“Smythe’s name will be cleared and he’ll be offered his position back as the head of the Bow Street Runners, which he will decline. We will give him a fictitious job title working for the Crown. Meanwhile, he will continue working for me under the guise of a new identity. As all spies have.”
“I can see myself out. Good luck to both of you. You will need it.”
“Well, that went better than I thought,” Harry said, not referring to Smythe’s dilemma but to his.
“Yes. Well. Your problems are nothing compared to mine.”
“You are correct. I don’t think it’s wise for you to return to your home. I’ll send one of my men to collect some of your belongings and you will stay here. I have a trusted acquaintance of the theater who will come tomorrow to work on your disguise as a Mr. Walter Temple. Not even your wife will recognize you when he is done. Meanwhile, you will not leave this house. It’s for your protection.”
“I understand.”
“I’ve had rooms prepared for you. My housekeeper, Mrs. Mere, will show you to them.”
“He, what?”It was the second time today she asked that of her brother.
“Since he can’t get away for the wedding as we had planned, he asked if the ceremony could take place here in two days.”
“I refuse.” How dare Newbury keep toying with her emotions by changing things for his convenience? Her insides could not take much more change. What little food she’d consumed today hadn’t settled well as it was. And now!
“You can’t refuse.” Her brother looked at her with compassion. “I already agreed. I have notified a local clergy. Sent word to your seamstress telling her there would be a large bonus if she delivers your dress the day after tomorrow by noon. I’ve sent word to Mother, Sebastian, and Teagan in Scotland, but they can never arrive in time. All our other guests know of the change.”
In two days time, she would become the Duchess of Newbury, whether or not she wanted to. She may as well resign herself to the inevitable. “May I retire to my room?”
“Penelope. Someday I hope you will forgive me and know I did what I thought was best for you.”
Inside her rooms, her maid helped her strip down to her chemise and tucked her into bed. A nap was all she had the energy for. They were due to attend a small intimate dinner at her sister, Bella’s, that evening. Her maid would deliver the hastily penned missive to Wentworth saying she was unwell and to please make her excuses to Bella. The earl and countess of Northborough had a marriage made from love, respect, and admiration. She groaned and hugged her stomach. As with all the Seabrook family members, love came in their marriage, but it came at a price. Bella, at one point, had given up on Myles asking for her hand in marriage and used Stuart Spencer to make Myles jealous.
Thomas and Emma had their differences in the beginning. It was known that Thomas kept secrets from her about her father, Mr. Hamilton. But eventually love won.
Amelia and William Spencer, the Count and Countess of Bridgeton. Amelia’s dead betrothed, and a child born out of wedlock. A murdered brother and sister-in-law of Bridgeton’s, blamed on him but never proven. Time in Newgate for Bridgeton, but ultimately, the two wed and lived in wedded bliss.
Which brought her to her brother, Sebastian. He set out on horseback to Northern England to find her and take her back to London. On his travels, thieves accosted him and left him for dead. Teagan and Lachlan Murray, running for their lives from their father, found him and nursed him back to health. When the Murrays’ father got word they were alive, he sent his men to finish the job. Teagan, Lachlan, and Sebastian fled to London and the safety of Wentworth’s household. By the time they reached London, Teagan and Sebastian were already in love and wed not long after.
Over and over and over her half-siblings married for love. Moans escaped her lips as her stomachache refused to abate. How could she love Newbury when she felt something for Mr. Sinclair? If Mr. Sinclair were out of the picture, and not a temptation, surely her heart would belong to the duke exclusively.
Visions of both of them entered her mind. She closed her eyes tight, hoping to quell the handsome half-face of the duke and the whole face of Mr. Sinclair. They needed to leave her alone. She needed to sleep and pray when she awoke she would be ready to face her future as the Duchess of Newbury. She—a bastard daughter of a duke and his mistress—becoming a duke’s wife. As sleep pulled her under, the last thing she saw was the merging of the two men as they become one.
