“Father,” she replied, feeling the uneasiness creep up inside her already.
Isadora leaned in as George distracted himself momentarily, “I tried to come without him, I swear. But he insisted. Said it would be improper if he weren’t present.”
“It’s fine,” she murmured back. “I’ve endured him for most of my life. I think I can manage another afternoon.”
Isadora gave her hand a small squeeze in response, as if to sayif you say so.
“I’ve been keeping busy,” she said more brightly, her voice raised just enough for her father to hear. “We’ve made a number of changes to the house. Come, I’ll show you.”
She led Isadora around the drawing room, “I had the walls repainted. This new color, I believe, makes the room appear larger.”
“It’s lovely. Very tasteful,” Isadora nodded encouragingly. “It’s really amazing to see you step into the Duchess role. I feel like a proud mother, really.”
“I see he lets you play decorator now,” George said, still from his place of sitting. “I imagine the two of you must not have much to talk about, so it is good that you are given something to do around the house.”
Penelope closed her eyes for a moment, preparing herself. She knew that George would not rest until he had caused some kind of stir.
“The Duke values my opinion,” Penelope said . “And I think that we have plenty to talk about. You need not worry about it, Father.”
George scoffed, crossing his arms in front of him.
“And during these little conversations of yours,” George’s mouth turned upwards into a smirk. “Does he tell you anything about that business of his?”
George was predictable. He always went for the lowest hanging fruit, and for Alexander, that happened to be the gentleman’s club. Penelope knew better than to let it rile her up.
“His business is his own,” she replied. “And it’s not something that concerns you.”
“But it does concern me, dearest,” George went on, putting up an act of concern. “I have heard many things about his little establishment, and it is only natural for a father to worry. I would not wish for him to drag my daughter’s name through the mud.”
“He is not dragging anything through the mud,” Penelope said sharply. “His business is successful, respectable, and legal.”
George scoffed again. “You think a place like that is respectable? Or is that something he told you to say?”
“You’ve never been there,” she said, growing more irritated by the second. “So I would advise you to not speak of things you don’t understand.”
“Let’s not get into an argument so quickly,” Isadora jumped in. “We have only just arrived, and it would be better if we behaved well, Father. We are guests, after all.”
It was sad, really, how a grown man had to be lectured like this on etiquette by his own daughters. Penelope muttered a small ‘‘thank you’’ under her breath to Isadora.
“I am not arguing,” George countered with a shrug, seeming bored already. “I am only curious to know more. I have heard things about him. Does he gamble?”
“He does not,” Penelope said firmly.
“I find that hard to believe,” George replied. “Considering the nature of his business, especially. I would ask you to keep a watchful eye on him.”
Penelope gritted her teeth. Her father was crossing all boundaries already. She had half a mind to tell him off, but realized that it would only reflect badly on her, if she did.
“In fact,” George continued on, “I would advise him to stay away from such things. You do not wish for him to blow his fortune away.”
“Well, thank you for the unsolicited advice, Father. We are doing just fine, though.” Penelope said sweetly. “But for your sake, I’ll be sure to pass it along to my husband, right after I tell him how fortunate he is to have the guidance of a man who’s never managed to hold onto a fortune of his own.”
Isadora pressed her lips together tightly to hide her amusement.
George’s eyes narrowed. She had clearly stuck a nerve with him.
“Well, then,” he said, adjusting his coat. “If everything’s going so well… are you expecting yet?”
Penelope froze. She had not expected him to bring up the topic so bluntly.
