It did not help that this particular ball was being held by the Duke and Duchess of Lockeder in their grand home. Never before had Penelope’s family received an invitation to the elaborate function, but this year was different as the two Lockeder children were officially involved in courtships with the two Snowley children.
At least, Penelope thought she was still engaged in an official courtship. The past few weeks had left her with doubts as to the strength of her relationship with Andrew.
The day after her and Harry’s mystifying visit to Lockeder manor, Andrew had appeared at her home to apologize for his behavior. He assured her it was all meant in jest, but she was not sure if she completely believed him. He had spoken with such unwavering conviction it had seemed, and she could not help but wonder if his apology was truly genuine.
It was not merely her suspicion of his regret that made her wonder at the stability of their relationship, however. After coming to her home that day, she had seen little of him since. A few times, he had stopped by the house for short visits, but they had not gone walking together or had any more outings with Lady Dorothy and Harry.
He claimed to be occupied with various matters concerning his and the Duke’s multiple business ventures, but she struggled to believe him. She worried that he was losing interest but was too polite a gentleman to break things off so soon after their courtship had begun. Perhaps he was simply trying to be mindful of her reputation?
Whatever the reason for his distance, Penelope was at a loss for what to do. She could not banish his kiss from her mind. Whenever she recalled it…how his lips had felt against hers…how his hands had held her…how his tongue had teased at her…
Her cheeks heated and she quickly shook herself from the thought, afraid her mother might be able to tell she was a little less innocent. Yet, even as she tried not to think of his demanding kiss, she could not help but wonder how he could just ignore her after such a passionate exchange?
She hoped she might be able to steal a few private words with him this evening in order to clear things up between them, but she did not know how possible that might be. As they pulled up the drive toward the manor, her heart sank at the site of what seemed like countless carriages lined up before them. There may be no room for a private conversation after all.
When their carriage reached the front of the line, her mother wrapped her fur stole tighter around her shoulders and urged Penelope out the door.
“Come my dear, hurry along. Your father and brother are likely already here.”
The Snowley men had left ahead of them in order to take care of some pressing business at their warehouse before the party. They had promised to be on time, if not early, in meeting them at Lockeder Manor.
Penelope took the hand of the waiting footman to help her down to the snow-covered ground. She gathered her own shawl more tightly around her, but while it kept the worst of the winter wind from freezing her, it did little to ward off the chill that resided within her.
Her mother stepped out of the carriage and came up next to her.
“Ready, my dear?” she asked, glancing at Penelope with a slight glint of concern in her eyes. She had questioned Penelope several times about Andrew’s noticeable absence after he had been visiting nearly every day before. It was clear she worried about what the night would hold for them.
Penelope tried to make her smile reassuring. “I am, Mama. Let’s go.”
They walked up to the front door and were greeted by liveried servants who took their shawls and directed them further into the manor. The foyer was full of people chattering as they moved. Penelope recognized several of them, but there were many more she had only ever seen from afar in public outings.
Suddenly, two familiar faces appeared in the crowd.
“Ah, there they are.” Her mother raised her hand and waved Harry and the Baron over to them.
“Good evening, My Lady,” Harry murmured, dropping a quick kiss onto her cheek. “You look lovely this evening.”
“Thank you, darling.” Their mother patted her hand against his silk cravat in an affection gesture. The Baron stepped forward and offered his arm to his wife. Together, they made their way further down the hall toward the ballroom.
With a grin, Harry mimicked their father’s actions, offering Penelope his arm to escort her.
“Shall we?”
She offered him a shaky smile. “Yes, thank you.”
His arm was solid and steadying under her hand as they walked.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” Harry whispered.
She was startled, not expecting the question. “Why…why do you ask?”
He looked at her with an arched brow. “Your misery is written all over your face.”
“Is it?” Her free hand flew to her cheek, as if she could feel her expression with her fingers.
“I am only teasing!” He reached around to push her hand away. “Why are you so tense?”
“I am not,” she insisted. “I…I am just nervous to meet the Duke and Duchess.”
“Oh, is that all?” He patted her hand looped in his arm. “You have nothing to worry about in that regard, my dear. They are very pleasant people. Very warm and welcoming.”
Harry had met them several weeks prior when he presented himself to inform them of his intention to court Lady Dorothy officially. Apparently, the Duke and Duchess were quick to give their approval of the couple. The Duchess had confessed to being a fan of Harry’s novels, as well as her daughter.
Harry’s assurances did little to comfort her, however. It would not matter in the end if the Duke and Duchess liked her if Andrew no longer did.
Reaching the ballroom, they stepped through the large, ornate doors into a Christmas wonderland. Garlands and wreaths of rich evergreen were hung along the walls. There were even some wrapped around the columns lining the cavernous room. Lush, crimson drapery framed the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the back gardens, and candles were lit everywhere one turned, giving extra light to the space.
Penelope had never seen such lavish decorations before. It was a stark reminder of the gap that existed between her and Andrew, both in status and wealth. Though her father’s enterprise was highly successful, and her family lived in great comfort, the Duke held the reins over many businesses that were each very profitable in their own right. Though they were both children of the peerage, she and Andrew had grown up in very different worlds.
Harry and Penelope followed their parents further into the room, and soon they were in sight of their hosts. The Duke and Duchess stood near the center of the great room, greeting their guests with wide smiles. A small line had formed to get to them, and Penelope and Harry stood waiting behind the Baron and their mother.
She could not help but gaze around the room, searching for Andrew. Penelope had expected him to be with his parents, but he was nowhere in sight. With a frown, she realized that Lady Dorothy was missing as well.
“Brother, do you see Lord Romwich anywhere?” she murmured, leaning in closer to Harry so that he could hear her over the noise of the party around them.
His eyes flicked over the crowd, and his expression appeared baffled as well.
“I do not see him,” he said. “Nor Lady Dorothy. Where could they be?”
Are they not here? Why would they not attend the Duke and Duchess’ ball?
Her nagging worry from earlier grew as a terrible thought entered her mind.
Is he perhaps avoiding me?
That could not be the case. He had extended the invitation to her himself. Yet, doubt ate at her with every moment that passed that he did not make an appearance. By the time they reached the Duke and Duchess, Andrew was still nowhere to be found.
The Baron and their mother bowed and curtsied and thanked their hosts for their generous invitation. The Duke and Duchess in turn inclined their heads and thanked their guests for attending their ball. Penelope lost track of the conversation for several moments as her mind whirled with anxious
thoughts of Andrew. When her name was spoken, she did not hear it at first.
Harry elbowed her in the side to gain her attention.
“Wha…?” she began, but then quickly fell silent when she noticed her parents and the Duke and Duchess staring at her expectantly.
“Darling, I was just introducing you to their Graces.” Her mother’s expression was polite, but there was a reproaching gleam in her eyes that Penelope knew all too well from her childhood.
Dipping into a deep curtsy, she said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, your Graces.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Miss Snowley,” the Duchess replied with a good-natured smile. “Lord Romwich and our daughter have spoken so highly of you.”
She glanced up in surprise. “That is flattering to hear, Madam. Lord Romwich and Lady Dorothy have been so generous in gifting me with their friendship and favor.”
The Duchess’ eyes gleamed with approval. “You are quite lovely, Miss Snowley. Both of face and manner. I understand now what my son sees in you.”
Penelope felt her cheeks heating in a blush. “You are too kind, Madam. As is Lord Romwich.”
She did not know what else to say. Penelope was more confused than ever. If Andrew had no more interest in her, he surely would not speak about her to the Duke and Duchess, would he? Yet, if his interest had not declined as she had suspected, what was the reason for his recent lack of visits to her?
“Oh, and Mr. Snowley, how wonderful to see you again as well,” the Duchess declared, her attention falling on Harry.
He grinned as he took her offered hand and placed a chaste kiss on top of it.
“Madam, you are a vision this evening.”
Penelope barely kept herself from rolling her eyes at the layers of charm he inserted into his voice. Flattery would get him everywhere, it appeared, as the Duchess’ cheeks turned a deep shade of red and she smiled in clear pleasure. The Duke did not seem as easily swayed by Harry’s charm, however. He raised a brow and shook his head in exasperation.
Biting back a grin, Penelope dropped her gaze to the floor so no one would see her mirth. They spoke for several minutes more with their hosts, and she was glad to see that Harry was correct. The Duke and Duchess were very pleasant and seemed much more down-to-earth than their station would suggest. Some of her tension eased having met them, but not all of it.
Andrew is still troublingly absent.
As if he could read her thoughts, the Duke suddenly growled, “Where is that blasted son of ours? It is bad form for him to be so inattentive to Miss Snowley.”
Penelope felt a strange giddiness at his affront on her behalf. He seemed genuinely displeased that she was left unaccompanied. She glanced toward Harry and caught his raised-brow stare.
The Duchess patted her husband’s arm with a sigh. “You are right, Your Grace. It is bad form, but he and Lady Dorothy did warn us they might be late.”
The Duke was not appeased by his wife’s words. He met Penelope’s gaze with another shake of his head.
“I apologize on his behalf, Madam. I cannot imagine what goes through my son’s mind at times. His behavior baffles even me!”
Penelope was caught off guard by his candidness. “No apologies are needed, Your Grace. I am sure whatever is keeping Lord Romwich and Lady Dorothy is of the utmost importance and urgency.”
Again, she could not say that she believed her own words, but she was not about to criticize Andrew in front of his parents. No matter how his actions were causing her hurt and humiliation.
The Duchess began speaking again, her tone calm and placating. “Your Grace, please do be patient with our children. They would never intentionally cause insult…” She trailed off as something caught her eye from across the room, and then her face lit up with a grin. “Ah! There is no more need to fret. They have arrived at last.”
Penelope and Harry both turned in the direction the Duchess was looking to find Andrew and Lady Dorothy coming their way. They did not rush or appear in any kind of hurry to speak of, taking the time to smile and nod at their parents’ guests as they made their way through the ballroom.
“At last,” Harry breathed, his excitement at seeing Lady Dorothy again clear in his expression.
Penelope could not share in his relief. Her eyes locked on Andrew, and she did not know if it was fear or anticipation that made her stomach roil. He was so handsome with his hair tousled and his eyes sparkling. He strolled through the crowd like a king, with a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
Penelope’s heart sped up, and that heat that seemed to always engulf her when he was present unfurled within her belly and began burning through her blood. She couldn’t take her eyes from him, and her fingers curled into her skirts the way she wished they could curl around his collar and pull him close.
He did not look at her until the pair drew closer, and when his gaze did finally fall on her, she could not read his eyes. His smile was polite, but there were no dark promises lurking beneath the surface of his expression as was usual when he looked at her.
That realization made her heart beat with dread.
Perhaps he is done with me after all…
When the siblings came to a stop next to the Snowleys and their parents, Lady Dorothy dropped into a curtsy while Andrew bowed at the waist.
“Our apologies for being late,” Lady Dorothy said with a smile as she returned to her full height. Her eyes flicked to Harry and her cheeks warmed before she continued. “There was a small matter that held us up.”
“And what matter would that be?” the Duke harrumphed.
“A private one,” Andrew answered in his sister’s place. Their father did not appear pleased by that response and opened his mouth as if to voice a retort.
The Duchess stepped forward and interrupted him before he could get a word out.
“Well, you are here now, and that is what matters.” She clapped her hands together and smiled. “The night can finally begin. I am sure it will be a glorious evening. Do you not think so as well?”
She appeared to be addressing the whole group around her, but Andrew’s eyes returned to Penelope as if the question were hers. She grew even more flustered under his inscrutable gaze.
“Indeed, Your Grace,” he said with a firm nod. “I believe it will be a most glorious evening.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
She is the most stunning creature I have ever laid eyes on.
Andrew could not help the dramatic thought as he gazed down at Penelope. She was breathtaking in a crimson gown that was stark against her fair complexion, and her dark hair was pulled up into an elaborate design at the back of her head. She was both angel and devil, pure innocence wrapped up in temptation. He wanted to press his lips to her bare shoulder and hold her tightly in his arms so that she might never leave his side.
It was a struggle to keep his expression neutral as he stared at her, but he did not want to give away the surprise he had planned. Preparations had taken longer than he had anticipated, and he was grateful Dorothy had offered her assistance to make sure everything was ready. He was certain he would receive a thorough tongue-lashing from the Duke later, but it would be worth it.
Penelope stared back at him, but her eyes sparkled with an anxiousness that uneased him. He frowned, unsure what could have caused such concern in her. Wishing to waste no more time, he turned back to his mother and father.
“Your Graces, I believe we have monopolized the Snowley family’s time for too long. Shall we let them enjoy the festivities of the evening?”
The Duchess nodded eagerly. “Yes, indeed. You are right, My Lord.” Turning her gaze to the Baron and his wife, she said, “Please, do enjoy yourselves. Perhaps we shall find each other again later and get to know one another better?”
Lady Bienholm inclined her head graciously. “That would be lovely, Your Grace.”
The Baron tilted his chin as well. “Yes, most lovely. It would be in our best interest to know each other
well, as it seems we may soon be connected together as family.”
As the parents all chuckled at his unsubtle suggestion, Andrew returned his attention to Penelope. Her cheeks had darkened, and he supposed she was embarrassed by her father’s words. He found her so adorable when her feathers were ruffled.
“Madam, may I have the honor of escorting you about the room?” he asked. She did not say a word, but nodded her consent. Her hand slid around his arm, and he relished the feel of her touch, even through his jacket and shirtsleeve. He heard Harry making a similar offer as himself to Dorothy.
Lustful Memoirs 0f A Bewitching Lady (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 15
