Chapter Eleven
Pen woke up from the most provocative dream about Edward. She’d had before, but it had never felt so real. She smoothed a hand down her body to soothe the ache that always followed such erotic dreams.
And discovered Edward between her legs.
It wasn’t a dream. It was actually happening.
“Edward?” She tried to scramble away, but he held her close.
“Shh, darling,” Edward murmured as he swirled his tongue around the sensitive nub between her legs. “Let me worship you.” He licked her this time. “The way you deserve.”
Her heart pounded at his nearness, but she did as he asked. She drew her knees up, let one fall to the side, and closed her eyes. It didn’t take long, and she climaxed.
As her heartbeat returned to normal, she whispered, “Good morning.”
“Good morning, my love,” he whispered as he kissed his way up to her lips.
Last night, and all the wonderful things they’d shared came rushing to her forethoughts. “Shall we make love again?”
Edward kissed her soundly. “I don’t think we should.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “You will undoubtedly feel every muscle…and not in a good way.”
She was about to protest, but when she moved, her body felt as if a coach and four had run over it. “Perhaps we should revisit it a bit later.”
“Excellent idea. Besides, you must teach today.” He rubbed his nose against hers. The endearing act tangled every wayward thought in her head.
She glanced outside the small bedroom window.
The morning dawn broke through the sky, bright and clear, as if the world itself wanted to celebrate with them.
Penelope stretched luxuriously in the small bed as Edward wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his chest. She felt ridiculously happy.
No sisters peered over her shoulder, and no rules or responsibilities weighed on her.
The steady rise and fall of his broad chest and the memory of his touches and tender kisses on every inch of her body filled her senses.
“Your brother is going to kill me,” Edward murmured against the back of her neck. “I shouldn’t have…”
“No,” Pen said as she sat up in bed. “Please don’t say that.” She took his hand and held it to her heart. “I love you.” She brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it. “I’ve always loved you. What we shared isn’t something to be denied.”
“I love you,” he murmured as he studied her face, then shook his head. “But it does not change the fact that you are a duke’s sister. I should have asked for your hand in marriage before I touched you.”
“Nonsense.” Her eyes widened as the words sank in. “You will ask for my hand? Truly?”
The ruddy color of his cheeks deepened. “I must.”
“Do not sound so enamored of the idea on my account.” She pulled away instantly as if she’d been slapped. His words stung. When she tried to leave the small bed, he pulled her into his embrace.
“Pen,” he said softly. “It would be the greatest honor to call you my wife. But could you say the same about me? I don’t have the funds to keep you in the manner that you’ve been accustomed to.” The pain in his voice made her heart stumble in its beat.
She tilted her face until their gazes met.
“Unequivocally.” She cupped his cheeks and pressed her lips to his.
“You are mine and always have been.” She slowly glanced around the bare and frugal room.
“I’ve never been as happy as I have been with you.
Here.” She waved her hand around the room.
“I consider this a palace just as long as we’re together. Would you be happy with me?”
A smile broke across his face. “Ecstatic. As long as you were my wife and by my side.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll write your brother and tell him that I must speak with him. Together, we’ll ask Miss Eloise if we can travel to London for an emergency.”
“If it’s agreeable with you, I would like to return here and finish my year so I can fulfill my task to my father.”
Before she could continue, a brisk knock shattered the morning calm. Three hard raps on the cottage door.
Edward stiffened.
Penelope stilled. “Good heavens, what if it’s the students? Are you expecting someone?” She sat up, keeping the quilt around her as she tried for lightness. “If it’s the porridge delivery, do ask for extra cream.”
Edward arched an eyebrow. “Any berries to go along with that extra cream?” Then his eyes narrowed. “It better not be that strange man. I need a weapon.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “Perhaps a knife.”
“Lady Penelope,” Miss Eloise barked through the wooden door of the cottage. “You are late for class. Are you ill?”
“Oh, dear,” Pen whispered. “What shall I do?”
“Allow me,” Edward said and stood to dress quickly.
Such a shame that he had to cover that magnificent body.
“One more thing, Pen. We should marry sooner rather than later.” Without waiting for her response, he strode from the room.
Pen stretched her arms over her head as she lay in bed. He loves me. And always has.
This was turning into the most perfect day.
Actually, the entire trip was turning into the most perfect adventure. She would never again worry about being alone.
As long as she had Edward by her side, she could do anything.
With Edward acting as Penelope’s lady’s maid, he had her dressed in record time.
She stood in front of the class, looking entirely too fetching.
It took every ounce of strength Edward possessed not to stride to the front of the room and kiss her until neither of them knew their names.
He rocked back on his heels and smiled. He had little concern about appearing a lovesick fool.
She loves me.
Hadn’t he always known that? Maybe, but he didn’t want to face it. Foolishly, he believed that if he kept his true feelings for her hidden, he could protect his heart. But all he ended up doing was wasting valuable time that he could have used to tell her how deeply he felt.
Yet, these glorious feelings still didn’t change the fact that he was not her equal in social status, let alone in wealth or income.
Her brother would not be pleased. But a greater worry was how to keep Penelope happy with their circumstances.
Perhaps he should look at another career.
One that would lend itself to make more money than a poor tutor.
He wanted to roll his eyes. Any occupation would earn more money than teaching.
“Mr. Thornton,” Miss Eloise whispered, standing beside him. “May I have a moment of your time outside the classroom?”
Edward nodded and followed the schoolmistress out of the room. He stole a glance at Penelope, who was telling some outlandish tale to her students and keeping them captivated.
Just as she always did him.
As soon as he stepped outside the classroom, he turned his full attention to Miss Eloise. “What can I help you with, ma’am?”
Miss Eloise sighed and clasped her hands in front of her.
“Would you be so kind as to travel to the village and fetch the mail? The new geography books possibly have arrived from London.” She turned her head and glanced up and down the passageway before lowering her voice to a whisper.
She discreetly nodded in Penelope’s direction.
“I’m anxious to retrieve them as I think it might help her learn…
ahem…her continents.” She smiled bashfully.
“She made quite an impact on the students. They were most anxious to continue with the lesson and could be heard in the library repeating everything Lady Penelope had taught them. I overheard a bit of the discussion, and I’m never one to dissuade an effective teacher.
” She donned her schoolmistress persona once more.
“It’s my duty to see that everyone succeeds here. Both my students and my teachers.”
“That’s very admirable.” Edward bit back a smile. Clearly, Pen had charmed Miss Eloise with her antics. Instead of the lady calling her out for her creative teaching of basic geography, the schoolmistress wanted to help her.
“Your father would have done the same.” She straightened her shoulders. “I would have asked Jack, the school’s caretaker, to go, but there’s a draft in the upstairs dormitory. After last night’s storm, it must be repaired immediately. I can’t have my students getting sick because of it.”
Edward frowned as his gaze fixed on Penelope through the hallway. She wore her classic, welcoming smile that made everyone think they were her confidant. No telling what lesson she was imparting now, but her students would love every word of it. There was no denying how much he adored her.
And because of that, he couldn’t leave her without protection. Not until they discovered who their stalker was and what he wanted. “Couldn’t it wait until Mr. Jennings finished? I hate to leave my wife alone.”
Funny how the word wife rolled off his tongue. It felt natural. Just as Penelope felt natural in his embrace.
“You won’t be leaving her alone.” Miss Eloise frowned slightly. “I’ll be here and so will Mr. Jennings. Not to mention all the students.”
“That’s not the issue,” Edward protested.
“What is it then?” Miss Eloise tilted her head.
“Did you two argue already?” She nodded as if she’d discovered the formula for turning lead into gold.
“While I’ve never been married, I understand from my sister that such disagreements are perfectly natural.
Sometimes, a little distance makes the heart grow fonder.
If you leave now, you’ll be back within two hours.
She’ll have finished teaching for the day, and you both can have the rest of the afternoon to yourselves. ”
“That’s not it.”
Edward stole another glance at Penelope. While he didn’t want to tell anyone about the man for fear that it would cause all sorts of drama at the school, he still didn’t want to leave Pen.
“It’s not just the books,” Miss Eloise confided.
“One of the students’ fathers is sending an early tuition payment for the next term.
I expect a letter from the bank confirming its arrival.
” Her cheeks flushed a brilliant crimson from embarrassment.
“The butcher and the man who delivers the wood for our fireplace have been very accommodating. I don’t want them to wait any longer for their payment.
I’m sure you understand the precarious position I’m in. ”
More than he wanted to admit. Throughout his childhood, his father had constantly juggled the finances for their home.
His mother had never been extravagant, but the shillings never seemed to last in their household.
It had been the only time he’d ever seen his father visibly angry over the circumstances.
No one should have to face such trials.
“I will do it.” Edward locked his gaze with hers. “But you must promise me that you won’t let her out of your sight. If she finishes her lessons early, have a cup of tea with her until I return.”
Miss Eloise nodded with a wide smile. “It would be my pleasure.” She sighed dramatically and placed her hand over her heart. “Young love. Is there anything more powerful?”
Edward nodded once, then executed a quick turn. The quicker he was done with this so-called errand, then the better he would feel.
The schoolmistress’s words rang through the passageway. Yes, young love was powerful.
But what he and Penelope shared wasn’t young or new.
Their love was infinite and eternal.
He chuckled to himself. If he didn’t know any better, perhaps he could give Wordsworth or Byron a run for their money.