“Well, do you have a plan on how you will convince him?”
“Well, I was thinking,” she took a step closer, tapping a finger against her lips in thought. “That if my sister Isadora came along with us, then, it wouldn’t be just the two of us.”
“That would be a clever way to frame the request,” Nancy raised a brow.
“I thought so,” Penelope smirked. “He likes Isadora and it wouldn’t feel reckless.”
“And you think he’ll agree?”
“I think he’s changed more than he realizes,” Penelope said slowly. “He’s softened. Maybe not entirely, but enough to listen.”
Nancy gave her a long look, then nodded once.
“Then I shall ready a light walking basket, just in case. But don’t you tell Lady Odette a thing until he’s said yes.”
“Oh, I will not dare to get her hopes up,” Penelope nodded. The thought of breaking her heart was unbearable.
“But please do not be disappointed if things do not turn out the way you have planned, Your Grace,” Nancy sighed.
“Well, we shall see about that.”
Nancy only nodded. “Good luck, Your Grace. Truly.”
CHAPTER 18
“Another public appearance, Your Grace,” Penelope teased Alexander. They had arrived at the Galston estate for the dinner, which had more than a few guests in attendance.
Isadora had left out no formalities, it seemed.
“I am well aware,” Alexander stood beside her, scanning the room as they entered. “At least, your sister will be happy to see you.”
“You loathe this sort of thing, don’t you?” Penelope asked under her breath. “I do not take you as one for socializing much.”
“Violently,” Alexander nodded. “But considering how your father ruined your last meeting, and I was responsible for sending him away, I did not wish for you to lose out on the chance to meet your sister.”
“We’ll keep our appearance brief, then,” she smiled. “And I will try to shield you from any idle conversation.”
“That might be too big of an undertaking,” Alexander chuckled. “But I’m holding you to that.”
They stepped further into the ballroom, and eyes turned toward them. Alexander’s presence always drew attention, but they were looking at not just him. But rather, the two of them together.
They were still an object of interest within theton, that much was confirmed.
“Just a moment,” Alexander excused himself. He seemed to have spotted a friend in the distance, which surprised Penelope.
But before Penelope could stop him to ask, a tap on her back brought her attention elsewhere.
“There you are,” Isadora greeted her warmly, wrapping her in an immediate embrace. “Oh, I am so pleased that you made it. It would not have been the same without you.”
“I have promised to keep our visit short,” Penelope smiled. “But I would not miss it for anything.”
Isadora pressed her lips together. “Short?”
“Just that Alexander does not like to stay for long at these events,” Penelope explained. “And I do not wish to inconvenience him much, since he was nice enough to accompany me.”
“You seem to care very much about what he wants and what he doesn’t want,” Isadora’s tone took on a teasing tilt. She was watching her sister with playful eyes, hands folded across her chest. “Shall we find a place to gossip?”
“Gossip?” Penelope laughed, taken aback by the blunt request.
