“I’d love to dance the quadrille with you,” she trilled before he could tell her that he intended to dance no more tonight.
His mouth opened but no words came out. Instead, it was Alistair who once again spoke up. “Well, glorious. We will dance in pairs again. Alas, it is not time for the quadrille just yet. How about we retire to the drawing room and take a refreshment?”
As the two ladies agreed to the proposal with enthusiasm, Daniel found himself unable to remain among them for a moment longer. He had to get away from them to calm his mind, and to regain control of his temper. For if he remained in their company and continued to observe Alistair’s advances upon Penelope, he feared his anger would take him over completely.
“I cannot. I must step away for a short while. You three enjoy your refreshments. I, for one, shall not join.”
“Daniel!” Alistair called out as Daniel turned and walked away in haste, leaving the small group to glance after him, perplexed by his sudden departure.
Chapter 11
Penelope looked after Daniel as he rushed out of the ballroom and disappeared behind one of the marble pillars.
“He does not seem himself,” she commented. Then she realized, she had no idea what he was like these days. She could only reference the time many years ago, when she’d known him better than she’d known herself. But that was then. This man, this dandy who lived far away in London and moved in circles she’d never aspire to be a part of—she didn’t know him.
London never interested her. While most of her friends chose to have their coming-out balls in London and relished in the fanfare of being in the capital, it didn’t suit her. She preferred the quiet of the country to the bustle of the city. The few times she’d ventured into London she felt much like a fish out of water. She didn’t belong there, and she knew it. Penelope was a country girl in her heart and she liked it that way.
Alistair Mavis seemed to agree with her, nonetheless. “He does not, I must say. There is much on his mind.”
Penelope continued to look off into the direction he’d gone in, contemplating what might have caused him to behave in such a way. She did not get much time to ponder the question, however, as beside her Bridget took her arm.
“It must be difficult to return home after so long. Perhaps he only needs a little bit of distance. Do not take it hard, Penny. He will return shortly. I dare say, while I do not know him well, I found him to be very pleasant company. And a delight to dance with. I hope he returns in time for the quadrille.”
Penny squeezed her friends’ forearm with her hand as they, accompanied by Mr. Mavis, made their way into the drawing room. “I hope he does,” Penny agreed.
“I will have a word with him later on. However, I have an idea why he might be acting a little flustered,” Mr. Mavis said, leaning into Penelope. His voice was lowered almost to a whisper.
“Indeed?”
He nodded at her and indicated for her to follow him—without Bridget. This turned out to not be difficult at all, for Bridget almost immediately spotted another of her friends at the table containing the honey and plum cakes and excused herself to greet her.
“I believe the reason Daniel is acting peculiar may be because he has lost his heart at last.”
Penelope froze, her eyes growing wide. “His heart?”
Mr. Mavis grinned at her. “One can lose one’s heart rather quickly and unexpectedly. And I believe our mutual friend has lost his.” He indicated toward Bridget, who had her back turned to them. “She is a lovely young woman, your friend.”
Penelope smiled. “She is a dear. A true diamond of the first water.” She meant the words which crossed her lips, but inside there was a deep sense of melancholy.
Why should it bother me if Daniel cares for her? It is not as though he is anything to me anymore. And yet…I have never stopped thinking of him. Nor wanting to see him or talk to him again. Despite all the pain. If only I could understand why he left me in such turmoil.
“I wonder, Lady Penelope, what he was like as a boy.”
She blinked and looked at Daniel’s good friend who peered down at her with a smile on his handsome face. His eyes—a deep, warm brown, sparkled. She was well aware that he was keen on her. She might not be the most perceptive of ladies, but even she could tell it just by the way he lingered near her at all times.
“He was shy. Even before…” she paused, wondering for a moment if this man who appeared to be such a close friend truly knew the tragedy Daniel had gone through. To her relief, he nodded, his cocky expression changing to one of compassion.
“I know just what you are thinking, My Lady. And yes. I know all about our friend’s upbringing and what led him to live with you. I know of the bad dreams which plague him to this day.”
She gasped. ‘They haunt him still? Those terrible memories?”
Alistair’s eyebrows furrowed and his jaw set as he considered her.
“He does. Just last week he suffered a nightmare. He will never tell me what they are, but it is easy to deduct his father’s deeds are the cause.”
He looked at her as if he wanted to ask her if she knew. She averted her eyes, instead looking at the dessert table where Daniel’s favorites, the nonpareils, sat hardly touched at all.
“Has he ever spoken of me?” She heard the words cross her lips before she could stop herself. Embarrassed, she shook her head. “Never mind. Please, ignore my words. It does not matter.”
