Chapter Two #2
“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind. But now that you mention it, perhaps you need to learn how to fetch water from a pump.
Everyone should have that skill. I would say that it’s similar to milking a cow.
What if it’s a well? Do you know how to fetch water with a pail?
” He studied her as if she were a bug under a glass.
“You’ll need a bucket. Do you even know how to mend your own stockings? ”
“Edward,” she scolded. “I’m not useless.”
“Of course, you’re not, but you are a duke’s daughter and a duke’s sister.” He crossed his arms across his massive but trim chest. “You have people.”
“I have people?” she asked patiently, trying to follow his logic.
“People to do things for you. An entire household staff at your beck and call.”
“Well, I wish those people would tell me where I’m supposed to fetch a husband.
” She flung herself into the nearest chair with operatic despair.
“Why couldn’t Papa have required something sensible, like commissioning a statue in his honor or naming a new species of roses after him?
I would have excelled at roses.” She sighed dramatically.
“I would have called it Blooming Brilliant, Just Like My Father.”
Edward scowled.
“How about Papa’s Perennial Pride?”
“I have it.” Penelope stood suddenly. The Brightest Bloom, Just Like Papa.”
When her bottom lip quivered, Edward rushed to her side and swept her into his arms. “Pen,” he soothed as he gathered her close.
She didn’t fight him. “It still hurts.”
“I know, darling.” He winced at the term of endearment, then tightened his grip slightly, wanting her to feel safe in his arms. He had to remember that she saw him only as a friend. Nothing more. She must not have heard him, or she would have recoiled in horror.
Her father’s passing had been a blow, even if it had been expected.
Edward had visited him regularly. When the duke had asked him to watch out for Penelope, he had agreed without hesitation.
The duke had worried that his youngest daughter would marry the first man to propose and feared that such a man would be after her fortune rather than genuinely care for her.
The duke knew all too well that his daughter hated being alone.
A husband, regardless of his intentions, would seem like a blessing to Penelope.
In particular, the duke suspected that Lord Draven, a notorious fortune hunter, would swoop in and marry Penelope before anyone could stop him.
Thus, it didn’t make sense that the old duke’s task would insist that she marry and live humbly for a year. He had never mentioned it.
Yet the wily duke had been correct. Blasted Draven was now badgering her to marry him.
Penelope was not naive. She was one of the most astute and brilliant women Edward had ever had the pleasure of meeting.
She was beautiful, funny, and possessed an acerbic wit that he adored.
However, he was aware of how she had suffered after her sisters left.
She was lonely and uncomfortable with only herself for company.
That’s why the old duke had asked Edward to watch out for her. He had readily agreed not just because the duke had asked him, but because there was no one in the world he would rather spend time with.
But the old duke’s edict was confusing. Edward knew he wanted her safe, but that didn’t explain the humble part. It definitely wasn’t because she was spoiled. She was one of the most generous and loving people he’d ever met.
“Enough of that.” Penelope pulled away from his embrace with a feigned smile.
Edward was halfway convinced that there would never be enough of that, but he didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. Yet, his fingers itched to pull her into his arms again.
No matter how much he tried to distance himself from Pen, he couldn’t do it.
She stepped away and cleared her throat, then forced a smile. “I know what I shall have to do.”
Edward reached out and took her hand in his. “And what is that?”
“Papa’s letter said that I must marry. Then in the next sentence, he said, and I quote, ‘You must live humbly for a year.’” Pen’s gaze met his, and that unmistakable twinkle that always spelled trouble glittered from her emerald-green gaze.
“I should not want to know what you’re thinking, as I know it spells trouble.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “Yet I can’t help myself.”
“Ask away.” Pen bounced on her toes.
“What do you have to do?” he asked softly.
“I thought you’d never ask.” She winked.
“I must live humbly, but I don’t think he meant for me to be married at the same time.
It doesn’t make sense. Why would he want me to marry someone poor and live humbly?
” She tapped her chin and stared out the window.
“Perhaps he wanted me to be self-sufficient, then marry. That would make sense. Don’t you agree? ”
“Perhaps,” he answered cautiously.
Edward had never dared to think about what he would do if Pen married, which she would eventually.
He always watched out for her, no matter what.
Just the thought of her marrying Draven or anyone else made his mouth pucker as if he had eaten a tart lemon.
He let out a silent sigh. The truth was, he couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.
As her best friend, Edward had a duty to ensure that she was loved and protected. If she found a man worthy, Edward would have to step aside and support the union.
But he didn’t have to like it.
“I have a solution that doesn’t involve marriage.” She nodded once as if convincing herself. “At least not yet. I’m going to teach at my old boarding school, Miss Eloise’s Excellent School for Exceptional Girls. Father even suggested it in his letter.” She nodded up and down as if it were decided.
“The one in Scotland? You hated that place. You wrote to me every week asking me to rescue you.”
Pen scowled. “In my defense, the weather was dreadful. But when Rosamund graduated, I was all alone.” She notched her chin in the air. “I also wrote to Papa and asked him to rescue me. He, at least, did as I requested.”
Edward chuckled but held her gaze. “I was twelve years old. It would have been rather difficult to travel there by myself. I should think my tardiness forgivable.”
“And yet, here I am — not forgiving it.”
“Pen, don’t be merciless.”
“Not merciless, merely consistent,” she shot back with a grin. “Besides, Miss Eloise always adored me. She said I was welcome to return anytime.”
“Not to stay there for a year,” he pointed out while desperate to think of a reason that would keep her from carrying out such a plan.
“Edward, I shall earn my keep. I shall teach, and we both know that governesses, tutors, and others in the teaching profession don’t earn what they should.
Every single one of them lives humbly.” Her eyes widened.
“I didn’t mean for that to sound smug or as a disparagement of your father.
He was one of the most admirable men I’ve ever met. ”
“No offense taken. My father was a tutor. There were other riches involved instead of material wealth.” His smile was so big that he felt his eyes crinkle along the edges. “Such as meeting you.”
Her cheeks immediately colored to the glorious pink that he adored. That meant his compliment had pleased her.
“You shouldn’t say such things,” she murmured as she stared at the carpet below.
“It’s the truth.”
She nodded once. “Well, I think the same of you.” She nodded once, clearly finished with the conversation. “Now that I’ve found out my task, it’s time to get on with it. If I must live humbly and marry, I refuse to do them at the same time and alone.”
Edward arched a brow. “That rather defeats the purpose of marrying, doesn’t it? You wouldn’t be alone then.”
“Don’t confuse the issue.” Pen playfully swatted at his chest. “If I must embark on this ghastly experiment or task or quest or whatever it is, you, Edward Thornton, shall accompany me.”
Edward had every intention of going with her. “Pen—”
“Yes, you,” she continued. “I’m sure that Papa would approve of you accompanying and keeping me company.
” She rose and swept toward the door. Elegantly, she stopped and turned on the ball of her foot.
“If you don’t accompany me, I’ll go alone.
” She placed a hand over her heart. “It’s my destiny. You should pack light.”
“Pen,” he scolded.
She stopped and counted something on her fingers. “I’ll have at least three trunks.”
“Three trunks?” he asked incredulously. “Why do you need three?”
“One for dresses and shoes. One for redingotes, pelisses, and uhm…unmentionables.” She cleared her throat, then tossed a cheeky grin his way. “One for my hats.”
Edward groaned. “This is going to be a disaster.”
“Think of it as an adventure.” Pen smiled, clearly satisfied with herself. “If one must face humble living, one might as well look fashionable and have a fine-looking audience in attendance.”
“An audience? Who?” He narrowed his eyes. There was no way that he would allow another man to accompany them.
“You. You’re the audience. And may I say, a very handsome one.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
She turned toward the door, then stopped and faced him again. “Of course. You’ll make a very handsome audience of one.”
He rocked back on his heels like a preening peacock. She thought him handsome. But then the proverbial cold water doused such a thought.
“What about your brother? He’ll kill me.”
“Nonsense. I don’t want to interrupt his work in Surrey.
I’ll leave a note. He knows that I have a task to accomplish.
He’ll be delighted you accompanied me. My mother is abroad and frankly, couldn’t care less what I do.
” She linked her hands together in glee.
“We’re on an adventure, Edward. Together. We’ll leave tomorrow.”
Then she did the unthinkable.
She winked at him and sashayed her way out of the room. Her hips slid from side to side in that subtle way that mesmerized him. Leaving him completely befuddled and perhaps just a bit afraid of being alone with her.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her. He was not at all certain whether he could trust himself.
What was the old duke thinking, asking Edward to watch out for his delightful and delectable youngest daughter?