Chapter Fifteen
Outside her brother’s London home, the birds were singing their hearts out while Penelope’s lay broken in a thousand jagged pieces. It had been a week since she’d left Miss Eloise’s School for Exceptional Girls. It had been a little over a fortnight since she’d last seen Edward.
It felt like a lifetime since she’d seen him.
She was simply existing and going through the motions of her everyday life.
Miss Eloise had hugged her and promised to write if she heard anything.
She’d thanked Penelope profusely for offering her services as a teacher.
The schoolmistress had even shared that Penelope could return anytime for as long as she wanted.
Even the girls had been kind, and each had given her a hug when they’d heard that Edward was gone.
Perhaps she would return to the school. It wouldn’t mend her broken heart, but it would make her feel closer to Edward.
She swallowed hard. A month ago, it would have been unfathomable to consider such a thing.
She disliked being alone, and Edward knew that.
Through his kindness and love, he had generously given his time so she would feel comfortable.
Now, the need for such companionship had lost its urgency from just a few weeks earlier.
She had grown by finding her own confidence and independence during her time at Miss Eloise’s school.
She had grown because of Edward.
Pen looked at the tray of biscuits and the fresh pot of tea in front of her.
Her stomach clenched at the sight. Since she had returned to London, her appetite had vanished.
But she forced herself to eat. When she sat down with Felicia and Charlie in the evening, she mostly toyed with her food.
But for Edward’s sake, she ate as much as she could tolerate to stay strong.
If Edward needed her, she had to be healthy.
For all she knew, he could still be in the countryside near Miss Eloise’s school, hoping she’d find him.
Her heart sank in her chest at the thought.
“My lady,” the lower-stairs maid peeked her head around the corner. “May I serve you a fresh pot of tea?”
Penelope tried to smile. “No, thank you. I’m finished with it.”
“Of course, my lady,” the maid offered, then frowned slightly when she saw the tray hadn’t been touched. “I’ll return it to the kitchen.” She hesitated for a moment. “I’m sure Her Grace would be delighted to have another tray sent up.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Penelope said softly. The young maid was about five years younger than Penelope and reminded Pen of her sisters, who would be cajoling her to eat to keep up her strength.
Or to keep up her ample bosom.
After the maid left, Penelope forced herself to walk around the room.
Every day, her brother shared the reports from the men he had sent out to look for Edward.
Charlie had even joined in the search several times to no avail.
More distressing was the lack of leads, and each day that passed made her doubts grow heavier about whether they would ever find him.
Had she dreamed her time with Edward at Miss Eloise’s school? She tilted her chin and took a deep breath. Of course, she didn’t. Edward was devoted to her and loved her.
Just as she loved him with her whole heart. That meant one thing: she would keep hope alive no matter how long it took.
The butler knocked softly. “Lady Penelope, you have a visitor.”
“Is it Edward?”
As soon as she said the words, the kind butler grimaced slightly and shook his head.
“I’m afraid not, my lady. If it were he, I would be shouting the news at the top of my lungs.
” The butler straightened to his full height.
“It’s Lord Draven. He insists upon seeing you.
If you would like me to inform him that you’re not receiving, it would be my pleasure. ”
“Thank you for looking out for me. However, I should see him.”
The loyal butler tilted his nose in the air and turned sharply on his heel to fetch the viscount. In a moment, he returned and announced, “Lord Draven.”
The viscount entered the room with a flourish and made an exaggerated bow.
Rumors were already swirling around London about her and Edward running off to the border. The ton thought they’d been trying to elope when her brother caught them and brought her back. Everyone assumed that Edward had stayed in Scotland to escape Charlie’s wrath.
If only they knew the truth. She took a deep breath and stood, steeling herself for George Draven and his interrogation.
That was the wrong attitude to take. Perhaps Draven had information that could help her find Edward.
Mayhap he was here as a friend who would sympathize with her and try to give her hope that they would find Edward.
And pigs could fly over the Thames.
Pen didn’t have the inclination or energy to match his effusive greeting. “Come in, George.”
“I came as soon as I heard what that cad had done.” He strolled across the sitting room and took her hand.
“Cad? If you’re talking about Edward, you’re mistaken,” her curt voice cut through the room, but she didn’t care. No well-bred lady was taught not to speak in such a manner. Yet, remaining silent would be a betrayal of Edward. She wouldn't let anyone besmirch Edward in her presence.
Lord Draven shook his head. “There’s no need to try to defend his actions. I always knew that Edward Thornton was bad ton.” He laughed. “But the truth is, he’s worse than bad ton as he is no ton.” George grinned like a puppy begging for a treat, waiting for her reaction to his distasteful humor.
Penelope kept a straight face. Edward might not be ton, but he was hers.
More importantly, he was the best man she had ever met or had the privilege of knowing.
Her greatest gift and accomplishment was falling in love with him.
Remarkably, he had loved her in return. She shook her head slightly and straightened her spine.
No to such thoughts. He still loved her in return.
“But never fear, my dear. I’m here to save your reputation.” George’s chest puffed out like a proud rooster.
“Is my reputation in danger of drowning or befalling some other disaster that I’m not aware of?” Penelope waved a disinterested hand.
She wanted to roll her eyes when George whipped the tail of his morning coat out with his hand before he sat on a chair. He was never talented at taking social cues.
“May I be frank, my dear? Your reputation needs a life preserver.”
Penelope frowned at the man’s callous words.
“Is a tea tray coming?” He looked to Pen.
“No. I just had the maid remove the one that I had in here earlier.”
George nodded solemnly. “No need to call for one. My visit will be short.”
Perhaps there was a heaven after all. She bit the inside of her cheek. Kindness might help her get what she wanted. “I know your time is precious.”
“Indeed. I’m here for your brother,” George answered.
“Then why are you calling on me?” And bothering me? “I thought you were calling with information about Edward’s whereabouts.”
“I shall ask for your hand in marriage.” He raised his hand when she opened her mouth to speak. “I had hoped to speak with your brother earlier, before you left for Scotland. But I had to dress for an earlier commitment. I had forgotten that I had promised Lady Odelia that I would attend her ball.”
He thought dressing for a ball was more important than her? What a disaster.
“I shall find your brother and demand your hand in marriage. It’s what any gentleman would do under the circumstances.
” He wrinkled his brow. “I won’t make you bear the brunt of gossip.
We shall marry at my estate. I’ll return to London, and you can stay there until another scandal arises and the gossip diminishes over your escapade with Thornton. ”
“That will not be necessary.”
He smiled brightly as if she were giving him high praise.
“No need to thank me. We’ll get along just fine, I would wager, especially with your fortune.
” Then the blasted man winked at her. “I’ll hire a companion, so you’ll never be alone.
” He opened his arms wide as if he were the king of all he surveyed.
“It’ll be the perfect solution for both of us. Neither of our lives has to change.”
With her refusal on the tip of her tongue, Penelope stood ready to unleash a diatribe that would make a sailor blush.
But she didn’t get to say a word as a loud voice boomed across the room.
“Over my dead body, will you marry my wife,” Edward growled, clearly staking his territory.
“The Duke of Archer.” Her butler rocked back on his heels with a wide grin as he made the announcement.
With an entrance that took her breath away, Edward stood tall in the doorway. Dressed in a sharply tailored black broadcloth morning coat and matching breeches that made her blush at his perfect form, Edward looked divine. He looked better than divine. He looked too handsome for his own good.
Draven stood as well and wrinkled his nose as he took in Edward’s appearance.
“Naturally, you would appear just as I’m asking for her hand in marriage.
” He sniffed and tilted his chin in the air.
“My wife,” he scoffed. “Playacting you’re a secret duke with a secret marriage will not help.
As if you’re good enough for her. Stop pretending. ”
Penelope whirled around at the insult. “How dare you? He’s ten times the man you are.”
“Pen, it’s all right,” Edward soothed. She closed her eyes briefly at the heavenly sound of his voice. It had been way too long since she’d heard his dulcet tone. Not caring a whit what Draven would think, she ran to her love’s side.
Edward opened his welcoming arms and caught her as she jumped into his embrace. “My darling, I came as soon as I heard you were here in London.”
“Unhand her, you mindless oaf.” The way his lips were twisted, George appeared to have drunk a cup of vinegar.
“You know not what you speak,” Edward answered, then leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. “I missed you.”
Penelope’s vision blurred at the tears of happiness that flooded her sight. “I missed you more. Where have you been?”
“Disgusting,” Draven muttered.
“Let us get rid of the ordure that is currently populating the room.” Edward pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then lifted his gaze to Draven. “You will address my wife and me by our proper titles.”
“And who is that?” Draven sneered.
“Your Grace will do nicely as I am the Duke of Archer.” Edward pulled her into his side, the gesture protective and loving. “Since my wife is the Duchess of Archer, you may address her as Your Grace as well.”
“What are you talking about?” Though she loved this side of Edward, Penelope worried about the tales he was telling Draven. Knowing the fiend as well as she did, George would tell the tale to everyone and anyone who would listen.
“I’ll explain all later,” Edward whispered.
“Lady Penelope—”
“Ahem,” Edward said. “Use proper titles.”
“Insufferable cur,” George snapped. “How do you like that for a title?” He turned to Penelope. “We will discuss this later.” He stormed to the door and left without another word.
“The man clearly needs a thorough review of the proper titles to use when addressing a duke and his duchess.” Edward took her into his arms, his voice whisky dark and smooth like a fine brandy. “Enough of him. I need to kiss my wife.”