Isadora laughed again. She seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly at the expense of her sister.
“Now, it feels as though you have grown up for real,” she muttered. “Finally fallen in love.”
“Do not say it like that. It makes me sound tragically late to the game.”
“Well,” Isadora said, tossing her curls over one shoulder, “you were always the one who said love was inconvenient and unnecessary.”
“Itisinconvenient,” Penelope muttered.
“Funny how that does nothing to stop it from happening to you anyway. So hopelessly smitten.”
Penelope narrowed her eyes. “I wouldn’t go so far ashopelessly.”
“You looked like you were floating just now and that was after an argument,” Isadora teased.
“Oh hush,” Penelope swatted at her. “I am trying to make sense of things, not be mocked.”
“I’m not mocking,” Isadora said, pressing a hand to her heart, “I am celebrating. My sister has finally succumbed to the dangerous charms of her brooding husband. It’s quite the story.”
“It’s hardly astory,” Penelope grumbled.
“You’re going to have to tell me everything,” Isadora could not contain her excitement. “Tell me how it feels when he looks at you with the love that I know he has for you as well.”
“He does not look at me like that,” Penelope said far too quickly.
“You are doubting my intuition again,” Isadora raised a brow. “He absolutely does.”
“You poor, oblivious creature,” Isadora went on as Penelope stayed silent.
“You are being a bad host,” Penelope said in her defense. “By making me blush like this.”
“And you are in love,” Isadora sing-songed. “I do believe I win.”
Penelope groaned, but allowed herself to be dragged back toward the crowd. Her secret felt a little less daunting now that it had been spoken aloud. Or perhaps it wasn’t so secret anymore. Certainly not with Alexander somewhere in the room, still very much aware of her.
Did he feel the same way towards her? That was the thought that was going to keep her awake at night, she knew it. But for a moment, she let herself feel the joy of being in love.
It was her first time, after all.
Alexander found Oliver by the drinks table. His shoulders were slightly hunched as he sipped on his drink.
A rare sight to see him brooding.
Alexander approached him, clearing his throat. “Oliver.”
“Oh, now you wish to speak to me,” Oliver replied in a sarcastic tone. “What do I owe the pleasure?”
“I was… less than civil earlier,” Alexander admitted after a moment.
Oliver didn’t turn right away. He took a slow sip of his drink.
“An apology made too late, but I suppose I’ll accept it.”
Alexander gave a huff of a laugh. “I am glad you see things the same that I do. But really, I told you that you should not speak to the Duchess in my absence. So you cannot blame me if the whole thing caught me off guard.”
Oliver rolled his eyes. “Pray tell when you said that to me?”
“Well, if I did not say it then it should have been implied,” Alexander pressed his lips together. “You have no business speaking to her.”
