Chapter Nineteen
Emily
She hoped that Wylder would somehow find a way to sneak into her rooms during the early morning hours, but apparently, he was not willing to attempt such brazenness. Spending the early hours tossing and turning, she finally managed to fall asleep, only to have Mary wake her just before noon.
“The entire house is aflutter with Lord and Lady Ashcroft’s arrival today, along with the Duke and Duchess of Westley. What a glorious event this will be, my lady. Lady Blackthorne has truly outdone herself with her meticulous planning.”
Emily fluffed her own pillows and accepted the cup of hot chocolate Mary handed her. “Mother always throws such grand parties. She’s an expert at such things. I hope one day I manage such matters with her expertise.”
“I’ve no doubt you will, my lady.” Mary bustled about the room with her usual cheerfulness. “That matter we’ve spoken of, do you think it will occur today or perhaps on the morrow?”
The maid was referring to the plan of sending Penelope into hiding.
Emily was unsure if Penelope was ready to take that step.
Last night in the parlor, she’d expressed her apprehension and fear that Emily would suffer if they were found out.
All of Emily’s assurances that she was willing to face the risks were not enough to persuade the girl to commit to the actual day of departure.
“Pen is naturally unsure if this is prudent. But I wholeheartedly believe she will continue with the plan we have set,” Emily said thoughtfully. “She’s just scared…”
Mary tsked in agreement. “Poor, dear Miss True. She’s had a time of it, that’s for sure.”
Emily sipped her chocolate, hoping that Penelope could find the bravery within herself that was necessary to change her own destiny.
But even as she worried for her friend, Emily realized how irrational that was.
Expecting Penelope to challenge the path her parents set for her when Emily herself hid her own relationship with Wylder might be considered the height of hypocrisy by some.
But she was just as trapped by her circumstances as Penelope was.
If she proclaimed her love for Wylder for all the world to hear, Simon would make sure the relationship was destroyed.
He had warned them both to stay far away from one another.
Her brother’s belief that he was protecting her from Wylder was beyond foolish.
“Shall you wear the green today or the blue?” Mary pulled both dresses from the wardrobe and held them out for Emily’s perusal.
“The blue,” Emily said slowly. Wylder had a preference for the color, and she knew the sapphire hue was lovely on her. Perhaps he would be overcome with desire, throw caution aside, and steal a kiss when no one was looking.
Once she was up and dressed, Emily made her way to the guest room where Penelope was staying. Knocking quietly on the door, she waited for her friend to grant entrance.
“Good morning,” Pen said as Emily joined her by the fireplace. “I’m sure you’ve had a cup of hot chocolate this morning, but would you care for more? There’s enough for another cup.”
“You will never see me pass up chocolate.” Emily plopped into one of the two chairs and poured herself a cup as she regarded Penelope. “I wonder how you are feeling about our plan this morning, Pen. Have you changed your mind or do you wish to continue? It is your choice.”
Penelope pulled a curling lock of hair over her shoulder and stared at Emily, her green eyes somber. “After Simon cornered me in the drawing room last night, I realized I must do this. Being at the mercy of a man is not something I relish. Especially a man like Lord Grant.”
Emily groaned. “I’m so sorry, Pen. I knew when he sat down beside you that he would be his usual overbearing pompous self. You should have gone to sit by my mother.”
“It’s not that he was unpleasant. Far from it, actually.
He actually tried engaging in normal conversation with me, but as usual, my blasted shyness tangled my tongue and struck me mute.
And it was your mother who sent him to sit with me in the drawing room,” Penelope said quietly.
“And it was your mother who arranged for him to be seated next to me at supper. I cannot understand why she did so… she knows how uncomfortable your brother makes me. My hands were trembling the entire time.”
“Mother means well.” Emily shrugged helplessly. “I believe she has always tendered a desire to see you and Simon as a couple.”
Embarrassment flushed Penelope’s ivory-hued cheeks bright red.
“I cannot imagine a more unlikely pairing. Lord Camden speaks to me, and I become a blithering idiot unable to stutter a proper sentence. I understand that he does your mother’s bidding in seeking me out, but I do wish he would stop.
He is incredibly arrogant in those moments…
needling and prodding me with questions about myself…
then becoming frustrated when I cannot answer. ”
Emily nodded in agreement. “I am sorry for Mother’s persistence and Simon’s arrogance. I will talk with her and explain to her your feelings on the matter. I know she does not mean to cause you undue distress.”
“Oh, you mustn’t do that, Emily!” Penelope cried out in alarm.
“Lady Blackthorne will think me ungrateful after all that she has done on my behalf. Please… say nothing on the subject and regard my outspokenness as nothing more than a moment of venting my frustration aloud. Besides, I imagine that being told to cease speaking to me would only result in Lord Camden doubling his efforts to vex me. Please, Emily. Say nothing to your mother or even to him.”
Emily’s head tilted as she stared at Penelope in amazement.
Was it possible that Penelope liked Simon’s attention?
The blush staining her friend’s cheeks told a story…
one perhaps Penelope did not even understand.
Emily had always suspected an attraction existed between her friend and her brother…
it was so much easier to see when the two of them were together recently.
But she also knew Penelope was so shy and apprehensive around the opposite sex that she would suppress any hint of interest in Simon.
“If that is what you wish, Pen.”
“It is. Thank you, Emily.” Penelope visibly relaxed, her eyes studying Emily closely.
“I noticed Lord Wyldewood appeared to have much to say to you out there on the terrace. Indeed, you were out there together for so long that I thought surely Simon would notice straightaway. He never did, though, thank goodness. I cannot imagine the fuss he would have created.”
“Wylder was also trying his best to annoy me. He thinks you and I are plotting a misadventure, and he is quite adamant in that belief,” Emily replied with a chuckle. “I did my best to assure him that it is all in his imagination.”
Penelope’s eyes widened with fear. “Do you think he has uncovered our plan?”
Waving a hand in dismissal, Emily set down her cup of chocolate.
Something Penelope said just a few moments before had captured her attention, and she pondered it while addressing Pen’s concerns.
“It is unlikely. Besides, he is the type of man who would come right out and confront a person with whatever he had learned. He was more than perturbed that I would not admit a thing.”
“Well, that is a relief.” Penelope stood up from her chair and made her way to the bed. She gave the bell cord a sharp tug, signaling that one of the maids should come to help her dress for the day.
“Pen, I must ask you something,” Emily murmured, chewing on her bottom lip. “You mentioned that Simon never noticed Wylder and me were on the terrace together. Don’t you find that strange?”
A smile of faint confusion curved Penelope’s full mouth. “I suppose it is. Perhaps he is finally realizing it is a futile effort to keep the two of you apart. You and Wyldewood are drawn to one another like moths to flames.”
Emily laughed at her friend’s striking innocence and lack of awareness.
“Don’t you understand what this means, Penelope, my sweet dear?
Simon never noticed what Wylder was doing because he was entirely focused on you!
You captured his interest… and held it hostage.
” She clapped her hands in delight. “Oh, this is the most wonderful development!”
Penelope still did not appear to understand the situation, a frown creasing her brow. “It is?”
Emily ran to Penelope, impulsively embracing her with a broad grin.
“Yes. It means Simon is finally noticing your sweetness. Your beauty. Your innate goodness. And even if he does not like it, this proves he is not immune to your charms after all. This is terribly exciting, and we must take advantage of this without delay.” Emily reached over and impatiently rang for the maid again as she began helping Penelope out of her robe.
“If we hurry, we can probably still catch many of the guests lingering in the dining room at this time. Hopefully, Wylder and Simon will be among them. I want to see if this is a true occurrence or if last night was merely a fluke.”
“Emily Blackthorne… are you using me to distract your brother?” Penelope demanded. “Just so you can flirt with Lord Wyldewood?”
“Of course, I am.” Emily grinned in unabashed delight. “But don’t feel as though you must only distract Simon. You may flirt with him, too, if you are so inclined.”