Chapter Twenty-Six
Simon
Watching his wife interact with his two best friends and their wives was quite entertaining.
Penelope, aside from occasional flashes of defiant behavior, had always been painfully shy in social situations.
In the past, Simon often wondered why his sister had developed such a close friendship with her, since they seemed so different.
However, he now understood their interaction much better.
Penelope was a sincere and earnest girl, and Emily naturally gravitated to her friend’s sweet nature.
How anyone could resist Penelope was the question. Simon was discovering it was impossible to avoid becoming attached to the girl.
The addition of Charlotte, Lucien’s lovely wife, created a captivating and dynamic trio of women.
There was the brash, headstrong Emily, who kept Wylder on his toes, even as he indulged her every whim.
Then, there was the fiercely independent and rational Charlotte, who helped transform Lucien into a man radiating contentment.
Lastly, there was the quiet, sweet, and intelligent Penelope standing on the brink of taming her new husband through her willing surrender to his darkest desires.
“They certainly draw attention, don’t they?” Lucien said, taking a sip of his champagne.
“Beauty and intelligence—it’s a dangerous combination,” Wylder replied with a grin. “I swear, Simon, I rarely get a moment’s peace with your sister. Just yesterday, I found her helping the downstairs staff and our designer choose suitable investments for their limited funds on the ’Change.”
Simon tilted his head. “And that’s a problem?”
Wylder laughed. “It is when she was supposed to be selecting color palettes for a planned overhaul of the east parlor.” He raised his hands defensively. “Not that I mind the staff gaining a bit of personal financial enrichment.”
Lucien leaned closer to Simon, his gaze direct and probing. “How are you finding married life, my friend?”
“Confusing and infuriating,” Simon replied, his eyes fixed on his beautiful young wife.
Anger still simmered within him at the reality of Gregory Grant approaching Penelope and her failure to keep her distance from him.
She had expressed fear of the man before, so her apparent ease in conversing with him was puzzling.
Wylder nodded in agreement. “That won’t change, Simon.
This is our life from here on out.” He sighed, his dark-gray eyes sparkling with amusement.
“But what a satisfying life it is. Personally, I’ve never been happier to have been caught in the parson’s trap.
Emily is the best thing that has ever happened to me. ”
Lucien’s gaze shifted to Charlotte, and his expression softened. “It is the same for me. My sweet Charlotte is the answer to everything that was wrong in my life.”
Simon’s jaw tightened. “If you damned love-struck fools would stop extolling the endless virtues of your marital status for just a moment, I must relay something to you both.”
The two men immediately stood straighter, their relaxed stances becoming rigid with attention, eyes hardening as they quickly assessed the seriousness of Simon’s voice.
“What is it, Simon?” Wylder asked, his voice low.
Simon glanced about the crowded ballroom. “Not here. Let us go outside, where I may discuss the issue in greater detail and with more privacy.”
“I’ll let them know we shall return momentarily.” Lucien nodded toward their wives. The three women were currently surrounded by several other ladies and seemed well occupied.
“No, I shall do it,” Simon replied. “Meet me by the terrace steps leading down to the garden.”
Simon approached where the small cluster of women had gathered, their laughter mingling with the delicate strains of the string quartet.
As he reached Penelope, he gently guided her away from the curious glances of the others.
He lowered his voice so only she could hear him.
“I need to step away for a few moments to discuss some issues with Lucien and Wylder. Please, stay close to this area and keep the company of either my parents, my sister, or Lady Wyldewood. It will only be a short while.”
Penelope’s brow furrowed in concern. “Is there some hidden danger in the Gipson ballroom that I should be aware of?”
Simon tightened his grip on her elbow. “Of course not, mouse,” he replied with deceptive calm.
“It’s just a bit of business that requires my attention.
You will do as I ask, will you not? Because frankly, I’d rather not have to scour the entire ballroom looking for you when the midnight supper is announced. ”
Penelope tilted her head slightly, her hair catching the light and reflecting it like burnished walnut.
“I don’t believe we are seated together,” she remarked, a hint of mischief in her voice.
“Surely you must know that Lady Gipson always separates married couples during meals. Apparently, the idea is to spark more interesting conversations among the guests.”
A grunt of annoyance escaped Simon. Damn the dragons of the ton and the silly games they play with guests. “I cannot accept that.”
Penelope’s soft laughter was filled with genuine amusement. “This is something you have no control over, Simon. Even Lord Ashcroft and Lord Wyldewood follow the rules when it comes to seating arrangements at midnight suppers for the sake of their wives.”
Simon pulled her closer. The grim smile spreading across his features was crafted for the benefit of the onlookers who now observed them with rapt attention.
He could feel their curious gazes boring into him.
He did not wish to frighten Penelope unnecessarily, but Gregory Grant’s presence at the event made him nervous.
“I don’t care what others do,” Simon muttered.
“I only concern myself with your actions and my own.” He paused, letting the weight of his words settle between them before deliberately injecting sternness into his tone.
“Now, stay where I can find you, as I’ve patiently requested.
” The seriousness in his voice deepened, dropping ominously as he leaned in slightly closer.
“Or don’t,” he warned, the threat hanging heavy in the air, “and continue adding punishments to your growing tally.”
Penelope inhaled sharply at the reminder of the consequences that would inevitably follow her deliberate disobedience.
Her eyes briefly closed as she leaned against Simon’s hard form.
“Perhaps I will still be here when you return, Simon. I cannot say for certain.” She stared up at him, the green depths of her eyes darker, her pupils dilated.
“Perhaps, like any other pet, I occasionally break free of the tether and do as I please with the freedom.”
Simon’s surprise was so great that for a moment, he was speechless. And while he gaped at his wife, he failed to realize that his sister had moved closer and caught part of the exchange.
“I couldn’t help but overhear some of your discussion, Simon,” Emily said, a playful grin stretching across her face.
Her eyes sparkled as she gestured toward the terrace doors.
“It seems Wylder and Lucien have stealthily slipped away, likely waiting for you with bated breath while you ramble on about seating arrangements.”
Simon regarded Emily with a furrowed brow, skepticism etched on his features.
“I can’t say I’m hopeful that Penelope will stay out of mischief with you as her companion, dear sister.
You possess an extraordinary knack for instigating trouble, and I fear that influence will extend itself to my impressionable wife. ”
With a huff of exasperation, Penelope tugged free of Simon’s light grip.
She shot him a baleful glare. “I’m quite capable of keeping myself out of trouble, my lord,” she retorted, dismissing his unspoken concerns with a toss of her head.
Stepping closer to Emily, she linked an arm with the other girl and said sweetly, “Do come find me when you return.”
Flashing her a look that promised retribution for her impertinent attitude, Simon leaned in and kissed Penelope’s silky cheek. He delighted in the blush that pinkened her skin and the sudden air of uncertainty that emanated from her considering his boldness. “You can be certain I will.”
*
Joining the two men on the terrace, Simon forced his features into a mask of calm. But inside, he was reeling. His meek little wife’s brattish behavior had him ready to drag her home and tie her to the bedposts for days, if not weeks.
Penelope True Blackthorne was turning his world upside down. And he wasn’t quite sure how he should deal with it.
“What is all this about, Simon?” Lucien asked, lighting a cigar and blowing the smoke up into the cool night air.
Simon took a deep breath, set aside thoughts of all the filthy things he wanted to do with his defiant wife, and focused on the problem at hand.
“You may think I’ve lost my mind, but the truth is more alarming than you can imagine,” he said, pausing to weigh his words. “I believe someone is orchestrating events to ensure that I meet with a rather untimely and unfortunate accident.”
Wylder’s demeanor shifted instantly from casual amusement to grave concern. “What in the devil are you talking about?”
“Twice now,” Simon continued, “I’ve barely escaped being run down by a hansom cab.
The first incident occurred right outside Camden House, where I stepped off the curb only to nearly be crushed by the rapidly approaching coach.
The second time was even more harrowing—on the bustling street in front of Brooks’s, the driver seemed intent on bearing down on me as I tried to cross. ”
Lucien’s brow furrowed, his skepticism palpable. “Are you certain it was intentional? Could it not have been simply an unfortunate misstep on your part? Brooks’s is always teeming with activity—a common crush of pedestrians and vehicles. It’s entirely possible the coachman was just inattentive.”