Chapter 16

"You're trembling," he observed as they stepped into the spotlight.

He knew, just as well as she did, that all eyes were on them. Only, he didn't care. He had gotten used to it a long time ago, but she had not. All of this was new to her. As James swept Penelope into the dance, he couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration coursing through his veins. The grand ballroom seemed to shrink around them, leaving only the two of them twirling gracefully across the polished floor.

"Everyone is looking," she whispered.

"Let them," he urged. "They can't help it because you are positively glowing tonight. I fear I may be overshadowed by your radiance even though I put on my Sunday best."

He felt a surge of affection welling within him as Penelope's laughter danced through the air, her cheeks flushed with amusement at his jest. Her response filled him with warmth, and he stood proudly, holding her in his arms.

With each step, James found himself drawn deeper into the enchantment of the moment, his heart quickening at the sight of Penelope's radiant smile. She was a vision of beauty in his arms, her laughter like music to his ears as they moved together in perfect harmony.

"You must have a serious objective this evening, my dear," he said as he swirled her to the rhythm of the music.

"A serious objective?" she echoed, amused.

"Yes," he nodded, purposefully not smiling. "You are trying to outshine the stars."

Her cheeks flushed with amusement at his jest, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she shot back a quick and unexpected retort. "Oh, James, you know I can't help it if I outshine even the brightest constellations," she quipped, her tone filled with mock arrogance which in turn made him chuckle.

"Yes, I like that," he whispered into her ear when she came close enough.

Their playful banter continued as they danced, each teasing remark met with a playful rejoinder. With each twirl and dip, they seemed to grow more animated, their laughter ringing out like a symphony of joy. James couldn't help but feel a surge of affection welling within him as he watched Penelope's eyes light up with laughter. She was his equal in every way, her quick wit and playful spirit a constant source of delight.

Then suddenly, he noticed that she became sad. "Is everything all right?" he wondered. "I didn't step on your toe, did I?"

"No," she said with that sad smile he wanted to erase from those beautiful lips. "It's not that."

He had to wait to ask his question because he had to swirl her away from himself, waiting for the music to bring her back into his arms again.

"What is it then?" he asked.

"I don't know anyone here," she admitted. "I wish that Adeline was able to attend."

"Yes, I was going to ask about your parents," he murmured.

"She told me that Father is prevented from attending by some urgent business, so she and Mother would stay home," Penelope divulged. "I would have felt a little better if she were here."

"I'm here," he reminded her, hoping that he would be enough.

She smiled as she gazed at him. "But you can't stay by my side during the entire evening. You have to… mingle with the gentlemen, so I can mingle with the ladies."

"You don't want to mingle?" he teased.

She frowned playfully. "Not really."

"All right then," he replied reassuringly. "I promise not to take too long when the men retire to the parlor for a smoke and a drink. I just need to speak to Lord Ravenscroft quickly then I promise that I will find an excuse, and we shall leave. How does that sound?"

"You will feign a headache then?" she teased him. "So, I don't have to?"

"Yes," he chuckled. "See what I am ready to do for you?"

"I see," she replied as the music slowly stopped.

Looking at her so vulnerable and delicate, he wanted to take her into his arms and return home with her. He didn't need these people around. In fact, he loathed every single one of them, because he knew what they thought of him. He knew that they had the worst opinion of him, that they had believed in the lies about him all of his life, without giving him the benefit of the doubt. He had stopped valuing their opinion a long time ago.

But now, he had someone whose opinion mattered. He thought that being married would be difficult, that the lady in question would be just like one of the ladies of the ton. Not in a million years could he have dreamed that he would be graced by someone such as Penelope. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and he knew how precious and unique she was.

He intended to keep his promise. He needed to speak to Lord Ravenscroft regarding some business matters, and he planned on making that conversation as short as possible. Then, he would take Penelope home and make true on his other promise. The thought of having her in his arms again titillated him. It drove him mad with desire. This time, he would not stop at just one kiss, just one touch. This time, he wanted it all.

At that moment, Lord Ravenscroft announced that the gentlemen would be retiring to the parlor. A murmur of approval exploded all round, and a tidal wave of men headed in the aforementioned direction.

"I will be back soon, all right?" James told Penelope, cupping her chin tenderly. "And remember something very important… if you don't want to, you don't have to talk to anyone."

She thought about it for a moment. "But… they'll think I'm rude."

He leaned closer to her to whisper right into her ear. "Their opinion doesn't matter, my dear. Only mine and yours do."

He kissed her gently on the forehead and left, anticipating their return home with much eagerness.

* * *

As Penelope stood alone in a quiet corner of the ballroom, her gaze wandering idly across the bustling dance floor, she was approached by a small group of ladies, their elegant gowns swishing softly with each step. She was counting the minutes until James' return, and he already seemed to have been gone an eternity.

One lady, her voice tinged with a hint of envy, spoke up first. "My dear Lady Chapman, we apologize for approaching you in this impolite manner, but we couldn't help but do so."

Penelope smiled a little awkwardly. "That is quite all right."

"See?" the first one told the lady standing next to her. "I told you she would understand our curiosity."

Curiosity? The truth was that Penelope didn't understand. However, she decided to remain polite for as long as the situation allowed it. She remembered James' words. You don't have to speak to anyone if you don't want to. That knowledge gave her confidence and reassurance that she needed as she stood in the center of this flock of ladies, all of whom eyed her from head to toe.

"Oh, but we haven't even introduced ourselves, how rude," the lady spoke. "I am Lady Elizabeth Livingstone. The lady behind me is Miss Christina Duncan, that over there is Lady Georgina Hughes, and finally, this is Lady Stephanie Andrews."

"It is a pleasure to meet you all, ladies," Penelope nodded, not even trying to remember their names. And, to be quite honest, she was still wondering what made them approach her so suddenly, almost like a pack of predators approaching unsuspecting prey. That was why she reminded herself to be cautious.

"No, no, no, the pleasure is all ours, I assure you," Lady Elizabeth spoke in a honey voice that Penelope didn't particularly care for. It appeared as if she was pushing herself to sound more feminine than she actually was. "And how is your dear husband, the duke, faring this evening?" she inquired, her voice laced with thinly veiled curiosity.

Penelope felt a flicker of unease fluttering within her, but she maintained her poise as she replied, "James is enjoying himself, thank you for asking."

The ladies exchanged knowing glances, their expressions betraying a mixture of jealousy and intrigue. "You are indeed fortunate to have captured the heart of such a distinguished gentleman," Lady Elizabeth remarked, her voice tinged with bitterness.

Penelope offered a faint smile in return, her discomfort growing with each passing moment. "I am indeed grateful for my husband, whom I've come to know well," she said diplomatically, hoping to diffuse the tension that hung in the air.

"Ah, but how well?" Lady Elizabeth murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but she knew that Penelope could hear her clearly.

"What do you mean?" Penelope inquired.

"Well…" Lady Elizabeth exchanged a few knowing glances with the ladies around her, then she continued. "I heard… I mean, we all heard that there were some rather… unsavory rumors surrounding the duke's family."

Lady Georgina nodded in agreement immediately, her expression solemn. "Yes, it is quite tragic, really. The circumstances surrounding their deaths were rather suspicious, don't you think?"

"I don't really have an opinion on rumors," Penelope replied in a determined manner.

"Oh, but these are not just rumors," Lady Elizabeth shook her head. "The duke's family died while he was away, and he came back to find them all dead, and he was the only one who survived. How on Earth does one explain that?"

Penelope's heart sank as she listened to the conversation unfolding before her. Despite her best efforts to remain composed, she couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation rising within her. How dare they speak ill of James and his family in such a manner?

"I explain that as being fortunate to be alive, not being the one responsible for something so dreadful," Penelope spoke, summoning all her courage, squaring her shoulders and addressing the ladies directly. "I must ask that you refrain from spreading baseless rumors about my husband and his family. It is not fair to tarnish anyone's memory in this manner."

Lady Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, her expression a mixture of surprise and irritation at Penelope's boldness. "My dear, we were only speaking in jest," she replied dismissively though the edge of her tone betrayed a hint of discomfort.

But Penelope refused to be swayed. "Regardless, it is not a subject to be taken lightly," she insisted, her voice unwavering. "I would appreciate it if you would show my husband and his family the respect they deserve."

Caught off guard by Penelope's unwavering resolve, the ladies exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier gossip now hanging heavy in the air like a guilty secret they dared not acknowledge.

"Well… as I said, we did not mean any harm," Lady Elizabeth mumbled her hesitant apology before quickly retreating, their murmured excuses trailing behind them as they hurried away, leaving Penelope standing alone in the corner, her heart still racing with the adrenaline of her confrontation.

Despite the warmth of the flickering candles and the gentle strains of music that filled the air, Penelope couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gripped her heart. What if there were secrets about her husband that she had yet to uncover? What if the whispers and insinuations were more than just idle gossip?

She replayed the conversation with the ladies in her mind, searching for any clue that might shed light on the mysteries surrounding James' past. Why hadn't he mentioned any of that before? She knew that his grandfather had raised him, but she didn't know of the tragedy that had befallen his family.

She couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung over her like a dark cloud. The laughter and chatter of the guests seemed to fade into the distance as she was consumed by her own thoughts, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty. She wanted to know about all this, but she dared not ask him directly. Even worse, she didn't want him to find out what the ton thought of him.

No. She would protect him from all of this, and hopefully, she would get to the bottom of the truth one way or another.