Page 58 of Snapdragons
“Simply?” He repeated the word. “A single lady cannotsimplyuproot and relocate at will without repercussions.”
“Thus, my decision to begin the relocation to England with a temporary tenure as a lady’s companion. There is nothing objectionable about that. I’ll not be frowned on nor seen as bucking the conventions. And you have said yourself that this group of ladies and gentlemen are of the highest standing in Society. This arrangement will not be detrimental to my acceptance in England. It would actually elevate my standing.”
But Liam shook his head all the more fervently. “You should not have imposed this arrangement on them. We aren’t—”
“It was not my idea, and I didn’t suggest it. The ladies do not wish for me to have to leave, and the gentlemen are pleased that I won’t have to depart. I didn’t impose myself on anyone.”
He blinked a few times. “They want you to stay?”
Why should that surprise him so much? She wasn’t in demandin Dublin society, but neither was she an outcast. “We’ve become friends.”
His mouth twisted a little. “The gentlemen all went to Hamblestead today.”
“I know.”
“I wasn’t included.” A flash of embarrassment pulled at his expression. “I am never included in any of their excursions or even conversations outside of the evening entertainment.”
“They have been friends their whole lives,” Penelope said. “That is a brotherhood one doesn’t join very easily.”
Liam shook his head. “I wasn’t expecting that. I had thought I’d made some progress toward being someone they at least acknowledged. Obviously, I was wrong.”
She knew how it felt to be rejected. Her heart ached for him.
“We haven’t been here very long. If you were to change your mind about leaving the day after tomorrow, you might make more headway.”
Annoyance pushed much of the embarrassment out of his eyes. “You are already being invited to make your home with the Barringtons. But with more time and effort,Imight have some hope of not being forgotten the moment I am out of sight?”
“That isn’t what I was saying.”
“It is.” His mouth tightened. His entire demeanor dripped with irritation. “And it is always what you are thinking.”
She couldn’t even begin to make sense of that.
“If I tried a little harder, my estate could be more profitable again. If I had put in more effort, I could have found my footing in London. If I just put in the effort, I could find any number of gentlemen who would accept what you demanded in a potential husband.” It wasn’t mere annoyance in his eyes now; he was angry again. “If I made the journey to Yorkshire, the marriage arrangement I worked so hard on wouldn’t come to naught. And now, if I will only endeavor to be patient, these exalted peoplewho have already embraced you might minutely accept me.”
Penelope couldn’t manage a response. She’d not anticipated this at all.
“I have my own estate, acceptance in Dublin society, an English education, a sufficient income.” He shook his head with tense movements. “But you continually manage to make me look andfeellike a failure.”
“I have never thought of you that way.”
He looked away. “You treat me that way. You have for far too long, and I am not going to bear the brunt of your judgment any longer.”
This difference of views was different from anything they’d experienced before. A chill crept down her spine, crawling over her skin like the icy fingers of an unexpected frost.
“It sounds to me like it is for the best that you are leaving,” she said. “You’ll not have to endure your interpretation of my opinions. Perhaps in time, you will realize that you are wrong about that.”
He didn’t appear to entertain even the slightest doubt in his judgment of her. If anything, his expression hardened all the more. “I know what it is you want in a husband and a future, and I have always known how slim the chances were of you finding it. But your stubborn refusal to accept that will see you only more deeply disappointed in the end, no matter the fine friends you have made.”
“I choose to believe that I will find someone who will accept what I’m hoping for.”
“The law is an odd thing, Penelope.” He stepped around her and to her door. “You have your estate. Your trustees can see to the legal aspects of running it, sign contracts for you, that sort of thing. But they cannot sign marriage contracts on your behalf.” He stepped into the corridor, then tossed back at her, “Only I can do that.”
“What are you saying?” She followed him out.
“Marrying without a specific contract means the law applies with its defaults. Without a marriage contract that specifically bars your future husband from ownership of Fairfield, it will be his, legally and entirely. And without me to sign on your behalf, there can be no marriage contract preventing that.”
“When the time comes—”
