If she hadn’t createdDuke, Nicholas would never have approached her.If she hadn’t decided to experiment withDuchess, none of the past two weeks would have happened.She had lost him for the same reason that she had found him.
“You don’t believe in impossible things.”Gloria returned her gaze to the lens before her.“Which means whatever you’re thinking about must still be possible.”
“It’s not,” Penelope said.She had been dishonest.He wouldn’t forgive that.
Gloria shot her a knowing look.“How do you know if you don’t experiment?”
Penelope lowered her head in thought.If what had attracted Nicholas’s attention was also what had caused her to lose it, could the same work in reverse?The original experiment had been about what Penelope wanted.What did Nicholas want?
Observation, she reminded herself.What were the observable facts?He never spent more than one night with a single woman.He had spent a night with Penelope.Ergo, he wanted her body.He had come back again.Ergo, one night wasn’t all he wanted.
More facts.He designed superior measuring flasks for her.Ergo, he supported her interest in chemistry.He hand-delivered biscuit ingredients in order to bake for her.Ergo, he wanted to take care of her.To spend time together.He designed her the sort of bird that mates for life.And he said…
“He loves me?”she asked in a small voice.
Gloria’s gaze softened.“Did he use those words?”
Penelope nodded.
“Then he does.”Gloria’s eyes shone with satisfaction.“What are you going to do about it?”
Penelope’s stomach turned.“He also said he didn’t love me anymore.”
“And one of those statements was true,” Gloria agreed.“Which one do you believe?”
A fortnight ago, Penelope did not believe in love.Today, there was nothing she wanted more.
She just needed to convince Nicholas.
Up until now, he had always come to Penelope.It was past time for her to go to him.Or at least try her damnedest.
It might be too late.
She rushed from Gloria’s house without another word.She had taken too long already.The castle was enormous, but the staff was swift.They could have trunks packed and carriages ready in the wink of an eye.
Penelope raced up the snow-packed road toward the castle.If she did not catch him in time, she would lose more than her chance at a second trial.She didn’t even have an address to send him a letter.If she couldn’t find him, there wouldn’t be another opportunity.
She dashed in through the castle’s front doors and made her way past the reception buffet to the head housekeeper.
“Mrs.Blair,” she gasped, her lungs burning from racing up the steep hill.
The housekeeper smiled.“How can I help you, Miss Mitchell?”
Penelope took a deep breath.“Which guest chamber belongs to Nicholas Pringle?”
The housekeeper folded her arms across her ample bosom and gave Penelope a disapproving stare.“Just like I tell all the other ladies.The day after the party, milord gave me explicit instructions not to share that information with anyone.”
Penelope’s heart skipped.“He did?”
That was the same day Nicholas had first come to visit Penelope.
The housekeeper harrumphed.“And I won’t be making an exception for you.Marlowe Castle respects our guests’ privacy.”
A perfectly reasonable stance, and impossible to argue with.What next?
Penelope spun from the housekeeper in frustration and darted a panicked glance about the reception chamber.
Nicholas was nowhere to be seen, of course.He didn’t want biscuits and spiced wine.He wanted to be far away from a woman he believed didn’t love him.
