“We will see you out, Chadburn,” Judith called before she and her sisters stood and ushered him out of the parlor leaving Penelope very much alone with His Grace.
“What would you like to discuss?” she asked pleasantly.
“What further plans to you have for my cousins? I thought you would be done after today.”
He likely wanted her from his house and out of his life, but his cousins were not ready for her to depart. “For one, I will be returning here tomorrow morning with Mr. Petrucio Valentine.”
She held her breath and waited for his response.
“The actor!” Eldridge nearly yelled. “Why would you bring an actor into my home and expose him to my innocent cousins.”
Penelope pulled back and blinked at him. “What do you have against actors?” she demanded. “What do you have against Petrucio?” She narrowed her eyes. “Are you more like your father and the vicar than you present?”
Eldridge blew out a sigh. “It is not the Valentines that I object to. I can assure you. It is just the fact that he is an actor and Society views that profession as being of a lower moral character so I see no benefit of my cousins being exposed to him.”
Enraged, Penelope drew herself up to her full height. “I will have you know that Mr. Petrucio Valentine is far more than an actor for you to disparage. He can offer something that your cousins need, and if you have not forgotten, he is the brother of my sister-in-law, who just happens to be the Marchioness of Felding!” Blast, now she was yelling at him. That was not well done of her, but His Grace had just insulted a man he did not even know simply because of his chosen profession.
“I know exactly who he is and his relation not only to your sister-in-law but myself,” Eldridge yelled back.
This took her aback because she had never been certain if he had been aware of the relationship, even though his sister had been. One usually does not acknowledge the bastards in the family. “He was also raised by a vicar and might understand the concerns of your cousins far better than either of us.”
“You want him here to offer counsel?” Eldridge asked in a quieter, confused tone.
“No. I have asked him to cut their hair.” With that, she turned and marched toward the door before she wheeled around and stomped back. “We will arrive at ten. If you no longer want my assistance, send word, but I do this for your cousins and if you ask me to stop assisting them now, you may as well return to Society, allow them to spend Season after Season holding up a wall as they turn into spinsters and remain your wards for the rest of your life.” Penelope drew in a deep breath. “Is that truly what you want?”
He simply stared at her, his mouth open and likely uncertain what to say.
“I did not think so.” She gave a quick, definitive nod before she turned on her heel and marched to the entry. “Expect me at ten!”
Chapter 7
Bloody hell!
Henry was still reeling from his conversation…no, argument with Lady Penelope earlier in the day.
She had taken him to task.
Nobody had done that to him since he was a child, and that had been his father.
He had also overreacted to the name Petrucio Valentine. Of course, she knew the connection to himself, but his cousins likely had no idea and he could just imagine their shock if they learned. Not only had they been shielded from their legitimate cousins, Henry was certain their father had never mentioned the Valentines.
All day he warred with whether he should send Lady Penelope a missive and tell her that her assistance was no longer needed but then remembered what she had said—that his cousins might end up being spinsters permanently, and forever his responsibility.
Not that he would not support them, of course, but it would be better if they secured husbands to take care of them.
So far, they had not been too much of an interruption to his life. However, he would need to take a wife of his own and there was the duty of an heir and a spare, and with that the mansion and estate could become quite crowded with so many living in one place. Then there was the possibility that a wife may not want his wards living with him. Then what would he do? Set them up in a house to live their spinster lives.
He groaned and lifted a glass of wine from the tray a footman was carrying.
That was not a future he wanted for either himself or his cousins and therefore he had no choice but to allow Lady Penelope to help prepare them for their reemergence in Society.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Lady Penelope stepped into the ballroom and glanced around. Tonight, she wore a gown similar to the color of basil, which no doubt only enhanced the depth of her green eyes. Dark ringlets fell from a delicate chignon woven with pearls. He waited for her to turn so that Henry could fully appreciate her appearance from the lace hem to the full bodice and her long neck and finally her lips. However, when their eyes did meet, hers grew hard right before she tilted her nose in the air and turned around.
Henry nearly sputtered his wine. She had just given him the cut direct!
Well, that certainly would not do.
He downed the contents in the glass and strode across the ballroom until he stopped before Lady Penelope.
