Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
“It’s about time you extended us an invitation!” Lord Joseph Mullens, the Marquess of Everdon laughed as he took Dorian by the arm and gave it a firm shake. “I worried we might have to wait until your funeral before such an offer was given.”
“I dare say if it was my funeral, I’d be having a better time of it,” Dorian joked as he greeted his friend.
“As we would be,” Joseph agreed with humor.
“Lady Everdon…” Dorian pulled back from his friend and smiled broadly for Joseph’s wife. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Lady Albina Everdon was not just Joseph’s wife, but also Penelope’s cousin and one of her closest friends.
They were of a similar age and had come up in the ton together, almost sisters in that way.
And seeing as Albina was four years older than Penelope, she liked to take on the mantle of older sister.
Not required, as Penelope had enough of those to go around, but that never stopped Albina.
In response to Dorian’s greeting, Albina offered a curt smile but said nothing.
“Lord Everdon.” Standing beside Dorian, Penelope stepped forward and offered her hand to Joseph. “Always a pleasure to see you.”
“As it is you, Your Grace.” He kissed the back of her hand. “And thank you again, for allowing Albina and I to arrive early.” He winked at his wife. “She was desperate to see you.”
“Oh, I would not say desperate,” Albina laughed as she slapped her husband’s arm. Then she grinned at Penelope and held her arms wide open for a hug. “But it has been too long, Penelope. I can’t remember the last time you invited me to your home.”
“Maybe you should take the hint,” Penelope joked as she hugged Albina.
“Mean.”
“Joking,” she assured her, laughing as she pulled away. “Let us call this good timing, then. And with my sisters arriving on the morrow, it will be a family reunion, of sorts.”
“Urgh, I have a headache just thinking about it,” Joseph chuckled. “All you women clucking…” A shake of the head, and an apologetic grimace when Albina widened her eyes at him.
“Oh, it won’t be so bad,” Dorian joined in as he slapped his friend on the back in solidarity. “Although I dare say a drink or two might be required.”
“You plan on being there, do you?” Albina asked the duke, an eyebrow raised as if it was a serious question.
Dorian frowned. “I… of course.”
“Hmm…” She shrugged and looked away. “I thought you might have chosen to run off again.”
The comment came from nowhere, no humor found in her tone, entirely meant to cut and draw blood.
Dorian blinked in confusion, unsure if she was being serious or not.
Joseph’s eyes widened, seeing clearly that his wife had meant to be as rude as she was being.
And Penelope, thinking quickly, intervened because she had no idea what her cousin was thinking, and did not wish to find out.
“You must be thirsty from the trip.” She took Albina’s arm and pulled her toward her, away from Dorian. “I believe His Grace has already instructed refreshments to be served.”
“I have,” Dorian said, shaking himself from the surprise of Albina’s comment. “Set up in the back garden, along with some sweetmeats.”
“Wicked of you,” Joseph laughed and touch his belly. “You know how weak I am in the face of treats, Dorian. What are you playing at?”
“I assure you my intentions are not malevolent,” Dorian joked.
“Doubtful,” Albina said under her breath, which Penelope heard as she was right beside the woman.
That had Penelope frowning at her cousin, again unsure what she had heard and what the purpose of it was.
If she did not know any better, she would have said that Albina was angry with the duke – and that she was happy to let him know.
But why she would be, and why she was choosing now to air such grievances was beyond her.
“Tell me of your trip,” Penelope asked her cousin, raising her voice and leading her along the drive and toward the front of the house. “How was it?”
“Oh, nothing exciting.”
“And yet I am all ears.”
Albina laughed and then launched into a tale of their trip north from London. Indeed, it was not exciting, but it kept her talking and distracted her from her tirade against the duke, who by that point had fallen in behind them to walk with Joseph.
A most auspicious start to the weekend… and not at all what I was expecting. And from the way my cousin continues to glance over her shoulder and scowl at the duke, I dare say things are only going to get worse from here.
As promised, Albina and Joseph had arrived the day before the weekend house party was set to begin.
They came via carriage, and just now Penelope and Dorian had met them on the front drive.
It was a visit that Penelope was looking forward to, because she loved her cousin and rather liked the idea of having someone she was so close with here to speak with so she might get some much needed advice.
Now, she was wondering if this early visit might only make things worse.
Nonetheless, they moved to the back garden and soon found themselves set up on a garden table under a large awning for shade.
The mood was pleasant and Penelope could not believe how different Dorian was acting.
He was smiling, laughing, appearing comfortable and glad to have his friend here with him.
The only cause for worry was Albina and the way she continued to glare at the duke from across the table.
“Where is your sister?” Joseph asked once tea was served and they were all seated and relaxed. He looked about the garden as if expecting her to appear.
“Oh…” Dorian hesitated.
“She is feeling unwell,” Penelope answered quickly, saving Dorian from having to lie. “But she promises to join us for supper.”
“Oh no,” Joseph said. “Nothing we need to be concerned about, I hope?”
“Just a small head cold,” Penelope assured him. “But she sends her regards.” She caught Dorian’s eyes then, and he nodded his head in thanks.
In truth, there was nothing wrong with Barbara.
As was to be expected, she simply did not want to come down and meet with the guests – and she certainly did not want to spend time with them.
She did promise to attend supper, however, but Penelope wondered if such a promise would be kept when the time came.
It was such a strange thing. Penelope had spent all morning with Barbara and when it was just the two of them, the young woman was friendly and personable and fun. Nothing at all to suggest that she reviled company and was terrified to meet new people. Or even old ones.
Penelope often wondered what the cause of all this was. Clearly, something had happened to her, and just as clearly she did not wish to speak about it. She even wondered if Dorian knew the true reason, but found herself touched by how much he cared about her sister and how desperate he was to help.
“And how is she doing?” Joseph asked, his meaning obvious.
“She is… doing well,” Dorian said with a grimace. “I pray that this weekend won’t be too much on her.”
“You are a good brother,” Joseph added. “I am sure she knows it for fact.”
Albina snorted loudly.
Penelope frowned at her, again wondering what was going on with her cousin. But she said nothing, mostly because she noticed the way that Dorian was now eyeing her and she did not wish to open the way toward a fight.
“Do you know her well?” Penelope asked, needing to direct the conversation
“A little,” Joseph said. “When she was younger, I saw her often. Now, however…” He laughed softly. “I daresay she might not even recognize me.”
“Perhaps if she were not kept here as a prisoner,” Albina muttered under her breath.
Joseph heard her that time and he turned sharply and widened his eyes in warning.
Thankfully, Dorian said nothing. He did, however, fix Albina in a warning glare and Penelope could see how hard he was working to maintain his composure.
Strangely enough, Albina’s comments angered Penelope almost as much as they must have Dorian – perhaps even more so.
Her cousin spoke about what she did not know, and Dorian did not deserve such a level of disrespect.
Penelope scowled at Albina in warning, hoping that she was smart enough to keep her tongue to herself.
“So!” Joseph spoke up, determined it seemed to distract from his wife. “Tell us what you have in store for this visit.”
“And where is the fun in that?” Dorian said, easing slightly and pulling his gaze from Albina. “Won’t it be more fun if you find out for yourself.”
“And when have you ever been fun?” Joseph chided.
“I am!” Dorian protested.
“He isn’t,” Penelope added. “I can attest to it.”
Dorian rolled his eyes. “All I will say is that I have put a lot of work into this party,” he said rightly. “And all I want from you, Joseph, is praise and encouraging words of how wonderful a time you are having.”
“And I suppose your wife had nothing to do with it,” Albina muttered, not so under her breath that it couldn’t be heard by all. “But why would you waste your time mentioning her contributions…”
Joseph stiffened and winced but said nothing.
Dorian, clearly having enough of being so disrespected, clenched his jaw and fixed himself on Albina. His eyes widened in fury and Penelope saw him trying to find calm because he likely did not wish to admonish Albina in front of his closest friend.
Not that he ever got the chance.
Penelope turned on Albina, having had enough of her negative attitude and the rudeness she was offering up to her host. “That is quite enough, Albina.”
Albina balked in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” Penelope said, keeping her tone civil.
She made sure to look at her cousin, her tone level, her stare not angry but stern.
“I do not know what it is that has gotten into you, but I suggest that you do the smart thing and get over it. Quickly.” A raised eyebrow.
“Since arriving here, you have been nothing but rude to my husband, speaking of things you know nothing about, and I ask that if you have nothing nice to say then you keep your mouth shut.”
Albina’s mouth hung open. “I… Penelope, I was not –”
“I am sure you did not mean it,” she continued, her tone turned friendly. “But whatever it is, now is not the time. Is that understood?”
“I… yes. I am sorry. Truly…” Albina’s chin was wobbling as she looked between Penelope and her husband. “I did not mean it…”
“That is quite alright.”
With that said, Penelope turned back to find Dorian watching her with his own look of utmost surprise. At first, Penelope worried that she might have gone too far, as many men did not appreciate their wives fighting their battles for them.
But slowly, his surprised visage took on a smile and a slight shake of the head at himself told her that he found the situation amusing, as well as revealing. She smiled back and when she did he reached across and took her hand under the table.
It was a small gesture, but it sent a pulse through Penelope’s body, a warmth come with it that wrapped her like a blanket. And what should have felt awkward and out of place, as they had never shown any such affection to one another before, felt strangely comfortable. It felt right.