A future.
I realise, I’m less freaked out by the thought than I assumed I’d be. Instead, I feel lighter.
“I’ll leave the shopping for you. Granny has actually summoned me. She wants to go over a few things before the weekend.”
Pen shoots me a look, and I shrug.
We finish the pancakes, stashing some in a box for later. They really did make a mountain.
When Lottie runs off to get ready, I pull Pen into my arms.
“Don’t worry,” I say, kissing the tip of her nose. “Mum always has last-minute requests before the Frazer Foundation weekend.”
“I just…”
“You just what? My mother loves you. Sometimes, I wonder whether she loves you more than me. She is certainly not going to freak out if she realises we’re together.”
“But—”
“No buts. I mean it. Stop overthinking things. We’ve been discrete. Everything will be fine.”
She nods and I drop another kiss on her lips. We need to find some alone time. We haven’t been together since the morning Lottie returned, taking her feelings and request into account. But I’m now craving her with every breath.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, letting her go as Lottie re-enters the room.
“Later,” she says, her eyes filled with a desire matching my own.
CHAPTER 50
ELIJAH
Mum is waiting for me when I arrive at The Foyer and Reading Room at Claridge’s. Afternoon tea is one of her favourite pastimes these days.
“I’ve already ordered,” Mum says as I take a seat opposite her.
“Thank you.”
She nods to the waitress, letting them know they’re free to serve.
“I do like it here,” she says, looking around.
I follow her gaze and understand. The original art déco mirrors, striking Chihuly sculpture, and gentle piano music adds to the ambience.
Mum pauses as our waitress arrives with our platter of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea. We wait while she pours the tea, thanking her as she leaves. I look up to find my mother scowling at me.
“What is it?” I ask, with a sinking dread, I know what’s coming.
“When are you and Penelope going to go public?” she says, lifting her bone china teacup to her mouth and staring at me over the top.
I freeze, making her chuckle.
“You didn’t think I’d find out? That you and Lottie have been spending your days at Pen’s, that she’s been staying at yours.”
“We haven’t been keeping it a secret, per se,” I say defensively, looking around and seeing who might overhear. Everyone around us is absorbed in their own conversations.
She raises an eyebrow, making me smile.
“No? So Kat knows? Gabriel? Caleb?”
