But therewassomething.I’m not an idiot.
Her smile held for a few more seconds before fading away completely. “I am not ill, Hugh.” She looked down at her hands and plucked at her gloves abstractly. “Something happened when we were at Summer’s Park. Something happened after the baby was born.”
Something had changed inside of him as well. Was it possible Penelope experienced similar feelings? “Seeing Cortland and his duchess with their newborn son changed something inside of me, too.”
She glanced up in surprise. “It changed something inside of you as well? What did it change? Are you saying that it made you question your decision to remain a bachelor? I thought you said you were simply waiting for the right lady?”
And then he saw it in her eyes. A dawning recognition of what he’d been feeling. Hugh leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Such a delightful mix of intelligence and naïveté would need to be handled carefully.
And passion. Yes, Penelope had passion.
It rose to the surface when he deepened their kiss.
But this was not the right place for such activity, and he was frustrated from being interrupted. He pulled away and simply looked in her eyes.
“Since the day my father passed all those years ago, I’ve felt an intense pressure from all those around me to marry and secure the title.” Penelope went to speak, but he placed a finger on her lips. “I’ve never felt any pressure from you. I’m speaking of my family, my father’s colleagues, and eventually, my own friends and acquaintances to some extent or another.” He smiled ruefully. “But never from you. In fact, one of the things I’ve always appreciated about you was your absolute honesty regarding your convictions and the way you’ve stood up to everybody in order to follow them.”
“But I’ve changed—”
“—your mind. I know. I see things differently now as well. I see you differently, Penelope. It is as though there was a paradigm shift at Cortland’s last February.”
“And howdoyou see me now, Hugh?” Penelope bit her lip anxiously as she looked up at him.
This was the tricky part. Hugh had not reached the ancient age of thirty without knowing a trap question when he saw it. He would have to wade very carefully here. All the while remembering who he was talking to.
“I see you as an independent woman who has perhaps realized that she might one day like to become a mother.”
Her jaw dropped but he went right on speaking.
“I see you as a lady of refinement and intelligence. A woman who is trustworthy and of an even temperament—most of the time.”
“I thought you said you were waiting for the right woman,” she reminded him.
“That’s the devil of it, Penelope. It’s very possible that that woman only exists in my imagination.” Hugh tiptoed through this minefield. “And now that I’ve decided to marry, I’ve changed the criteria for what I’m wanting in a wife. You, Penelope, have caused me to realize what I really need.
“Augusta Heights was a mess when I got up there. In time, I’m certain, I could have brought it around to some of its former glory, but you accomplished significant improvements in the matter of just a few weeks. I’ve already received a few reports from the new steward that show profits in the future. And one of the neighbors sent me a letter thanking me for the wonderful changes I’ve made. He is ever so grateful that I’ve provided employment for so many.” It was rather liberating to give her credit where credit was due.
“It was nothing.” She shrugged.
Hugh took both of her hands in his. “But it wasn’t nothing, Penelope. I’m a reasonably intelligent person but the difference between you and I, is that you are a doer. You are gifted with a special talent for making things happen.”
“I will not become your estate manager,” she said through gritted teeth.
Hugh raised one arm and ducked behind it. “Of course not! Aren’t you listening to me, Pen? I want you to be my wife!”
She looked at him and scowled. “So that I can manage your business affairs for you?”
“With, me, Pen.With me.” Oh, hell, he was bungling this in a grand way. Hugh dropped to one knee in front of her, still holding her hands and looked up as earnestly as he possibly could.
“Penelope Crone, will you make me the happiest of men and consent to become my wife?”
But she looked disappointed. Surely, she’d not wanted him to spout romantic nonsense?
“Umm… Yes?”
Hugh tilted his head questioningly. “Not exactly the enthusiastic answer I’d hoped for.”
She gave him a pained smile. “Not exactly what I expected either.”
