Chapter Eighteen
As the days and weeks clipped by, William’s disappointment over not regaining his memory diminished.
His life with his daughter, Penelope, his cousin and the comfort of his home at Blithe Manor was enough.
The unknown past mattered less and less to him as he forged his way through to the future.
The date for the nuptials had been selected and they had drafted a list of guests.
He frowned when he saw Penelope had not added to the list yet.
He rose from his study, walked upstairs to the library where Penelope was prone to be while Millie napped, and sneaked in behind her.
She had curled her legs under her as she read and the sunlight streamed in, catching the auburn strands of her loose tresses and turning them into a soft garnet.
She paused and looked up, no doubt feeling the weight of his stare and smiled.
‘What a nice surprise,’ she said, setting her book aside. ‘I’d thought you buried in correspondence. It is rather teetering in that salver of yours.’
‘Perhaps, but I noticed you had not written down the names of your guests for the wedding. Would you like to add some now?’ He lifted the guest list.
She paled and his stomach dropped out. Had she changed her mind and not told him? He steeled himself. Best to know now. ‘Have you changed your mind?’ he asked. His heart pounded in his chest as the silence stretched out between them. He came to her and settled into the cushion next to her.
‘Penelope,’ he said, ‘you can tell me. I would understand. Not every woman wants to marry a man who can’t remember ninety-nine per cent of their life.’ He laughed despite the knot of emotion tightening under the cravat neatly tied about his throat. He fought the urge to rip it off.
‘I want to marry you more than anything,’ she said, taking his hand in hers and holding it in the curve of her lap. ‘But you do not remember my past and you should decide whether it makes a difference to you.’
‘I don’t understand,’ he replied. ‘What do I not know?’
‘That I have few people to place on that guest list. I have no close family left…other than two friends who grew up like me…an orphan.’
Relief made him almost laugh. ‘You believed I would not want to marry you because of that?’
‘That and the situation of my birth.’ She paused and frowned; a struggle waged inside her.
‘You can tell me,’ he encouraged. ‘How did you become Lady Penelope? With no title or family and being raised as an orphan?’
‘I did not know who my father was until after he died. My mother was his mistress.’
The pain in her voice shattered him and he waited to let her continue when she was ready.
A blush pinked her cheeks and she looked down.
She sucked in a breath and released it before lifting her gaze to his.
She squeezed his hands. ‘It seems that my father was dying and no longer had any legitimate heirs, so he found me and claimed me as his own just before he succumbed to his illness. I suppose he thought an illegitimate heir was better than none. After that, I was sent to finishing school to make up for what I lacked. He died before I met you.’
Despite the small chuckle and smirk, the pain in her words was evident.
‘And if that is not something you can live with, now that you are hearing it again, Your Grace, I understand. You can sever our attachment. I know it does not add a flourish to the branches of your untarnished family tree.’ She cast her glance away.
‘I would never do such. While I am surprised, it does not alter my affections for you.’
‘But maybe it should,’ she said quietly staring down at their joined hands. ‘You are a duke. Your lineage matters. Your standing will take a blow in society once everyone knows the truth of my past and that you have married beneath your station.’
‘And how would they know?’ he enquired.
‘Once the wedding date is announced, people will ask and at a wedding with so few in attendance on behalf of my family, everyone will know. Not having a father or family is not a secret one can hide. I do not even have anyone to give me away.’
He thought of Millie marrying and not having him to deliver her to her future husband and the ache that would create in a little girl’s heart…and in a grown woman’s heart. He had no idea how to fill such a wound.
Perhaps it was best to admit he couldn’t.
‘I did not know. I am sorry.’
‘I know. I just don’t want to bring shame to you or for you to regret marrying a woman with such a past.’ She wiped her eyes.
‘It is your father who should be ashamed and embarrassed for what he has done and for losing out on knowing you,’ he said, lifting her chin so he could look at her.
A small hiccup escaped her despite her best efforts. ‘It is ridiculous to miss someone I never really knew,’ she replied.
‘No, it isn’t. I miss people I can’t remember all the time,’ he teased.
She laughed and kissed his cheek.
‘Then, it is settled. You will add these friends of yours to our guest list for me and we will marry?’
‘Yes,’ she replied. ‘I will.’
‘Then let’s find some ink up here and add them now before you change your mind.’ He pulled her to standing and she stumbled behind him as he tugged her along. There was no stopping him once he’d put his mind to something and his mind was set on marrying her.
It was far from Christmas Day, but every fibre of William’s being was taut with enthusiasm and excitement.
He pulled out his pocket watch. If his calculation was correct and Eddie encountered little rain along his journey, then the carriage from the tiny town of Stow should be arriving any time now.
He peeked into the library as he walked past and was pleased to see Penelope reading as usual.
She had no idea what surprise he had in store for her, but he couldn’t wait. Ever since she’d told him of her dear childhood friends, he was determined to meet them and to surprise his betrothed with their presence. He wanted to thank her for all she had done for him since his accident.
After distracting himself for another half-hour, he finally heard the turn of wheels along the long gravel drive and he jumped up from his desk.
This was it. He could hardly wait to see the excitement on Penelope’s face.
He shrugged on his jacket, smoothed his waistcoat and coat sleeves, made a last-minute adjustment to his cravat and checked the looking glass to make sure his hair wasn’t too out of place.
He wanted her dear friends to like him. It was important he begin their acquaintance on the right foot.
He exhaled a deep breath and travelled down the hall to the library where he swung into the room.
‘We have guests, my dear. Care to join me in greeting them in the parlour?’
She paused and set a bookmark in her current read before snapping the book shut. ‘Is it Daphne?’ she asked before rising and stretching like a cat rising from a long slumber.
‘No,’ he replied without lying before disappearing. He feared his eagerness might give himself away. He started down the hallway and she fell in step behind him.
The door opened and Mr Simmons greeted them before they reached the parlour. ‘Welcome to Blithe Manor, ladies,’ his butler said and William imagined him leaning into his deepest bows. ‘His Grace and Lady Penelope will be waiting for you in the parlour.’
William’s heart raced as he clutched Penelope’s hand and pulled her into the parlour before they could hear their reply. ‘I have a wonderful surprise for you, my dear, that I hope you will like.’
Her eyes lit up and she smiled. ‘A surprise? For me?’
‘Yes,’ he replied as they stood in front of the prepared tea service. ‘I could think of nothing better to repay you for all you have done to care for me and Millie since my accident.’
‘You did not need to do any such thing…’ she began, but was interrupted by Mr Simmons’s knock before he entered the room. Penelope smoothed her gown and smiled, no doubt eager for the surprise.
When the door opened, she gasped at the sight of the two women, lost all sense of decorum and rushed to them, embracing them fiercely.
There were murmurs, hugs, tears, laughter and a cacophony of squeals of delight that he couldn’t decipher.
But one thing was certain: his surprise for Penelope was a brilliant success.
He stood back, smiled and crossed his arms over his chest, pleased by his efforts and the joyful reunion.
Even if he couldn’t be reunited with his family, she could be reunited with what by all intents and purposes was hers.
After another minute of wiping tears, greeting each other and fussing over Penelope’s dress and hair, the women took notice that William was still in the room and quieted.
‘William, I am so sorry. I was overcome with emotion and happiness. Please let me introduce you,’ Penelope said, wiping another tear from her cheek and facing him.
‘Let me guess,’ he added. He studied them as he approached. ‘I think you must be Miss Hastings,’ he said pointing to the tall, rather serious brunette, ‘and you are Miss Granger,’ he added nodding to the rather pretty blonde with impish features and curls fighting to be free from her bonnet.
Penelope stood between them. Her height, brown eyes and hair and soft features were a blend between them. Together they were a rather stunning trio made for each other. He smiled when the two other women nodded.
‘You are correct, Your Grace,’ Miss Granger replied and squeezed Penelope’s waist. ‘And we are so grateful for your invitation, although we were surprised it did not come from Hattie herself.’
He frowned. ‘Hattie? Who is that?’
Penelope blushed and faltered. ‘It is their nickname for me. Has been since we were children.’
‘’Tis a rather odd nickname, is it not?’ he asked.
‘I used to adore wearing hats when I was younger,’ she stumbled out, her blush deepening.
‘Oh?’ he asked. ‘I had no idea. We must contact the modiste and have a few more made. You have few hats from what I have seen.’
‘They do not travel well, so I did not bring many,’ she rushed out.
‘Yes,’ Miss Hastings added, studying Penelope. ‘They can get rather crumpled and unlike the original creation after a long trip.’
Penelope cleared her throat. ‘Perhaps you might like to freshen up before joining us for tea. Would that be all right, Your Grace?’ she offered, looking to William. ‘It has been quite a journey for them, I am sure, and Miss Hastings can get a bit peckish,’ she added in a lowered tone with a wink.
Why had he not thought of that?
No doubt because he was not a woman.
‘My apologies, ladies. Of course. Let us reconvene in an hour and have tea then and get to know one another. I am sure you have many stories to tell about my betrothed.’
Miss Hastings coughed and Miss Granger hit her between the shoulder blades.
‘Come, come, Gertrude,’ she said. ‘Let us change, so we can hear all about what Hat—I mean, Penelope’s been up to since we arrived.
Thank you, Your Grace, for your kindness and generosity for inviting us. We are so delighted to be here.’
They clutched each other by the waist and followed Penelope. ‘I’ll be back,’ she called to William.
‘Take your time,’ he replied, watching them exit the room.
They were an odd little pair, but for some reason he liked Penelope’s friends immediately.
But perhaps he was prone to like people with ease, but who knew.
He couldn’t remember much of anything three weeks prior to now, which might be a blessing in disguise.