“Christ in His grave,” Penn moaned, staring at the empty portal.
“I must go anyway,” Theo said and stepped toward the stairs.
The door to the hall opened and voices floated in.
“No!” Penn whispered. “More people!”
Theo led her to the far set of shelves, behind the huge wooden library ladder. In the shadows, they might not be seen.
"Adept at poems and Shakespeare?" asked a man.
Theo whispered, “Bromley.”
"Perhaps Molière, as well?" asked a woman.
“Del,” she mouthed to Theo.
"Plus a fine appreciation for discretion." Bromley led her just inside the door.
Del laughed, then raised her face to inhale something in the air.
"Shall I speak with the vicar this morning about marrying us soon?" Bromley asked her, clearly amused.
"Say…tomorrow?" Del offered with eagerness.
Bromley cleared his throat. "I say there. Is that you, Tain?"
Theo did not turn to face him, but stiffened. "You do indeed have me to rights, Bromley."
"You may come out, sir," Bromley entreated. “It appears we've all broken convention here.”
"No!" Penn squeaked. "Not dressed like this!"
"Tain, you'll never hear a word from Del or me about discovering you here."
"Nonetheless, I think we will remain, thank you. Will you both be long?"
"No, sir. We've only to set a date to wed."
"Superb," said Tain as he attempted to nestle Penn into the secluded hollow of his arms. "And congratulations. I hope you won't think us rude."
"Never," sputtered Neville. "I hope you won't think us impertinent to invite you out."
"Absolutely not," Penn shot back.
"We are off, Tain. We've the vicar to consult." Neville led them to the hall. "Come, my love. Let’s leave them to their…um…reading?"
Penn nestled in his arms. “We are well and truly discovered everywhere.”
“Even by my father.”
“What?” She pushed away. “What do you mean?”
“He’s here.”
“Nooo. He refused Gertrude’s invitation.”
“Well, it seems he accepted it. Late.”
