Penelope’s heart squeezed. She did not need to ask her who she was referring to.
“I think she would’ve loved you. You’re her daughter,” Penelope replied immediately.
“But she didn’t know me,” Odette said quickly. “Besides, Father always says that I am too troublesome for my own good.”
“He says that with affection, Odette. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when you’re not paying attention,” Penelope said. “He really loves you.”
“But he’s always so serious. Like he’s waiting for me to break something.”
“He’s scared of losing you,” Penelope said gently. “You’re the most important person in his life.”
“He never says things like that,” she murmured.
“Your father doesn’t always use words to show how he feels,” Penelope sighed.
Odette made a small, frustrated sound. “It doesn’t feel like love when I’m being scolded for wanting to go outside or ride past the stables.”
“It’s because he’s afraid,” Penelope smiled, “Sometimes, people love so much, they mistake protection for control. Especially when they’ve lost before.”
The girl didn’t answer, but her gaze softened.
“He always acts like he knows what’s best for me.”
“He acts like he’s never wrong,” Penelope nodded.
“Exactly,” Odette gave a tiny laugh, surprised.
Penelope let out a slow breath and leaned back on her hands again, glancing toward the edge of the field where the old stone wall stood, marking the boundary of the estate.
“Well,” she said lightly, “this conversation has gotten rather heavy, hasn’t it?”
Odette looked at her with a half-smile, then shrugged. “You started it.”
“I suppose I did,” Penelope said with a grin. “In that case, I should be the one to lighten the mood.”
“How?” Odette raised an eyebrow.
Penelope tilted her head toward the distant fence. “What if we stepped outside it? Just for a short walk. Nothing scandalous, we won’t go far. Just enough to stretch our legs beyond the borders.”
“Outside the fence? Father would…” Odette’s eyes widened slightly.
“Faint?” Penelope teased. “Yes, most likely. But he’s not here.”
Odette hesitated, chewing on her lip.
“It’s not a rebellion,” Penelope added gently. “It’s just a walk. A little taste of freedom.”
A pause. Then a spark lit in Odette’s eyes.
“All right,” she whispered. “Just a little.”
“Just a little,” Penelope echoed, rising to her feet and brushing grass from her skirts. Apollo barked once, as if in approval.
Odette grinned as she stepped closer to the fence, hands gripping the rough stone as she tested her footing.
“Come on. It was your idea, and now you are being so slow.”
Penelope laughed under her breath, “I’m coming, I’m coming.”
