Page 35 of Snapdragons
“And married to one of the Gents, if my memory serves,” Penelope said as she curtsied in greeting.
“Oui. J’aiépouséle plus beau d’entre eux.”
“Though it pains me to admit as much,” Penelope said, “I speak almost no French.”
Mrs. Fortier colored the tiniest bit, her eyes darting to Violet. “Was I speaking in French?”
Violet smiled. “You have been mixing French and English ever since your arrival.”
Mrs. Fortier shook her head at herself. “I have spoken only French for weeks and weeks. My mind seems to be struggling to remember that there are other languages.”
Penelope leaned a little closer, working to keep her expression solemn. “In case you aren’t certain,thatwas English.”
A corner of the Frenchwoman’s mouth tugged. “What a relief.”
“Do sit,” Violet insisted. “I’m curious to know how your ride with Niles went this morning, aside from the downpour, of course.”
Penelope eyed Mrs. Fortier as she sat, unsure what the lady knew or how she felt. Her scrutiny did not go unnoticed.
“Violethas informed me of your current efforts to court him,” Mrs. Fortier said. “She has furtherassured me that you will honor his feelings on the matter when all is said and done.”
“I could not, in good conscience, do otherwise.” The declaration emerged more fervent than she’d intended. But the thought of anyone being unkind to Niles Greenberry pricked at her heart. “He has shown himself to be kind and considerate. I will not mistreat him.”
Mrs. Fortier raised an inquisitive brow. “This is the same Niles Greenberry who, in essence, jilted you in Cornwall?”
“And lied about his reasons?” Violet added.
Her ally was clearly not entirely convinced. “Will you think meutterly lacking in judgment if I told you that even with all those things arguing against his character, I still think he is a goodperson?”
Mrs. Fortier shook her head. “Niles is one of the very best of men, and his behavior in this matter is very much out of character for him.”
“Is complete indifference to a lady who asked him to go for a ride with him and with whom he discovered a mutual love of horses and who has an estate that would be his home, which he expressed a great interest in having,alsoout of character for him?”
Violet watched her closely. “He didn’t swoon over you during your ride?”
“Do gentlemen swoon?” Penelope asked, only half-jesting.
“They do sigh romantically now and then.” Mrs. Fortier was difficult to sort out. She might have been jesting with that observation. But she might just as easily have been in earnest.
“Niles certainly didn’t sigh or swoon today.” Penelopeneeded to proceed with caution lest they decide thather efforts at courtship ought to already be declared a failure. “He enjoyed talking about horses, and I do think he enjoyed riding with me. I’m not certain what else to suggest. Playing another round of ground billiards or driving a pony cart around the estate did not pique his interest. I am hoping to come to know him better, but because I don’t know him well, I cannot seem to stumble upon an activity that he would eagerly participate in.”
“All the Gents are excessively fond of parlor games,” Violet said.
Parlor games.Penelope wouldn’t have thought of that. “I enjoy games.”
“We will insist that is settled upon for our evening entertainment,” Mrs. Fortier said.
“Does this mean you are willing to help me with my courtship,Mrs. Fortier?”
“You may call me Nicolette,” she said. “And I am of the same mind as Violet on this courtship. Getting to know Niles Greenberry better is something more people ought to do. And you two might actually prove well-suited.” Nicolette’s posture and expression grew more firm. “I would not be at all accommodating of your efforts, however, if not for your promise to accept Niles’s decision if your courtship does not prove successful.”
“Have the two of you placed a time limit on my efforts?” Penelope hadn’t the first idea how long their support would last.
Violet shook her head. “I suspect Niles will make that clear in his own way.”
“I don’t know him well enough to know what that way might be.”
A smile tugged Violet’s mouth upward. “We do mean to help you, Penelope. We adore our Gents, but they can be terribly confusing.”
