Page 16

“ I see you bought yourself a nice dress from your visit into town the other day,” Alexander said from the doorway to Penelope. It was a figure- hugging emerald gown that looked incredible on her petite frame. “Good.”

Penelope seemed unfazed by the compliment. Instead, she was in quite a rush. She hurriedly made the remaining preparations.

“We are going to be late,” she noted, frowning.

“I did not know you were so punctual,” Alexander remarked dryly, though his eyes followed her as she moved across the room to grab hold of her coat and then gestured at him to follow her .

“It is always a good thing to be on time,” she said as she walked.

There was a certain coldness in the Duchess’ voice, and Alexander was not quite sure what had caused it.

They reached the carriage, with Alexander following her rather quickened pace. But he made a point to open the door for her.

“Thank you,” she said stiffly before climbing in.

His suspicions were proving to be correct. The Duchess was mad about something, though she refused to admit.

In an effort to diffuse the tension, and also because he really meant it, he decided to pay her a compliment instead.

“The dress does look quite lovely on you,” he remarked.

She seemed to turn a shade of pink, and then looked away from him.

“And you do look beautiful. For someone to look like this, I would expect that you would be quite used to taking compliments. So I am quite surprised to see you blushing like this.”

She glared at him for a moment before blushing again.

“Perhaps I am just not accustomed to receiving compliments from you,” she replied.

“That is quite the shame,” he smiled, despite her notable annoyance. “But you should know that I mean them, and that they are not made lightly.”

Penelope looked up at him, and Alexander wondered what might have been going through her mind at this moment.

“Then should I consider myself grateful that my husband rarely compliments me?” she said after a moment. “Or should I be happy about the fact that he means them each time?”

“I think both things can be true,” Alexander chuckled. “Though, if you insist, I can try to increase their occurrence.”

“Oh, you do not have to do me that favor,” she quipped.

“No, it would be more for me, than anything else,” he replied, smiling now.

“How considerate of you.”

“You know I always look out for you,” he said, half in jest but with some seriousness in his voice.

She did not have an immediate reply to that. Instead, she just folded her hands across her lap and stared out the window.

“I cannot imagine that the view outside that window is any more interesting than what is here inside,” he remarked, not able to help himself.

“I suggest you look for yourself, and be the judge,” she replied.

“No,” Alexander leaned back in his seat. “I believe my view from here is just fine.”

He had the pleasure of seeing her blush deepen at the comment. She said nothing.

The rest of the ride was spent mostly in silence, though Penelope would throw a glance in his direction every now and then. When they stepped out of the carriage finally, having arrived at the location, Alexander moved to put a hand around her waist.

“I think I can walk fine, Your Grace,” she said, and just then stumbled a bit. Alexander caught her right on time.

“I would reassess that claim if I were you,” he replied, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m fine,” She shot him a sharp glance.

“Ah.” He kept his tone mild. “Then it must be the company t hat you have an issue with.”

“Well, if you have surmised as much,” she said, “I do not know why you insist on pressing on more information.”

He leaned in slightly as they passed through the double doors and into the golden warmth of the ballroom. “Because I enjoy it when you’re irritated. You have no poker face. It’s rather endearing.”

“I wasn’t aware I needed one.”

“You’re married to me now. It would help,” Alexander laughed.

“I can already tell that this night is going to stretch on for long,” she sighed.

He had assumed, or rather expected, that she would be more excited, as ladies normally are about such things. But she seemed to be holding onto something, and refused to tell him.

No matter, he thought to himself. He would find out eventually.

“I think you need to look at things more positively,” he stated. “It could be an interesting one.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked.

“Well, look around you.”

He gestured to the guests, who were already eyeing the two of them with great curiosity. Such was to be expected, of course. But instead of shrinking away from the attention, he felt that it would be better instead to revel in it.

“The usual curious on lookers,” Penelope sighed. “I have had enough of them, with my history.”

“You need not be irked by them,” Alexander suggested. “If anything, you can take it as a compliment that they are so interested in you.”

“You seem be in a lovely mood today,” she noted after a moment.

“And I would be good if some of it rubbed off on you, as well. Smiling would help,” he whispered to her, “you should at least put on the illusion of being happy.”

At his words, Penelope gave a practiced smile but he could still sense the irritation simmering beneath the surface.

He couldn’t explain why it amused him so much. Perhaps it was the way she didn’t hold back at expressing her disdain to him, something most people would never dare to.

“You know,” he said casually, “Green is your color, I think.”

She glanced at him, surprised despite herself. “It’s emerald,” she said . “And it hides bloodstains.”

Alexander barked a laugh before he could stop himself, drawing a few stares from nearby guests.

“Not so loudly, Your Grace,” she muttered as she smiled at an approaching couple. “People might think you’re actually enjoying yourself.”

“I might be,” he said under his breath, “This is far more entertaining than I expected.”

“Happy to provide a show,” Penelope arched a brow.

“Oh, I’m not sure it’s a show.” He looked down at her then. “You look like yourself tonight.”

That seemed to catch her off guard. She blinked, turning her face forward again.

“I don’t know what that means.”

Alexander realized then, that even he did not know. There was just something about her dress tonight that had him rambling like a fool.

They had just passed the grand staircase when Penelope’s face lit up—not at anything Alexander had said, but at the sight of her sister.

“Isadora!” she breathed, her irritation melting away in an instant.

Alexander glanced sideways, mildly amused. So that was the key to breaking her sour mood, he noted to himself.

Isadora stood at some distance, and she looked up just in time to spot them and gave a delighted wave. Penelope moved quickly, and wrapped her sister in a hug.

“Isadora, you are absolutely glowing, I must say,” she said earnestly.

“It’s mostly exhaustion and sugar biscuits,” Isadora smiled. “The baby has been keeping us up , but I’ll take the compliment.”

Alexander offered Evan, who was Isadora’s husband, a nod of greeting as he approached more slowly. He watched Penelope chat animatedly with her sister.

“Honestly,” Penelope was saying, “you must sit more. You’re running yourself ragged.”

“I do sit,” Isadora huffed. “But Evan thinks I ought to be wrapped in wool and locked in a drawing room.”

Isadora turned her attention to him properly then. “Your Grace,” she said, with a polite incline of her head. “It’s good to see you.”

“And you, Your Grace,” Alexander replied smoothly. “You’re looking well.”

“I feel as well as one can in this state,” she said with a graceful laugh, “But I’m managing. I trust you’ve been keeping well?”

“Well enough,” he said. “Busy, as ever. But I can’t complain.”

She nodded, then glanced briefly at Penelope, who was half-listening while pretending not to.

“And my sister? You’ve been taking good care of her, I hope?”

Alexander could hear the protective edge in her voice.

“She is quite the presence,” he said mildly. “I do what I can.”

“That sounds about right,” Isadora smiled knowingly.

Penelope let out the faintest scoff but said nothing.

“She seems to be adjusting well,” Alexander added,“I believe your influence has had a lasting effect.”

“My influence?” Isadora seemed surprised. “Oh no, Your Grace. You must allow me to correct you here. My sister is not one to take anyone’s influence. Rather, she has a mind of her own and opinions that she has formed herself.”

“I suppose that I cannot argue with that,” Alexander nodded in agreement. It was her spirited nature, after all, and that could not be denied.

“I am glad you see things the same way,” Isadora lightened up at the admission. “I have to say that my sister leaves quite a mark, wherever she is.”

“I am sure that you must miss her terribly,” Alexander replied, “She does speak quite fondly of you, and I think we can arrange to host you properly at the estate soon.”

“Oh, lovely,” Isadora perked up. “I think that would be well- suited, and I do wish to see Penelope more.”

“That is a good idea,” Penelope said, looking at Alexander as though the statement had surprised her.

“Whenever it is convenient for you,” Alexander insisted. “You tell us, and we shall spare no expense in hosting the eldest of the Morton household.”

“I will write to you very soon,” Isadora nodded eagerly. “Thank you for the kind invite.”

“It is nothing,” Alexander said.

“Well, I shall leave you both now,” Isadora said, looking over at some of the guests who were waiting for her.

Alexander finally turned fully to Penelope, who was watching her sister leave.

“I think we should use this moment,” he said, bringing his hand to rest on the lower half of her back. “to dance. What do you think?”

“A dance?”

“Are you having some trouble hearing?” Alexander laughed, and then lowered his head to whisper in her ear, “Would you like to dance with me?”

Penelope’s blush returned, and she could only nod. Feeling triumphant, he led her out to the dance floor.