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“You couldn’t have known; you were too little to see the truth,” Penelope assured her. “None of this is your fault. You did everything you could, and if it wasn’t for you, I would still be in that horrible place, locked in that dreadful cell.”

“In a cell?” Adeline gasped.

“Yes,” Penelope nodded. “But that is all in the past. I am so glad that you are here with us now. I know this has been difficult, but we are a family, and we’ll get through this together.”

Adeline nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, Penelope. I’ll do my best to support you and make things right.”

“Why don’t we move to the sitting room?” James suggested softly. “We could all use a bit of comfort after tonight.”

Penelope smiled at him, grateful for his steady presence. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Together, they moved to the sitting room, where the fire cast a warm, inviting glow. Penelope and Adeline settled onto a plush sofa while James took a seat in a nearby armchair, watching over them with a protective gaze.

Penelope turned to Adeline, her voice gentle. “Adeline, if there’s anything you need or want to talk about, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here for you.”

Adeline nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. “Thank you, Penelope. I just… I’m grateful to have you both. It means a lot to me.”

James leaned forward, his expression earnest. “Adeline, you’re part of our family. We’ll face whatever comes our way together.”

The warmth and solidarity in the room were palpable, a stark contrast to the earlier tension. As they sat together, Penelope felt a sense of hope and healing begin to take root. They had faced a difficult challenge, but they had come through it stronger and more united.

“Do you think Vanessa will ever learn her lesson or change her ways?” Adeline suddenly wondered.

James exchanged a glance with Penelope before responding, his tone firm. “Adeline, Vanessa’s actions were severe and cannot go unpunished. Tomorrow, I will send a solicitor to your parents with an ultimatum: either they send Vanessa to the same nunnery where Penelope was held, or she will face legal charges for kidnapping which would likely result in her imprisonment.”

Adeline looked surprised but thoughtful. “A nunnery might be the best place for her, where she can reflect on her actions and, perhaps, change. But do you think our parents will agree to it?”

James nodded, his expression resolute. “They will have little choice. The evidence of her crime is overwhelming, and the threat of prison will be enough to convince them. It’s a harsh lesson, but it’s necessary. She must understand the gravity of what she did.”

Penelope squeezed her sister’s hand gently. “Adeline, this isn’t easy for any of us, but we can’t allow her to hurt anyone else. We must hope that, in time, she will learn and grow from this experience.”

Adeline sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “I suppose you’re right. It’s just hard to think of her being able to commit such heinous acts and against her own family, too.”

James’ voice softened as he addressed Adeline. “Sometimes it takes something drastic to bring about real change. She must face the consequences of her actions.”

Adeline nodded, her expression a mixture of sadness and acceptance. “I hope this makes her realize what a horrible person she’s been.”

Penelope leaned closer to her sister, offering comfort. “We’ll get through this together, Adeline. You’re not alone.”

The quiet of the room was interrupted by a soft knock on the door, followed by the sound of the handle turning. Grandfather peered into the room with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“Ah, so this is where you’ve all been hiding,” he exclaimed, stepping inside. “I heard there was drama, and I simply couldn’t resist the temptation to see for myself. You’re all terribly rude for not inviting me!”

Penelope couldn’t help but smile at Grandfather’s jovial entrance. “Oh, Grandfather, we would have invited you, but we didn’t want to spoil your peaceful evening with our family drama.”

Grandfather waved a hand dismissively. “Nonsense, my dear! I live for drama. Keeps life interesting, don’t you think?”

James chuckled, rising from his seat to greet Grandfather. “Well, in that case, welcome to the show. Please, join us.”

Grandfather settled into an empty chair with a contented sigh, the room suddenly feeling warmer and livelier with his presence. “So, what’s the latest gossip?” he asked, leaning back in his chair with a grin.

Penelope shared a knowing glance with James and Adeline before launching into a lighthearted retelling of the evening’s events. As she spoke, Grandfather listened intently, his laughter filling the room at all the right moments. Grandfather provided his comments, then regaled them with stories of his own adventures, and soon, they were all caught up in the joy of the moment.

For a brief, fleeting moment, Penelope forgot about the troubles that had plagued them earlier. With Grandfather by their side, surrounded by loved ones, she felt a profound sense of gratitude and belonging. In that moment, she realized that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as they faced them together, they would always find a way through. With the love and support of her family, Penelope knew they could overcome anything. And for that, she was truly grateful.

EPILOGUE

Several days later, Penelope found herself in her chamber, ready for bed. James said he would be finishing some business matters in his study, and then he would be joining her. She sat at her vanity, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall, when there was a knock on her chamber door. She turned to see James entering, his eyes alight with admiration.