Daniel smiled. Despite their differences, Alistair was a man he could always rely upon. It was the beauty of their friendship.
“I know you had an eye on Penelope,” he said quietly. Alistair shrugged.
“She is a fine young lady and very handsome to look at. I would have liked to get to know her more. At the end of the day, however, you are not wrong. I am not ready to settle down. I must confess I am not sure you are, either. But your mind is made up and you must do what you deem right.”
He paused and blinked as if pondering his next comment. “Say… Between us. Do you love her?”
Daniel’s eyes grew wide for he had not expected this question at all. “Love? This is a union out of duty. Not love.”
Alistair grinned. “That is not at all what I asked you. I know why you will wed her. I want to know how you truly feel. For I have seen how you look at Miss Hughes. There is appreciation and affection in your eyes, but when you look at Lady Penelope it is entirely different. You look at her with… love. It is as simple as that.”
He shook his head. “Once upon a time I loved her. But it no longer matters. She blames me for what happened and anything that could have been between us died long ago. I am not good for her and if I had my way, I’d see her married to a wonderful man who can give her the life she deserves. But as fate has placed us in this quandary, I can only do for her what is in my power to do.”
He shrugged and turned his eyes away from his friend who smiled at him with an expression of utter empathy on his face.
“That, my friend, tells me everything I need to know.” He placed a hand on his shoulder. “I hope for your sake that you are wrong and all is not lost. I would hate the thought of you spending your life miserable. Now. Which is your fastest horse?”
“Firefly, of course. He will get you to Oxford at least, before you have to stop.”
“Very well, I shall get him saddled up while you write your notifications. I shall see you at the stables soon.”
His friend turned and rushed toward his chamber to collect what he needed for the journey. With a heavy heart, Daniel went into his study and took out his ink jar. As he sat down, he felt himself overcome with a sudden bout of melancholy.
To think that I will be wed to the woman I love—and yet never truly be with her. It is a curse. On us both.
As tears of sorrow welled up in his eyes, he sat and began to write the words which would seal his fate. And hers.
Chapter 28
Penelope sat at the window and looked outside at the setting sun. The last twenty-four hours had passed much too fast for her liking, as she had not yet decided what it was that she should do. The idea of marrying Daniel was terrifying because she knew that they would have to be together for the rest of their lives, and not in a happy manner.
And yet, she knew it was the only thing that would salvage her reputation and restore her to the status of respectable young lady. She leaned her head against the glass when a familiar sound drifted down the hall. It was the sound of her father’s cane hitting the marbled floor. At once, she sat up straight and rushed into the hall. Indeed, at the end of the hall was her father.
He was walking beside a footman who kept an eye on him. He seemed a lot less frail than she’d feared and she rushed to greet him at once.
“Papa!” She called out and hastened toward him. He stopped and leaned heavily on his cane as he looked at her. When she was almost at his side, he raised a hand to stop her. For a moment, she feared he might fall but he remained steady on his feet.
“I haven’t the time, Penelope. I must attend to affairs of the estate.”
She stopped in her tracks and looked at him. His face was hard, his eyes cold. There was nothing of her usually loving father left in him. While he did not look as weak as she’d feared, his demeanor was infinitely worse.
“But I have not seen you in days, Papa. Would you not care for a cup of tea?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “I cannot bear to entertain your company, Penelope. The disappointment and vexation are too great. I cannot act as though nothing has happened. I have had letter upon letter from various gentlemen in the area to report on your conduct and each appears worse. You have done great harm to us.” He shook his head. “I am only happy your mother is not here to witness this shame brought upon our name.”
He brushed past her but within a few steps stopped and hunched over as if in pain.
“Papa!” She called out and ran to his side just as the footman bent over him. “What is the matter, Papa?”
He coughed and clutched the side of his chest. “It is my heart.” He gasped and his eyes grew large with fear. “Penelope, I must return to my chamber. I am not strong enough yet.”
“Let me escort you, please.”
He glanced up at her for a moment and gave her one deep nod. She wrapped her arm around his and together with the footman, walked him back to his chamber. They seated him in his armchair, his cane leaning against the side.
“Thank you, Hector,” he said, dismissing the man. When he was gone Penelope stood beside him, stepping from one foot to the other in a nervous manner. She wasn’t sure what to do or say as he’d made it clear how he felt about her presence. And yet, now she was in his chamber and they were alone she felt the pressing need to speak to him, to beg him to forgive her. To ask his advice when it came to Daniel.
“Penelope, I require rest. I have taken on too much and I …”
