Page 14 of The Rise of a Forsaken Lady
Just not too interesting,Heath prayed.
Chapter 6
Her palm felt funny.
Mr. Moore had held her hand for only a moment, but her palm still felt his touch. She kept rubbing it down her dress, but the motion was futile. She ignored the book on her lap and lifted her hand to her face and examined it. The slight calluses were still there and the tiny scars of her many falls and scrapes were still there, and the phantom sense of Mr. Moore’s hand was still there.
“Penelope,” Edward said from the doorway, “are you ready to talk like a rational person?”
She lowered her hand, “What do we need to talk about, Edward?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose while entering fully. “I don’t want to fight, Penelope but you know better than to confront Russell that way. I am not saying he was right in ordering Mr. Moore to leave, but you should have left that to me.”
Her breath left her body in a long sigh. She did not want to fight with Edward either. “Eddie, I apologize, but you must realize that Lord Hillbrook’s attention to me is getting out of hand. I tolerate him as your friend, but as I have told you many times, I think he is a bad influence on you.”
“I do not think so,” Edward shook his head.
Of course, you don’t think so, you are blind to his influence Eddie. I cannot tell how many times you have done foolish things because he did it first.
Knowing she was not going to get anywhere with Edward on that point, she pushed forward. “Do you really have to put on this ball, Edward?”
“Yes,” he said, “And if you would just allow Stephen to court you, none of this to-and-fro between you and him would be happening.”
“Oh Lord, Edward,” she huffed. “You know that he...he is not…he does not interest me like that.”
“Penelope,” he said slowly, “You are of marrying age. I cannot understand why you turned down all your suitors in the last two seasons.”
She had this conversation with her brother for over two years now, and it felt like Edward had not heard a word she had said during those two years. Did it bear repeating? Probably not, but she was going to try anyway.
“None of them felt right. Unlike the other ladies there, I am not enamored by looks or money or a name. I want someone to understand me for who I am. Not…not all those frivolous things the ton thinks are worthwhile.”
Watching him, she could see that her words had gone through one of her brother’s ear and out the other. “Anyway, you should speak for yourself. You are not married either.”
“That is because men are not in danger of the shelf,” Edward replied a bit crossly.
“I hate the double standard of this place,” Penelope sighed. “Why do I have to get married by three-and-twenty, but you men can run amok until you’re in crutches?”
Edward sat back with a tired look on his face, “What do you want from me, Penelope? I have to do what father made me promise before he passed. I have to get you a good husband.”
“And he will come in time, Edward,” Penelope assured him just as she tried to assure herself. It was strange, how was she going to get married when she had a particular disdain for the unending balls and soirées of the peerage?
How was she going to get married when she shied away from meeting men? Perhaps this ball could be a good idea if only to give herself a good try and get her brother to shut up on the topic of marriage for a while.
Edward’s words mirrored her thoughts, “Mayhap, this gathering can be good for you. Some of my friends have friends that I am sure would be delighted in meeting you.”
Seeing no way out of it, she nodded with a sigh, “Very well. I come to your dratted ball, soiree, get-together, or whatever you want to call it.”
“And promise to dance.”
“Yes,” she replied.
“And no escaping to the library,” Edward added.
“Yes.”
“And you will socialize,” he pressed.
Penelope’s eyes began to narrow. “Fine.”
