Chapter Thirteen
Penelope
It was the day before the wedding, and Penelope was a bundle of nerves. Standing in the middle of her guest room at Blackthorne Manor, she was silent as the dressmaker made a few final adjustments to the wedding gown.
“You are so beautiful, Penelope. Like an angel.” Charlotte Westley, the new Countess of Ashcroft, clasped her hands together in delight as Emily nodded in agreement.
“It’s true, Pen. That shade of ivory is stunning on you.
” Emily patted the middle-aged dressmaker on the shoulder.
The woman was currently on her knees, basting the gown’s hem and flounce of Brussels lace in a final alteration.
“Very well done, Mrs. Downing. And the speed at which you have managed to provide such a beautiful dress is remarkable.”
Mrs. Downing smiled at Penelope, her lined face softening with kindness. “I could not have asked for a lovelier subject.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Downing,” Penelope said quietly as the woman ducked her head and continued with the task at hand.
“I’ve never possessed a garment of such quality before.
” Her gaze met Lady Blackthorne’s, and she smiled at her future mother-in-law.
“Thank you, my lady, for everything you’ve done on my behalf. It is far too much.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” the lady replied with a wave of her hand. “It has been a delight to help you. I have enjoyed the entire process immensely.”
“If she has hovered, Pen, it is truly my fault. My elopement with Lord Wyldewood deprived Mother of the opportunity to prepare for such a grand event,” Emily said with an unrepentant grin, blue eyes sparkling with mischievousness.
“That is true,” Lady Blackthorne sighed before brightening. “But the sacrifice was truly worth it. And besides, you would not have waited for such things, Emily. Not with your impatient nature.”
“It was Wylder who insisted upon haste, Mama.” Emily picked up a swath of tulle and swirled it about her shoulders, her eyelashes fluttering coquettishly. “And can one blame him? He is head over heels in love and could not live another day without me as his wife.”
As the ladies laughed, Mrs. Downing stood up from the floor, snapping her fingers at her assistant. The girl jumped to attention, rubbing her eyes with an apologetic, sleepy smile. “Help Miss True remove the gown, Maria. We will make the final changes here, and our work will be done.”
Once Penelope was again clothed in a pale-pink muslin day gown, she sank into the closest chair. Her expression hopeful, she asked, “There are no more fittings or alterations to be done? It feels as though I’ve been poked and prodded for ages.”
“Completed just in time for the ceremony,” Emily said cheerfully. “Now the bill can be sent to Simon. And knowing my brother, he will insist on a full accounting of every charge.”
Penelope clasped her hands in her lap. A frown creased her brow as she considered the amount of money spent on her behalf.
Although the ceremony was hastily planned and intentionally small in the number of guests involved, it was sure to have cost a fortune.
“I shall repay Lord Camden for any expenses once my inheritance funds have been settled.”
“Don’t be silly, Pen. Simon would not have spent the funds on you if he did not wish to do so.
” Emily laughed, handing the silk gloves Penelope was to wear with the dress over to Mrs. Downing.
“And when he sees how beautiful you are in all of your new gowns and hats, he will be very glad for the expense.”
Nothing more was said on the subject as Mrs. Downing and Maria finished the last stitches on the dress. It took only a few moments for the pair to gather their supplies.
“I have a few matters to discuss with Mrs. Downing, my dears,” Lady Blackthorne said, walking with the dressmaker to the door.
She gave the girls an indulgent smile, obviously aware that Emily and Charlotte were anxiously waiting for the opportunity to speak with Penelope in private.
“And then I must address some correspondence that I’ve neglected this week.
You may visit as long as you like. I’ll send someone up to refresh the tea and bring more refreshments. ”
When they were alone, Emily immediately sat down beside Penelope while Charlotte flanked her other side.
“Now, Pen…tell me everything. Has Simon been treating you as he should?” Emily asked. Concern flitted over her face while Charlotte watched with intense curiosity.
Penelope’s eyes narrowed. She wasn’t sure how she felt about her soon-to-be sister-in-law asking such personal questions. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“A rumor has been floating around the past few days,” Charlotte said quickly, shooting Emily a strange look as if she wished the other girl would hold her tongue.
A laugh bordering on the verge of bitterness escaped Penelope. “Can it be worse than the ones already swirling about?”
“It’s said that you and Simon were seen emerging from a wooded area in Hyde Park. And that you appeared upset while Simon looked fiercely agitated,” Emily said carefully.
Penelope’s skin felt as though it were on fire with the flush that crept over her cheeks. “We had…uh…matters to discuss that he did not wish the driver to overhear.”
Charlotte’s gentle smile was knowledgeable. “Oh. That is understandable then. Those types of discussions are certainly ones you hope remain private.”
“But he has not harmed you, Penn?” Emily interjected. “My darling brother can be such an ogre sometimes. And beneath that calm exterior lurks a fierce temper. I would not want you to experience that unnecessarily.”
“I’m sure that eventually I shall see more of that side of him, but no, he was not angry with me,” Penelope assured them. “Just frustrated by the unfortunate situation, I suppose. We did kiss, however, and it was quite overwhelming.”
Emily sighed in relief. “Well, that explains it. And I’m sure the source of the rumor has something to do with the feigned dire nature of it.”
“What do you mean?” Penelope’s brow furrowed with confusion.
“Emily…” Charlotte murmured in gentle warning.
Penelope steeled herself. She had some small inkling of the subject matter.
A particular widow within their social circle had long held a tendre for Simon, and it was no secret.
Indeed, several women had sought Simon’s attention over the past three years since Penelope’s coming out.
She’d stood at the back of too many ballrooms to be ignorant of that fact.
“If you are referring to Lady Raiborne, you needn’t worry. I am fully aware of her infatuation with Lord Camden. ’Tis hardly a secret,” Penelope said.
“If only it were her.” Emily smoothed a hand down her dress, blue eyes darting to the bedroom door in case her mother suddenly reappeared and caught them spreading gossip.
“No, it was that awful Lord Grant, and if Simon catches wind of it, you can be sure he will take the odious man to task. Hopefully, he will not put any weight to the rumor, nor to its origin.”
Penelope’s gaze dropped to her hands, which were now shaking slightly. The thought of Simon challenging Lord Grant on her behalf—of caring enough for his unwanted wife—did shocking things to her insides. A fluttery feeling tickled the depths of her belly, and her heart increased its beat.
Her reaction was confusing, but it was there nonetheless. When she spoke, the words came out in a breathless rush. “I’m sure Simon will not concern himself over a bit of silly gossip. Especially not to such drastic ends.”
Charlotte shook her head. “You’ve not yet learned just how truly feral the Rakehells can be. And if Lord Camden is anything like my Lucien, this could certainly be an opportunity for trouble.”
“Simon and I will be wed tomorrow morning. At this juncture, it seems unlikely that a rumor will prevent that.”
Emily took Penelope’s hand in hers, her blue eyes darkening as she regarded her friend.
“Soon, you will be my sister in truth.” Squeezing Penelope’s hand, her voice lowered.
“You’ll be a married woman like us. But I must ask you a question, my sweet Pen.
Has your mother…” Emily’s cheeks turned pink, and she took a deep breath as if gathering her courage.
“Has your mother explained what will occur on your wedding night?”
Penelope laughed softly. “Mother has no desire to speak of such matters. And now that Simon has banned her from the Blackthorne Manor, I do not see the opportunity for such intimate discussions.”
Charlotte let out a noticeable sigh of relief. “Good. This means she’s not had the chance to frighten you.” Cocking her pretty, blonde head, she smiled at Penelope. “I had no one to tell me either, but Lucien was more than willing to show me everything I needed to know.”
Emily giggled, moving closer to Penelope. “And Wylder…he could hardly contain his eagerness when he made me his wife. The Rakehells share many traits when it comes to their particular tastes in the bedroom.”
Penelope shifted uneasily, caught between the two women as they broached a subject they obviously knew much about.
Her own lack of true knowledge and the fact that one of the parties in the discussion was Emily’s brother made her nervous.
It did not seem proper to be talking about such intimate matters.
“Your brother—” she began to say, but Emily waved her off.
“Yes, I know,” Emily laughed. “It is quite an uncomfortable subject when one’s own brother is involved.
You can imagine my embarrassment when I explained to him that Wylder’s darker interests in sexual matters did not frighten me at all.
I’m sure Simon’s horror at my broaching the subject was as great as my own.
But it did clarify one thing, and Charlotte will agree: the Rakehells are alike.
Because of that, we can prepare you for what to expect when you and Simon are together for the first time. ”
Despite the scandalous nature of the subject, Penelope’s interest was piqued. “There will be more than kissing…and…and touching?”
“Oh, so much more,” Charlotte replied. “The most important thing you must remember, Penelope, is that men like the Rakehells truly enjoy and reward submissiveness.” Lowering her voice, she leaned in toward Penelope and added with a mischievous grin, “But there is no doubt that they absolutely adore a bit of rebellion as well. In fact, they expect it.”
Emily squeezed Penelope’s hand again, offering in an encouraging tone, “And believe us when we tell you that the punishments for being willful can be just as pleasurable as the reward for obedience.”