penelope sighed. “That was ages ago, Owen.”
“It’s time to try and remember.” He leaned against the seat, taking in a deep breath. “I had hoped Mother would be the one to expose this information to you. But, alas,” Owen paused, obviously irritated as he gestured to the animals, “the hounds needed to be here instead.”
“I wish you spoke of them better. They are wise creatures, Owen. They can understand your frustration just as well as I can.”
“Forget about the dogs for a moment, won’t you?” he hissed, despite being the one who brought them up. “There is a new chapter of life on the horizon that is very special for…women.”
“Owen,” Penelope said, unable to stop herself from laughing. “Perhaps you can leave it up to my imagination!”
“Goodness, I’m not talking about–- " He grew flustered, waving a hand between them. “ that! Just give me a moment without interjecting!”
Penelope shut her mouth, leaning back in her seat. Laughter still bubbled in her stomach, a heartbeat from filling the space between them with giggles. The look on Owen’s face, however, was enough convincing to keep her quiet.
“Once your engagement was confirmed, I sought out some information about the new Duke of Yeats.”
“Brother,” Penelope mused, “a gossip!”
He shot her a glare.
She shrunk, mumbling, “I’m sorry.”
“As I was saying,” Owen continued, “your betrothed has had a past that might interest you.” He leaned forward as if someone was nearby and could overhear. “Before his father's death, the Duke left England to spend ten years in the New World.”
Penelope couldn’t stop herself from gasping. “You mean the colonies?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Apparently, the Duke resided in New York before working his way out west.” He looked away, looking rather smug. “Explains his outright lack of standards.”
“I can’t believe I’ve met someone who has gone to the New World!”
“Calm down, Penelope. I didn’t tell you this for you to grow excited over it!”
She huffed, taken aback. “Why not? It’s spectacular! I wonder what kind of beasts call it home! Can you imagine how large the -”
“Enough!”
Penelope stilled and pulled back. Brutus lifted his head, casting a wary glance in Owen’s direction. Titus displayed the same shift, turning to put a steady eye on him.
Owen sighed. “Penny, you must see the bigger picture here. The colonies offer bachelor men a different sort of life than what London does.”
“Of course,” Penelope said with a shrug. “I’m not a fool, Owen. It is the New World, with unexplored wilderness and untamed beasts. Am I wrong to consider it a forbidden dream?”
“Yes.” He shook his head at her, obviously disappointed. “Penelope, you are going to marry a man who does not take heed of the proper manners and etiquettes we teach here. A decade is enough time to change a man. We cannot presume he returned because he wanted to take over his father’s Dukedom.”
Penelopy wasn’t entirely sure of why the Duke returned to England. She knew only as much as the Duke would let her know. While she was nowhere near the station of a Duchess, even Penelope knew that opening a stud farm had nothing to do with running a duchy. She gazed out the window solemnly.
Two months was all it took. Two months, and she’d be off in the country, living in a kind of new world of her own. Till then, Penelope needed leverage. For now, she would refrain from telling her brother of the Duke’s actual plans. Besides, it wasn’t as if Owen needed another thing that was out of his hands to worry about.
“It is unlike you to become so quiet,” Owen said, watching her closely. “Are you well?” A teasing smile peaked out across his face. “Wedding day nerves?”
“Very funny.” Penelope stuck her tongue out at him.
They entered a comforting silence, one that Penelope didn’t realize she needed. Thoughts raced tumultuously through her head. Did the knowledge of the Duke living in the colonies truly change things? It couldn’t. Besides adding a factor that Penelope did not expect, it didn’t mean anything had to be different. Perhaps it was a good turn of events, one that allowed the Duke to be a more lenient man, as he was not bound to society’s etiquette.
Though …Penelope chewed on her lips, nervously dragging her hands through Titus’ long fur.
Penelope did know that the Duke intended to look more favorable in the Ton’s eye. That could very well indicate the Duke’s possible future actions: become more like London’s standard aristocratic gentleman.
“Oh, devils,” Penelope muttered.
“Penny!”
She looked up, gaping. “Sorry, Owen, I honestly forgot you were there.”
“Watch your tongue,” he snapped, giving her an impatient look. “Aren’t you going to be living in London for the rest of the Season?”
“I am,” Penelope replied.
“Then perhaps you should find another word to express your frustrations,” Owen said, rolling his eyes. “Or rather, don’t bother expressing it.”
“Well, thank you, brother, for such astounding advice.”
Owen reached, rubbing his fingertips into his temples. “Good Lord, have mercy on the Duke of Yeats.”
Penelope pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t see why it matters.”
“I’m sure you can expect to attend some sort of social event while you’re in town,” Owen said. “I doubt someone like the Duke would stay out of it.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Owen paused, eyes narrowing as if he said something he wasn’t supposed to. “What did I say?”
“Don’t play that game with me, brother. What does that mean?”
“Let’s just say,” he said, lips pressed tightly together, “before the Duke left for the colonies, there were some…rumors circulating in the Ton. Ones that happened to follow a certain kind of man.”
“Can’t you speak plainly?”
Owen shot her an annoyed look. “A rake, Penny. They called him a rake.”
Her eyebrows shot up. The information didn’t exactly surprise her; it seemed to be expected of a man with the attitude he had. What startled her, though, was the idea of living with him. It was well understood between them that the marriage was nothing more than a business deal, and their partnership for the next two months would be just that—a partnership.
“Doesn’t that worry you?” Owen asked.
Penelope shrugged, rubbing behind Titus’s ears till he gave off a deep grumble, eyes slowly falling shut. “Not at all, brother.”
He sighed, seemingly done with trying to speak with Penelope. She took comfort in it, spending her last moments as a spinster petting her greying wolfhounds.
Despite the marriage’s short notice, members from both sides of the family gathered rather enthusiastically to see the wedding. Penelope held back her bitterness. She knew that, for every guest on her side of the family, their attendance only had to do with one thing: seeing the long-time spinster finally walk down the aisle.
As the carriage rolled up to a quaint church within London’s busy city, Penelope decided to accept their attention with pride.
The carriage door opened, and a footman stood beside it, extending a hand to help her. She stepped out of the carriage, immediately feeling the inviting heat of the sun on her skin. A smile spread across her lips at it, the wedding becoming a distant inconvenience for a moment. Penelope strode across the street, holding her head up high as the final guests entered the church.
From behind, Owen clambered out of the carriage, the hounds Titus and Brutus following at his heels. Penelope heard their steps behind her and watched the onlooking guests gape in astonishment. Most of them turned to someone beside them, whispering quickly while they stole glances at the haphazard bride.
Standing at the church's threshold, Penelope was about to start walking down the aisle when Owen snagged onto her wrist.
“Penny,” he whispered, “do not act as if none of this matters.”
She frowned at him. “Brother, I -”
“I know.” He sighed. “I know that you’re different, and I love you regardless. But this day can mean something if you’d let it.”
“I don’t want to.”
Owen looked away, searching the crowd for a moment. “Then, why not for Mother? She’s up there, right at the front. Can’t we make this something special for her to remember?”
Penelope’s frown deepened. A part of her only wanted to argue and push back at him. The truth behind a marriage meant too much for her to fake it. None of it was real, but rather, a pathway to something Penelope truly wanted. That was what mattered. But the longer she looked into her brother’s face, the more she saw the young man forced to drop what mattered to him and repair everything their father ruined.
How could she argue when all he wanted was the best for everyone he cared for?
“Perhaps,” she mumbled, avoiding his intense gaze, “I can do it your way. For Mother.”
Owen’s smile widened in relief, and he leaned forward, pressing a loving kiss to her cheek. “I’ll walk you down the aisle, Penny. And the hounds -”
“Walk with me, as well.”
“Penny -”
“They are a part of me, Owen.”
He faltered, glancing down at the hounds that patiently waited. A sigh left his lips. “Oh, for heaven's sake.” Wrapping an arm beneath her own, Owen held her close to his side, a soft smile twitching at the corner of his lip. “My little sister, shall we walk?”
“We shall.”
Together, Penelope and Owen walked down the aisle. The handfuls of guests watched pleasantly from either side but didn’t bother to stop themselves from gossiping. The whispers carried them forward like music. Penelope glanced around, watching the guest’s eyes cling fearfully to Titus and Brutus. She smiled wide.
At the simple altar, dressed in a suit, was the Duke. His long hair was slicked back, a single strand drifting out to slash across his face like a scar.
Penelope left her brother behind, the hounds remaining close to her heels as she stood beside the Duke. Taking a quick look over her shoulder, Penelope caught her mother’s eye. Despite the awkwardness surrounding it, Lady Egerton watched tearfully, a smile tugging at her lips. A touch of reluctant pride rose in Penelope’s chest as she turned back to the vicar.
Penelope glanced in the Duke’s direction as the vicar said a few words about the ceremony. The Duke looked over—not at her, but at her dogs. The hounds sat at her feet, one on either side of her like obedient statues. The Duke’s gaze shot up to Penelope, then dropped again to the dogs.
Unable to hold herself back, Penelope smiled mischievously at the Duke. He frowned, eyes going wide before glancing back down to the dogs. It didn’t matter whether he was a rake or not. She would remain as strong and stoic as her loyal animals.
The ceremony continued until the exchanging of rings. Penelope stiffened at it, the thought of having to wear something physical to cement the marriage further. The Duke retrieved a simple silver band from someone behind him. It glistened in the light and could’ve almost looked see-through if Penelope wasn’t paying attention enough. At the Pastor’s command, the Duke reached out for Penelope’s right hand.
Titus made a threatening noise from her right.
Stifling her laugh, Penelope bumped her hip into Titus’s side.
The Duke held her somewhat more gingerly by the wrist. Penelope stretched her fingers out as he slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit her rather snuggly as if it had been meant to be worn only by her. The warmth from the Duke’s hands slowly took over her, raising a series of goosebumps along her bare arms.
Penelope looked up, meeting the Duke’s gaze. They shared a look, one that was filled with an intensity she could not place. A feeling she had never felt before took over her, starting at her chest till it enveloped her whole. It was like a fire smoldered gently in her stomach, directly below her skin. Embarrassed, Penelope turned away, putting her attention back to the Pastor.
The rest of the ceremony went by smoothly. Titus and Brutus remained quietly at Penelope’s side, both warily keeping an eye on the Duke. Once it was official, and they signed the wedding contract, Penelope stood at the altar, waiting for the crowd to trickle out. The Duke, however, left the moment it was over.
“Penelope.”
Turning, she gasped, almost tripping over her own feet in surprise. “Alicia,” she breathed, taking a few steps to wrap long and strong arms around her petite older sister. “I-I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Neither did I,” Alicia said, giving her a small smile. “It was on the spur of a moment.”
“And the Duke?”
“He waits outside. We plan on taking the children to the park, but that’s beside the point.” Alicia grasped onto Penelope’s hands, her thumb sliding over the wedding ring. “Penny,” she whispered, “You have no idea how proud I am of you.”
Penelope faltered, her heart racing. “No, Ali, don’t say such things.”
“Why not? You’ve done something remarkable today. And I don’t say that because marriage has never been your desire.” Alicia pulled her closer, green eyes twinkling. “I have never seen you trust another living creature as much as you trust those hounds and all the other animals you look after.”
“That can’t be true.”
“Do not take it the wrong way, Penny. It is a compliment. Your heart is so wide and loving that it cannot look after too many souls. Otherwise, who would look after you?” Alicia smiled, wrapping her arms tightly around Penelope’s shoulders. “But look at you now! Married! Eternal trust, placed in another.” She kissed the side of Penelope’s face. “I won’t keep you long, dear sister. I only wanted you to know that.”
Alicia led Penelope through the church once more, the hounds following close behind. Titus sniffed at Alicia’s feet, his tail slowly wagging. The words Alicia spoke clung closely to Penelope’s heart. With every step they took towards the carriage, Penelope fought the urge to hold her sister back and explain the entire conundrum to her. If anyone would understand, it was Alicia.
They exited the church, and Penelope swallowed a gulp of fresh air. The sun had lowered during the ceremony, but its rays were still as brilliant as before. Penelope let her eyes close, trying to take in as much of the light and warmth as she could before getting back into a dim carriage.
“Good luck, sister,” Alicia whispered when giving a final hug goodbye. “You’ll do great things as a Duchess.”
The word barely sunk into Penelope’s skin. She gave Alicia a placid smile, agreeing wholeheartedly when it truly meant nothing to her. She’d be at the cottage long before any responsibilities dared touch her shoulders.
The Duke led Penelope into a carriage after she parted ways with Alicia. She stole a glance out the window as the Duke followed suit, her eyes clinging to the family she left behind. Never before had she ever imagined parting ways with any of them. Not in this way. Penelope fell against her seat, welcoming the warmth the hounds gave her.