20. Penelope
Penelope
I was good. No… I was great.
After the full night’s rest, I felt refreshed.
No morning sickness.
No fatigue.
I was thriving and in love with not only how I felt, but how I looked.
Out of anything I’d ever bought, I couldn’t help but be in awe of the outfit I’d had made for the hunt.
Everything.
Was.
Black.
The structure of the coat I wore was sharp, fitted, and longer in the back. A slim leather belt accentuated my waist, cinching the coat tight to show off my curves. Beneath, I wore a high-neck black silk blouse. The riding breaches were just as fitted and tucked into the tall black boots.
I held my gloves, loving the way I could feel the panels of the coat shift behind me as I took control of the lounge area. The guests turned at my entrance, some smiling, some’s stares taking me in longer than what was appropriate.
King Lawrence was in the middle of speaking with Lord Summerlyn when he mindlessly glanced over. He stopped mid-sentence, not moving or speaking as I walked deeper into the room and approached.
I could feel my power. My influence. And I was not letting him best me today. He had to see what he was doing was unacceptable, and I wouldn’t stand for it.
“Your Majesty. Lord Summerlyn.”
I barely looked at the king as I turned to one of my men from The Order.
“I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve seen each other. Although…” I smiled, narrowing my eyes at him playfully. “If I want to be honest, I’m afraid the last we met, I wasn’t really seeing much, was I? It’s a pleasure to officially meet you, My Lord.”
Lord Summerlyn’s laugh was genuine and hearty. “I feel rather embarrassed, Your Grace. I was pleased to hear you would join us. Lovely place you have here.”
“Thank you. I haven’t had the chance to really do a tour, but I hope to do that after the hunt.”
King Lawrence’s head cocked to the side. “I don’t understand. How did you meet him but not see him?”
Slowly, I brought my gaze over to him. “Because I was blindfolded, Your Majesty.” I paused, turning more to face him.
“Lord Summerlyn happened to be in attendance when my Theodore surprised me with a very romantic dinner. Not planned, of course, which is why we didn’t get to officially meet.
I believe you were heading out when we were heading in? ”
“That’s correct. It’s a shame we didn’t get to meet then.”
“I’ll talk to Theodore. We’ll make plans for the future.”
“I would love that.”
“Me too.”
The king shifted. “Have you eaten breakfast? You’re still looking a little pale. How are you feeling?”
My lips parted. “I’m feeling great. Back to normal.”
“Are you sure?” He turned to Lord Summerlyn. “Does she look a little pale to you?”
Brown eyes came to me, and he looked between me and the king. “I think it’s the contrast of the dark colors she’s wearing, Your Majesty.” More his head tilted. “Very striking, though. The quality is fabulous. My daughter, Melly, rides. She would love something like this.”
“Blackwood Bridle. I’ll send over the information when I return home.”
“Would you? Her birthday is coming up. She would love that. Thank you, Your Grace. I’ve been worried sick that I wouldn’t find something worthy enough of such a big day.”
“I’m so glad that I could help out. If you have any questions, reach out any time.”
“I will, thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” I took him in and glanced at the king. “Please excuse me. I’m going to grab something quick to eat before I head outside.”
“Quick?” King Lawrence shifted, stepping in closer. “I must insist—”
“Your Majesty,” my lips parted as I let a shocked expression take over.
The king’s eyes scanned my face, confused.
“I completely forgot. How very rude of me. Please, come.” My hand wrapped around his arm, and I more pulled him at a fast pace than let him lead me.
When we got to the buffet, his confusion grew even more.
I grabbed a banana and led him to the mini fridge to grab a yogurt.
“What did you forget?”
“…What?”
Anger flashed as I let go of him. “You said you forgot something. That it was rude.”
I opened the banana, taking a bite. My lips twisted, and I shrugged.
“I get horrible brain fog lately. I already forgot what I forgot. But look, I’m eating.”
I smiled, taking another bite. He didn’t look amused.
“You can be rather odd at times.”
“Odd, yes. I am that.”
He glanced at the food. “I really think you should eat something more solid.”
“And have the horse shake me up? I will eat a good lunch. The morning already passes too fast. We should go. Will you be giving the address before we take off?”
King Lawrence’s brow creased.
“Of course.”
“Excellent. I should go. I will see you there, Your Majesty.” I turned from him, taking in The Reeve drinking coffee from the corner of the room. I headed in his direction, grabbing a spoon on my way, starting to eat my yogurt.
He looked… off.
Too serious.
“You’re learning fast,” Rowan whispered. “Whatever was happening, you took control of that conversation.”
“I did, and I plan to from here on out. How did you sleep? I didn’t even see you and Mark switch places.”
The Reeve made a sound. “The beds are too soft. I slept so hard I didn’t hear a thing. I don’t like that.”
I laughed. “I slept good, myself. I feel great.”
He looked down at the yogurt.
“That’s all you’re eating?”
I groaned. “Not you, too. If it makes you feel any better, I ate a banana before this.”
Rowan paused. “I saw, but what do you mean, not me, too?”
I rolled my eyes. “King Lawrence. I swear, he tries to control everything I do. Down to what I eat.” My lips twisted. “He said I needed to eat more. Like… three times. Eat. Eat. Eat. It’s like he knows…” My eyes widened. “You don’t think he knows, do you?”
Dark eyes went towards the king but came back to me. “I’m not sure.”
“Oh well. I’ll worry about eating a good lunch. Truthfully, I’m not even really hungry, but something is better than nothing.”
Still, The Reeve studied the room, barely looking at me.
“You didn’t tell me I was being watched.”
He barely glanced over.
“It’s for the best.”
“I had a right to know.”
“And you know. He told you.”
My brow creased. I took back in his gaze, crossing my arms over my chest. “You’re acting weird.”
Rowan’s stare finally came to me and stayed, but he didn’t speak.
“You are. Rowan, is something wrong?”
His head shook, but still, no words. People were beginning to file out of the door, but I didn’t move.
“I’m going to stand here until you talk, and if that means I miss the hunt, so be it. What is going on?”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something.”
He paused for a long moment. “Nobody has time to talk to me.”
My lips parted.
“What?”
His stare hardened. “I call to check in, and something is happening. No one is telling me what is going on. Able is in a meeting and refuses to be disturbed, and … he’s not answering his phone. I can’t figure out what’s happening, but something is happening.”
“Your Grace.”
At the wave towards the doors, my head shook. I was backstepping, lifting my hand.
“I need a moment. Begin the hunt without me.”
I spun, leaving the lounge at a fast pace. The Reeve was at my heels as I burst into my hall, eating up the floor with every wide step. I needed my phone. I needed to call Vaughn.
I shoved my door open, jerking to a stop at the strange man in my room.
He was older and bald on the top. He wasn’t quite six feet and was on the leaner side.
My purse was emptied on the bed, and all of the snacks I’d had tucked away in my travel bag were scattered across the cream comforter.
Even the drawers to the bedside tables were opened.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Rowan quickly put me behind him as he headed forward, towards the man. His mouth was gaping, and his eyes were jerking around guiltily.
“I… I’m King Lawrence’s personal… physician. He… said you weren’t feeling well. I…” He stopped, holding his hand out towards Rowan as if to ward him off. “I wanted to make sure what you were eating wasn’t contributing.”
“So, you decided to go through my things without my permission?”
“I-I—”
I looked at my empty purse. At the mess my room was in. Danger bells rang in my head. What if he would have gone through my phone? What if he would have found something?
This… and Vaughn nor Able answering?
Something.
Was.
Wrong.
“Guard! Guard!”
My voice was so loud it echoed from the room. Footsteps pounded in the distance, and I leaned in closer to Rowan, whispering.
“Something is wrong. Call Mark. Get him here now.”
The King’s guard rushed in, and I pointed to the man who said he was the physician.
“You call King Lawrence right now. You call him!” I held to Rowan’s shoulder as he put the phone to his ear, but something in me told me to be louder. To cause more attention. Attention was power.
“Get him now! Right now!”
Old feelings surfaced from nowhere—emotions from my time of first being taken and of when I was trapped with Marian.
The panic edged in heightening my anxiety, and the room spun underneath me.
The pressure from the trials were nearly crippling to my control, adding to the severity of panic taking me over.
“Now! Right now!”
What if Vaughn was hurt? What if he was captured or being tortured because they found him? He said he was killing Katia. Had the SLB come? Had he been arrested? Injured? Dead?
“Get him right now! Get King Lawrence!”
Pounding. So many footsteps were approaching. I could feel them in the floor. And spinning. Spinning.
“Calm, Ms. Penelope.”
Rowan pushed the phone in his pocket, gripping my shoulders. There was true worry in his eyes. He looked at me like I was a stranger. I felt like one.
“This is my room. My. Room! My space. My safe… space! Mine!”
King Lawrence raced in, jerking to a stop as he took in the mess and my hysterics.
“This is my room! Mine! What is he doing in my room? Going through my stuff! Is he here to hurt me? Mine! My room!”
King Lawrence gestured the guard to take the physician deeper into the room as he headed to me at a fast pace. Lords were crowding in around my door. Lord Summerlyn actually stepped in as guards were trying to push them back.
“No one should be in my room going through my things. That’s mine! S-Stranger! S-Stranger!”
King Lawrence pushed Rowan out of the way, pulling me into his arms. “Shhh. Calm. Shh. It’s okay. We’re going to figure this out.” His voice was clipped. Deeper than how he usually spoke. “I’m going to take care of it.”
I broke even more, falling into my old personality and embracing it. Somewhere throughout the internal chaos, I knew this was my moment. This was my escape.
“I thought I could do it. I—I” More heart wrenching sobs. “I can’t.” My head shook again in a panic. “No. N-No. I want to go home.” I twisted out of the king’s arms, racing for my bags that were laying open and scattered on the floor by my closet.
“Rowan, Mark! We’re g-going home. Now. Right now!”
“Your Grace—”
I spun on the king, pinning him with my wild, maddening stare. Vaughn might be hurt. He might need me and I was here—with him.
“He says he’s your physician. He says he’s yours! Look at what he’s done. Why is he going through my things? What gave him the right?” Tears poured down my face. “I… t-trusted you.” My voice cracked as a sob tore free. “I trusted you! What if he would have hurt me? What if he’s the masked captor?”
Everyone’s face turned to the physician. Time stretched out as the king seemed to want to approach but wasn’t sure with how everyone was still watching.
I wiped my face, fighting through the thickening emotions to reign back in my composure. It almost felt impossible. Clarity faded enough for my mind jumped to calculations.
I gasped, pressing my fingers over my lips as I looked between the king and my titled peers still watching through my door. “I…. I apologize Your Majesty for my hysterics. I am… horrendously embarrassed.”
His face softened as he came closer.
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m going to take care of this, I promise. This was a grotesque breech of your safety and your privacy, and I am the one who is sorry. Please don’t leave.”
I let time pass as I lowered my head. “This is going to take weeks for me to overcome. I thought I was ready, but I’m afraid I’m not.
My deepest apologies, Sire. I… I must leave.
I pray you don’t hold this against me. I’m afraid a part of me may be broken after what I’ve been through. I’m trying so hard. I just can’t, yet.”
Turning to The Reeve, I kept my voice low. “Make the arrangements.”
He gestured to Mark, who nodded and picked up his phone. Rowan went into my closet, grabbing my clothes, putting them into the suitcases.
“Please.” King Lawrence grasped my shoulders from behind before I could turn back to him.
I didn’t think in my weak Penelope mindset.
I cried out, spinning and almost falling through the surprise.
Instinct had my hand coming up as if I feared he’d strike.
There was almost a fascinating hunger as he dove in to catch me.
“Don’t go. Do not be afraid of me. I’m sorry about what happened to you, but I can help.
Stay.” Tighter, he held, truly setting off my anxiety as I pushed my palms up to press to his hard chest. It only caused his fingers to dig into my back as he drew me in closer.
My eyes met Lord Summerlyn’s, and I didn’t miss the seriousness in his gaze. King Lawrence was the enemy, and neither of us were in a position to fight. Yet the king’s behavior went beyond what was decent. He should not be touching me at all.
“Sire, you have to let go. I’m not feeling well. I do not want to get sick on you.”
It took him a moment, but he let go, concern masking him. “If you’re sick, surely you shouldn’t leave.”
“The sickness comes from constraint. I can’t be… touched. I—I.” I took a deep breath, finding it harder to get a grasp on my emotions. I had to start pulling back from the old me, but her hooks were so set in.
Rowan zipped up the suitcases, heading to the bed. He put the snacks in the smaller bag and my purse. When he went to the bedside table, I saw him grab something, but I wasn’t sure what it was. He put it in his pocket, grabbing my suitcases to wait on me.
“That’s everything, Your Grace.”
I lowered my head as I faced King Lawrence. “I’m sorry I ruined your hunt. I am grateful for all that you’ve done.” I only met his eyes for a moment. “I must go.”
I didn’t wait to turn and head for the door at a fast pace. I couldn’t if I was going to escape.
I had no idea what was going on with Vaughn and The Order, but I was about to find out.
If something happened to either of them, a weak woman was the last thing anyone would see. They’d get to see the real me… and then no one was safe.