Claybrook had the right of it and Henry had been wrong. Not that he would thank Lady Penelope for her interference just yet, and only because he feared what she may do with encouragement.
“What shall I do then?” he asked.
“About what, Your Grace?”
“About their matchmaking,” he clarified.
“Do not let on that you know and let them be.” She dismissed his concern.
“I do not think that is wise,” he grumbled. Besides, if he allowed them to manage him, as Lady Penelope had the habit of doing, then he would have six females attempting to control his household and such would likely send him to Bedlam.
No! He must gain control of them.
“I will reiterate once again that I will not marry them off so long as they cease matchmaking.”
“If they do not?” Lady Penelope asked with humor and too much confidence.
“Then I shall start inviting gentlemen that would make excellent husbands to dinner!”
She stopped and turned to face him, color high in her cheeks and her very kissable lips pursed with irritation.
He anticipated that she might not approve of such a plan but Lady Penelope angry with him was enjoyable. A comfort, like an expensive brandy after a long day.
Henry blinked. When did he start enjoying her taking him to task?
“What?” he asked.
“Your doing so will immediately eliminate all the security they have found in your home and might likely see them fleeing back to the country to hide away.”
“They would not dare do so!” The sisters would not leave their guardian, especially since he held the purse strings. “Were they not in London because they wanted to experience more of what the world had to offer?”
Lady Penelope arched a brow. “They have already lived with one man, their father, who made all decisions for them, and if you retaliate for something so harmless as matchmaking then you are no better than he was.”
Bloody hell!
His uncle had been a sanctimonious arse and Henry did not want to be anything like that man, or his own father.
“If my brother were still a bachelor and if I brought women into the home to play matchmaker, he would likely take revenge on me and do as you suggested and invite bachelors to dinner—an unspoken warning that he had the power to marry me off to anyone he wished. I would also know that his actions were to get back at me for trying to manage him, and not to attempt to do so again. I would also know that no matter who the guest, if there was no possibility of a love match, Noah would never force me into a marriage, nor would you do that to them. However, your cousins were sheltered and controlled and despite living in your household for over a month, are not yet secure in the fact that you would not force marriage if five bachelors dined with you.”
As much as Henry hated to admit it, again, Lady Penelope was correct.
He glanced over at his cousins who were excitedly looking at the displays. He had seen them before, but to them, it was a new experience because their father had been a bloody arse that likely tried to keep them sheltered at home, except for on Sundays. And, no matter how many assurances he offered, it would take time before they trusted that he would see them cared for.
“Is their playing at matchmaker truly inconvenient? It is only for a few moments each afternoon while they make introductions and are hopeful that you are finally smitten with someone.”
He snorted because he had never been smitten a day in his life except…Henry glanced back to Lady Penelope. Except for her.
What she was asking was not too difficult. “Very well. I will pretend to remain ignorant and I will not invite a horde of bachelors to my home.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“I also want to thank you for the conversation you had with them earlier.”
“The one about rakes?” she teased.
“Yes, that one.” He cleared his throat. “It was a discussion that I had been putting off because it is well…”
“Uncomfortable?” Her lips quirked.
