35. Penelope
Penelope
I could barely sit still as I counted down the time and paced my room.
Back and forth. Back. And. Forth. I went from one side to the other until I was sure the heels from my stilettos would forever be imbedded into the wood.
When ten minutes remained, I found myself bursting from my bedroom door, startling the guards who stood outside.
“So sorry. I’m headed downstairs. Vaughn is coming. He’ll be here soon.”
I knew there was no way Vaughn would arrive at Rosemoor at exactly an hour. He had to get men together, pack, explain to Able what he was doing so our new Reeve could take over, but… I couldn’t help myself.
My pace stayed fast but steady down the hall, and even faster the moment I left the stairs. By the time I was walking through the foyer, I knew I had to calm.
What was I doing?
I couldn’t wait on the porch like some homesick child. I had only been gone for the day. I hadn’t even been away for more than twenty-four hours. My heart didn’t care. It only recognized the absence, not the time.
The guards sat in their chairs by the stairs.
I stopped a few feet from the front door, smoothing out my dress, looking around the large, opened entry area for where to go.
The office was further down the hall to my left.
The dining and kitchen area was to the right.
I hadn’t got to explore Rosemoor much, but it had to have a library or study. And if it did, wouldn’t it be this way?
A door stood open, not far from the office’s hallway. I headed over, flipping on the light. I smiled at the large room, full of shelves and books.
“Library. I knew it.”
But I didn’t look at the books like a huge part of me wanted to. I raced to the large window that lined the front of the house, pulling back the thick, silk curtains so I could hide in the darkness and see the main drive.
My heart was racing. My excitement was soaring and yet twisting with these sickening emotions at having to constantly pretend as I played this stupid game. But I could barely think of that.
Was Vaughn really coming? To Rosemoor? With King Lawrence here? Should I have told him King Lawrence was still under the same roof as me? What if he thought the king had left? I didn’t think to tell him. Or the king… should I have had a note sent to him to prepare him?
Anxiety quickly left me debating what I should do. A voice cut off my thoughts.
“What do you mean, it’s impossible?” The king paused. “Try again. Surely, you’re wrong.”
Seconds passed as I tried to ignore the grunts and sounds of disapproval behind me.
“You’ve got to be joking.”
“I hope this isn’t a private conversation.”
My voice had the room going quiet.
“… Hello?”
I tried not to laugh.
“Not you. I swear … I think…” Footsteps sounded, but they seemed to be getting further away. I squinted as I stared into the darkness.
Time passed.
One minute.
Two.
Five?
“Guards but… I must be losing my mind. No, dammit.” More footsteps. I barely heard them.
Three sets of headlights turned onto the driveway in the distance. I jumped in excitement, throwing the curtain back and nearly causing King Lawrence to drop his phone. I felt like a kid again. Like I wasn’t pulled between trying to play stupid for the king or be a queen for Vaughn.
“What the devil are you doing, Penelope? You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“He’s here.” I smiled, racing past him as best I could in heels.
“He? He, who?”
“Him! Vaughn, of course.”
“What?”
I didn’t wait. I headed through the entrance, nearly sliding as I slowed to throw open the door. The guards rushed my way.
“George, never mind, I have to go. Did you say Vaughn?”
I headed onto the covered porch, once again smoothing down my dress as the three dark SUVs looped around the fountain and came to a stop.
The middle one’s back door opened, and Vaughn stepped out, wearing all black slacks with a black button up that was undone at the top of the neck.
I raced forward throwing myself into his arms.
“I can’t believe you came.” Tighter, I gripped around his neck, pressing my lips into his.
“Of course I came. This was a big day for you. I wanted to be here to support that.” He met my lips again, easing me down so that my feet touched the ground. “Why don’t you show me around.”
Men were gathering in, both Vaughn’s and King Lawrence’s. I grabbed Vaughn’s hand, leading him straight to King Lawrence despite I was shaking.
“Your Majesty, this is Vaughn. Vaughn… this is King Lawrence.”
Vaughn pulled me into his side, wrapping his arm around me as he reached forward, meeting King Lawrence’s hand.
“Your Majesty.”
The nod and deep tone had me swallowing hard through the anxiety of their shake, but nothing was threatening about it. If anything, Vaughn seemed… pleasant. Indifferent?
“Mr. Masterson.” King Lawrence stepped back. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I was afraid it wouldn’t be until the ball. You are still coming, correct?”
Vaughn smiled. Warm. Fake? “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
I’m honored you were considerate enough to throw me a party.
I guess it is time for me to join the land of the living again.
” He paused, briefly looking down at me but giving his attention back to King Lawrence. “It’s actually perfect timing.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah.” Again, his gaze lowered to me, this time not breaking as he began to talk. “I’ve been thinking a lot about duty and love. I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do for Penelope. She deserves this. A life. Happiness.”
“… I couldn’t agree more.” King Lawrence’s deepening tone had both of us looking over. “I’m sure you want to settle in. Will you be staying long?”
Vaughn licked his lips, slowly shaking his head.
“I’m afraid all I have are a few hours. I know you’re both going to be busy in the morning anyway, and I have an important guest in town.”
“Of course.” King Lawrence nodded. “It was great meeting you. I’ll leave you two alone.” He turned to me. “Breakfast?”
“Eight, sharp.”
He gave a nod, turning, and I couldn’t help but beam a smile up to Vaughn.
“I can’t believe you came. You don’t know how happy I am. Come, let me show you around.”
“Penelope.” He cupped the side of my face, lowering again to kiss me. “Are you really happy I’m here? You’re not upset that I’m imposing?”
My brow drew in as my head shook. “How could you impose when we’re meant to be together? Where I am is where I want you to be.”
His lips pulled back on one side. “Forever?”
“Forever. Come.”
I led Vaughn forward, feeling the mass of guards following behind. As we walked inside, Vaughn’s head turned, taking in the grandeur of marbled floors and statues pillared on gold columns. A low whistle had me laughing.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Beyond words, just like you.”
Heat poured into my cheeks as I pointed.
“The library is there. Down that hall past the door is the office area.” I leaned in, lowering my voice.
“I’m not sure what’s in the other rooms. I haven’t had a chance to look.
” I pointed to the opposite side. “The dining room and kitchen area is that way. I believe there’s a ballroom on that side as well…
I’m not sure. We can go look if you’d like. ”
“What I’d like is to take care of you. You’re exhausted. I’ve come to put you to bed. Take me to your room.”
“You came all this way for that?”
“I’d come just to pass by this place knowing you’re inside. Are you up there?” He pointed to the stairs.
I nodded, wrapping my arm around his lower back as Vaughn began to lead me up. As we passed the hall, I looked over, seeing King Lawrence heading inside the office. His eyes met mine, full of… I wasn’t sure. Not anger. Not sadness.
“I suppose I ruined his night.”
“Hmm?” I glanced up, seeing a darkening seep into Vaughn’s features.
“Nothing.” We headed up the stairs, and Vaughn slowed, running his fingers over a landscaped portrait in a gold frame. “Interesting.”
“Do you like Raldo?”
Confusion only lasted a moment before he smiled. “Art history major.”
“Please don’t ask me—”
“Nope.” He laughed. “I want you rested, not reciting.”
“… What was interesting?”
He paused. “I don’t know. Something about it seems familiar. I think I’ve seen it before.”
“Oh.” We headed past the fifth door before I slowed.
I took in how the guards were posted every few feet, leading to the stairs.
“Familiar... Perhaps you’ve seen it in a museum.
There’s only four remaining, if I remember correctly.
It’s astonishing that this one is here, just sitting on the wall like it’s not worth a fortune.
It makes me nervous that it’s so unprotected.
I guess I have to get used to this life. ” I reached for the knob. “This is us.”
“Allow me.”
Vaughn stepped in, opening the door and leading me inside. We only got in a few feet before dawning had him turning to face me. “I should have brought you clothes. Did you bring any?”
My mouth opened, only to shut.
“No. I didn’t expect to stay.”
“But you have clothes here.”
It wasn’t a question.
“…Yes. It was like that at Glenbrae as well.”
“Very generous of him to make sure you were taken care of… just in case.”
“Vaughn. Please.”
He kept quiet as he broke away, heading to the large antique wardrobe not far from the bed.
He withdrew a dark blue silk nightgown with a matching robe, not much different than the one I’d been provided with at Glenbrae.
He fingered the thin strap, leading down to the lace accent trimming the top of the breast area.
When he headed to a dresser and opened the top drawer, withdrawing a matching silk and lace blue pair of panties, I sighed.
“Let’s get you showered.”
“…I’m…” I stopped. “I’m not sure you should.”
His lids narrowed. “Why not?”
“Because I’m still bleeding.”
The defensiveness eased into sadness. “Bleeding seems to be what we do, Penelope. You act like that bothers me. Come on, love. I’ll wash your hair, and then I’ll lay down with you until you fall asleep.”
“Vaughn?”
“Yes?”
I stepped in, taking the nightgown and panties from him and placing it on the bed. When I led him to the chairs in front of the fireplace, he sat down, watching as I took a seat in the chair across from his.
“The shower can wait. Talk to me. You said you were thinking a lot about duty and love. I feel like between The Order, our home, Rosemoor, and Glenbrae, I’m being pulled in a million different directions.
You said we’d figure it out. Help me do that.
” Tears welled, but I kept them in. “I feel like this is the beginning of something bad.”
Vaughn closed his lids, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, I saw the fear he tried to keep hidden.
“It’s only bad if we let it get that way. Come here.”
But he was already leaning forward to bring me into his lap. I nuzzled my face into his neck, hating the heaviness in my stomach.
“How will we do it? How will we manage? I’m an hour away. This… this is a full-time job. So is The Order. Then, there’s you. I’ll never get to see you. If you stay at The Order, and I’m here. Or…” my voice lowered, “you get the Crown back, I won’t see you at all.”
“Not true. You can run Rosemoor without living here. We can take a trip here every few days. There are video calls. Helicopters.”
My head reared back, and I laughed. “I suppose there are ways.”
“Always. Just as I said. We are unstoppable. Never forget that.”
I melted into Vaughn’s body, feeling vibrations go off from his phone. He adjusted me, keeping me close as he pulled out his cell and brought it to his ear.
“Reeve.”
“Unavowed.” Able’s voice was barely audible as I listened in.
“I’m not sure if it’s anything to worry about, but we had an alarm trigger on the south entrance.
It seems like before our men could check it out, the person was already gone.
It might be nothing, but I didn’t want to take any chances.
I’ve doubled the guard at the entrance, and we’ll keep an eye on the cameras. ”
“Perfect. Thanks, Reeve. Let me know if anything changes.”
He hung up, placing his phone down and pulling me deeper into his chest. “Speaking of our home, I forgot to tell you, the tunnels are just about done. We should be ready to move in by the time you leave here.”
“Home. I like the sound of that. Our home.” I yawned, and Vaughn sat me up, unfastening the necklace around my neck. He reached over, placing it on a small stand resting on the table. I watched it sparkle as it hung from the hook, facing towards my bed.
“Life is hectic for you right now, Penelope, but soon it will get better. We can get settled in. You can continue to heal and learn your duties. We’ll take things slow now that—” He stopped. “Now that… there’s no rush anymore. That’s all I’m saying.
“No rush?” Learn my duties? Vaughn, what about my training? What about the trials?”
“There’s plenty of time—”
“No.” I wiggled from his arms, standing. “I’m not waiting anymore. Losing the baby changes nothing. I’m doing the trials on schedule.”
“Penelope—”
“Don’t try to talk me out of it. I’m doing them, Vaughn. Marry me or don’t. That’s your decision, but I’m getting this out of the way for when we’re ready.”
“And if you die? This isn’t a test to take lightly.”
“I know that. I don’t take it lightly.” I stood taller. “I’m doing the trials so we can finally be official… and nothing is stopping me.”