Chapter Twenty-Four
Simon
It was midday before Penelope rolled toward Simon, her eyes fluttering open, then closing again when she saw him sprawled beside her.
“Time to wake up, wife.”
She made an indiscernible noise deep in her throat, tucking her arms against her bare chest, hands folded beneath her chin as she modestly covered her nudity. After a few moments of silence, she peeked up at him through a fringe of dark lashes, her cheeks pink with awareness.
“You are still here.” Her lyrical voice was husky with sleep.
“I am.” Simon gathered her against him, pleased when she did not resist his embrace. “Although I will not lie to you. I rose earlier to handle a few matters requiring my attention.”
“And you…you came back to bed?” Her tone was incredulous as she stared up at him with luminous eyes.
“I wanted to be here when you woke, considering the nature of our discussion last night.” Indeed, Simon hurried back to her with embarrassing haste, shedding his clothes and climbing in beside his warm, sleepy wife.
Something that could not be explained had changed between them during the night.
He wasn’t sure of the reasons behind it, but every time he gazed at her, the need for retribution was no longer the first thing that came to mind.
Far from it. Now he could only think of the sweet, addictive sound she made when she found her release at his hands and the shy, sweet smile she gave him whenever she caught him staring at her.
Penelope was silent as he smoothed her hair back away from her forehead, tucking the strands behind one of her ears.
Her hair was one of her most beautiful features.
Thick and glossy, the dark-brown strands were shot with an undercurrent of gold and hung in loose waves.
Taking a handful of the gleaming mass, he wrapped it around his fist and gently tugged until she had no choice but to keep her gaze on him.
“I have a surprise for you,” Simon murmured.
Penelope slowly blinked, her eyes a clear green in the filtered sunlight illuminating the room.
She was naturally suspicious, and he couldn’t blame her.
After studiously avoiding her since the day they had arrived in London, his rapt attention now probably seemed insincere.
“Do you recall our wager regarding your own personal library?”
“Yes,” she replied in a subdued voice. “I did not come out the victor in that contest of wills between us.”
“That is true. However…” A smile ticked the corners of Simon’s mouth up. “My architect will arrive tomorrow afternoon to discuss your ideas for turning the west parlor into your personal library.”
“A library…of my own?” Penelope brightened, her eyes searching his before her expression morphed into uncertainty. “Will my inheritance bear the cost of such an extravagant expense?”
“There is more than enough for the renovation, although that hardly matters. It is my intention to cover any expenditures. Your funds remain your own, wife. Just as I promised you before we were wed.”
“I-I cannot allow you to spend your money on something so frivolous, Simon. It wouldn’t be right.”
“You will accept this gift, Penelope.” He tugged her hair again, wondering why it bothered him that she would reject his generosity.
This feeling of tenderness toward her was most confusing, but it also felt…
amazing. Watching how her features illuminated when she was happy was almost as addictive as kissing her.
“I’ve also reconsidered our lack of a honeymoon as well.
This very morning, I sent word to Willow Hill to expect our arrival there in a week’s time.
I’ve neglected the estate for too long, and it will require some minimal attention to bring it up to my standards, but it is an opportunity to spend time together without the eyes of society judging our every move. ”
Penelope blinked, her mouth turning downward. “You wish to leave London?”
Simon frowned, confused by her lack of enthusiasm for his plan. “I thought you would be pleased.”
She recoiled from the faint irritation in his tone. “I am simply confused. You indicated that you had no desire for time away from Town.” Her breath caught as she added, “And no desire to spend time with me if it could be avoided.”
Cursing under his breath at his own stupidity, Simon nuzzled the curve of her neck. “I have reconsidered that foolish position, mouse. And believe it or not, I’ve enjoyed our afternoons together.”
“We barely said two words to one another,” she accused. “I read my books and go over the dinner menus Cook gives me. You consult your newspapers and financial reports and watch the clock for the moment you can escape my company.”
“That’s not entirely true,” Simon murmured in an unbridled moment of truthfulness.
“I spend a great deal of that time restraining myself from pulling you into my lap just so I can smell your perfume. I spend endless minutes wondering if I can make you laugh and giggle with delight like the characters in your books do. I daydream as I watch you, marveling at how sweet you are. How you manage my entire household with just a smile and a kind word, and how you so easily earned their devotion.” He kissed her softly, hoping it would counter the fierce honesty of his words.
Hoping she was as fascinated with him as he was with her.
“That is how I spend that hour every afternoon. Which is why I must take you to the country. I want time to explore why I am gripped with this damnable obsession.”
“Will you leave me there, Simon?” Penelope’s voice trembled the tiniest bit, and Simon realized she was afraid of what his answer might be.
His chest tightened, a knot of regret sitting beneath his heart like a lump of coal. “I shall not abandon you, wife. I may be a sinful rake, but I would never do that.”
Penelope visibly relaxed, her fingers smoothing over the broad planes of his chest in shy exploration. “I would not accuse you of such cruelty. And I-I would very much like to visit Willow Hill, Simon.”
“Then it’s settled. We shall also select a room for your library there, as well.”
“I’ve no need for two libraries intended just for my own pleasure,” she said, her cheeks turning pink again. “It would be far too extravagant.”
“You must know that I have the habit of doing just as I please. If I wish to give you a hundred libraries, there will be no stopping me in that quest.”
Penelope remained silent, and he could tell that she was mulling over his confusing and unexpected generosity. He wasn’t sure of his own motives, but the thought of spending weeks in the country and bedding his wife whenever and wherever the mood came upon them was vastly appealing.
Chewing her bottom lip, she tugged herself out of his embrace and sat so that she faced him, the coverlet gripped to her bare chest. “I will be glad to leave London, Simon.”
Tucking an arm behind his head, Simon rested his head back against the pillows as he regarded her. “You will have your wish, little mouse. Just a few more days of dancing to society’s tune, and we shall go.”
“Simon, if I must continue fulfilling my social obligations, may I request that you accompany me?” Her eyes cast downward. “Your presence, even if it is minimal, will keep my parents at bay…”
Simon’s jaw clenched with his aggravation. “I warned the pair of them to keep their distance if they cannot manage to remain civil with you. It seems they have decided to ignore the advice.”
“You did?” Penelope’s eyes widened. “I had no idea. Mother did not say a word about it, although I imagine she would not want that tidbit to reach the gossip mills.” A heavy sigh escaped her.
“She spent the majority of her time last night berating me while listing my numerous failures and making demands.”
His hand shot out, gripping her chin in his large palm. “What demands have your parents made of you?”
She stuttered in response, “They mistakenly believe that I will pursue an annulment and—”
“So, they are responsible for those pesky rumors you mentioned.” Simon let out a harsh chuckle. “Darling wife, I have thoroughly fucked you every day since our wedding. An annulment is not possible in our situation. Besides, I would never allow such a thing.”
Penelope blushed furiously at his blunt observation. “Mother insists it can be arranged. It is obvious that she and Father are only pursuing the idea because of the inheritance.”
“The only way out of our marriage is death, Penelope. I told you this before.” The moment the words fell from his lips, Simon had a flash of realization.
The two strange incidents where he’d nearly been run over by speeding hansom cabs…
could they be intentional attempts on his very life?
His palm cupped Penelope’s jaw with deceptive tenderness. “Do you think I would ever let you go?”
“I don’t know…” she answered honestly. “You never wanted to marry…you were forced into it. Is it so unreasonable to think you would dissolve our marriage at the first available chance?”
“Do you wish to be freed from our vows, little mouse?”
“No.” Penelope frowned at the quickness of her response, her gaze casting away from Simon’s.
Biting her bottom lip, she whispered, “What if…what if we conceived a child during our time together? What would happen to me then? To the baby? No matter if you sought an annulment or a divorce, I would never give up my baby,” she stated with quiet fierceness.
The thought of Penelope swollen with his child did something very unexpected to Simon.
A wave of protectiveness swept over him, the force and intensity of the emotion so strong and violent that he was left breathless.
The urge to plant his seed deep inside this girl, to bind her to him forever, roared through his veins until he could think of nothing else.
“What if I were dead?” he questioned softly, watching intently to gauge her reaction to the morbid suggestion. “Would you be relieved?”
“Oh, Simon!” Penelope exclaimed, reaching out with one shaky hand and lightly covering his mouth. “You mustn’t say such things.” Her eyes welled with tears, the green depths sparkling like a clear emerald pool. “It’s too horrible to even think it.”
“Is it safe to assume you would be sad?”
Her face softened. “I would be devastated.”
Simon’s lips curved with pleasure. His new wife seemed to be telling the truth, and for the moment, his mind was eased.
It was unlikely that Penelope was responsible for the mysterious incidents, but it certainly warranted a serious investigation.
Hiring a couple of Bow Street Runners to look into the matter might clear it up.
In the meantime, he would accompany his wife everywhere she went, keeping his eyes and ears open for any hint of subterfuge.
“Come here, Penelope. I must taste your sweetness before I ring for a bath for the two of us.” Latching his hand on the nape of her neck, Simon pulled Penelope closer until his mouth hovered over hers.
“A bath?” she squeaked in a voice high with adorable alarm. Her face flushed a pretty pink even as curiosity blanketed her features. “Together?”
“Yes,” Simon breathed before capturing her lips in a heated kiss full of possession. “Together. I’m going to bathe you from head to toe and then spend the rest of the afternoon dirtying you up all over again.”
“I am attending the Gipson ball tonight, Simon.” Her breathing was heavy when the kiss ended. “Your mother and father offered their escort, and I must be ready when they arrive. It would be terribly rude of me to keep them waiting.”
“I shall send word that your husband is escorting you,” Simon murmured, drawing her down until she lay sprawled across him.
“In fact, I plan on accompanying you to all of your social engagements for the next week. Now.” He pressed a series of warm kisses to her mouth.
“Climb on top, wife. For your next lesson, I’m going to teach you how to ride me. ”