“I slept on the floor because I didn’t want to hurt you. I knew if I touched you, I wouldn’t be able to keep from making love to you and I was worried that you might need time to adjust. I was afraid you were sore.”
She blinked through her tears. “You don’t want to send me away?”
“Never. I don’t ever want to spend another night apart. And definitely not on the floor.”
Her fury fell flat. She sniffed and wiped her runny nose on the towel. “So, I did it right?”
His mouth softened and the harsh lines smoothed themselves into amused creases. “You did it more than right. You are my wife and I am beyond pleased with you.”
Penelope’s muscles melted like soft gelatin taken out of the mold too soon and she sagged against his chest. “Beyond pleased?”
“You are perfection.” Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out a brown paper parcel. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“A wedding gift I found in Southampton.”
She examined the small package. It fit in the palm of her hand and it was heavy.
“Open it.”
She unwrapped the gift and smiled. Two tiny gold enameled billiard balls. “You do know what this means don’t you?”
Edward’s smile turned wicked. “Mine are above average.”
“Yes, but mine fit into my pocket and I can finger them whenever I want.”
“Tell me you love me, Boots.”
She sighed. “Alas, I am mortal.”
“That is not a confession of undying love.”
She sneezed.
He scowled. “What did I tell you would happen if you caught a cold?”
She froze. “You wouldn’t really spank me, would you?”
Edward picked her up and tossed her into the middle of her bed. “Not if you tell me you love me and only for your pleasure.”
He dropped onto the bed, pulled her beneath him, and kissed her until they were breathless.
Penelope caressed her husband’s cheek and ran her thumb lightly over the stubble on his chin. “I do love you Edward.”
“I’m still going to spank you.”
Chapter 29
Penelope woke to the muffled sounds of an argument in the upper hall just outside her door and groped her way through a heavy fog of contentment toward consciousness.
Edward lay spooned behind her with his leg and arm tossed across her torso.
“I know they aren’t accepting visitors, but we are not visitors. Now move out of our way or we will be forced to use—force.” Aunt Augustina’s voice lowered an entire octave.
Edward pulled Penelope against his back and nuzzled her hair. “Do you think Bowers can hold her off?”
She snorted. “Not likely.”
“The Earl gave strict orders last night that they were not to be disturbed.” Bowers embodied the dourness of a harried washer woman.
“That was last evening. It is now well past morning.”
The door crashed open and several bodies barged into the room. Aunt Augustina led the charge with Henrietta and Amanda flanking her sides. Amanda was dressed in familiar men’s attire, strutting like a rogue just in from a fortnight of carousing; bollocks and hessians barely intact.
Penelope groaned. “Don’t move. If they think we’re dead maybe they will go away.”
“I will not go away my dear. We have urgent business to attend and it is half past Tea.”
“What the blazes is going on here?” Reginald stood at the door wearing a hurriedly tied robe. “Bowers, I gave strict orders not to let my aunt through the front door.”
He pinned his gaze on Amanda. “Where in the bloody hell have you been?”
“They entered by way of the rear and were halfway up the stairs before I could intercept them my Lord.” Bowers scowled fiercely. “With all due respect, and I will use your exact words, Aunt Augustina is like an English war ship outfitted with a full deck of loaded canon. Nothing will stop her.”
Aunt Augustina harrumphed and pushed out her chest like a French Guinea hen.
“Penelope locked me in the tack room and left to rescue Ferris without me.” Amanda sidelined a glare at the bed. “When I finally escaped, I saw Frances leaving with Mr Granger, so I decided to follow them instead.”
It was no use. Penelope elbowed Edward.
With a grunt he released her and rolled to his back.
She sat up, clutching the sheets. “What is so important that it can’t wait until luncheon?”
Amanda ignored Reggie and stepped forward. “How was the ride?”
“Should I ask you the same?”
“Does he have a decent seat?”
“He will do.” Penelope raised her left hand to show off the ducal ring.
Amanda gasped. “You married him?” She narrowed her eyes, “Before or after you tried him out?”
Edward sat up neglecting to cover his torso and adjusted the pillows behind him. “Is nothing sacred in this family?”
Henrietta brushed Amanda aside. “My brother is regarded as an exceptional catch.”
“So is the Duke of Helmsbury, but I don’t hear you waxing poetic about his charms.”
Henrietta’s face flamed crimson. “He’s old and his teeth are all but gone.”
“Let us not forget his seat, if he has one left, its probably as bony and broken as an ancient ass put to pasture. If your mother has her way, you will never have a decent saddle.”
“At least I have suitors.”
“The Duke of Helmsbury isn’t looking for a wife, he’s looking for a nursemaid.”
“Girls, girls, this is not the time to discuss the anatomical merits and deficiencies of the male persuasion. We have much more pressing matters to deal with.” Aunt Augustina looked like a general about to declare war.
Finally. “What pressing matters?”
“Amanda has brought a letter from Frances.”
“Is she all right?” Edward and Henrietta chorused.
“What did she say?” Penelope asked.
Aunt Augustina puffed herself up creating an impressive height of regal airs and pronounced, “Frances and Ferris have eloped.”
Penelope gasped. “What?”
Garrett and Addison popped their heads around the door frame sharing the same we’ve been up to no good and we’re proud of it grins.
“Family meeting?” Addison asked.
Reggie spun on his bare heels. “Where in the blazes have you two been?”
Garrett’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Chasing fillies.”
* * *
The End, or is it?
Acknowledgments
I am eternally grateful to my family; my wonderful husband, Ruben, and my sons, Cristian, Alexander, and Donovan, for their encouragement and understanding that mom cries when she writes—but it’s okay, she laughs out loud too!
I’d like to thank my critique partners, my sister, Laura Becraft, and adopted sister, Robin Kaye, for their honesty and sense of humor—even when I am the target. Thank you both for the amazing skillsets you bring to the team.
Thank you to Sue Grimshaw, my fabulous developmental editor.
And to Catherine Guldemond, my free spirited, artist, sister, for her amazing design skills, and taking up the challenge to be my book and cover designer, and virtual author’s assistant.
I would also like to thank Thomas and Rebekah Hutchinson, my parents, for giving me a sense of humor, teaching me to stand my ground, understanding that I am the blunt one, and for letting me have the last word so many times.
Thank you, Tom, my beloved little/big brother, for everything. Losing you so suddenly rocked my world. I miss you. Every. Single. Day.
To my Readers
Thank you for reading Penelope’s Pleasure! I hope you enjoyed Penelope and Edward as much as I enjoyed writing their story and I hope you become a fan. A review would be great too!
If you would like to connect, or get a heads up when Frances’ Faux
Pas, the next installment of The Gentleman’s Guide to Understanding Women series, or Rogarian Beloved, the first book in my contemporary paranormal romance trilogy, comes out, follow me on Facebook and at my Amazon Author Central page.
About the Author
Deborah Villegas lives in rural Maryland with her husband and their youngest son. She is a web and graphic designer during the day, and a service human to three spoiled and very vocal cats.
She grew up in a military family with two loving parents and three siblings who were her built-in best friends—then and now.
She enjoys spending time with her family, laughing, eating good food she doesn’t have to make, and watching anything that is paranormal. If you come for a visit, you will be treated like family and you might even be handed a broom.
Deborah loves hearing from her readers almost as much as she loves writing her stories. To be among the first to be notified when her new books are released, follow her on Facebook, and on her Amazon Author Central page.
For more books and updates:
Penelope’s Pleasure (A Gentleman’s Guide To Understanding Women Book 1) Page 27
