Loving a Fearless Duchess Read online

Edward continued, “Henry went to him close to midnight and whispered in his ear. Avery went to the young gentleman and dismissed him.

  “I can’t imagine what that carriage ride home was like.”

  The three laughed, and Edward hooted when they thought about it.

  “What are you all laughing about this morning?” Henry’s surly voice preceded him into the dining room.” There is nothing to laugh about.”

  He sat without getting food from the buffet and poured himself coffee.

  He turned to Penelope. “Well, where were you last evening? You said you were going to the ball, but you weren’t there.”

  “After the theatre, I had a terrible headache and decided to go home and go to sleep. I feel so much better this morning, although I do want to talk with your father today. It’s important. Will he be around? When you see him, could you let him know?”

  Henry snorted. “Why should I? You didn’t go to the ball last night. That was important.”

  Penelope looked at Henry, “It was a ball. Just a ball. It wasn’t so important that I should have gone with a headache.”

  Henry looked at her, “I’ll take the message to him. What is it you want him to know?”

  “I appreciate your offer, but I need to speak with uncle on my own.”

  Henry banged his fist on the table, making the plates and utensils move. “For God’s sake Penelope, what could be so important that you need to talk with him today?”

  Penelope looked at Henry. “According to Cecilia and Edward, they were wondering what was so important I attended the ball last evening. Care to tell me?”

  Henry shot up from his seat and moved with the grace of an elephant out of the dining room.

  ***

  Henry entered his father’s study and closed the door. “Have you been told that Penelope wants to see you today?”

  Avery continued to sort the papers on his desk while, without looking up, he spoke, “Yes, Waters told me of the request. What does she want?”

  Henry answered, “I have no idea. I asked her while she was breaking her fast, and she wouldn’t say. She wants to speak directly with you.”

  “Well, Henry, I have an appointment then a lunch meeting at White’s. She’ll have to wait. Have you found out if she will be at the Randolph ball this evening?”

  “She will.”

  Henry left not knowing if his father planned to meet with Penelope or not.

  ***

  Nash, Penelope, Cecilia, and Edward arrived at the ball shortly after ten o’clock.

  Edward pointed with his chin. “There’s a boy staying close to him. Avery’s not letting him get too far away. Right now, he’s on Avery’s right, behind him, standing alone.”

  Penelope gasped. “That’s Lord Alfred. I danced with him at the first ball. He practiced on me. Sweating, red blotchy skin, and absolutely nothing to say.”

  Nash looked confused. “What do you mean he practiced on you?”

  “You know. Not a real girl. Just a practice girl.” She looked away.

  “There you are,” Henry said loudly as he approached Nash and Penelope. “Where have you been?” he said, agitated.

  Nash looked at him and shook his head, “None of your business.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re finally here,” he said looking at Penelope.

  “Why?” she asked.

  Henry laughed, clearly enjoying himself. “You’ll see.”

  Penelope rolled her eyes and walked away. Nash followed her.

  “I think we should have fun and avoid Henry as much as possible. Dance, eat, drink, and chat with friends while keeping an eye out for Henry and going the opposite way.

  “Would you care to dance?”

  “I would,” she said, and Nash led her onto the dance floor.

  “He wants to marry you to that practice dancer, that child.”

  “Yes, he does, but he can’t. Keep your head together, husband.”

  Nash smiled and bent low to her ear, “I love when you called me that.”

  She squeezed his arm. “Get used to it.”

  Penelope and Nash were having a pleasant evening as newlyweds. The music stopped, and it was close to midnight, so Cecilia, Edward, Penelope, and Nash walked toward Avery. They planned to stay close to him until this charade was over.

  Penelope suddenly felt bad she didn’t try harder to meet with her uncle.

  “May I have your attention, please?” Avery said to the crowd. He was on the platform the musicians used. They had cleared it for him.

  The ballroom quieted, and the guests walked closer to the platform to hear Avery better. Nash, Penelope, Cecilia, and Edward stood next to the platform on the right-hand side.

  Avery looked over at Penelope and gave her a broad smile. She grinned back.

  Penelope noticed Lord Alfred on the other side of the platform looking up at Avery as if he were the King of England.

  “When my brother in law died suddenly, many years ago, my sister Cecilia and her two children Edward and Penelope came to live with me.

  “I’ve had the pleasure of their company in my home for the past seven years. It has been one of the happiest and most gratifying times in my life.”

  The ballroom gave a muted clapped, then stopped to hear more.

  “Now, Edward is of age, and Penelope is having her season. I am most happy to tell you all that Lord Alfred here,” Avery waved a hand in the direction of Lord Alfred, “has come to me looking for Penelope’s hand in marriage, and I have agreed.”

  The ballroom resounded with applause.

  “If both of you could come here with me so I may introduce you as a betrothed couple to the guests.”

  Penelope walked up to the platform and waved her uncle toward her. He came and whispered in her ear, “It’s all said and done. You can’t back out on this marriage contract.”

  She whispered back to him, “I am already married.” And with that, Penelope backed away from the platform.

  She, Nash, Cecilia, and Edward turned their backs on the platform and started walking toward the door.

  The butler was getting the ladies’ wraps when Avery came to them. He was furious.

  With a red face and murder in his eyes, he grabbed her upper arm. “What do you mean you’re married. You can’t be married. I did not give you my permission.”

  Edward stepped forward. “Why does she need your permission? I’m her guardian.”

  “You,” his voice grew louder, “you are under my roof, and I have been taking care of the three of you for years.”

  “That does not make you her guardian. I’m her older brother, and I am of age. That makes me her guardian.”

  Avery’s fists were tight against his side, and his red colour had gone to a deeper red-purple. “You are not competent to be her guardian. I’ll have your guardianship thrown out.”

  Edward said, “Although I didn’t need to, because I am her brother and automatically her guardian, I filed with the magistrate the guardianship documentation as well as three competency documents, from three highly respected doctors.”

  He turned to face Penelope, his voice getting louder each sentence he uttered. “You are married. I suppose it is to him?” Avery pointed his chin toward Nash. “Has your marriage been consummated?

  “I’ll have it annulled. What church allowed this marriage to take place?”

  Nash was six inches from Avery’s face in a flash. “The license was issued by the Archbishop, a very good friend of mine. I doubt you can have the marriage annulled.”

  The crowd was standing still and quite close to the drama playing out. Nash was certain the crowd could hear every word.

  “Go home, Avery and stop trying to run Penelope’s life. Cecilia, Edward, and Penelope will be at your townhouse in the morning to pack their things. They will be living under my roof.”

  Avery was furious. He looked at Cecilia, Edward, and Penelope. “You will not be allowed back in my house, ever.”

  Nash lowered his voic
e and said to Avery, “Every ball guest is listening to you. Do you really want them to think you wouldn’t even let them get their belongings?”

  Avery put a smile on his face, “Go and enjoy yourselves. Come by for your things at your convenience. You know you are always welcome.”

  Nash whispered, “We’ll be over tomorrow, pack everything, and be gone before teatime. You and I will arrange for getting their belongings at the Somerset estate sometime in the future.”

  Nash spoke up for the audience, “Thank you, Avery. You’ve been most helpful. Good evening.”

  Nash helped the ladies into the carriage and rode toward Avery’s townhouse. Penelope turned to Nash, “Why are we going this way?”

  “The three of you need clothes to wear tomorrow and whatever else you need. I am only familiar with what men need. I know Edward will pick up his razor for the morning.

  As the carriage pulled out into the traffic, Nash knew that wasn’t the end of his discussion with Avery. If it could be called a discussion.

  Chapter 15

  Nash opened his eyes to see Penelope staring at him in the marriage bed, and Nash had never slept better. Now, with Penelope lying next to him with her mussed hair and shy smile, waking would be just as good as sleeping had been.

  “Good morning, Duchess,” he said.

  “Good morning, husband.”

  He kissed her gently, but long enough to communicate his interest. Based on her response, she seemed to share that interest.

  He recalled hearing somewhere that a successful marriage would be more successful if the husband and wife shared similar interests. Here’s to a long and happy marriage. When they went down to break their fast, Cecilia and Edward were already eating. They sat with their plates, Penelope pouring tea, Nash pouring coffee.

  Nash began, “Today’s the big day. I will gather every footman from here as well as from mother’s townhouse, your townhouse, and will see Avery. Take care to pack everything. I fear Avery and Henry won’t be as hospitable again if you want to retrieve anything.

  If there are items in the parlour or elsewhere in the townhouse that are yours, take them today. I’ll stand next to Avery and Henry to keep them in check.

  “Cecilia, if you have a ladies maid, bring her now. Same for you, Edward. Although I’d be surprised if you had a ladies maid. Might you have a valet? They will be a great help.

  “Since we are only going a few blocks, don’t have them pack with precision. An hour after we leave, they will unpack at your new home. The less time we are at Avery’s, the better. But don’t forget anything.

  “Say as little about this turn of events as possible to the staff. They are probably thrilled for you and wish the best, but they have to answer to Avery. Don’t get them in trouble.”

  Nash took another scone and turned it over, inspecting every last surface.

  “If we are to be married for the next forty years, I must know why you turn over every scone you pick up to eat,” Penelope said.

  He smiled over at her. “Your first pet peeve, my dear?”

  Penelope coloured but kept a steady gaze on him.

  “If you must know, I am assessing the amount of icing drizzled on the scone. The more, the better. Feel better?” He grinned.

  She grinned back. “Yes, I do. Thank you for indulging me.”

  “Any time,” Nash said.

  *****

  Nash went to knock on Avery’s townhouse door when Waters opened it.

  “Good morning, Waters,” Nash said.

  “Good morning, Your Grace,” he said and bowed.

  “I trust you were waiting for our arrival?”

  “I was. Please come in.”

  Nash, Penelope, Cecilia, and Edward walked in. “Is Avery available?”

  “Not yet, Your Grace. He asked me to pass along the message that you should start without him. I believe the maids have started packing for Lady Balfour and the Duchess, Your Grace. Lord Balfour’s valet has also begun.”

  Nash smiled. “Excellent. I’ll take tea in the parlour while they go about packing. Should I send my footmen to the kitchen?”

  “As you wish, Your Grace.”

  Nash sat in the parlour and looked at the clock on the mantle. How long will it take? One hour? Two hours? God help him if it took more than two hours. The sooner they were out of there, the better. Who knew what calamity might find them? Henry, for instance.

  Nash was turning over a scone in his hand, examining it, when Avery entered. They greeted, then they sat, and Avery poured tea.

  “Well, Nash. I should ask you for your documentation on your marriage, but knowing you, everything is in order, and it will be a waste of my time.”

  Nash nodded. “Correct.”

  “We pulled a fast one on each other. You happen to be faster than me.”

  Nash shrugged. “Penelope tried to tell you. If you could have found five minutes for her, so much could have been avoided.”

  Avery sighed. “Well, time to put it past us, don’t you agree? I trust we can all make nice in public?”

  Nash nodded his head. “There is nothing I would like better. There is, however, the problem of Henry. We will ignore him both publicly and privately if he approaches Penelope or me for any reason. My wife has had enough of Henry for a lifetime.”

  Avery looked into Nash’s eyes that gave him a small smile. “I’ll try my best. I am not with the boy at every moment, and heaven knows I’ve lectured him against approaching either of you, but I’ll try my best. Truly, I will.”

  Nash nodded. “The only other business on the table is the conveyance of Cecilia’s, Penelope’s, and Edward’s things from your country estate to mine. Weather permitting, we may travel there in about two months. I trust you will notify your staff of our arrival?”

  “If you get a date or even a week in mind for your trip, I’ll alert them. When will you go on your honeymoon?”

  “I’m not sure,” Nash grimaced. “I think we should go now and let Cecilia do a lot of planning for the big wedding. Hopefully, a month in Italy should keep us from getting into too much trouble with the event.”

  Avery was nonplussed. “Did you say you’re getting married?”

  Nash grinned. “Yes. We are having a rather large wedding. It’s what Penelope wants, so she can have it.

  “She wants to walk down the aisle in wedding finery to show our guests that even with a rather large scar, someone loves her. I don’t blame her. Some of the beautiful girls having their season were less than cordial to her.”

  Avery’s eyes opened wide, “My God, Nash. You’re going through that expense for a three-minute walk down the aisle?”

  Nash laughed. “I am. And I’m happy to do it if that’s what she wants.”

  They heard someone clear her throat. It was Penelope’s ladies maid Helen. She curtsied.

  “Begging your pardon, Your Grace. The Duchess asks for the footmen.”

  Nash rose and clapped his hands together. “Thank you, Helen. Does this mean your Duchess is packed?”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  “Do you know of the others?”

  “I believe they are ready too.”

  Nash gave her a bright smile. “Tell your Duchess they will be sent up.”

  She curtsied and left.

  Avery slapped Nash on the back. “Well, I’ll let you get to it. Good talk.”

  They both bowed and went in separate directions.

  *****

  Penelope and Nash sat in the parlour drinking tea while the footmen brought Penelope’s things to Nash’s bedchamber.

  Penelope’s eyes were bright. “It took no time at all. With Helen working beside me, we took your advice, and packed a little haphazardly. Now, we are here. Now, I’m home.”

  “You are. Once you have had a chance to settle in, we’ll go see your mother and brother. I imagine they are as happy as you are.

  “But first, we need to talk of our big wedding and our honeymoon.”

  Penelope
sat up straight and gave Nash her full attention. “I have decided—”

  Penelope put up her hand, palm out. “You were just married, so I will forgive you. Don’t you know husbands never began a sentence with ‘I’ve decided’?”

  Nash narrowed his eyes. He was in dangerous territory, and he knew it. “Quite right, my dear. As I was saying, I have been thinking about our honeymoon. If you will agree, I would like to leave on it almost immediately.” Penelope went to open her mouth, but Nash put his index finger in the air for her to stop.

  “I haven’t forgotten about our wedding. I propose you and Cecilia plan it before we leave, and Cecilia can do your bidding while we are gone. I thought she might even like to do it.”

  Nash sat back waiting for the onslaught. He had no idea how difficult it might be to talk her into this plan, but he was about to find out.

  “Go on a honeymoon then come back for the wedding? That is total madness. We would be the laughingstock of London.”

  Nash smiled. He knew this would be her objection. Thank God, she didn’t have an objection he couldn’t overcome.

  “Penelope, everyone knows we are married. I think the sheep in the Scottish Highlands know we are married. What difference does it make if the honeymoon is before or after the big wedding? You know everyone will come either way.

  “There won’t be an empty pew in the church. The celebration we hold here after the wedding will probably have more people in attendance than in the church before.

  “It will be the biggest ton event this season. And it has nothing to do with when we go on our honeymoon.”

  He blew out a long slow breath. “Penelope, I need the honeymoon. I need to be with you without Avery and Henry and the general nonsense we have been putting up with for so long. I have my needs. And right now, my need is to make love to you in Sicily while looking out the window at the beauty of Mount Aetna.”

  Penelope’s eyes were watching her hands in her lap. Nash knew she wouldn’t say no to him. She just had to come to terms with it first.

  She lifted her head and looked into Nash’s eyes. “I suppose I could talk to Mother about the idea, see what she thinks. See if she’s willing to take on the project.”

  Nash got up and went to where Penelope sat. He sat on his haunches. “I knew there was a reason I love you.”