by Sandy Loyd
“Enchanté, madam.” Bowing at the waist, Markham took Elizabeth’s outstretched hand and kissed it.
When his dark eyes fastened on Catherine, Parker noted the usual spark of male interest. No one else noticed his sister’s blush as the duke brought her fingers to his lips before releasing her gaze and bestowing on her another perfect bow. “Mademoiselle.” He straightened, and flashing her a secret smile, added flirtatiously, “I can see America is full of beautiful women.”
Catherine quickly pulled her hand away as if burned, clearly flustered.
Parker bit back a laugh. The duke’s attention wasn’t unexpected. Not when she had a long list of brokenhearted men up and down the Eastern seaboard. Still, few had actually produced his sister’s blush so effortlessly. Yet, if the man thought her an easy conquest, he was in for a rude awakening. Parker trusted Catherine’s ability to keep any over-interested males in their place. In the event her tactics weren’t enough, both he and Lucas were strong deterrents.
The moment was lost when Lucas cleared his throat and said, “The duke and his brother have graciously accepted my invitation to stay here while my ship’s in dry dock.”
Parker met Lucas’s gaze in a silent communication and nodded. “Of course.” Though not excited one whit at the prospect of entertaining and housing aristocrats, he deferred to his brother’s judgment. Lucas wouldn’t have invited him without good reason. Turning to the duke, he held on to his smile. “It will be our pleasure to accommodate you. You’re both welcome for as long as need be.”
“Why don’t we all go inside and I’ll have Pearl make us some tea,” Elizabeth said, herding the group up the porch stairs.
Parker fought to ignore the streak of heated jealousy rising when Geoff placed a proprietary hand on the small of Penny’s back and said good-naturedly, “I see I had no need to worry. It warms my heart to know she was in such good hands.”
The duke snorted. “She shouldn’t have left England.” He shook his head and directed a stern look at his brother. “You both know that, don’t you?”
A bit of red rushed up Geoff’s face. “Penny has an adventuresome spirit and felt America the perfect place to hide.” He stuttered apologetically, “I…um…I wanted to elope to Gretna Green, but she would have none of it, saying we’d be found out and the marriage somehow annulled.” He shrugged. “She made a strong argument.”
“Seems you were right,” Lucas said, slanting Parker a glance. “The lady was hiding some big secrets.”
Parker rolled his eyes. What understatements from both men! “If you’re referring to the fact that she’s a titled English noblewoman and an heiress to boot, I already know.” He then turned to Geoff and Markham. “You don’t have to convince us of her adventurous nature. We’re all well aware by now how willful Penny can be.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Penny chimed in, flashing an irritated grimace. “I was perfectly safe and could take care of myself. You all seem to think I’m a complete cake. Everything worked out.”
“Yes, it did,” Lucas agreed, smiling. “I now see why you placed her in my care. You knew I’d ensure her safety.”
“We no longer have to postpone our plans.” Geoff clapped his brother on the back. “See, Markham, sometimes things just work out the way they were meant to be.”
Watching Penny’s irritation evaporate, Parker hung on to his weak smile. He didn’t want to think of what the impact of not delaying their plans meant. He’d never been so grateful for the diversion of his mother’s voice.
“You’ve arrived just in time for our Harvest Ball the day after tomorrow.” By this point they were at the parlor doors. Elizabeth opened them and gestured for the others to go ahead. “Make yourselves comfortable while I go and see about refreshments.”
Markham glanced around, clearly impressed. “I thought I’d be coming to a savage place. Instead I find big cities, and manor houses to rival those in England. And now you tell me there’s to be a ball.”
“Though most Englishmen don’t believe it, we’re not heathens here in America,” Lucas joked.
“Don’t tell them that.” Parker waited at the double doors while they filed in one by one. “If they think we’re heathens, it’ll keep them away.”
Curtains billowed as warm autumn air filled the room from the open windows and French portico doors. Markham chose a chair near the window. Lucas and Parker sat in chairs opposite him. Catherine hung behind Penny and Geoff, who sat side by side on one of the settees.
Elizabeth breezed into the room, her intent gaze on Catherine. “What are you doing hiding in the background, dear? Come and join me.”
Then grabbing her hand, she tugged, leaving Catherine no choice but to follow. Parker didn’t miss either the duke’s amused smile or his sister’s blush as she moved to sit across from Penny and Geoff.
“I gather you’re home to stay awhile, Lucas?” Elizabeth’s question was more a statement laced with joy.
Lucas nodded. “I don’t plan on leaving until well after Christmas,” he said with a huge grin, not bothering to hide his amusement.
Elizabeth’s smile brightened. “Imagine! All my children will be home for Christmas this year. I must be doing something right. Tell us about your voyage.”
Lucas did just that, spending the next twenty minutes regaling everyone with his story. When done, he looked at Geoff. “So, when is the lucky day?”
“As soon as it can be arranged.” He looked at Penny with what Parker, who’d been surreptitiously studying the two, determined was pure adoration. “The sooner the better.”
At least they loved each other, he thought.
“I agree,” Markham said. “The earl’s not a fool. He’ll eventually guess our whereabouts, especially after our disappearance from London is noted.”
“He won’t find me,” Penny stated.
Parker was certain her voice held more conviction than she felt, given the streak of fear he caught glimmering in her eyes at the mention of the earl.
Markham shook his head. “Don’t be too sure.”
“Is this earl named Gerald Knightsbridge?” Parker asked.
Penny’s gaze to fly to his. With eyes wide in stunned awe, she asked “How’d you guess?”
He snorted. How could he not put two and two together? “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the way I see it, he’s someone with whom you were arranged to marry—a guardian, perhaps?”
His reply earned another shocked intake of air from Penny.
Lucas slapped the arm of his chair. “Damn if you don’t surprise me.” His head went back as a hearty laugh escaped. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t let it rest. That you’d find out her secrets before anyone.”
“Penny’s parents betrothed her to Gerald Knightsbridge, the fifth Earl of Kentworth, just before they died in a tragic carriage accident.” Markham sat up straight, his handsome features hardening into an implacable wall of granite. “He’s not a very nice fellow and happens to be her guardian for another four months, which is why time is of the essence and these two need to marry as soon as possible.”
Remembering her nightmares, Parker said, “He can’t touch her here.” He would kill the bastard first.
When the smile Penny offered didn’t quite reach her eyes, Parker steered the conversation to other topics in an attempt to alleviate the dread still lurking. He much preferred her spunk to the fearful creature she was reduced to by thoughts of the earl’s finding her.
Eventually Elizabeth rose. “Luncheon will be an informal affair with food displayed on the buffet. That way you all can eat at your leisure. Dinner, however, will be formal and I expect you all to dress,” she added, before walking sedately out of the room, disbanding the impromptu gathering.
~~
Penny floated down the stairs later that afternoon and smiled brightly at Geoff, who strode purposely toward her.
“Pen, Mr. Davis told me we could make use of his horses and go riding. Would you like to?” he asked, not hiding his e
xcitement over the idea.
“I’d love to.” Her smile faded on a sigh. Her brief reprieve was over. How she wished for more time to prepare for what she would say to him once they were alone.
They rode for a mile in silence before Geoff slowed and indicated with the tilt of his head a copse of trees. “Let’s ride to that spot and talk.”
Penny nodded and followed.
When they’d both dismounted and had the horses tied, Geoff pulled Penny into his arms and kissed her gently. “I’ve been dying to do that since I saw you this morning,” he whispered, just before his lips met hers again.
Penny closed her eyes, allowing the kiss to continue because it felt so good to be in his familiar embrace. More than anything, she wished things were different. That she didn’t have to hurt her best friend.
Finally he lifted his head and met Penny’s gaze. The warmth emanating from his eyes spread through her. She could clearly see the ardor and acceptance she’d always felt from him in his expression.
“I’ve always loved you.” His declaration was spoken so earnestly she had to look away. “I truly thought I’d lost you when I found out you had to marry the earl.”
Penny stepped back. Licking her lips nervously, she couldn’t meet his eyes again, keeping hers downcast while he continued speaking.
“I can’t wait ’til we’re married and I can be near you all the time. These past months seemed unendurable without you.” When she remained silent, Geoff’s demeanor stiffened. His grip on her shoulders tightened. “Pen?” When she didn’t say anything, he placed a hand under her chin, lifting it up and forcing her look at him. A confused expression slid over his face. “What’s wrong?”
One glimpse of the love and concern in his eyes and her tears flowed freely down her face.
When he tried to tug her back into his arms, she pulled away and started pacing, not quite sure how to broach the subject. Oh dear Lord, how had she squandered his love for pleasure? How was she going to tear her own heart out, hurting him at the same time? He certainly didn’t deserve her infidelity and she didn’t deserve his love.
“Pen?”
Her gaze flew to his at the desperation she heard in the one word.
Holding her stare, he waited patiently for her to explain. Finally, she closed her eyes and whispered in a tormented voice, “I can’t marry you.”
“Yes, you can. You still love me, don’t you?”
“I’ll always love you. You know that. You’re my best friend, but you don’t understand,” she said.
“What’s to understand? Markham will back you. You have no reason to fear reprisals from the earl. He can’t touch you, especially if I can get you with child before we return to England.”
More silence followed because Penny couldn’t bring herself to say anything. Closing her eyes again, she blurted out, “It’s not the earl.”
“Then what? I see nothing standing in the way of our union.”
“Please, Geoff, I can’t marry you because I’ve lain with another,” Penny admitted, unable to hold the information inside any longer.
“What?” he asked, clearly not grasping her meaning. When the moment of realization hit, he only stared at her with eyes wide as saucers.
Watching his features change, Penny’s tears increased. “I never meant to hurt you. You have to believe that.”
“Do you love him?” Geoff finally asked. “Are you going to marry him?”
Penny heard the pain in his voice and hated herself for her infidelity all the more. “It wouldn’t be wise for me to love him, since he doesn’t love me. And as for marriage to him, well, I’d rather die than marry someone who doesn’t love me.”
“I see,” Geoff said softly. He remained silent, lost in thought. “If that’s the case,” he added in a shaky voice, “then I see no reason why we can’t be married as planned.”
“No. We can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to you.”
“You think I care?” he shouted, not bothering to hide his anguish. “I lost you once, I’ll not let you go again.”
His manner turned more passionate, making Penny realize how much she wanted to give in to his request. Instead, she countered, “What if I carry his child?”
“I don’t care,” he stated heatedly. “I simply don’t care. You’re all I care about.”
“You’d raise another man’s child? And you’d continue loving me even though I don’t deserve your love?”
“Yes,” he said so adamantly that Penny wished she could believe him.
More moisture blurred her eyes. “I can’t let you do that.” She wiped the tears away.
Geoff turned away from her and paced back and forth. After minutes of pacing and thinking, he stopped and faced her again. “Who is he?”
“No one you know.”
“Then what will you do if you are with child? Your child will need a father.”
“I’ll think of something, but I won’t allow you to sacrifice your life for me.” Penny shook her head, unwilling to let him even think of giving up so much for her stupidity.
“Pen, how would it be sacrificing my life when you are my life? It’s better than being totally without you.”
“You deserve someone who loves you enough to be faithful.” When his head moved from side to side with a ready denial on his lips, she put a hand over his mouth. “You know I speak the truth. Eventually the fact that I was unfaithful will change your love.”
“You’re being stubborn. But I’m just as stubborn as you and I’ll not give you up.”
Arguing at this point was futile. And she couldn’t stay here seeing the unhappiness she’d wrought any longer. She turned and rushed to her horse. Untying it, she quickly mounted. “Marrying me won’t change what I did. I don’t think I could endure your scorn,” she added as she glanced back, her soft voice carrying on the breeze. She then kicked the horse’s flank to get him moving.
“Wait! Pen! Please don’t go. We can work this out. Please,” he yelled as she rode away. She pretended not to hear him, urging her horse faster as his voice penetrated her being. “I don’t care. I’d take you any way I can get you, even if I’m second in your affections.”
~~
Dinner that night was a subdued affair, mainly because most at the table seemed preoccupied. Parker didn’t say much. Penny felt his gaze the entire meal, except when every now and then he’d look at Geoff, drawing her attention. Then he’d meet her stare, and he didn’t bother to hide his confused expression. To make matters worse, Elizabeth’s amused gaze landed frequently on both of them before moving to Catherine, who was also acting strangely. Only Lucas and the duke seemed oblivious to all the drama, too caught up in a discussion over business for most of the meal.
Once the ordeal of eating had ended, Penny stood. “If you’ll excuse me.” She flashed a semblance of a smile and swiftly left the table.
The next morning Penny dressed for gardening and rushed outside, looking for solitude. When she spied Parker’s mother on her knees faithfully pulling weeds, a surge of relief went through her. Weeding with Elizabeth was even better than solitude. Reaching for her gloves, hat, and a mat to kneel on, she hurried up to the woman. She placed the mat on the ground and plopped down next to her.
“Good morning,” Penny said. “I didn’t expect you to be here, given last night was so late.”
Elizabeth rocked back on her heels, eyeing Penny thoughtfully. “No rest for the weary,” she said pleasantly.
Nodding, Penny returned her smile, then began to pull weeds, using the time to let her mind wander.
The two weeded quietly for a long while before Elizabeth’s voice broke into Penny’s thoughts. “Geoff seems like a nice young man.”
“He is.”
“When are you to be married?” she asked quietly.
Penny sighed, brushing a stray hair off her face with the back of her gloved hand. Her eyes took in a perfect red rose, where her focus remained. Finally she shook her head. “I’m not sure we are going to b
e married.”
“Oh?”
The simple one-word question, spoken so softly, held sympathy and was Penny’s undoing. Tears seeped from her eyes. “I’m not sure of anything anymore,” she whispered, her voice full of anguish.
“Shush, don’t cry.” Elizabeth stretched an arm around her shoulder, squeezing gently. “Tell me what’s wrong.” When Penny didn’t offer any words, she prodded, “In the short time you’ve been here, I’ve come to think of you as a daughter. You’ve added much to our household. I’d like to help, if I can.”
“I’m more confused than anything.” The two had grown close these past months. Penny had recognized in Elizabeth the same consistency and strength of her own dead mother. She could almost believe her parents in heaven had guided her to this house, a haven of warmth and love, something sorely lacking in Penny’s last year. Oh, how she missed both her parents’ guidance now.
“Do you love him?” Elizabeth asked, scrutinizing Penny’s face.
“Of course. How could I not? He loves me and he’d never hurt me,” she said, meeting Elizabeth’s sympathetic eyes once she could talk again. “When we decided to marry, I wanted marriage to him more than anything.” Her gaze went back to the rose. “But now I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do.”
“Oh, child, yes you do,” Elizabeth said earnestly, taking Penny into her comforting arms. She smiled warmly and added convincingly, “You have to follow your heart.”
“How do I determine what my heart wants?” Elizabeth’s warmth felt so good—a port in a ravaging storm—the storm raging inside of her.
“Now there’s a good question. That’s never easy. In fact, figuring out what we want in this life and then grasping on to it can sometimes be the hardest thing we mortals ever do.”
Finally Penny could smile. When she leaned back, Elizabeth brushed her tears away. “It’s been my experience to understand events happen for a reason. Problems always have a way of working out as long as you follow your heart and are honest with yourself.”