“I am sorry to disturb but I was told to inform your ladyship at once when Lord Carlton returns.”
Penelope blinked at this information. Was it already so late?
“I will be there in a moment.” Looking at Mrs. Swinson, she reached for her arm only to have the woman step back.
“I ought not to have opened my mouth. I am sorry, Lady Penelope. Please excuse me.”
“No, Mrs. Swinson. Do not leave me in suspense. What is it you wished to say?”
Alas, the housekeeper’s face had grown pale and she looked from Penelope to the footman and back, shaking her head.
“Nothing, please forget I ever spoke. I must attend to the kitchen now, excuse me.” She curtsied and rushed away, leaving Penelope to stand on the landing as she watched. Suddenly she realized the oddity of her present situation. The housekeeper was rushing away toward the left, taking with her secrets of the past, while on the right, Daniel was arriving with news of the future.
And here she was, trapped in the middle, between a past veiled in shadows and a future equally unclear. As she turned to learn if she was to be married, she could not help but think of the housekeeper’s words.
“Oh Mama, dearest Mama. If only you were here to share your secrets with me. If you were, would you approve of my actions?”
She knew that there would be no answer and thus, she could do nothing but descend the staircase and make her way toward the man who might soon be her husband.
Chapter 29
Daniel made his way toward Branigan Manor with a beating heart. Every part of him wanted to slow the horse and to turn around. However, he knew he could not. He’d made a promise to himself to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
He slowed his horse as he approached the house and dismounted. A young footman hastened toward him and took the reins from him. Daniel could tell from the look in the young man’s eyes that he held a low opinion of him—an opinion that was shared with most of his own servants.
These past few days since the Harvest Festival had been among the worst of his life. Not just because of the immense guilt he felt when it came to Penelope, but because of the way he was viewed.
He could see it in the faces of almost anyone he met. The silent judgement, and the unspoken accusation. While it was Penelope who bore the brunt of the scandal, he knew that he, too, was being judged. He was being looked down upon as well.
Do they see my father in me, I wonder? Is this considered a sign of madness? Perhaps I am mad to marry the woman whose presence triggers such strong emotion in me. But then, I do not intend to tell her my true feelings, as she has made clear what she thinks of me. No, I will have to follow her lead and be cold and distant as best I can. And hope that with time our marriage will remove the stain from her reputation. Then, perhaps, we can be civil with one another and live side by side, married in name only.
He shuddered suddenly as a breeze shook the leaves of the acorn tree outside the grand Manor. He cleared his throat and climbed up the seven steep stone steps. He was smiling to himself, remembering how as children they had made a game of jumping off each step, challenging each other to jump from the topmost one. Yes, suddenly the memory was as clear as day in his mind, causing him to smile.
“Truly, I see nothing whatsoever amusing about our situation,” Penelope’s voice sounded out. He looked up, his smile freezing. She was standing in the doorway, her head leaning against the frame. It was with great relief that he noticed her looking much better than the previous day. She was still very thin but her face had some color to it once more and her eyes were brighter—no longer haunted by lack of sleep.
She was dressed in a simple cream-colored gown that bore little embroidery. A blue shawl was draped around her shoulders and a matching capote hid most of her hair.
“I was remembering the day you and I decided to jump off the top step after a rain storm. Do you remember? I slipped and fell directly into a puddle. I ought to have told Alistair the story when he slipped in the mud upon arrival here.”
She shrugged. “I recall. It was silly. We did a great many silly things when we were young.”
He looked down and shook his head. Distance. He had to retain his distance from her, lest something awful should happen. It almost made it easier that she was so very angry at him.
“We did.” He stopped at the top step and set his eyes on her.
“Did you… were you successful?” There was hesitation in her voice. He could tell that she did not wish to marry but knew she had no choice.
He reached into the pocket of his greatcoat and pulled out the folded license.
“I was. It arrived only two hours ago. Alas… Mr. Mavis rode into London yesterday after I departed here, to ask his father for assistance. His father, the Baron Fernley, is familiar with the Archbishop and was able to bring about this.” He held it up and handed it to her. She frowned as she took it from him and unfolded the paper.
“A special license? I see you are in rather a rush. Expensive to get.” She handed the paper back to him. He was surprised that she knew the details and cost of such a document.
“The cost is the least of my concerns. And this is the only license which will allow us to marry at once without having to read the banns or wait several days. I believe it best to simply wed and inform your father once we have done so.”
Penelope averted her eyes and sighed. “I suppose.” She turned her head, her face stern. “I hope you are aware that this arrangement is just that. An arrangement to save us both from the results of our actions. I do not wish you to be mistaken in the idea that this is anything else. Certainly, I will not…”
She stopped, pressing her lips together. He noticed the vein on her forehead pulsing, something he recalled from childhood. It used to happen when she was highly upset but would not show it.
