Page 73 of His Wild Duchess
“You look like the young lady from my dreams,” Lady Caney said. “The young lady I had always prayed you would be.”
Penelope smiled, though her mother’s belated praise struck an unpleasant feeling within her. Out the corner of her eye, she noticed George, who reached to shake Owen’s hand. The lady her mother had dreamt of still was nothing more than just that: a dream. Her heart pattered quickly against her chest, the long white gown she wore growing tighter at her breast.
“Penny,” Owen greeted, giving her a wide smile. “May I introduce Lady Diana, my betrothed?”
The young woman stepped forward into a deep curtsey. She was everything the daughter of a Duke was expected to be. Delicately handsome, blonde curls pinned against her head to look like swirled flowers, porcelain skin only made to look more pearly by the baby blue gown she wore.
“Your Grace,” Lady Diana cooed. “I have heard so much about you. I feel we are friends already!”
Penelope smiled as she gave Owen a quick glance. He winked, and she was sure that he never once mentioned her spinster past or affinity for stray animals. Breathing a sigh, she pulled the mask of a Duchess over her once more. “The pleasure is all mine,” she said. “I hope you enjoy the Manor. It is newly renovated.”
Alicia stepped out from behind their brother, the Duke of Garvey on her arm. “Dear Penny,” she called out to her, “You are radiant! Isn’t she radiant, Matthew?”
Matthew bowed his head at her. “Positively radiant,” he murmured. “I am looking forward to hearing more about the stud farm, George.”
George beamed from ear to ear. “Well, why don’t we take a walk? I’m sure there are plenty of gentlemen eager to know about the progress.”
Giving Alicia a gentle smile, Matthew left her embrace, following behind George. A part of Penelope cracked beneath the pressure, knowing that George was going to be well occupied for some time. When she looked back, only Alicia remained, and she watched her with a wary eye. Before Penelope could excuse herself, Alicia slipped an arm around her, keeping her tightly beside her.
“How perfect,” Alicia cooed. “I was eager for a moment alone with you, Penny. Let us take a turn ‘round the Manor.”
They began to slip around the growing crowds within Yeats Manor. The halls and rooms were already filled to the brim, Ladys and Lords of the Ton filling the air with their excited chatter. The orchestra prepared its first set within the ballroom, where the dancing would soon begin. Penelope had yet to know the halls of Yeats well enough to call it her home, and as they passed through a few parlors and drawing rooms, she grew overwhelmed with the idea of never having the chance. Bewildered with her own feelings, Penelope kept her head down as they walked.
“You feel so far from me, Penny.”
She glanced down at her sister, smirking at how much shorter she was than her, despite being the older one. “I am right here, Ali.”
“Then why can I not understand your sadness?”
“Sadness?”
“This is quite the accomplishment,” Alicia said. “To be a Duchess holding her own ball in a place as grand as this is not something to scoff at. You should be proud! You should bask in the admiration of the Ton! And yet, that success is clearly far from your mind.”
Penelope avoided meeting her sister’s piercinggaze. Ever since they were children, Alicia managed to read her like an open book. The feelings swarming within her chest were ones she had a hard time recognizing herself, though whenever she managed to catch a glimpse of George, they seemed to swell and overtake her.
“You wouldn’t understand,” she murmured. “And I don’t think I could explain.”
“Try.”
Penelope sighed. “Did you know you were meant to be a Duchess—or more specifically, Matthew’s wife—soon after your marriage?”
Alicia’s laugh was sudden, filling the air around them. “Heaven’s sake, no, Penny. It was never as easy as that. Is there…is there something troubling you about your position? About your marriage?”
“It’s just,” Penelope hesitated, trying to collect her thoughts, “Some ladies are meant to be mothers. Some ladies are meant to be lovers. Some, or perhaps only I, have lived all their lives without realizing what it is they are meant to be. Can you…can you understand that, Alicia?”
“I understand that you have much on your mind, Penny. What is it that you aren’t telling me?”
Penelope swallowed. “Nothing.”
“Shall I ask Mother?” Alicia asked in a playful voice, poking a finger into Penelope’s side. “Or better yet: Owen?”
“Go ahead,” she murmured. “I doubt they would know my truth when I cannot even find it myself.”
Alicia paused in their trek once they were in the ballroom. Countless other couples and mingling groups crowded all around them, waiting for the music to begin, but it all seemed to fade away. Alicia’s piercing green eyes were holding onto Penelope with a deep air of concern. “Dear me,” she whispered. “I can’t tease when you look as forlorn as that. Penelope, confide in me. Is…is it the Duke?”
Penelope felt herself stiffen, suddenly aware of where they were. Tears, hot and shameful, threatened to spill from her eyes. Clearing her throat, she pulled her arm from her sister’s tight hold. Giving her a smile, she said, “Do not pry, Ali.”
Snatching onto her hand, Alicia frowned. “Penelope, I -”
