36. Penelope
Penelope
“Chicken nuggets and French fries. Mashed potatoes and gravy. Mac and cheese. Pizza.” Marian laughed as we loaded our plates with food. We were at the restaurant again, our favorite place lately. “This is not a meal, it’s a feast. The most random feast to ever be.”
I held up a fork full of potatoes. “But it is ours, and we will eat it all.”
We laughed, and I tried to let myself enjoy my moment with Marian.
I was sick over wondering when Katia was going to show up and cart me away to some new location.
The fact that it had been a few hours since the delivery gave me hope, but I knew it was only a matter of time.
Someone would come, and when they did, I’d be ready.
“Oh my God.” Marian’s eyes rolled in bliss. “The pizza. Taste the pizza. I swear it’s like I’m home in Chicago again.”
I took a bite, my eyes flaring through the flavors that burst over my tongue. “So good.” I chewed, shaking my head. “I have no words. This is heaven.”
“Right! I swear, this is seriously the best thing ever.”
“I’m going to eat this every night,” I managed, taking another big bite. “Seriously sinful.”
“Hotdogs.” Marian paused, chewing. “From Chicago. I’m going to show you—”
The smile melted from her face, and I watched her mask slide into place. A man I’d seen a handful of times came through the door, heading right for us. He was older with salt and pepper hair, and he was wearing a suit. My hands trembled but I clenched them under the table.
“Elliot.” Marian straightened in the chair. “Is everything okay?”
“A word, please?”
I felt my hand come out at his look towards me. Marian stood, and so did I.
“I couldn’t help but notice the look. I’m sorry, if it’s about me, I’d very much like to hear it.”
Marian looked between us, hesitating before she nodded.
“There’s a man downstairs. He’s a lawyer—barrister,” he corrected.
“He specializes in criminal law. Goes by the name Theodore Hart.” My pulse jumped.
“He has a box he claims is Ms. Taylor’s.
He refuses to hand it over to anyone but her.
He says she knows him. He’s using legal jargon.
Says he’s worried about her and is threatening to take action if she doesn’t appear. ”
Marian turned towards me.
“Do you know this man?”
I swallowed back the fear. I didn’t personally know Mr. Hart, but I had heard him mentioned from my father during all of his legal battles. And if he was connected in society, he could be a Master from The Order.
“I do. I would like to see him, please.”
Multiple expressions played on Marian’s face.
“I should call Katia.”
My hand came up. “I won’t be leaving with him. I just… I want to see him. I’ve been so disconnected from my friends. I—” Tears came, and I embraced the desperation within. “I’ve lost everything. Seeing Theodore, I just need some sense of home, please.”
Worry crossed Marian’s face, but she nodded, gesturing for the door.
“Jake, box up the food and have it delivered to my apartment. Elliot, send Mr. Hart up. We’ll speak with him there.”
He nodded, and I followed everyone as we headed to the lift.
Elliot was talking to someone over his radio, and excitement twisted with the unknown.
When we got to the apartment, Marian led me to a room off from the entrance.
It resembled my father’s study, but it was decorated in a light academia aesthetic.
A thin cream desk sat at the far back wall, and there were matching bookshelves surrounding it. The tones of taupe, cream, and rich coffee brown were beautiful. I headed in deeper, ringing my hands as Marian studied me.
“You sure you’re okay to see him?”
I nodded, praying this meeting didn’t somehow backfire in my face. Who was this man? He clearly had my package, but what if this was some ploy to get information so he could somehow represent me in court? What if it was a scam? My father hated barristers. He called them leeches and liars.
“I really should call Katia and give her a heads up. Just give me a minute, Penny.”
To argue would only add suspicion. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait.
The doors opened, and Elliot led in the same man I’d seen downstairs earlier.
I quickly walked forward, leaving Marian deeper in the room.
Elliot moved in the back with Marian but kept his eyes on us as Theodore handed me the box.
On top sat a card. His finger tapped against the bottom number, long enough for me to nod and grab it.
“Theodore.” I smiled, gesturing to a sofa in the distance. “It’s been a while since we talked. Please, come sit.”
“I was hoping you’d see me. Being as there’s… interest between us.”
My lids narrowed, only to flare as I nodded. “Of course. I’m glad you came and brought my books. I must have messed up the address. I’m new to online ordering. Everything was... well… with it?”
I kept my voice down as did he.
“Perfectly. Although…” He trailed off. “I wanted to leave my card for you to call. I’m here any time.
I know you’ve been through a lot, but I handle these matters for a living, as you know, and you can call.
Tonight, would be great. I’ve missed talking to you.
I’ve truly been going out of my mind, honestly. You will call?”
“If I can.”
“Right.” He glanced towards Marian who was still on the phone.
“I’d like to start coming over to see you if that’s okay.
I want to make sure they’re taking care of you.
And you need an outlet to contact in case…
” His attention stayed on Marian. “In case there are any developments. Is there anything important you might need me for? Maybe…. mysterious?”
His question had me smiling. Vaughn had read my message and he understood it. Even better, I had a feeling that second number on my card was his.
“Theodore?” I waited until his attention came to me.
His features softened and he smiled. “Thank you for coming. I’d very much like to start seeing you, if we’re able.
I’ve missed you too. Very much. Everything’s going to be okay.
I’ve lived such a sheltered life. Soon, I hope to change that.
I can’t leave this building, but I hope to start connecting with those in society.
Even if it’s for tea or muffins downstairs as I unravel the world’s mysteries.
I was an Art History major. Did I ever tell you that? ”
“No.” His head shook slowly, and I saw his interest spark as I gave him a dazzling smile. “My father was adamant that be my focus since I would be integrating myself with those who are… titled. I think maybe he was on to something. I guess we’ll see.”
Although he smiled from my charm, he shook his head.
“I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”
“Sure it is. If I plan to take my place in society, I must know people. That’s exactly what I plan to do. … If I am allowed. I’m not sure they’ll let me, but I’m going to try. That is my mission.”
His hands lifted in surrender. “If that’s what you want. At least I can say I put in my piece.”
But he wasn’t. He was putting in Vaughn’s opinion, and we both knew that.
“Tell me more about your focus. How will you be spending your days?” He glanced back to Marian and Elliot.
“I work. I file papers for Marian’s family’s company. It’s fun and it gives me something to do. We have dinner in the restaurant on the top floor. The view is amazing. Marian is amazing. She takes really good care of me. She’s my friend.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Tell me about you. How have you been?”
I couldn’t stop my eyes from becoming intense.
I’d been so sick over how Vaughn was. Now to know the SLB was interested in him, and the world knew my parents were dead…
I wanted to go back and change what I’d done.
But to change it, I’d have to admit that the timing didn’t matter.
My parents were dead and missing. I’d been taken, and I would have had to face this at some point anyway.
It was better now, before I was lost to The Order.
At least this way I wouldn’t have to hide from the world. Is that what Vaughn had hoped for me?
“… Not good. Not good at all. The intensity. Let’s just say all I think about is you.
You’re my only true focus. Everything else—” He stopped, searching for the words to say.
“I think that’s for another conversation.
” Movement registered in my peripheral, and from the way Marian and Elliot were whispering, I wasn’t sure how to take it.
“I really should go. I don’t want to keep you any longer than I already have and risk pushing them too far.
” Theodore leaned forward, cupping my cheek.
Hot breath breathed against my lips as his forehead connected with mine.
“He’s going to fucking kill me for this.”
Lips brushed mine gently and he pulled back. “Six-month anniversary kiss. We don’t have to keep it secret anymore. Call me tonight if you’re able. I’m here anytime you need me. Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays at four. We can have pastries together and you can tell me more about your progress.”
I knew I had to try to make our connection more believable. I reached to both sides of his face, pressing my lips into his. “I would like that very much.”
Theodore stood, and Elliot came forward. I slipped the card into the pocket of my cardigan, turning to Marian as Theodore and Elliot disappeared.
The look on her face told me everything I needed to know.
“I’m sorry, Penny. Katia says he can’t come back.”
Tears welled, coming so close to slipping over.
“I… don’t understand. I’m not allowed to see Theodore?”
Marian came closer.
“Not until Katia can look into him. As far as we know, it could have been him that took you. He could have been the one to kill your parents. Katia says he’s not titled. That does not work in his favor.”
“Theodore loves me. He’d never kill my parents. Besides, I felt the man’s face who took me. It wasn’t Theodore’s.”
Marian’s lips parted but she hesitated.
“Let’s just allow Katia to do the check and make sure he’s safe. It shouldn’t take long. If all is well, there should be no reason he can’t come by to see you.” Her stare lowered and she pointed.
“What’s that?”
“Books.” I twisted my lips. “Apparently, I don’t know what I’m doing, and I need to take a course on entering in addresses. I have a mix of both of ours on there.” I lowered, sitting on the sofa, letting the bad news shine all over my face.
The tears did fall, then, and I let them as I stared down mindlessly to my lap.
“Penelope.” Marian took a seat next to me. “I’m sorry. I know how excited you were to see Theodore. You looked happy with him. He seems like a good guy.”
“He is. The best.” I looked up, meeting her eyes as I let my bottom lip quiver.
“He asked to see me on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at four for pastries downstairs. I hope Katia allows me to do that because I don’t think I could bear someone else telling me no on who I want to spend my time with.
My parents lived to control my life. They kept me constantly isolated.
I just want to spend time with Theodore.
I want to pretend like this never happened. ”
The sobs genuinely left me, despite that the words evoked numbness.
How was it that in the span of such a short time, my innocence had morphed to manipulation?
With every day—every lie—I changed.
If I wanted to be honest… maybe I was okay with that.