“Right, sure,” Penelope nodded, still not entirely sure of who they were talking about. “We shall try to be back within the hour.”
“No,” Alexander interrupted and then glanced over at Odette, “Take your time. Odette does not get to go out to the town too often. You can make a day out of it, and take her to the dressmaker’s shop.”
“Oh, I have no interest in buying a dress,” Odette huffed, folding her arms in front of her. “I have plenty of clothes already.”
“Your father is right,” Penelope jumped in. “You are a growing young lady, and a wardrobe refresh might do you wonders.”
Odette snarled at the idea. For a moment, Penelope wondered if she had pushed her too far and that she would decline altogether. But just the next moment, she grumbled a short agreement.
“Fine.”
Alexander and Penelope exchanged a look, relieved.
“Perfect,” Penelope clapped her hands together. “Let’s get you changed out of these clothes first, and then head out.”
Odette stomped off the field, already making her way inside the estate.
Alexander paused, lingering around Penelope for a moment before finally speaking. “I expect you to be very responsible around her.”
“You do not need to tell me that,” Penelope said, mildly offended. “I will make sure that she does not land into trouble.”
“In any case, you will have assistance,” Alexander nodded. “Report back to me when the day ends.”
A while later, Penelope finally found what Alexander had meant byassistance.As she reached the estate gates with Odette, who was now dressed in a simple high- waisted gown, she noticed two rather burly gentlemen waiting for them.
“Good evening, Your Grace, Lady Odette,” they said in unison.
“Are you…” Penelope squinted up warily. They towered over her and had to be nearly seven feet tall. One of their biceps was nearly the size of her thighs. “Fergus and Lewis?”
“Aye,” one of them nodded, “Fergus.”
“Lewis,” the other one repeated in the same tone.
“Right,” Penelope pursed her lips.
“We report directly to the duke,” Lewis grinned, seeming pleased at the thought. “Been many years now, we’re by his side.”
“They’re Father’s personal bodyguards,” Odette explained to a still confused Penelope.
“Oh,” Penelope exclaimed. Looking at their size, the two gentlemen could easily pass for assassins. “I did not know His Grace needed such protections.”
“Aye, best be safe,” Lewis drawled. “It’s a harsh world out there, Your Grace. His Grace ordered us to keep a strict eye on you today.”
“We are only going into the town,” Penelope argued. She had done the same many times before, and never once did she require being guarded like this.
“We won’t bother ya,” Fergus chimed in. “Don’t you worry.”
His lips curled upwards into a smile, which was an unsettling sight when paired with his large physique and otherwise dangerous demeanor. Something about seeingso many teethon a man that large made Penelope inch back involuntarily.
“Please stop doing that,” Odette said, taking notice of her discomfort. “You’ll scare someone.”
“Odette!” Penelope gasped softly.
“What?” the girl shrugged, unapologetic. “It’s true. And I know you agree with me, as well.”
It was hard to argue. Theywerefrightening, but she would never tell that to their face.
Fergus let out a booming laugh, seeming amused rather than offended. Penelope wondered if he was used to such reactions.
