Page 43 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“Adam said it was so.” Penelope found her hands were shaking for some reason, trembling a little.
“I would ask you if you could care to tell me why the thought of the Duke of Kendall marrying upsets you so, but I think I know the answer already,” Veronica said, turning her head away from the piano.
“What do you mean?” Penelope asked innocently.
“Oh, child, I am not blind,” Veronica laughed. “When I dropped you at the Duke’s house the other night, I had never seen such a ridiculous smile on your face.”
“I wore no such smile –”
“I think we are going to have to become more creative in our excuses, by the way,” Veronica said distractedly. “I am sure Lord Larson was not convinced the other night when I said I wished for your company for an evening drink, and you would have to stay the night. Next time, I shall feign a sickness and crave your care to keep me company through it.”
“Yes, of course,” Penelope said, agreeing it was for the best, but her mind could not settle. “Do you have any more to say on what I have told you though?”
Veronica took hold of her hand and intertwined their fingers together. “Why are you shaking, dear?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“No reason,” Penelope lied. She found every time she glanced across the heads of the ton, looking toward Margaret, the trembling grew worse.
Could Asher really marry Margaret?
“Is it any wonder the Duke should marry at some point? Your affair is only supposed to last five nights,” Veronica said in a low whisper.
“I know that.”
“You are not harboring any hopes for him, Penelope, surely?” Veronica’s voice warned in a husky whisper.
“Of course not,” Penelope said quickly, her words jumbling together. “His Grace has made it clear that he only wishes to know me for five nights, no longer.” The way she phrased the words made her chest ache.
“Then what bothers you so?”
She couldn’t answer her godmother’s question. She was too busy thinking of her second night with Asher. He had been almost caring, as though she mattered to him.
It is in my mind only; that much is evident now.
“Now, dear, I think it time we return our focus to who you should marry.” Veronica’s practical words made Penelope lift her chin and her spine go rigid.
“Yes, you are right.” Her mind told her to follow her godmother’s words, even if her heart objected to the idea.
“What of Sir Michael? He is a highly respected man,” Veronica said, pointing across the room.
“Good Lord, no,” Penelope said with a sigh, remembering her last dance with him. “Any man that opens a dance with an insult, I certainly cannot marry.”
“Well, there is one man walking this way who we have not considered, but you could consider.”
“Who do you mean?” Penelope asked. Before Veronica could answer, Penelope looked up to see that Asher had arrived at the ball. She ignored everything around her as her eyes traced his path across the room. He went straight to Margaret who was surrounded by a group of men and slipped between them, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.
The sight of the two of them dancing together made Penelope move to the edge of her seat, feeling the frustration grow more and more palpable as she watched them together.
I am losing control of my ability to reason! All because I have been charmed by a rake.
“Penelope, are you listening to me?” Veronica’s words made Penelope look back to her godmother.
“Sorry, what was that?”
“I was saying there is one man we have not considered who is coming this way,” Veronica explained, pointing across the room. Penelope followed the gesture to see that Adam was walking toward the two of them with a smile on his face.
“Adam? He is my cousin!” Penelope said in surprise.
“Many cousins have married,” Veronica shrugged as though the matter were no great deal. “The Earldom would pass to your children then, Penelope, just as it would have done had your father survived, and you married before his passing.”
