by Tamara Gill
Lord Thomas nodded and thrust out his hand.
“I would, indeed, like to see that for myself.”
Penelope remained solemn as she opened her purse and pulled out the letter, as well as the bundle of bills. She handed Lord Thomas the letter and sat back as he read it out loud. He read it through and then folded it deliberately before handing it back to Penelope.
“It appears an apology is in order. I do beg your forgiveness…”
“Never mind, Lord Thomas. It came as quite a shock to me, I assure you. Right up until the moment that I met my grandfather, I was certain that this was a twisted joke at my expense. However, that is not why I am here. I have something much more pressing that concerns the Duke’s interests.”
Lord Thomas sat back.
“I am afraid, I cannot divulge any of his personal matters to you, Madam.”
“I do not expect you to. However, as I am no longer housekeeper, I cannot act on his behalf either. Even Mr. Jenkins is powerless.”
“What are you talking about?” Lord Thomas asked insistently.
Penelope handed him the stack of bills. She let him look them over.
“So the Duke is compiling some bills… no… wait. This is not his signature. This cannot be correct. That date is wrong. He has been gone since before then… what is the meaning of this?” he peered at Penelope.
“It appears that Lord James Norbury and the Duke’s sister, Lady Abigail, are using the Duke’s name to live beyond their means. As you can see, some of those bills are notes from gambling establishments, and for great amounts of money. Up to now, Mr. Jenkins has been taking care of each of them so that the Duke’s reputation will not be tarnished. However, as you can see, some of those amounts are quite substantial.”
Lord Thomas continued to look at the bills, who they were owed to, and the dates and amounts of each one.
“Then there is also the fact that Lord James is signing under the Duke’s name.”
Lord Thomas nodded without responding. He put the stack in front of him and looked at Penelope.
“Does Lady Abigail know of her husband’s deception?”
Penelope frowned and nodded.
“She does. She insisted that Jenkins take care of the matter.”
“And what would you like me to do about it?”
Penelope shrugged.
“I have no idea, to be frank. Certainly, you need to be aware, as you are the Duke’s solicitor. However, we would have reached out to the Duke ourselves, but we are unable to correspond with him, and have had no correspondence from him. Jenkins has gone through a great deal of trouble to try to track him down, but no one appears to know where he may be.”
Lord Thomas’ eyes grew round and he leaned toward Penelope.
“What do you mean the Duke has sent no correspondence? He most certainly has! He has sent every letter through this office. My man, Rodney, who let you in, has been delivering the letters to the house himself. Nearly daily.”
“Lord Thomas, not one has reached us. Jenkins has been managing everything blindly. Now that Lord James and Lady Abigail have moved into the house, Jenkins is bound to serve them as he would the Duke himself.”
“Well, of course, but that does not explain the lack of the correspondence.” Lord Thomas stopped and called out, “Rodney. Rodney! Come in here at once!”
Within seconds the door swung inward and Rodney appeared. “Yes, Lord Thomas?”
“Rodney, have you not been taking the correspondence to the Duke’s home every day as I entrusted you?”
Rodney nodded.
“Of course! Every time you have sent me, sir.”
“Who did you leave the correspondence with, Rodney?”
Rodney looked puzzled, “Why, with Lady Abigail, sir. Oh! Though a few times, I left them with Lord James.”
“Even the letters addressed to Mr. Jenkins or to Miss Jameson?”
“Yes, sir. Was that wrong?”
Lord Thomas shook his head.
“No, Rodney. Thank you, you may go now.”
Penelope turned to face Lord Thomas.
“But this means…”
He nodded and sighed deeply.
“This means that Lord James and Lady Abigail are deliberately keeping you and Jenkins in the dark. What must be in those letters…”
Penelope could not help but smile. All her fears were laid to rest. The Duke was alive and, she hoped, well. He must be, or he would not be corresponding. No matter what else happened, knowing that he was alive and well, she was confident everything else would work out.
She noted that Lord Thomas was watching her.
“Your expression baffles me, Lady Shelton.”
Penelope grew serious.
“I apologise. My mind was wandering. What should we do about this subterfuge?”
Lord Thomas sat in silence for a few minutes, then he pulled out a stack of paper and began to write furiously.
“First, I must make the Duke aware of what is happening and that I have chosen to act in his absence, on the assumption of his permission, given how long it would take for letters to go to Belgium and back. I do not think that this matter can wait. Second, I will make sure that Rodney delivers Jenkins and your correspondence separately from any that might be for Lord James and Lady Abigail. Once I set things in motion, I will contact you.” Penelope nodded. “What do you intend to do? Do Lord James and Lady Abigail know of your change in circumstance?”
Penelope tilted her head to the side.
“I have to assume that they have read the letters addressed to me, so I also have to assume that they know, as the Duke may have mentioned it. However, I think it wise to pretend that I don’t know that they know. At least for the time being?”
Lord Thomas nodded and smiled. “I agree.”
“Very well. I have already employed a replacement to fill my old position in the house, so I will continue on with my own life. I plan on returning to the house today, as myself, going by my new title. I will ask their permission to remain for a few more days until I can arrange passage to my Grandfather’s home. However, if they decline, I will have to make other arrangements. If that happens, I will send word to you to let you know how to reach me.”
Lord Thomas rose as Penelope did. He moved around his desk and offered her his arm to escort her to the street.
As he helped her into the waiting cab, he smiled kindly at her. “There is much more to you than we all thought. No doubt about it. I clearly see your grandfather in you. I hope that you have an excellent day, Lady Shelton.”
Penelope nodded and waved goodbye to the solicitor, then she sank into silent thought as the hackney took her back through London and to the Duke’s house.
When she arrived and entered the house, she was met by Jenkins.
“Lady Abigail has requested to see you in the study as soon as you returned.” There was a look of worry in Jenkins’ eyes, and questions, for he knew that Penelope had gone to see Lord Thomas.
Penelope took his hand in her own and squeezed it gently.
“I will tell you later what I learned.”
Without another word, Penelope went to the study. She closed the door behind her and saw that Lady Abigail was alone, seated on a chair with a glass of wine in one hand and a theatre bill in another.
Lady Abigail looked up as Penelope entered and grimaced as she noted the different attire which Penelope wore.
“What is this? Stepping outside our station, are we?” Lady Abigail mocked. “Hoping to catch yourself a rich suitor?”
Penelope stood tall and looked down at Lady Abigail.
“You asked to speak with me?”
Lady Abigail stood up and stepped toward Penelope.
“I don’t know what game you are playing at, but it will not work. You cannot go strutting about in clothes like that and pretend you are someone or something you are not! You cannot…” Penelope remained calm as Lady Abigail’s voice rose. “I see the way that you look at my James! I se
e the way he looks at you! He never looked at me that way! You harlot! How dare you flaunt yourself in front of me, taking on airs. You are acting the fool and it will be the ruin of you!”
Even though Lady Abigail was yelling nonsense, Penelope could not help but be cut by her words and accusations. She trembled with the emotion that she was trying to keep under control, the colour drained from her face, her hands clenched behind her back.
Lady Abigail took a long drink of her wine and sat back down in a huff.
She looked at Penelope over the top of her glass. “I saw that you have found a replacement to fill your position here.”
Penelope nodded. “Yes, indeed. She is very qualified, more so than I was.”
Lady Abigail waved her hand, “I don’t care. I suppose you plan on remaining here and feeding off our good grace and charity, to flirt with my husband and continue to look like a fool?”
Penelope thought about her intention to ask to stay, but at Lady Abigail’s accusation, she recalled vividly Lord James’ advances, and she met Lady Abigail’s glare.
“I had intended to ask if I might stay. However, I am sure that as Lord Asbury’s granddaughter I can find suitable lodging elsewhere.”
“There you go. Trying to pass yourself off as a Baroness. You know you can go to gaol for that. Impersonating someone you are not? Oh, yes, my dear. I would not go around passing that little falsehood if I were you. Though a little time in the workhouses might do you some good.”
Again, Penelope turned white. She knew that she had all of the evidence she needed, but she also knew that it would do her no good. Lady Abigail was determined to see her the way she wanted to, and was determined to get her away.
“Was there something important to discuss? Or may I go about my business and prepare to leave?”
Lady Abigail glared at Penelope. “If I want to keep you standing there in that silly dress all day so I can yell at you to my heart’s desire, I will…”
Penelope simply turned and left the room, pausing as she closed the door when she heard the glass Lady Abigail had been holding smash against the very door Penelope was closing. Her heart was pounding as she quickly moved upstairs to her room and began to pack her bags. There was a gentle knock at her door, and she turned just as Dolly let herself in.
“Tis true? You be a Baroness?” At the look on Penelope’s face, Dolly stammered, “Jenkins jus told us.” She noted Penelope packing. “You be leavin’ us?” Penelope did not have the words, so she just nodded. She had no idea where she could go. Dolly noted the look in Penelope’s eyes, and she burst out. “Jenkins’ll know what's to be done.” Then she dashed out of the room.
Several minutes later, Penelope stood at the front door to the house with her bags in hand. She opened the door and found Jenkins waiting on the street with a cab ready for her. She smiled at him.
“I know you have no friends here, so I took the liberty of instructing the cabbie to take you to the Millers Hotel. I have also sent word to Lord Thomas, so that he might find you more suitable lodging.”
“Thank you, Jenkins. And have faith. Lord Thomas will see that your correspondence gets to you.”
“My…?”
Not wanting to take too long and raise suspicion for she was sure that Lady Abigail was watching from the study, she simply replied, “The Duke is alive and well. You will see. This will all work out.”
She turned without another word and climbed into the cab. As it pulled away, Jenkins turned back to the house and saw Lady Abigail move away from the study window.
Chapter Nine
Penelope had barely stepped down from the cab when she heard her name being called.
“Baroness Shelton! My Lady!”
She turned in the direction of the caller, and saw Rodney, Lord Thomas’ man, waving at her anxiously from the other side of the street. She glanced up at the cabbie, “Please wait, sir.” Then she moved to meet Rodney.
He stammered, “Lord Thomas invites you to reside with him, his wife and two daughters for tonight, and if you are so amenable, until either you return to your Grandfather, or the Duke returns.”
“That is very kind of him.” Penelope commented.
“Shall I fetch your bags, then?” Penelope nodded. Before Rodney rushed to get them, he indicated another gentleman. “This is Lord Thomas’ coachman. The carriage is there.”
He nodded to a barouche, similar to the one that the Duke owned. The coachman nodded to Penelope and led her to the carriage where he helped her to get in. He climbed up onto his seat and they waited for Rodney to return with the bags. Once he had the bags secured on the back of the carriage, he climbed up and sat opposite Penelope.
Penelope could tell that he was a nervous man. He smiled and nodded and smiled and nodded some more.
“I am so sorry about the correspondence, Lady Shelton. I cannot… I did not…”
Penelope smiled at the man, “No harm was done, Rodney. No need to fret over it.”
Rodney swallowed and smiled. He sat back and the rest of the ride to Lord Thomas’ home was made in silence.
***
Lord Thomas and his family took Penelope in and treated her as one of the family. Immediately, Penelope found that she had friends in Lord Thomas’ two daughters, Augusta and Violet. Augusta was prim and dainty, and about to be launched into society, while Violet was severe and reclusive, already past twenty with several Seasons past her. Lord Thomas’ wife was a plump woman with a gay laugh and a merry smile. She had welcomed Penelope with open arms and had led her straight away to a large guest room, telling her to make herself at home and to join them for dinner later in the evening.
That first meal Penelope found her worries disappeared as she could not help but laugh and be merry with the solicitor’s family. Afterward, as they moved into the drawing room, she was approached by Lord Thomas, who informed her that he had already sent a letter to the Duke. He offered to send a letter on her behalf to Lord Asbury. Penelope agreed, and asked if she might include a letter of her own to the Duke, with Lord Thomas’ next missive. Once it was agreed upon, he left Penelope to get to know Augusta and Violet, who were both intrigued by Penelope’s story.
“How romantic,” Augusta gushed. “You have truly had a Cinderella story have you not?”
“It is quite remarkable, but I dare not compare it to a fairy tale, sister,” commented Violet.
Augusta ignored her sister and she leaned in eagerly to Penelope.
“Will your Grandfather be launching you into society?”
Violet raised her eyebrows, “Of course not, Augusta! He would not even consider it.”
Augusta flushed in confusion, “Why ever not? Look at Penelope. She is beautiful, and she is not yet 19. She is a Baroness! Surely…”
Violet looked at Penelope apologetically. “I beg you not to take offense, but surely you understand the societal standing…”
Penelope nodded and interrupted, “I do, and I do not expect to be part of this or any Season. My humble beginnings really do prevent any acceptance I might have into those circles.”
Augusta gasped, “But then… how do you expect to find a suitable husband?”
Penelope frowned, “Well. I honestly do not know.” At the back of her mind, she pictured the Duke, tall and proud, but kind and warm. She longed to see him again. She longed to feel the warmth of his gaze on her. She shook her head. It was a fanciful daydream and nothing more. She smiled at the sisters. “I expect that my Grandfather with have some say in the matter at some point, but for now, he and I are eager to simply be a family and move on from the past.”
Violet took her cue and changed the subject. Augusta, not wanting to be part of her sister’s serious topics, moved to the pianoforte in the corner of the room and began to play. The rest of the evening quickly passed, as did the following day, and the following. Penelope quickly found herself in the routine of the Weatherly family, and before she knew it, she had been in their house a week.
Then she
got a letter from her Grandfather.
Augusta brought the letter to her room and immediately left her alone so that she could read it in solitude. Penelope moved to the window seat that overlooked the small garden behind Lord Thomas’ London home. She opened the letter and smiled.
Dearest Penelope,
I had hoped that you would be back with me by now. This house is strangely empty now without your company. Even the garden I love so much has lost some of its appeal to me. I received your correspondence and am including the address of my solicitor if you still need him. However, I also received word from Lord Thomas Weatherly. He explained your situation and assures me that he has everything in hand and that he has welcomed you into his home for as long as you desire to stay. I am happy to hear it, though I hope selfishly that you will not grow too comfortable there.
I wanted to make you aware that I have also received a letter here from the Duke of Derhamshire. It is addressed to you, so I did not open it. Might it be reason enough to have you come home, I wonder? No, my dear, your grandfather is not above a little bribery when it suits him.
Please, stay as long as you need to, but send me word when you decide to come home. I will have the carriage waiting for you.
Your Grandfather,
Lord Asbury
Penelope looked up from the letter and blinked away the mist in her eyes. She suddenly felt homesick. She looked around the elegant room and she looked out of the window. Suddenly, the stone walls and the small garden seemed stifling. She longed to hear birds and smell the fresh air of the country. She longed to sit quietly in her grandfather’s garden and listen to him ramble about his travels as he smoked his pipe.
Her thoughts then shifted to the Duke. He had written to her after all. She wondered what his letter said. Her imagination followed many different ridiculous avenues, but even the most mundane assumptions caused her heart to race.
She could stand it no longer. She tucked the letter into a drawer and rushed out of her room to find Augusta and Violet.
The very next day, Penelope found herself seated in Lord Thomas’ carriage, along with Augusta and Violet. When she told them that she was eager to return to her Grandfather, they had both declared that they were eager to join her. Augusta gushed about wanting to meet Lord Asbury, while Violet, ever sensible, noted it was unladylike for Penelope to travel alone, and it would do the sisters good to get some country air. No objections were raised by Lord Thomas or his wife, so the arrangements were easily made. Mrs. Thompson was again engaged to travel with them as companion and chaperone.
