Her father dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “That I did. I sent him away because your connection was concerning. Two young people, unrelated, under one roof… I thought it unwise to allow you to stay together given the obvious bond between you. It was not proper. Thus, I sent him to Eton.”
“You did not tell me any such thing. You told me you were sending me away because I was dangerous to Penelope, because of the madness in my blood. You told me so more than once. You convinced me to marry Bridget Hughes when we conversed at the ball.”
The old man shook his head. “No, Daniel. I am afraid that is not true. You and I never conversed at the ball.” He sighed deeply then and looked at Penelope. “You see, my darling? He is already showing the signs of madness just like his father. You know I would never lie to you. You’d believe your dear Papa over a man with such an ill reputation, who so heartlessly hurt not just you, but your dearest friend, would you not?”
Penelope’s mouth opened and for a moment, she was confused. She loved her father and she’d been there for him her entire life. He’d never lied to her. But then, she knew Daniel was not mad. There was nothing amiss about him. There were no signs of madness. Suddenly, she felt Daniel’s hold on her hand loosen and she realized he was looking to pull his hand away. When she glanced at him, she saw his face had frozen, his eyes were empty, staring straight ahead.
He believes Papa. He has believed him all of his life. And he believes him still. Yet, I know that Papa has kept things from us both.
An anger built inside of her at her father as he was confusing Daniel further.
“I do not believe you, Papa. You lied to me about sending Daniel away. No matter what reason you gave him, you lied to me. You told me you sent him away because he needed schooling to be a proper Earl. You said nothing of any other concerns, not even when I asked you. If you did not tell me the truth then, why should I believe you now?”
Daniel turned to her, surprised at her words. They seemed to draw him out of the uncertainty he’d been trapped in. With conviction, Daniel turned to him.
“Yes, why should she? You’ve lied not only to her, but to me. And now you are lying again. We spoke. You said all the things I declared you said, and we did speak at the ball. Why do you deny it? Why are you attempting to make me believe I am mad like my father?”
A pair of footsteps sounded out from the hall as Daniel spoke, startling Penelope.
“Perhaps I might be able to explain.” A soft, female voice spoke up. The blood froze in Penelope’s veins as the voice made its way to her ear. She knew the voice. She’d not heard it in a long time, but she was sure it was… No. It could not be. Or could it? Slowly, she turned.
To her surprise, she saw Mr. Percival standing there and beside him, the owner of the voice. Her mouth dropped open when she saw her. While she had aged, she still remained almost exactly as Penelope remembered her.
For standing before her, was none other than Katherine, Duchess of Branigan. Her mother. Alive and unscathed.
Chapter 38
Daniel’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the woman. She looked so much like Penelope that there was no doubt as to who she was, even if he had never seen her portrait hung in the drawing room. She was a great beauty still, although it was easy to see she’d lived a difficult life. She was not dressed as a Duchess would be. Her gown was a simple round gown and her pelisse made of a cheap material. A simple straw bonnet sat on her head, allowing only a few greying hairs to be seen.
He held onto Penelope’s hand as she gripped his. It was almost as though she were holding onto him because she was afraid of what would happen if she let go.
“What are you doing here?” Penelope’s father’s voice boomed. Daniel’s head whipped around and he saw the man jump up with a vigor one would not have expected from a person so frail and sickly. The chair he’d been seated on fell over and hit the marbled floor with a clang, calling forth the immediate attention of a footman and Mrs. Swinson. Upon seeing the former lady of the house, the housekeeper stopped and paled.
“My Lady! I mean…Your …. your….” If it were not for Mr. Percival and his quick action, the lady would have passed out on the floor. As it was, Mr. Percival steadied her and gently handed her off to the footman to attend to her needs.
“Mama?” Penelope’s voice sounded soft, almost as if she were a young girl again.
The woman turned to her and smiled. “I am. And I am so glad to see you again after all of these years. You do not know how much I longed to see you.”
“See her? How dare you make such a demand? You trollop, you have no rights to see her or to be here.” The Duke of Branigan rushed forward and stood across from the woman in a moment. Had it not been, once again, for Mr. Percival, who had yet to say a word, he surely would have grabbed the woman with his bare hands.
“Papa!” Penelope called out. “You are walking. Without aid. Without…” Her eyes widened and Daniel then realized it, too. The old man was not at all frail. He was, in fact, in perfect health it seemed. Hearing his daughter’s voice caused him to turn, the red angry face softening.
“I… The surge of the anger at seeing this vile person, I suppose. I do feel quite unwell, I must say.” He held onto the back of the chair now but Daniel could not help but sneer at him.
“Please, do not take us for fools any longer, you have done so enough. You are not weak nor are you ill. Just as I have not inherited my father’s madness.”
“I am ill! How dare you tell me of my own health. You are no good, just like your father.”
“Enough!” Penelope screamed, letting go of Daniel’s hand as she covered her ears with her hands. She breathed heavily as if in a panic and Daniel turned to her at once, holding onto her arms and gently prying them away from her ears.
“You are safe. I will protect you, no matter what. We are together.”
To think that just a few moments ago the Duke had me doubt myself. To think I was willing to once again believe him, believe that I am mad myself. And now look at him. It is all lies and his own daughter is reduced to tears due to his behavior.
Beside him, the woman stepped closer but Penelope shrank away from her and toward Daniel.
“I think it is time you told us why you are here. What you want.”
