Chapter Two #2
Wilmington House
No. 23 Hanover Place
Mayfair, London
Midway through afternoon tea, Penny’s brother came into the drawing room.
“Greetings, Mama, Little Sister.” He crossed the room to buss their mother’s cheek then sat on the low sofa next to Penny. “I’m leaving for a call and then to my club soon, but wanted to pop in and spend a bit of time with my two favorite people.”
She briefly rolled her gaze to the ceiling before landing it back on him.
“Do stop. We all know you intend to call on your mistress. Did the two of you work out your squabble?” Her brother never could understand that perhaps he should spend more time with someone instead of lavishing them with gifts, for when the gifts stopped, the people would come the crab.
Of course, he had a terrible habit of choosing the wrong people…
“That is none of your business,” he said with a grin, before taking refuge in a sip of tea.
Their mother tsked her tongue. “Enough. We need to discuss the society events the both of you need to attend in order to find appropriate matches.”
Both she and Johnathan groaned.
“I’m not willing to marry just now, Mama,” her brother said. “Coming home from the war without my friends was bad enough. I don’t need a woman hanging on me with her own problems or adding a child to the mix.”
Penny’s eyebrows went upward in surprise. This was the first sensible thing she’d heard her brother say in years. “And you already know why I have reticence. Why can we not enjoy Town in the winter and mingle with whom we want?”
Her mother narrowed her eyes. “The pair of you are adamant to try my patience, aren’t you?”
“Well, since we both still have free will, I suppose that answer is yes,” her brother joked, with a wink to Penny.
“And no, the call I’m making this afternoon is not to my mistress.
She and I are on the outs at the moment, and quite frankly, I can’t see that it will end in her favor.
Instead, I’m popping over to Major Montgomery’s home for a chat and to ask him to join me at my club this evening. ”
“Oh?” Goodness, but it had been an age since she’d heard that name. While she tried to pretend she didn’t care about the man, the hand holding the teacup shook. “How is he these days? I haven’t seen him for years.”
Though she’d never had a come-out year or any time during the Season to make a sensation, her family had hosted a small ball for her at their country property in Derbyshire.
Of course, now, all these years later, she realized it was for Weymouth to come and have a look at her so he could sign the marriage contracts with her father, but she hadn’t realized that at the time.
The major had been there—he’d been a captain during those days, buying a commission into the military—and he’d been everything blond and handsome.
Eight years her senior, she’d thought he’d hung the stars, and she’d been instantly infatuated with him.
He’d always been underfoot because Cornelius was Johnathan’s best friend from their Eton days, and he was her first tendre.
However, as time went on, he barely ever noticed her as a young lady, and he was much a rake and a rogue, besides.
Yet there had been that one glorious night at the ball, when she’d snuck away for some air and time alone, and he’d come upon her in the hedge maze.
Though he was slightly in his cups, he’d treated her to lovely, heated kisses, and then before she’d known what he was about, his hands had gone beneath her skirts.
He’d pleasured her private bits with his fingers as well as his mouth, and that had been one of the only times in her life where she’d managed to find sexual release.
Except with him it had occurred naturally, and had felt entirely different than anything gained with Weymouth.
After that, they’d talked a bit of everything except their realities, and when they’d parted, she’d given him a ring made from her hair.
Though she’d given it to him in the maze, she’d fashioned it a few days before in the hopes she’d see him.
Would he remember that, or had she been just a link in the chain of all his conquests?
Johnathan shrugged. “I believe he’s well enough. He needs to mingle more in society, for he’s hinted about that he might wish for something steadier in his life now.”
Their mother huffed. “If Major Montgomery can manage to become domesticated, that would prove the miracle of the year. He enjoys chasing skirts far too much.”
Penny ignored her. “He deserves to have someone who cares for him in his life, the same as Johnathan does, someone who will help to soothe their souls that were damaged in the war.”
“It is not polite to mention such things, Penny,” her mother chastised. She shook her head. “Is the major even mature enough for marriage? I can’t imagine him being happy in a union, for even if he does wed, he won’t be faithful.”
“You can’t say that for certain,” Johnathan said with a frown.
“However, Penny is correct. He’s much like me.
Haunted by the war and a bit damaged by it.
Any woman he eventually settles on will need to be made of a strong constitution, for he’ll need the support and understanding. That is what I’m looking for as well.”
Despite the conversation’s bent, Penny remained curious. “Does he have a lady in mind?”
“Oh, I doubt it. I don’t fully believe he’ll go to that many societal events anyway, but I’ll discover more once we have a conversation.” He grinned. “Fear not. You are safe from his philandering ways.”
That pulled a frown from her. “Why?”
Johnathan winked at their mother. “Cornelius knows you’re forbidden fruit, due to you being my sister.
Your friends are off-limits as well.” He shrugged.
“Mama wants you to marry again and to someone high up in society, which you should since you’re a marchioness.
Someone will snap you up soon, I’ll wager. ”
Not this again. “As if my only purpose on this earth is to be some man’s wife or provide Mama with grandchildren?” It would not stop being a sore subject.
“Come down from the boughs, Little Sister.” He tweaked her nose, then took a deep draught of his tea. “Of course not, but what else are you going to do? This is our world.”
The heat of anger rose through her chest. “I do work at a bookshop, you know. Eventually, I’d like to run it by myself, perhaps even place orders for the books I’d stock on the shelves if and when Mr. Chandler decides to retire.”
“Do stop, Penny.” Her mother scoffed. “It’s scandalous how you still wish to work a trade. You’re better than that.”
“It keeps me busy and distracts my mind. I’m a widow and a woman grown. Let me do what I wish with my own life.”
“What could you have to worry about, dear? The world is at your feet, and you still have your looks. That means something.”
Or it didn’t, and it certainly didn’t assuage the acute loneliness that assailed her, along with the knowledge that she’d wasted the best years of her life on the dratted marquess.
“Regardless, the future and what I do in it is my decision.” Though tears welled in her eyes, Penny refused to cry in front of them.
“For now, the bookshop is how I’m spending my time, and I enjoy it. Books are never disappointing.”
Her mother shook her head. “Well, I want you and Johnathan at the next rout on the schedule. No excuses. There are many debs out there this year you’re in competition with and that Johnathan can choose from.
” She bestowed a grin on both of them. “But you are the real prize, and far prettier than many of them.”
Penny snorted. “I rather doubt that. Just as I doubt Johnathan will choose a lady so much younger than he is to take to wife.”
“This is quite true.” Then her brother stood. He bussed Penny’s cheek. “I must run. Behave yourself, and don’t deliberately antagonize Mama further.”
“Women who follow proper rules rarely meet their dreams.” But she waved him off as her thoughts centered on Cornelius Montgomery. What sort of man was he now, and would she find him as appealing and mysterious as she had as an innocent young woman who’d known nothing of the world?