16. Vaughn
Vaughn
If I was anything, I was thorough. I was clever. What I wasn’t was a fool.
As I watched King Lawrence go back and forth to Penelope, I could barely contain the fury. From the camera angle on The Reeve’s shirt, I couldn’t see my Intended’s face, but I caught moments of his.
There were flickers of amusement. Lust. They spoke too softly for me to hear, and I was sick not knowing what they were talking about.
But then Penelope had straightened and stared him down.
The queen in her came roaring out. Whatever she had said wiped his face clean of all emotion.
It sure had with mine, and I didn’t have a clue what he’d done to trigger her.
He didn’t like it.
He’d left shortly after that.
For the first time, the smallest tinge of relief registered. But with it came unease.
I sat back in my chair, staring at the screen.
They’d already landed and left the plane.
Their ride was finished, and The Reeve had done exactly what I’d asked.
He’d placed the second, nearly microscopic camera next to her bed before he took his place outside her door.
I would not feel guilty about that. Mark’s camera was on, but he was in their bedroom down the hall, about to sleep so they could take shifts.
I had thought of everything I could to make sure she was safe. And I’d have evidence if she wasn’t.
Not only that, if I couldn’t sleep next to her, I’d at least have peace of mind. It was better than nothing, and I needed visual. It was the only reason I’d let her go. Sanity demanded it. I was barely holding on.
Looking down at the schedule, I knew the guests were arriving at the estate. They’d be getting their rooms assigned to them while others mingled. Then, tonight, they’d have a formal ‘welcome’ dinner.
To say I wasn’t nervous for Penelope was a lie.
Her and food was hit or miss. It either made her sick or it didn’t.
He had felt her head… Did he believe she was unwell?
She had been sick the first time they’d met.
If he believed her ill again, it might work in her favor. Then again, it might be too telling.
A buzz of voices sounded in the distance, and I could see Penelope from Rowan’s camera. She’d made him wait at her door while she gathered information from the aid at the beginning of the hall. Whatever she was discovering, she didn’t like.
Penelope turned, stalking in The Reeve’s direction. She tried to hide her anger, but she didn’t succeed. When she got to him, her voice lowered.
“I was right. This is too bold. I don’t like it. What will people think? What are his intentions?”
“It has to be more for statement and less for intention. It’s the control we spoke about. But if… all you have to do is call out. We will be right there.”
“That I even have to worry about it is ridiculous.” She paused, looking over. Rowan followed her gaze, turning to show two of King Lawrence’s guards not a few doors down, at the end of the hall.
I took in her anger, in her words, feeling my blood heat at what I could only assume they were talking about. … If he had access to come into her room without bypassing her guard…
Red. All I saw was red.
“I’m going to take a small nap. I can’t call… him yet. I don’t know what they’re monitoring, and I want to be careful. If you talk to him, tell him I’m okay. And I love him.”
“He knows. But I’ll tell him next time we talk.”
“Thanks, Rowan.”
The sound of the door opening filled the speakers, and I watched Penelope head inside her room.
She paused at the lit fireplace, shrugging off her coat to place on the back of a cream chair at the sitting area.
As she approached the four-poster bed, her lids were already growing heavy.
She crawled up, pulling the pillow over to hug around.
I wanted to smile, but all I could do was continue to watch.
She didn’t lay there long, maybe half an hour.
A groan followed her up, and she headed to the closet where her things had already been put away.
She walked out with a long sleeve black dress with a high neckline.
It looked to be velvet, and there was a black sheer cape that flowed from the back.
In the other hand was a pair of closed-toe black stilettos.
The outfit was elegant, but not attention-seeking.
Yet, I knew even trying to blend in, Penelope would turn every head the moment she walked through the door.
The shower started in the distance, and she disappeared into the bathroom. Time passed, and I watched through The Reeve’s camera, seeing as staff came and went. The more time ticked on, the more chaos seemed to calm.
Knocking had me looking over. I stood, heading to my door.
“Sire, all is ready for you as you requested.”
“Thank you, Able.”
He paused. “Mr. Hart arrived not that long ago. He’s in the Great Hall ordering his dinner. He asked about you. I think he will be coming to see you soon. If you are too busy, I can let him know you’re not to be disturbed.”
“It’s okay, Able. Theodore is always welcome.” I paused, taking in his slightly stiff shoulders. “You’re doing great as Reeve.”
“Thank you, Sire.”
“Go eat dinner. I’m sure you haven’t sat down since you took over.”
He nodded, turning. I didn’t have the door closed before I heard Theodore’s voice down the hall. He was holding his drink and plate, headed right for me. I tried not to smile but I failed as my lips tugged back the smallest amount.
“Are you coming here with your dinner? Did you bring mine? It seems we both missed mealtime in the Hall today.”
Theodore slowed. “I only have two hands. You’ll have to call in your own. Ooh. Get dessert when you do.” He lifted his hands as to show emphasis.
“You and your sweets, Theodore.” I widened the door, letting him in. He jolted to a stop causing me to nearly run into him.
“Now… doesn’t she look absolutely stunning. That is a dress. Wow. Does she know you’re spying on her?”
“Sit down and be quiet. She doesn’t need to know; she needs to be protected.”
“I won’t argue there. I told you how my meeting with King Lawrence went. Insufferable bastard. How is she doing so far? Have they faced each other?”
My lip peeled back in anger as I sat, but I grabbed the phone first, ordering dinner and dessert.
“He came to her on the plane. Twice. He didn’t sit in the seat to face her; he sat next to her… as if they were friends or… intimate. He felt her forehead. I’m not sure if he detected her sickness or it had to do with their past—”
“Their past?” Theo looked over, asking between bites.
“The first time she met him she was sick. She had a fever… the flu. He put her in a suite in the palace. He had a doctor come in to check her out.”
“Did he accompany the doctor, because that would be telling.”
Annoyance built within me.
“He did, and he tried to get her to stay until she was well, but you know Penelope.”
He took a drink. “She didn’t.”
“No. She left almost immediately. She’s met him two other times as well. They spent hours together.” I sighed. “They have history, and he probably would have chosen her then had she not got into that scandal with the pictures.”
“Ah. Yes. I know of it.”
My eyes cut over as he worked on finishing off his plate.
“It was in the headlines. My life is the news.”
I lifted my hand, signaling for him to be quiet.
Penelope stood back from the mirror, sliding in one last pin for the twisted up-do.
Shorter layers framed her face with loose waves.
Black outlined her eyes without the shadow above being too dramatic.
Her lipstick was in nude, and she was every bit refined elegance.
My breath came out slow… deep. My heart ached at her beauty.
When her hand fitted over her stomach, rubbing over the surface, my chest warmed even more.
Baby. Yes. My baby.
“I’m truly jealous of you, just so you know.”
There was no humor in Theodore’s tone. It had me looking over at him.
“She loves you. Like really loves you. And she’s warm and caring and…strong.” He looked over at me. “You chose right. She would die for you. Kill for you. And not just for you, but this,” he said, lifting his hands. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like Penelope before.”
I breathed out, watching as she headed for her door. “Me either. Which is why I can’t let anything happen to her. Because if I lose her, I lose the only good within me. If that’s taken,” I stopped, swallowing back the hellish thoughts that came, “the world should worry.”
Silence played between us, and I festered in the weight. It was the footage from The Reeve’s camera that had me cursing. I watched as Penelope headed for the door on one screen and took in King Lawrence approaching Rowan in the other.
He was wearing all black just as her, and I seethed even more as I took in the velvet trim to the black dinner jacket he sported. It was as if they’d chosen their outfits to match… as if…
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
Theodore’s head shook. “He knew she was ready. Are you not the only one watching her?”
“If he—”
I couldn’t go on as Penelope opened the door. She jerked to a stop, and her voice was loud being so close to the camera.
“Your Majesty.”
Surprise.
Disbelief.
It filled her tone.
“How convenient. I was just about to head down. You will accompany me.”
Penelope hesitated, stepping forward but clearly studying his appearance. His arm came out, and a good moment passed before she stepped in, taking it.
“You look lovely. I knew you would. Black seems to be your color. It is mine as well.”
Penelope looked up at him, and I didn’t miss the way she was trying to process what was happening. Her mind was calculating.
“Your Majesty.” She slowed at his side. “Thank you.” She stopped talking only to look back up at him.
“I couldn’t help but notice we have adjoining doors.
Or that… you’ve been gracious to invite me on this hunt.
Is there a reason you’re keeping me so close?
I believe I stated earlier that I am in love with another man.
I mean no disrespect, and please tell me if I am reaching, but I like transparency and I feel as though maybe…
” She stopped, easing her arm free to face him.
“Maybe I am not being direct enough and that is my fault. Maybe I’m making it hard for you to understand. ”
“I understand perfectly clear.” His arm came back out and hesitantly she took it.
When they started forward again, King Lawrence continued.
“I mentioned before that I am a very generous king. I take care of those I feel deserve it. You’ve been through a tragedy with losing your parents, and then a horrifying abduction.
I cannot begin to understand how that must have affected you.
” His free hand lifted, enveloping the top of hers.
“I’ve been thinking over your wellbeing a lot.
” Another pause. “You like transparency, so I will give it to you.”
Penelope shifted under his intense gaze, and I found myself gripping to the arm of my chair as I took in the way his finger was beginning to travel over the top of hers.
“Your title is already reinstated, Penelope. The public will know before you leave this trip.” He stopped, turning to face her and lifting her hands to kiss each one.
“You deserve happiness, and I plan to give it to you. That is why we’re here.
Glenbrae Estates is one of yours.” Penelope’s breath hitched. “Welcome back, Duchess of Rosemoor.”