Chapter Six
Penelope
Penelope pressed a hand to her mouth, stifling the sound of her breathing.
Her heart drummed wildly against her ribs, so loud she feared it would betray her hiding place.
She remained crouched in the knee space of the enormous desk, closing her eyes and praying her hiding spot would not give her away.
Tabby squirmed in her arms, and with another silent prayer, she let the kitten go.
Tabby scampered away, darting into the folds of the heavy curtains at the window. The drapes swayed with the movement, sending the scent of dust and the faint perfume of velvet drifting to Penelope’s nostrils while she cursed how she came to be in this predicament.
She had heard Simon’s footsteps in the corridor first. They were the quiet, measured tread of a man who moved with purpose.
It prompted her to run to the other end of the library, where she immediately crawled beneath the desk to conceal herself.
With shallow breaths, she listened as the handle of the door jiggled slightly and the hinges squeaked as Simon entered the room.
Then came his voice, smooth and authoritative—demanding whoever occupied the room show themselves. That voice drifted through the stillness, curling around Penelope like a sliver of dark ribbon. She did not breathe as he drew closer, the thump of his boots against the carpet rattling her insides.
For one awful, thrilling moment, Penelope was sure he’d found her. The air around her shifted as if his presence alone stirred it. Her knees trembled beneath her own weight, shaky and weak, her palms damp with fear. If he came around to the backside of the desk, he’d find her huddled there…
The soft cry of the kitten broke the spell.
Penelope nearly collapsed in relief as Simon laughed, the warm, rich sound carrying through the dark room.
It did wicked things to her composure, that laugh.
She could almost see him in that moment.
See the way his mouth curved and the line of his throat when he tilted his head back.
When he spoke to the kitten in that amused yet rough tone, something warm fluttered low in her belly as she hugged her knees to her chest.
Penelope pressed her eyes shut again, willing him to go away, cursing her own stupidity for venturing out from the sanctuary of her room.
Foolish girl. Reckless girl.
Then his footsteps receded, and unmeasurable relief flooded her.
Forcing herself to stay where she was, she waited until the library door clicked softly shut before daring to move.
Slowly, with trembling hands, she gripped the edge of the desk and peeked over the flat edge.
The room was now totally dark as shadows reclaimed every corner, but Penelope still waited.
Her heart raced like a racehorse new to the track. This was the closest she’d come to being discovered. It was beyond frightening. She would not have been able to stop the earl from doing whatever he wanted with her had he found her.
What would he have done? Thrown her out onto the streets? Summoned the Bow Street Runners or even worse, her parents? Or would he have ravished her, knowing she was not in a position to protect herself from his advances?
Penelope shuddered as she fully emerged from beneath the desk.
Resting her hands on the glossy surface, she took deep breaths until her chest no longer ached with fright.
One thing was certain. It was far too dangerous to continue tempting fate.
If she stayed in this house, Simon would find her.
And if that happened, there would be the devil to pay.
She must take matters into her own hands and leave before he discovered her subterfuge and that of his own sister’s.
The next morning, she began packing her few belongings while Sally lent assistance.
“I should not stay here a minute longer, Sally.” Penelope’s voice trembled despite her effort to sound decisive.
“Lord Camden nearly caught me last night in the library. And yes…yes, it was incredibly foolish of me to venture from my room, but I truly feared I would go mad if I had to stare at these four walls a minute longer. I intended to read for a while, then make my way back to bed. I had no idea that His Lordship was still awake at that hour.”
“I cannot believe you risked leaving your room.” Sally wrung her hands. “Miss Penelope, you simply cannot go off alone. Lady Wyldewood said she was making arrangements, but she needs a bit more time. You must wait…wait and trust that she can help you.”
“Time?” Penelope gave a small, choked laugh.
“There is no more time.” Her breath came unevenly as she moved toward the bedroom window, peering out over the rain-washed street.
It finally stopped raining sometime after midnight, and the usual London traffic had resumed bright and early that morning.
“If he discovers I have been hiding under his very roof…” She could not finish the thought.
The scandal would be monstrous. Her parents’ fury and Society’s delight in her downfall would be a scandal from which there could be no recovery. “I should leave…”
Sally’s face creased with worry. “Where shall you go, miss? You’ve no carriage, very little money—”
“I’ll find a way,” Penelope interrupted, though her tone wavered.
“There must be something to be done. Some place that I can go. An inn, perhaps, that would not cost too dear. Or a coach leaving Town.” She pressed a trembling hand to her temple.
“Oh, God, I don’t even know which direction to run. But I must go. To stay is madness.”
The maid’s eyes softened. “We must get word to Lady Wyldewood that the situation has turned dire. I shall go myself, but one thing we shall not do is have you roaming the streets seeking refuge. I was against it before but there is no other option but to see you moved to the servants’ quarters.
You will be safe there if you keep to that part of the house.
The earl will not venture there. A lord never goes to the servants’ quarters. ”
Penelope cocked her head. “The earl had no issues barging into the kitchen yesterday morning.”
Sally waved her hand, dismissing Penelope’s insightful observation. “That was different. Once you are safely concealed, I will go to Lady Wyldewood.”
A rush of gratitude and panic swelled together inside Penelope’s chest. “I keep telling you that you mustn’t risk yourself on my account, Sally.”
“Beggin’ your pardon, miss, but it’s a bit late for that,” Sally replied quietly.
“Regardless, Mister Williams says His Lordship will be visiting his clubs this afternoon. We can move you then as long as we are mindful of the earl’s valet.
He will certainly report your presence if he sees you.
Fortunately for us, the man is immersed in his duties of unpacking His Lordship’s trunks.
He’s sure to be at the task most of the day. He’s a particular sort, after all.”
Penelope’s hands shook as she folded another dress and placed it inside her satchel. She certainly had no desire to leave the safety of the townhome, but the dangers of staying were growing far too dangerous.
“I never meant for any of this to happen,” she murmured, her throat tight.
“I only wished to avoid marriage to a man whom I suspect harbors a cruelty I cannot fathom.” Her voice caught on a tiny sob before she choked down her throat.
“Is it too much to hope for a bit of kindness from whatever man I eventually marry?”
Sally shook her head, her expression sympathetic. “If anyone deserves a soft spot in this world, it is you, Miss Penelope.”