Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
It never fails to surprise me, just how much can change in seemingly little time, Penelope Waverly mused as she stirred some sugar into her tea.
Her gaze flittered around, taking in the lavish grounds and towering estate to the side, a sense of pride filling her as she noted just how well her friend had done for herself.
“I must say, your home is truly a visionary sight to behold.”
Nora, Duchess of Ironwell, blushed at her friend’s words, lifting her head proudly as she replied,
“I am glad you think so. I have been working nonstop since we arrived from our honeymoon, trying my very best to ensure that this is a lovely home for us. I want this estate to be a good environment for our family to be nurtured in, and I hope it is better than the one I was raised in.”
Jane Fenwell nodded immediately, reaching out to hold Nora’s hand gently with an earnest expression.
“I am certain it will be. You and the duke would make wonderful parents and you are surrounded by good people as well. They say it takes a village and I trust that the one you have chosen will be exceptional at their roles.”
Nora smiled kindly and glanced around the garden in which they were having brunch to relish in the lovely weather.
“I feel the same as well, but that part of our lives is still somewhat far. For now, we are focused on spending time together and basking in our love, while lending some attention to our interests. I am in no rush – but I am eager to spend the rest of my life with him.” The duchess sighed wistfully.
Penelope snorted at Nora’s words, the smile on her lips betraying her teasing intentions.
“Well, I for one, am simply glad that it all worked out for the best for you. Given how distraught you felt when you believed his feelings were different from yours, one would have thought your whole world were about to end.”
Nora rolled her eyes, but she was grinning, her pink cheeks hinting at the embarrassment she felt.
“I might have been rather dramatic – but you do not understand what it is like! I felt as though my heart would crumble within me and I would cease to breathe. It was rather devastating.”
Penelope tutted, reaching out to pat Nora’s shoulder gingerly.
“I know. I did not mean to make light of the hurt you suffered then. I suppose I am simply... relieved, to see that you got the love you deserved. I am happy for you,” she said kindly.
“As am I,” Jane quipped, raising her teacup towards them before she took a sip.
“Thank you, ladies. I am certain I would not have survived those perilous times without your support. I am lucky to have friends as wonderful as you are. And I look forward hearing news of your own romantic conquests! Especially now that Athena has been proclaimed to the guardian of the hearts of women on the marriage mart,” Nora stated.
Almost immediately, Jane sat up straighter.
“Oh, yes! I had meant to bring that up sooner! I think it is rather curious, this situation. While the idea of what was done sounds noble, do they really have the right to infringe on the affairs of a stranger like that? Perhaps it would have been better to simply inform the man that his secrets had been found out and it would serve him better to confess, rather than try to hide it any longer,” Jane pointed out.
“But would that not also be wrong? If Athena simply held his deceit over him – like blackmail. It would be forcing his hand – not that he should have been caught in such a compromising situation in the first place, given that he was already betrothed. I am amazed that the bride-to-be would believe the words of an anonymous character so easily,” Nora reasoned, pouring herself another cup of tea.
“But the information Athena provided was credible! The lady who received the letter said her betrothed barely denied because the accounts stated were accurate,” Jane protested.
“And that is good, however, was this whole thing – sending a letter and signing it anonymously – necessary? All to put an end to a potentially bad marriage? Why did Athena not issue a public warning?” Nora questioned calmly.
“Regardless of the means,” Penelope spoke up as she reached for a crumpet, “I think Athena – whoever they may be – was right for protecting a young woman from a rake. Can you just imagine? You have your heart and mind set on someone, with a date already fixed for your wedding? But he is too busy engaging in secret rendezvous with other women? How appalling. I do wish Athena had exposed him publicly. That would have been a sufficient enough punishment for his crimes. But that would also have hurt his bride to be. The letter was inevitably better. Much more tactful.”
Jane and Nora exchanged a glance and nodded with a smile.
“You are absolutely right,” Jane concurred. “I am still in awe of how quickly news spread of this – though I should not be surprised. The ton will never fail to speak on any matter that catches their attention.”
Penelope nodded sagely as she bit into a cookie, wordlessly agreeing because Jane was absolutely right.
Ever since ‘Athena’ had surfaced among the ladies of the ton, all other subjects of conversation seemed to pale in comparison.
Everyone’s attention was fixed on the just and kind soul who had seen a man engaging in a romantic tryst with a woman in a garden during a ball.
Somehow, Athena had known that man was engaged and had written a letter to the man’s betrothed, who did not know of the man’s promiscuous nature, warning her to reconsider the wedding.
The woman, enraged and heartbroken, had immediately confronted the man with the letter, accusing him of betraying her trust. When he was faced with the facts listed – details of what he had worn, where the ball had taken place – he could not deny that he had been caught red-handed.
The engagement had been dissolved swiftly, and word spread of Athena’s good deed, claiming that whoever he or she was, they were certainly a hero. In the last few weeks, people hardly spoke about much else besides the vigilante who warned a woman not to tie herself permanently to a rake.
In the eyes of many, Athena was a blessing, while others couldn’t help but feel curious about why they had done what they did.
“I hope to be as brave as they are,” Jane sighed wistfully.
“There are braver people on this earth, Jane. You are the one who defines your limits. If you choose to go beyond the line you had drawn, there would be nothing keeping you from exploring new territories.” Penelope casually encouraged, dusting off the crumbs from her hands.
Jane smiled at her friend, shrugging half-heartedly.
“It is kind of you to believe I am capable of doing such. I do hope so… given that I am about to begin a journey I did not imagine I would be able to embark on at a point in time.”
Penelope shifted her gaze to Nora, quirking her eyebrow in silent question, only to be met with confusion that mirrored her own. Slowly, she asked Jane, keeping her tone as light as possible,
“What do you mean? What journey is this? Dear God, did you join a literary expedition?”
“What — no!” Jane sputtered, running her hands over her skirts nervously. “It is nothing like that. Nothing so… mundane. I… Cecil returned a few days ago and he paid me a visit… during which he expressed that he wished to court me.”
Penelope nearly spilled her tea as she whirled around to fully stare at Jane in shock, shaking out of her daze momentarily to shoot more enquiring looks at Nora. Only Nora was nearly as shocked as she was.
“Cecil? My Cecil? My older brother?” Nora queried.
Jane nodded, her pale pink cheeks deepening as she spoke, her voice rising in pitch as she grew nervous.
“How many other men do you know with that name? Yes, your brother.”
Nora and Penelope glanced at each other again, and once more, it was Nora who spoke up.
“I knew he had returned, since he had come to see me the very next day after his arrival. And he said he would begin to put some things in order for the sake of his new title, but I never would have imagined… my goodness Jane. What a lovely surprise.”
Nora’s encouragement seemed to further agitate the concern growing within Penelope, and she felt her stomach drop, heavy and confused still. She could scarcely believe what she had just heard, even more so disturbed by the hint of excitement in the soft curves of Jane’s face.
They had known Cecil because of his close relationship with Nora, and while he had always been a good brother to her, Penelope never liked or trusted him. The severity of her dislike seemed to grow even greater with this news, because she could not fathom why Jane would agree to this.
“Are you sure, Jane?” Penelope asked as gently as she possibly could.
Jane’s shy smile faded slightly, and she sat straighter. “What do you mean? Why would I be unsure of this decision?”
Penelope tried not to let her personal bias show, opting instead to present her concerns in a different way.
“Well, things aren’t the same as they were. He is a duke now and he will be watched closely by the ton. Which means your courtship would be as well. I know how you prefer your privacy about some things. Will you be all right?” she asked steadily.
It had come as a shock to all of them when they heard that a distant relative of Nora and Cecil had passed away, and Cecil was apparently the heir next in line for his dukedom.
That had barely been settled before their father died, and after the funeral, Cecil went to handle matters involving his inheritance.
He had been gone for a few months, and now he was back and suddenly wanted to court Jane? Just like that? He’d never expressed any special attention to her in the years they’d all known each other.
“Well, I suppose it would be all right. As… passionately as he expresses his opinions around you – with how eagerly you both bicker – I doubt we would cause any problems together. He is quite the gentleman, actually.”
Penelope could not shake off the suspicion that something was not right. The disconcerting feeling within her was wrapping around her insides so tightly, she couldn’t help but blurt –
“Why did you accept? You do not love him and you have always spoken about how you desire a love match. How do you know that is where this will lead?”
“I don’t,” Jane stated, shifting uncomfortably. “I am merely hopeful that I could find love if we continue to court. We have barely begun, so there is perhaps more to be gained with subsequent meetings.”
“Well,” Nora beamed sweetly. “That was rather unexpected, but like you said, we have no way of knowing how things will go. I really do hope you both enjoy your time together. Oh, do not look so perturbed, Penelope – I shall give Cecil a stern talking to. On no account is he to hurt our precious Jane. It will be all right.”
“What – no! I am not perturbed. I am simply… concerned,” Penelope huffed, shifting her gaze down to the half-eaten cookie resting in her plate, her appetite long gone now.
She really did not like the idea of Cecil courting Jane. The man was very irritating, and she had never liked him. More than her distrust of him, Penelope was greatly worried that he would ruin Jane.
“I do not think a scolding would be necessary –” Jane protested, but Nora shook her head.
“That will not be possible, I’m afraid. As your loyal friend who cares deeply about your well-being, it is my duty to ensure that he is urged to be on his best behavior. I know you would do so for me if the roles were reversed,” the duchess said.
Jane huffed, but the warm blush across her cheeks spoke loudly of how pleased she was.
Penelope watched Nora tease Jane about what the future held, but she could not be rid of the sinking feeling growing within her.
All she could do was hope that her worst fears would not turn into reality.