“It boggles my mind, really,” Alexander stated as they entered the ballroom, “that just a few moments ago, you were this little ferocious thing. And now you are dressed so prettily, so much so that you might just be the prettiest girl in the room.”
Penelope laughed out loudly at that.
“Well, a woman is allowed to be many things at once,” she remarked. “This is what I keep trying to explain to you. Why is it that we must only be dainty, or that we must only know how to fight?”
“Yes, yes,” Alexander grinned. “You have driven home the point that you can be both.”
As they approached, they noticed Isadora waiting for them, along with her two friends Daphne and Violet.
“My, my, my,” Isadora’s eyes brightened at once. “My sister looks so beautiful this evening. Truly, you’ve outshone every lady here.”
“I believe you exaggerate, dear sister,” Penelope laughed softly.
“Nonsense,” Isadora replied with a wink. “I am sure that the duke must agree.”
Alexander nodded. “I have been saying this to her since we entered the ballroom.”
“Well, Your Grace, it is good to see you,” Daphne chimed in. “I must say that London is not quite used to seeing you at these balls. Have you finally given up your reclusive ways?”
Alexander’s lips curved wryly, and he looked at Penelope, who was blushing now.
“I suppose I have been tamed by the Duchess’ charms.”
“Oh, that’s quite the statement,” Violet added. “Because I believe that the exact opposite has happened, actually. It is Penelope who has been tamed by this union.”
Alexander looked at Penelope, amused. Before Penelope could reply, Isadora took her sister’s arm and drew her aside. “By the way, I must tell you something impotant. Father sent a letter this morning,” she said in an urgent whisper. “He wishes to meet with us soon, because there’s an announcement he must make.”
“An announcement?” Penelope’s brow furrowed. “Did he say what it concerned?”
Isadora shook her head. “Only that it’s a matter of family importance.”
“Ah,” Penelope frowned. “Well, I shall think of it later. Tonight, I wish to enjoy the evening with my husband.”
When she returned to the group of friends, Alexander seemed to be seeking her out as well.
“May I have this dance, duchess,” he asked in front of everyone, drawing a few delighted chuckles from the group.
“You may, Your Grace,” She placed her hand in his, “In fact, I thought you were never going to ask me.”
They stepped onto the dance floor. She rememebered the first time they had danced together. It felt like a lifetime ago now, as so much had changed between them since. Their connection had grown closer, and their love had grown.
“You know, I used to find all of this so frivolous,” Alexander admitted.
“What? Dancing?”
Alexander nodded. “I thought it was boring, and it served no purpose.”
“And have you changed your mind since?” Penelope asked in a teasing tone.
“Considering I pulled you over to the dance floor,” he laughed, “I would say that my mind has now changed. I do not understand why but everything is just so different with you.”
Penelope could only nod. She felt the same way. Normal things that felt ordinary felt special when she did them with Alexander.
“I suppose we are both blinded by the spell of love,” she said.
“Then I hope we remain blinded forever,” Alexander grinned.
“What happened to you being a man of practicality?” Penelope challenged. “Never would I have imagined that you should wish to be blinded by anything.”
