Now, that was really interesting. Penelope decided that she was not going to let go of it so easily.
“I’m not,” Odette said immediately, snatching at the book, but Penelope stepped back, holding it just out of reach.
“No?” Penelope teased. “So then what explains this reaction of yours? If I did not know any better, I would think that you do not wish for anyone to know about your reading appetite.”
“I just picked it up randomly,” Odette muttered, rolling her eyes . “I didn’t even know what it was about.”
“Right,” Penelope chuckled, “You just happened to stumble upon a very well-used copy of this book and thought that this is what you must read at this hour.”
Odette tried to snatch the book again, but Penelope darted behind one of the chairs, laughing.
“Give it back!” Odette demanded, chasing her now.
“Absolutely not,” Penelope called over her shoulder, dodging her easily. “Not until you admit that youdoenjoy a good romance .”
“I don’t!” Odette huffed, though she was laughing now, too.
“Don’t lie to a duchess,” Penelope grinned. “It’s terribly bad form.”
“You’re not even arealduchess,” Odette said, narrowing her eyes.
“I am,” Penelope gasped with mock offense. “Certainly more real than the duchess you are reading about in your novel. A good choice, I might add.”
Odette paused for a moment. “You’ve read this book before?”
“Why do you seem surprised?” Penelope grinned, delighted to have the upper hand for once.
“It’s just that…” Odette hesitated, “well, I do not know anyone else that likes to read these novels.”
“I am happy that you are at least admitting to yourself that you like them,” Penelope gloated.
“I didn’t admit anything,” the young girl scowled.
“You did,” Penelope sang. “And I’m very proud of you. The first step is acceptance.”
Odette looked like she might argue, but then restrained herself.
“I just think they’re… easy to read.”
“Of course,” Penelope said, teasingly. “And nothing else, surely?”
“I also…” Odette hesitated, “well, I like the banter. It is fun to read it, I suppose.”
“A woman after my own heart,” Penelope said, eyes lighting up. “Nowthatis a proper admission.”
The girl made a soft noise of protest and turned slightly away. Penelope felt her heart sink. This was the most conversation that they had made, ever. She had to make the most of it, while she still had the chance.
“You know,” she said gently, “when I was your age, I wasn’t allowed to read anything more exciting than a sermon or a dull history book. I used to sneak romances under my pillow and read them by candlelight. We did not have a library as large as yours while growing up, though I suspect that I might have been an ever greater menace if I did.”
That seemed to catch her attention. “Did you never get caught?”
“Once or twice, maybe,” Penelope grinned. “I was really careful. Even Isadora, my older sister, was none the wiser.”
Penelope drew particular satisfaction in watching the surprise flicker across the young girl’s face.
“What?” Penelope asked. “Did you not think me capable?”
Odette pressed her lips together, “You can say that.”
