Page 24 of Claimed By Her Forbidden Duke
If her brother had indeed disappeared for seven years, Penelope could understand why Arabella may have felt out of place.
The Duke of Blackstone nodded. Meanwhile, Penelope glanced at Finley, whose mouth was pinched, as if he had tasted something unpleasant. He was scowling over her shoulder, and she did not have to look to know it was aimed at Cecilia.
“Yes,” he sighed. “You may go, but no speaking to Lord Milton.”
“Of course not,” Penelope muttered, before Arabella tugged her away, eager to meet her friends.
* * *
As the two women walked away, Edmund tried not to watch Lady Penelope too closely. However, the knowledge that Arabella would be welcomed into a group pleased him. He knew she was lonely, and maybe another part of him, one that made him feel guilty, thought that if she had friends to fill up her time, he would be freer to continue his investigation.
He had time to make up with Arabella, but he could not rest at night, not until he had his answers.
Next to him, the Marquess of Langwaite also watched the ladies leave, his eyes lingering on Penelope.
Edmund regarded him, thinking of how he knew nothing about his sister loitering outside an escort’s house. Again, it was not his secret to tell.
“So.” Finley cleared his throat, as if to draw Edmund’s attention, but looked uncomfortable to find it already on him.
Did he realize he was being watched?
Edmund did not make a habit of watching his acquaintances so closely, but there was something about the way Finley had kept a possessive hand on Penelope and told her that nobody present was good enough.
“How are you settling back in London?”
“Well enough.” Edmund looked at where Arabella had gone, mingling with a group of ladies who were already excitedly chattering away.
Their attention remained on him for a moment longer before they huddled together.
Gaggling geese, he thought, amused.
He had no idea what rumors circulated about him, and he didn’t want to know either.
“I heard you took up the mantle of Duke very easily. I am sure returning after the death of your father could not have been easy. Especially finding your sister under the guardianship of another relative, rather than yourself.”
Edmund smiled tightly. “As I said, it has been well enough. It is no hard matter. Estates, ledgers, chaperoning. I have taken it in stride, as I was groomed to do by my father.”
“Indeed.” Finley nodded. “You have grown greatly since our Cambridge days.”
“I should hope so.” Edmund regarded him. “As have you. The marquessate suits you as well, Langwaite. Are you not going to take a wife?”
Finley barked out a harsh laugh. “I am very capable alone. When I require an heir, I am sure I will arrange the necessary means. Until then, I am quite content. I am still ensuring that the Langwaite name carries more weight around the ton. My father never did a great deal with his status, and I wish to garner influence and notoriety. Expand business ventures, grow the family fortune.”
Edmund nodded. “Indeed. And is restricting your sister’s prospects part of that?”
“Ah. That is not as serious as it looks.” Finley laughed. “I merely know that if I have more time, we shall both make much better matches than we might do now. I do not want her to settle as her mother did with my father. He did not provide riches and fortune as he could have. I only want the best for Penelope.”
He spoke so smoothly, as if the words were either practiced or often said as an explanation.
Edmund paused before inclining his head in acknowledgment. He did not know why he wasn’t entirely convinced.
While he had not taken offense at Finley’s earlier declaration, if a notable duke such as himself was not good enough for Lady Penelope, then who was?
“You must wish her to marry a foreign prince, then,” Edmund pushed lightly.
Part of him was beginning to piece together why he had found Lady Penelope at Julian’s house. Was her brother so protective of her virtue that she thought she would never find a match, and thus resorted to other means? Or was she simply a rebellious younger sister wanting to break away from the norm?
“Perhaps,” Finley joked. “What is it you have been doing with yourself, then, Blackstone? You have been back for two months, and yet you have not attended a single function. We all gathered at Lord and Lady Tilsbury’s townhouse several nights ago. You were not present. Surprising, if you are already making strides as a duke.”
