“Have you indulged in any of the fine delicacies on offer in the drawing room? It would be a shame to let it all go to waste.”
“I have not. Not yet. Perhaps we ought to have some now? Before the quadrille? Judging by the dancing, I suppose we have a little time. What do you think, Lady Penelope? As hostess of the evening, I suppose you know the order of the music.”
Penelope peered at the orchestra. They were in the middle of playing one of the country dances.
“The quadrille will follow the Scottish Reel, which is the next piece.”
Daniel rubbed his hands together, a grin on his face. Penelope found herself taking a step back. There was something a little dishonest in his expression, as if it were not a genuine grin but one forced upon his face. He had a habit of it when they were children. He’d fool everyone but her.
“Well then,” he said. “Let us go and indulge.”
Mr. Mavis shook his head. “I would love to, alas, I am rather full. However—” He turned and waved at Bridget who was standing nearby, conversing with Kathleen. The moment she laid her eyes on Daniel, Penelope saw the spark that had been there the entire evening whenever Daniel was close by. At once, she hastened over to them and beamed at Daniel.
“Lord Carlton, what a delight you have rejoined us.”
“His lordship here has just informed me that he is absolutely famished. Do you think you could be a dear and accompany him to the drawing room, lest he comes over all faint?”
It was no surprise to Penelope that Bridget jumped at the opportunity to converse with Daniel without the interference of either Mr. Mavis or Penelope, and the two soon bade farewell to them, leaving Penelope alone with Daniel’s friend.
“I reckon they will make a smashing couple,” he noted.
Penelope stood and watch as the two walked away, a sick feeling in her stomach. It was as though her insides were being gripped by a fist and squeezed so hard her could barely breathe. The feeling did not subside all night. Not when she watched the Scottish Reel conclude before her. Not when she danced the quadrille with the ever-attentive Mr. Mavis. Not when she watched the hour change from evening into night.
It was not until she retreated to the sanctuary of her chamber, having bade farewell to all of her guests, that she found relief. And even then, it was only temporary, for she already knew that when morning broke, the feeling would haunt her once more. And it did.
Chapter 14
The following morning, Daniel sat across from Penelope at the table in the breakfast room where they’d taken so many meals together over the years. He had to force his eyes from closing as he had hardly slept a wink the previous night. The nightmares that haunted him for so long, and which recently decreased in frequency, had now returned with a vengeance. It seemed the more time he spent around Penelope and her father, the more intense they became.
He was convinced the reason for their return was due to his being near Penelope. His desire to be around her and the longing in his heart he could not deny were triggering a myriad of memories and forgotten feelings to overwhelm him.
But this is why I am here. To chase away these thoughts and feelings. The Duke was right. I must ensure that I am in a position in life where I am never at risk of losing control. A steady, convenient life.
His eyes fell on the Duke who was seated in a chair near the window, reading the morning paper. Daniel was well aware that even when the older man seemed to be occupied with the paper, his ears were tuned to their conversation.
“What a delicious display,” Daniel said as his eyes wandered over the rolls, honey bread, and plum cakes and he at last reached for a hot roll, tearing it open with his hands instead of the knife which remained untouched by his plate. The thought of the delicate food filling his stomach helped him focus his thoughts and chase away the fatigue. He pulled out the soft middle part of the roll and rolled it in his hand into a ball.
A chuckle rose from Penelope, who was sitting in a pretty primrose-colored round gown, a white embroidered shawl draped around her shoulders. Her hair was pinned up with ringlets falling into her pale face. She was a vision, he could not deny it. She’d grown into exactly the kind of woman he’d always imagined. As beautiful as she was graceful.
“Is something amusing, Lady Penelope?” As soon as he’d asked, he realized that she, too, had removed the soft center from her roll and was holding it in her hand.
“I was indeed amused at the sight of you rolling your bread dough. So many years have passed, and so much as changed but it seems tastes never do.”
For a moment there was an easy silence between them and Daniel felt such a sense of relief he could hardly explain it. It was the first time since they’re seen each other that a heavy tension did not hang between them.
“My taste certainly has not,” he smiled, and then tipped his spoon into the orange marmalade on the table, splattering his roll with it before using the dough ball to wipe the spoon clean. With a grin, he turned the spoon over for her to take. As she did, the tips of their fingers touched. The sudden contact caused such a jolt to run through him that Daniel let go of the spoon before she had a good grip on it and it crashed into her teacup, causing hot tea to splash out over the rim and onto the delicate satin tablecloth.
“By Jove! I am sorry, Lady Penelope.” He jumped up to dab at the spill with his napkin when a servant rushed forth and took over the task.
“Do not fret, Daniel,” the Duke said from his seat at the table. “Penelope has a tendency to be a little clumsy at times, too. As you know from childhood, I am sure.”
“Papa!” Penelope complained at the slight and Daniel found himself suddenly breaking into a wide grin. This felt ever so much like his childhood days. They would take their meals together and often a squabble would break out, either between Daniel and Penelope or between one of them and the Duke. Always good-natured, always warm.
For a brief moment, he and Penelope looked at one another and they were transported back to those innocent early days of their friendship when they had healed somewhat from the sudden loss in their young lives and had settled into a new, unusual family unit. Alas, it did not last, for if he meant to or not, the Duke broke through the moment.
“Daniel, before you upend the entire breakfast table by accident, might you like to share what brought us the honor of your attendance at breakfast?”
Daniel cleared his throat while forcing himself to look Penelope in the face. He spotted the uncertainly and anxiety on her visage at once and felt badly for keeping her in suspense.
