Page 3 of The Rise of a Forsaken Lady
Stepping out, Edward nearly collided with a thin figure and got a nose-full of dark hair in the process. His sister, Penelope tottered with the armful of books she was holding and barely regained her footing after Mr. Moore had caught her while Edward had stumbled too.
“Oh, dear me,” she gasped while jostling the books. “My apologies, Eddie.”
The lord muttered a curse under his breath, “Penelope! How many times do I have to tell you to not carry so many books at one time? You could have injured yourself if Mr. Moore had not caught you…and I told you not to call me that in company,” he muttered under his breath.
Meek honey-gold eyes peeked around the book covers and a small smile curved her bow-lips. “I’m sorry, Edward.”
He sighed, “Mr. Moore, may I introduce my sister, Lady Penelope Dawson. Penelope, Mr. Moore is going to be our new footman.”
She juggled the books again and an oval face and almond-shaped eyes peeked out. “Delighted to meet you, Mr. Moore.”
“Thank you, My Lady…do you need help?” Mr. Moore asked.
“Er…I don’t think—”
“She will take it,” Edward overrode her. “Before she trips and breaks her neck. Mr. Moore, please.”
Penelope huffed and then handed over the books. Now fully revealed, Lady Penelope Dawson was a slender woman with a rather shapely figure. Her thick, dark hair was combed into an unstylish bun at the nape of her neck and a few stubborn tendrils were fluttering around her face.
“Thank you, Mr. Moore,” she smiled softly. “I finished reading them all and was carrying them to the library. Please follow me.”
“Follow us,” Edward interrupted. He might be liberal but was not going to allow his baby sister to be alone with a relatively unknown man. He followed them to the library where Penelope directed him to set them down.
“Here you go, My Lady,” Mr. Moore said.
“Thank you,” Penelope smiled, and Edward rolled his eyes at her soft blush.
“Well, that’s done,” Edward said, “Good day, Penelope. Mr. Moore and I have issues to take care of.”
“Good day, Mr. Moore,” Penelope said to their backs.
“Good day, My Lady.”
Thankfully, Edward had turned away the moment Penelope’s eyes had met Mr. Moore’s who had looked over his shoulder. With one shared look and one smile an invisible tether was made between them.
The question was, where would it take them?
Chapter 2
Mr. Moore’s eyes…his eyes are so deep…fathomless even…I wonder what secret they hold?Penelope mused while sorting the books before she shelved them. They are like glittering chips of emerald but deeper…like deep verdant, but lighter.
Her brother was angry at her for using her childhood nickname for him in polite company. Most of the time she did remember but…eh, what was one slip…or possibly, five?
“Edward, you need to stop being so childish about these things,” she murmured under her breath.
Thank God, the two men had left the room before she could have unknitted her tongue and spluttered something foolish.
She flipped the cover ofPride and Prejudiceand smiled. Romance novels were her second favorite genre of books, barely outpacing books about Greek myths and historical texts. She had a penchant to dream but was wise enough to be grounded in reality.
Flipping the book closed, Penelope slid it in place. Her mind flitted back to Mr. Moore. He was very handsome, but she could not focus on anywhere else but his eyes. They were so…gentle.
“My Lady,” the shy voice of her lady’s maid, Martha, spoke from the door. “It’s luncheon time.”
“Do I have to change?” Penelope grumbled.
“Er, not if you don’t want to, but I would think washing your hands would be good. We don’t have company.”
Sliding the last book in place, Penelope hummed. “Have you seen the newest footman, Mr. Moore?”
