“I hope to be as brave as they are,” Jane sighed wistfully.
“There are braver people on this earth, Jane. You are the one who defines your limits. If you choose to go beyond the line you had drawn, there would be nothing keeping you from exploring new territories.” Penelope casually encouraged, dusting off the crumbs from her hands.
Jane smiled at her friend, shrugging half-heartedly.
“It is kind of you to believe I am capable of doing such. I do hope so… given that I am about to begin a journey I did not imagine I would be able to embark on at a point in time.”
Penelope shifted her gaze to Nora, quirking her eyebrow in silent question, only to be met with confusion that mirrored her own. Slowly, she asked Jane, keeping her tone as light as possible,
“What do you mean? What journey is this? Dear God, did you join a literary expedition?”
“What — no!” Jane sputtered, running her hands over her skirts nervously. “It is nothing like that. Nothing so… mundane. I… Cecil returned a few days ago and he paid me a visit… during which he expressed that he wished to court me.”
Penelope nearly spilled her tea as she whirled around to fully stare at Jane in shock, shaking out of her daze momentarily to shoot more enquiring looks at Nora. Only Nora was nearly as shocked as she was.
“Cecil? My Cecil? My older brother?” Nora queried.
Jane nodded, her pale pink cheeks deepening as she spoke, her voice rising in pitch as she grew nervous.
“How many other men do you know with that name? Yes, your brother.”
Nora and Penelope glanced at each other again, and once more, it was Nora who spoke up.
“I knew he had returned, since he had come to see me the very next day after his arrival. And he said he would begin to put some things in order for the sake of his new title, but I never would have imagined… my goodness Jane. What a lovely surprise.”
Nora’s encouragement seemed to further agitate the concern growing within Penelope, and she felt her stomach drop, heavy and confused still. She could scarcely believe what she had just heard, even more so disturbed by the hint of excitement in the soft curves of Jane’s face.
They had known Cecil because of his close relationship with Nora, and while he had always been a good brother to her,Penelope never liked or trusted him. The severity of her dislike seemed to grow even greater with this news, because she could not fathom why Jane would agree to this.
“Are you sure, Jane?” Penelope asked as gently as she possibly could.
Jane’s shy smile faded slightly, and she sat straighter. “What do you mean? Why would I be unsure of this decision?”
Penelope tried not to let her personal bias show, opting instead to present her concerns in a different way.
“Well, things aren’t the same as they were. He is a duke now and he will be watched closely by theton. Which means your courtship would be as well. I know how you prefer your privacy about some things. Will you be all right?” she asked steadily.
It had come as a shock to all of them when they heard that a distant relative of Nora and Cecil had passed away, and Cecil was apparently the heir next in line for his dukedom. That had barely been settled before their father died, and after the funeral, Cecil went to handle matters involving his inheritance.
He had been gone for a few months, and now he was back and suddenly wanted to court Jane? Just like that? He’d never expressed any special attention to her in the years they’d all known each other.
“Well, I suppose it would be all right. As… passionately as he expresses his opinions around you – with how eagerly you both bicker – I doubt we would cause any problems together. He is quite the gentleman, actually.”
Penelope could not shake off the suspicion that something was not right. The disconcerting feeling within her was wrapping around her insides so tightly, she couldn’t help but blurt –
“Why did you accept? You do not love him and you have always spoken about how you desire a love match. How do you know that is where this will lead?”
“I don’t,” Jane stated, shifting uncomfortably. “I am merely hopeful that I could find love if we continue to court. We have barely begun, so there is perhaps more to be gained with subsequent meetings.”
“Well,” Nora beamed sweetly. “That was rather unexpected, but like you said, we have no way of knowing how things will go. I really do hope you both enjoy your time together. Oh, do not look so perturbed, Penelope – I shall give Cecil a stern talking to. On no account is he to hurt our precious Jane. It will be all right.”
“What – no! I am not perturbed. I am simply… concerned,” Penelope huffed, shifting her gaze down to the half-eaten cookie resting in her plate, her appetite long gone now.
She really did not like the idea of Cecil courting Jane. The man was very irritating, and she had never liked him. More than herdistrust of him, Penelope was greatly worried that he would ruin Jane.
“I do not think a scolding would be necessary –” Jane protested, but Nora shook her head.
“That will not be possible, I’m afraid. As your loyal friend who cares deeply about your well-being, it is my duty to ensure that he is urged to be on his best behavior. I know you would do so for me if the roles were reversed,” the duchess said.
