Chapter 4

"Isuppose things could have gone much worse," the earl observed as the family returned home immediately after having introduced Penelope to the duke.

Penelope was barely listening to the sound of her father's voice. She was more focused on the sounds of the wooden wheels reverberating through the enclosed space, echoing off the plush interior.

Each bump and jostle sent a rhythmic vibration coursing through the carriage, accompanied by the steady clip-clop of the horses' hooves against the hard-packed earth.

"… could have refused the offer of marriage, and then where would we be?" Her father's voice reached her only in snippets of his monologue, while Penelope was still focused on the carriage.

Occasionally, it would creak and groan in protest as it navigated a particularly rough patch of road, the sound mingling with the soft rustle of the curtains as they swayed in the gentle breeze. Outside, the world passed by in a blur of color and motion, the murmur of distant voices and the occasional trill of birdsong drifting through the open windows.

"… did deceive the man…" Penelope heard through the haze of her own thoughts. "But Penelope's assurance was so… unexpected."

This time, Penelope was brought back to the present moment. She could feel everyone staring at her. Her cheeks flushed red as she gathered the courage to speak.

"I did not do anything," she told them. "I merely assured him that he would still get what had been promised to him. A wife. Seeing that he obviously is not marrying Vanessa for love — he can't be if he hasn't even seen her — then it doesn't matter which wife it will be as long as she will be a good one."

For the first time since Penelope could remember, her father looked upon her with approval. He was even smiling at her. She hoped maybe for praise, but that was too much to expect of either of her parents.

"Tomorrow will be a good day," he told the ladies around him. "I can feel it."

Penelope wished she shared his confidence, but she refrained from saying anything. As soon as the carriage made a halt before their home, Penelope announced that she would remain in the garden for a little while. Her desire was to be alone, away from everyone and everything, but much to her surprise, Adeline exclaimed that she would be joining her.

"If you don't mind, of course, dear Penelope," Adeline added innocently.

"No, why would I?" Penelope asked a little awkwardly then allowed Adeline to lock arms with her and lead her away from the front of the house, down a beautiful cobblestoned path that led straight to the garden.

"Are you all right?" Adeline suddenly asked when the two girls had gotten out of both eyesight and earshot.

Penelope had to admit that she was taken aback by that question. No one in her family had ever asked her that. Her feelings were simply never taken into consideration, and everyone assumed she agreed with everything they placed before her.

Penelope smiled before replying. "I am fine, thank you for asking." She looked around as they continued to stroll languidly. "You know, this place is much nicer than I remembered."

"Father has hired a new gardener," Adeline revealed.

"Oh, what happened to Phillip?" Penelope wondered, remembering the old man with kind eyes and rough hands who would see her for the lonely girl that she was and allowed her to remain by his side, helping him plant flowers.

"Well, to him, nothing," Adeline explained as the garden sprawled out before them like a tapestry of green, a sanctuary of tranquility. Lush foliage framed winding pathways, adorned with colorful blooms that danced in the gentle breeze. "His daughter's husband died in the war, and she was left alone to tend to three children. He told Father that he was very grateful for all the years he had spent here, but that he had to quit, so he could go and help out his daughter and his grandchildren."

Something tightened inside Penelope's chest. It must be wonderful to have a father like that, she thought to herself.

"That is noble of him," she said instead. "And this new gardener?"

"Mr. Black," Adeline introduced the man who was not there but whose skill was evident all around them.

"Mr. Black?" Penelope chuckled. "How mysterious!"

"Indeed," Adeline joined in that conspiratorial chuckle as they continued to stroll.

The air around them was alive with the hum of bees and the sweet scent of blossoms, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their cheerful chirping adding to the symphony of nature's song. However, Penelope could see that Adeline had suddenly gotten serious.

"Adeline, is something the matter?" Penelope wondered.

"Oh… I am just sad, that's all," Adeline divulged, wringing her fingers in her lap.

"Why?" Penelope wondered.

"Well, you just returned, and I was hoping that we might have a chance to make up for the lost time," Adeline said hopefully. "But that will be impossible with your new life as a duchess."

Penelope thought about it for a moment. "Do you know what a duchess does?"

Adeline shrugged. "I don't know."

"A duchess, my dear Adeline, does whatever she wants," Penelope stated. "And this duchess will want to have her sister visit very often, so they can catch up on all the time that they have missed."

Adeline's eyes widened in disbelief. "Do you really mean it?"

Penelope nodded. "I do; every word of it. I will always be just a short carriage ride away, and you will always be welcome to come and visit."

"Oh, I am so happy to hear that!" Adeline exclaimed, jumping into Penelope's arms and wrapping her own around her sister's willowy frame.

They remained like that for a long time until Adeline released her sister from her tender grip. "I must admit, I thought that Vanessa running away would be the worst thing that has ever happened to this family, but instead… it has brought you back to us."

Penelope wanted to say that she doubted her parents were as ecstatic about it as she was, but she did not want to ruin the special moment she was sharing with her sister.

"I am also glad to be back," Penelope admitted with a shy smile, and that much was true.

She had no idea where this new path would lead her, but she had to admit that a part of her was curious to find out.

* * *

"It was the wrong girl!?" Edward Sullivan, the Marquess of Dunlop, James' grandfather exclaimed so loudly that the cup almost fell out of his hand. As always, it was tea, fortified with some hard liquor.

To prevent the shaking of the fingers, his grandfather would say.

James always thought of his grandfather as a character out of some novel, like Robinson Crusoe, with a personality as colorful as the tales he spun. At six and seventy years of age, the man still carried himself with the regal air befitting his noble lineage, yet his demeanor was often softened by the jovial glow of a man who had reached the end of his life. In fact, James knew that his grandfather's life ended the night when he lost his daughter and his granddaughter, and the only reason he was still alive was James himself.

With a penchant for the finer things in life, the man indulged in the pleasures of good wine and spirits and was often found with a glass in hand during social gatherings. His laughter echoed through the halls of his ancestral estate, which was located in the most northern parts of the country, contagious and uninhibited as he regaled guests with tales of his adventures and misadventures alike.

Despite his age, there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye that hinted at a lifetime of mischief and escapades. When the spirits flowed freely, so too did the secrets and gossip, whispered in hushed tones between sips of brandy or whiskey. No scandal or rumor was safe from his probing inquiries, and he took great delight in unraveling the mysteries of high society.

"Yes," James nodded at his grandfather as the two sat comfortably in his study, discussing the events of the previous hour. "I agreed to marry her, nonetheless."

His grandfather raised an eyebrow. "Is she pretty?"

"Yes, but you know that doesn't matter," James tried to brush it off, knowing that his grandfather would immediately notice what an effect she had on him the moment he laid his eyes on her.

Her visage still lingered before the eye of his mind, her innocent smile as well as her fierce boldness. Still, he did not like that they all kept him in the dark regarding everything.

"How could it not matter, my dear boy?" his grandfather chuckled. "You don't hear a lady first. You see her first."

"I both heard her and saw her," James clarified. "Not in that order, actually."

He did see her first. That was when he hoped that she was the one although, upon second glance, he noticed that her sister was too young to get married yet. His heart leaped upon the realization that the heavenly creature brought before him was to become his wife. However, learning that she was not Vanessa but rather Penelope infuriated him. It was not the name. Not even the girl herself. It was the fact that they had kept it a secret from him all that time and decided to reveal the arrangement a day before the wedding when everything was already prepared, and it would have been impossible to find another bride.

However, having seen Penelope, he did not want another bride. He wanted her. But he did not want them to think that he would just accept being played like that. Most certainly not.

"Well, in whatever order you noticed her, it seems that you liked what you saw and heard," his grandfather teased him good-humoredly, raising his cup to his lips and taking a small, measured sip before proceeding to click the tip of his tongue against the roof of his mouth in a satisfied manner.

"You know I am in no position to choose a bride based on what I like," he reminded his grandfather of something they both knew.

"I know, my boy," his grandfather spoke more solemnly now, leaning back in his chair. "What happened… it was not your fault… but it has shaped your path ever since. It pains me to see all the hardship you had to endure. You did not deserve any of it."

"You mean what the ton says about me?" James frowned. "I do not care a fig, and you know it. What I do care about is doing my duty, grandfather, and that is continuing our bloodline for you, for my mother and sister. As for him…" James' teeth gritted angrily. "He can rot in hell; that's what he deserves."

"Well, let's not talk of rotting and hell." His grandfather got up, placing down the cup. James did not need to see it to know that it was empty. He walked over to James, patting him on the shoulder. "After all, we have a wedding to celebrate tomorrow. I, for one, am ecstatic to meet the young lady. I am sure she will be a fine addition to our household."

James managed a smile. "I only hope that you are right, grandfather."