Penelope sighed, saying with a fond look as she gingerly adjusted the daffodil in Jane’s hair.
“Do not thank me yet. We still need to be able to do the needful.”
Jane shook her head gently, telling her friend earnestly.
“I am thankful for your presence. It means the world to me that you are here.”
Penelope’s expression softened and she nodded.
“Of course, Jane. I always do my best to support you, as long as I can. Nora would be here too, if she weren’t otherwise occupied. But know that you are forever in our hearts, just as we know that we dwell are in yours.”
Jane managed to muster a small smile, which fell as they heard a knock on the door, and moments later, her mother walked in.
“Are you ready, Jane? You know we cannot keep your father and husband-to-be waiting,” Harriet said as she walked around to stand before Jane.
If she noticed the despair and signs of crying, Jane would never know because she did not acknowledge it, lowering her gaze from Jane’s face to her dress.
“I-I am ready. But... I have a request to make.”
Harriet eyed her sceptically. “Well, I do not know, Jane. If it is about –”
“I would like to travel to the church in Penelope’s carriage, mother. That is all I would like.”
The older woman glanced between the both of them, her expression uncertain.
“I do not know if that is a good idea, Jane. Your father expected that we would be there to advise you before you are wed –”
“There is nothing you both will say now that will be different from what you have said to me in the last few days. I have heard it all and you know that as well. If I have no say in every other aspect of this affair, then the least you can do is oblige me in having my friend by my side in my final moments as an unmarried woman. Please.” Jane begged weakly.
Penelope stepped closer and chimed in delicately.
“We would be so grateful for the chance to say goodbye properly. I would also like to give her my own encouragement and support, as a duchess. I feel there is much we have to discuss and so little time, so the journey to the church will be one well spent.”
Harriet looked reluctant still, but perhaps Penelope’s urging convinced her, because after what felt like an eternal moment, she sighed deeply.
“All right,” she said softly. “I will speak to your father about it, though I am sure he will not object, since Her Grace insists.”
Penelope took Jane’s hand and squeezed it in encouragement, smiling at Harriet innocently.
“Thank you, Lady Highclere. We will be sure to use the time you have provided wisely.”
CHAPTER THREE
“Perhaps you should calm yourself, Jane. You might rip a hole in your dress at this rate.”
Jane was startled out of her thoughts by Penelope’s words and when her friend pointedly looked down, she followed her gaze and found her hands twisting and tugging at the fabric of her dress.
Quickly, she released her grip and smoothed down the rumpled creases she had accidentally left behind, sighing as a glance out of the carriage window told her they were almost at the church.
“I'm scared,” Jane confessed.
All her life, the only thing she had wanted was a peaceful life, away from her father’s scrutiny and her mother’s disregard.
Somehow, those forces had combined together to put her in an even worse situation than she could imagine.
Penelope’s hand reached for hers, the duchess’ grip reassuring and firm as she told Jane,
“I know. But you must keep your chin up. We have a plan – though it is rushed, I am convinced we have a good chance to make it out of this safely. Just do exactly as we have said.”
