“Alistair is not a man I would consider suitable for Penelope. Nor any lady with a reputation to…” He stopped, aware he was allowing himself to slip into dangerous territory once more. He did not wish to speak ill of his friend in front of the Duke. He never would have been tempted to do so were it not for fact that the Duke was Penelope’s father.
“I am unkind. Forgive me. Alistair is a wonderful, loyal friend. He is just a little bit of a….”
“A rake?” The Duke said, head titled to one side. He scratched his chin. “I had heard. It has to be said, I’ve heard the same said about you. If it is true or not…” he shrugged.
“I assure you, I am no rake. I will admit to having enjoyed the company of a lady, engaged in dancing and drinking, and perhaps in a little too much merriment, but a rake… I would not go that far. As for Alistair… He seeks love and companionship and often believes he has found it when in reality it was a flight of fancy. This is why I expressed concern earlier.” He paused, then added, “You know I care for her. I always have.”
The Duke waved his hand. “I do. However, many a young lord flies from one beautiful flower to another, much like a butterfly. It’s not until they land on the right flower, as it were, that they settle down. In any case, if seems your friend has a genuine interest in Penelope and if he does, then I beg you not to interfere. Do not let these old, buried emotions of your childhood get the best of you. For your sake and hers, I venture to say it would be best that you pursue a courtship with someone who will not lead you into an outburst akin to your father’s.”
He leaned back and exhaled, closing his eyes as though he were ready to go to sleep.
“Are you unwell?” Daniel asked, alarm in his voice. To see the energy go out of the Duke’s body so suddenly was rather alarming. The man opened his eyes.
“I am old and weak. A ball such as this is rather taxing, I must admit. I shall retire to my chamber for the night. If you care to return to the ball, please tell my daughter that is where I have gone, thus she will not worry too much.”
He pushed himself up with strain, prompting Daniel to jump up and help him. Daniel positioned the walking stick in front of the Duke and ensured he found his balance before letting go of his thin, weak body.
The old man turned back to him and glanced up. It was then that Daniel realized just how small the Duke had become. He used to tower over Daniel, but now it was Daniel who could look down on him.
“Promise me to be responsible, Daniel. You made responsible choices when you were a boy, and I trust you will make them still, now that you are an adult.”
“I promise, Your Grace. Always.” He bowed before the man and watched as the Duke made his way out of the library, leaving Daniel alone once more. But thanks to the Duke’s wise council he was left with a determination he’d not previously known.
He knew exactly what he had to do. He spun around and in large steps, made his way back toward the ballroom, and toward his future.
Chapter 13
Penelope’s eyes grew large when she saw Daniel emerge from the back of the crowd, a half an hour after he’d departed with such haste. He looked different, she noted. The haunted expression no longer lingered on his face. Instead, there was something else. Something almost as alarming, yet she could not quite determine what it was.
He walked straight toward her and she rose from her seat next to Mr. Mavis and stepped forward. Why, she was not quite sure, but there was an odd pull the moment she laid eyes on him she found hard to ignore.
“Lady Penelope,” he said, using her title instead of just her name, as she had. Somehow it stung and she realized how he must have felt when she insisted upon calling him Lord Carlton instead of Daniel, ever since his return.
“Your father has asked me to inform you he is retiring to his chamber. He felt somewhat vexed at the crowd and requires rest.”
She blinked, taking in the information. She wasn’t sure what bothered her more, that he was so formal, as opposed to his earlier demeanor, or that he’d spent time conversing with her father, unbeknownst to her.
“Thank you for letting me know, Lord Carlton.”
They stood across from one another for a moment, looking at each other in silence before he took a deep breath of air and spoke again.
“I wondered if perhaps I might request your assistance in a matter.”
She looked up, intrigued.
“If I can assist you, then you know I will. What is it?”
He shook his head. “It is not something I wish to discuss here. Perhaps I might call on you in the morrow? For breakfast? We may converse then.”
She nodded and before further conversation could be made, Mr. Mavis joined them.
“Gadzooks! Old chum, I was about to send out the constables to search for you. Where have you been? Involved in a conversation with a lovely lady?” He winked at Penelope but she did not feel like joining in the jesting.
“I had a rather enlightening conversation with His Grace, but I trust you kept Lady Penelope and Miss Hughes thoroughly entertained.”
“But of course, My Lord. You know me.” He stood with his hands held out, palms facing up as if to present himself. “Ever the perfect host, even when I am not hosting.” He chuckled and a whiff of cognac struck Penelope.
I did not see him indulge in any drink, yet he surely smells of it.
