by Abigail Agar
He tugged Penelope’s hand, and she followed him. When he shut the door to his bedchamber behind him, Nash took Penelope in his arms and hugged her.
“Stop, Nash. It’s too tight.”
Nash took a step back. “I’m sorry. I was so afraid I would be too late. I didn’t know my heart could pound so hard. Did you hear it inside the lodge?”
Penelope laughed. “No. My heart was pounding too. I knew Edward would come after me, but I wanted you, and you weren’t due back yet.”
“I caught up with them on the trail.”
There was a knock on the door, and servants brought in a tub, hot water and a tray of bread, cheeses, and ale. Penelope didn’t realize how hungry she was until she sat in front of the trencher. They ate in companionable silence, punctuated by sighs.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes,” she said. “Just remembering parts of the day. It occurred to me that we don’t have to live with Henry next door for the next ten or twenty years. What a relief. I’m not used to the thought that he can never hurt me again.”
“I know. That occurred to me too. I felt like the anvil that was on my chest every time I lay down was gone. Like I could breathe more than a shallow breath again.
“Come. I’ll help you out of that night-rail and into the tub. I’ll get Helen. Don’t worry; I’ll only be gone a minute.”
Nash went downstairs hoping Edward was back from the lodge. He was in the parlour, forearms on his thighs, head down.
“Edward,” Nash said. “I’m glad you’re back. Do you feel up to talking?”
Nash’s gaze looked at Cecilia. “Now that you won’t be alone, Edward. I think I’ll check on Penelope.”
Nash nodded as Cecilia left then turned to Edward.
“You don’t seem to be doing well. You can’t blame yourself for what happened.”
Edward looked up. “Sure I can. That little worm outsmarted me. As I was sending every man in the house down to the dower house to help with the fire, I left the house unattended. While I thought I was so smart putting a guard at Mother and Penelope’s doors, he had already taken her.” Edward shook his head.
“What are you talking about? You saved her. Your quick action in securing the tunnels and figuring out where she went saved her life.
“Don’t carry this weight, Edward. You saved my wife, and I am forever grateful to you.”
Edward shook his head. “I didn’t protect her.”
Nash sat next to Edward and made him look in his eyes. “You saved my wife. Anything that happened or didn’t happen until that point is inconsequential. No, I take that back. Everything you did before that point brought you to her. Brought her to me.”
Edward nodded.
“You need a drink.” Nash brought him a whisky.
“To saving Penelope,” Nash said, then clinked Edward’s glass.
“Doesn’t it feel good that little worm is dead?”
“You can say that again.”
*****
Penelope bathed and rested until it was time to dress for dinner. Once dressed, she stood in front of the mirror, looking at her scar, thinking of Henry. She breathed a sigh of relief.
When Penelope walked into the parlour before dinner, she looked refreshed and beautiful with Helen having taken extra care on her hair. The only thing showing she had been through an ordeal had been a few scrapes on her face and cuts on her hands as well as the rope burns on her wrists.
Nash’s blood boiled when he looked at them. He kept quiet, not wanting to upset her.
All eyes were on her, and there was almost no conversation among them. Penelope knew they wanted to hear what happened but were trying not to pry. Penelope knew all eyes would be on her until they knew what happened, so she sighed and began.
“Would anyone be interested in what happened? I think you might rest easier. But if you would prefer not to hear it, I understand.
Edward shifted in his seat and tried to act calm. “If you want, sis. But it’s up to you. We’ll understand whatever you do.”
“Thank you, Edward. I would like to tell the story but listen carefully. I probably won’t want to rehash it after today. Fair?”
Nash took her hand, “Fair.” He looked around the room to make sure Cecilia, Edward, and Mira understood.
Penelope cleared her throat. She talked slowly, but she seemed detached from the tale as if telling a story of something that happened to someone else. “I vaguely woke to a flurry of activity in the house. Once I cut through the fog, I shot out of bed to find out what happened. I put on my robe and reached for the door when it opened forcefully from the other side.
“I thought I might be dreaming, or more accurately, having a nightmare, when Henry rushed in and closed the door behind him. I was so stunned; I stood in the middle of the bedchamber frozen.”
Penelope shook her head. “I couldn’t have made it easier for him. He walked up to me and tied rope around my wrists while I looked at him in disbelief. I was pulled around by a long end of the rope.
“He moved the rug, opened the trap door, pulled me to him, and told me to climb down. He climbed after me until he stopped to fix the rug and close the door.
“He had stolen a couple of candles and matches from my bedchamber on the way down. I didn’t even see him do it he did it so fast. At the bottom of the ladder, he stopped, lit a candle, and took the lead in the tunnel, pulling me along. At the end, he tied my hands around my back and gagged me.
“By the time we got to the stables, the stable boys had been pulled away to help in the search. Henry opened the trap door and lifted me up to the horses’ stall.
“He didn’t count on Boney as his getaway, but he seemed to be pleased. I think he planned to steal one of the horses in the stable. He muttered ‘even better.’
“Boney didn’t want to be part of Henry’s plan, but Henry gave him no choice. He seemed to know what was coming. He mumbled for Henry to take his cart and leave him behind. Henry didn’t need him. Knowing Boney didn’t want to go, Henry told him he didn’t want Boney pointing the way for Edward or anyone else looking for him. He told Boney he’d shoot him.
Watching Henry kill Boney was awful. I was shocked at how out of control Henry was. His eyes darted back down the road we had just come and then to me and the road in front of us.
“He got on Boney’s horse then lifted me up. We rode fast, all the while he held me by the ropes behind my back. The horse galloped while my arms were pulled at the sockets. It was painful, but I knew if I complained it would be more painful.
“I was so happy when we got to the lodge, and Henry plucked me off the horse, even if I did land on my backside, pain shooting up my spine to the back of my head. He barked at me to get up, which wasn’t easy in long skirts with my arms behind my back, but I did.
“He pulled me into the lodge and down the corridor to one of the rooms at the end. He shoved me on the bed and locked me in. I heard him walk down the hall.
“I knew this was my last chance to live. I couldn’t help it, but I said it over and over again.
“The door was out of the question, and the window looked out on Henry gathering tools he planned on using as weapons on me. So, I began to look inside the room for sharp objects to cut my rope.
“On the bedside table, there was a hurricane globe over a candle. Henry was still outside so I broke it and took a large shard. That’s where I got these cuts.” She lifted her hands to show the cuts on her palms and fingers.
“I finally managed to cut the rope. If I hadn’t been able to get through that rope, I don’t think I would be alive right now.
“He led me down the corridor. My arms were behind my back. I had wound the rope around my wrists and was holding it by my fingers. When I sat, I didn’t know what I would do. I thought I might run out of the house.
“Henry thought I was watching the door waiting for Edward to come barging in. I knew he would come eventually, but I didn’t think I had that kind of time.
“There was no question in my mind Henry planned to kill me. If given the chance, I planned to kill him. He left the lodge for a minute, and that was the only chance I needed. And I took it. I barely remember hitting him with the axe. I remember him falling on it and hitting the floor. I turned and ran straight for the horse.” Penelope turned to Nash. “That’s when Nash found me.”
Penelope stopped and shrugged. Nash took Penelope’s hand and patted it. “I would be grateful if Penelope doesn’t have to go through this horrific experience again. She’s given us the details of her ordeal. I consider the case closed.”
Cecilia murmured, “Of course.”
Mira nodded.
Edward looked at Penelope. “The nightmare’s over Penelope. The good that comes from all of this is that Henry will never bother you again.
Penelope gave a small smile. She nodded.
Henry was gone, but the scar lived on. And would for the rest of her life. To Penelope, it used to be a constant source of shame. The first thing anyone saw when he or she looked at her face. It caused her to be the underdog in everything she did. And it ultimately made her stronger. Henry tried to destroy her, but he didn’t. She was fearless.
THE END
Can't get enough of Penelope and Nash? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…
Will Penelope and Nash extend their family?
How is Edward doing with his new duties?
What happens between shy Mira and Edward?
Click the link or enter it into your browser
http://abigailagar.com/extended
(After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “The Duke's Broken Heart”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)
The Duke’s Broken Heart
Introduction
Phineas Collins, Duke of Exeter, left London for India to escape financial ruin caused by his irresponsible father. After having restored the family's fortune, he returns five years later seeking a wife at the marriage mart to produce an heir and to live in Collinswood, his country estate. He prefers the quiet to the London noise and crowds.
Lady Charlotte Albert begins her first season at the marriage mart. Outgoing and vivacious, she draws men to her. Although she is the opposite of what Phin is looking for, he is attracted to her. Lord Bernard has also shown an interest in her. Being deeply in debt, his interest is in her large dowry. To improve his chances with Charlotte, Lord Bernard spreads rumors about Phin that stem from his father's irresponsible ways.
Charlotte rejects Phin because of the rumors and gets him heartbroken. When he is in France on business, his friends and family work to clear his name. A group of influential Dukes restores his reputation. When Phin returns, he wonders if he truly wants a woman who has rejected him. He has to decide between walking away from Charlotte forever and spending the rest of his life with her. Will he choose wisely?
Chapter 1
Silas brought his hand over his eyes making a visor against the brightness of the midday sun. London’s docks were active at this time of day, with sailors unloading ships and carting crates to nearby warehouses. Silas took out his handkerchief and kept it at his nose as if he had a cold in full bloom. He never got used to the stench of rotting fish and ripe bodies of men who spent months at sea without visiting a port.
No matter. He would wait as long as it took to see the Lady of Assam glide into port. He would know her when he saw her. The British East India Company had newer sleeker ships than the tubs bobbing in the water before him. And they had a much more profitable cargo.
Finally, she slipped into port as if she were 10 feet above the ocean with barely a wake or sound. Painted black with brass fittings and her name painted in a brass colour, longer and thinner than most ships, Silas was amazed at the difference between this ship and the one docked next to it. My God, did they have a monopoly on everything? he thought.
The gangplank was moved into place, and Silas focused on the men exiting the ship. Gentlemen would exit first, so he expected to see his brother at any moment.
It had been too long since he saw Phineas. He missed having his big brother and best friend near. The dark years with father’s decline and Phin in India were finally over.
There he was, watching his feet, carefully navigating the plank. His skin was brown from the sun in India, and that same sun had bleached his hair blond. He had filled out since Silas last saw him, but then again, so had he. Silas was happy to see Phin’s smile intact.
Finally reaching the bottom, Phin looked up and scanned the dock. Silas shot an arm straight into the air and started waving like a lunatic. Phin saw him, gave a short laugh and put up one index finger. He stopped a sailor, said something Silas couldn’t hear and pointed to Silas’ carriage. The sailor couldn’t miss it. It was shiny black with the Exeter crest painted in red and mustard yellow. The footmen were all in red with mustard yellow trim. Phin smiled to himself. Silas always did have good taste.
He was happy to see his brother’s enthusiastic welcome. Silas’ letters were always long and entertaining, but Phin was nervous about his return. Father was dead. He couldn’t ruin Phin’s reputation any longer.
Phin broke into a run and took Silas into his arms for a vice-like hug. Silas was slow to let go, tears pooling in his eyes.
“Let me look at you, brother,” Phin said with a grin. After surveying Silas from top to bottom, he nodded.
“I didn’t know what to expect. Pasty face, paunch, stiff attire. But Silas, you look good. You look as if life is treating you well. I approve.” Phin nodded again.
“I’m happy you approve,” Silas said dryly. “But no one looks healthier than you. The ladies are going to hunt you down. I fear they will set up camp at our front door and never leave us alone.”
Phin raised his head, opened his mouth to respond but said nothing when the two sailors approached him carrying his trunks. He pointed to Silas’ carriage.
On the way to the townhouse, Silas asked, “So is your plan the same?”
Phin nodded. “No change. I am single-minded about my goals now that I’m home. Marry Mercy off, find a quiet wife, head to Collinswood, and renovate the castle all the while working with Everett. Phin placed a hand on his brother’s arm. “Silas, you know any time you would like, you can join us.”
Silas swatted his hand through the air. “Don’t sidestep. We’re talking about the plan. Why quiet?”
Phin looked at his brother and smirked. “Silas, you have had enough experience with the opposite sex to know they can give you a headache. I don’t want drama. I want an heir and someone to run the castle.”
“But she might be boring. She might spend her days in the library reading Pride and Prejudice and such.” Silas was worried.
Phin laughed. “She sounds perfect.”
***
Phin knew his life in India was simpler than the one he came home to. While in India, he sent Everett everything he earned. They were best friends, and he trusted him with his life. He also trusted him with his money. To pay off his father’s debts quicker, he and Everett joined forces to start a company that imported silk to London from Phin’s nearest port. Now that he was home, they would start the export of English goods to India and China.
Phin had access to other commodities he could send home as well. Everett responded to every request with enthusiasm. They profited from each ship set sail from India with space rented by Phin.
When he began working his free land, growing tea, Phin liked the change. London was dirty, crowded, noisy, and to Phin, uninhabitable. However, Assam, India reminded Phin of Collinswood. They were nothing alike, of course, but they both were in the country. There was quiet.
In India, Phin worked, he ate the food his cook served him, and he read at night by candlelight. Sometimes he wrote letters to Everett about when a ship would arrive in the London ports with fabric made in India or China. Sometimes he wrote Mercy or Silas about what his life was like, asking them to do the
same. He never asked after his father, but he never told Mercy or Silas to leave out information about him. He didn’t want his siblings to know anything about what happened between the two.
Phin owned a plantation and then took over two more from countrymen who couldn’t make a go of it. He bought the new technology, an iron plough that prepared the land with two oxen instead of six. It was two times faster. His plantation home was modest compared to the Exeter properties in England. A kitchen, dining room and parlour downstairs and three bedchambers upstairs. All built by him.
Windows remained open nine months out of the year, the rainy season being the exception, and he ate mostly food served cold. His plantation relied on a series of wells dotted around his property used both to water the plants and to use in his home.
