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“ P enelope?”

Isadora’s voice rang out as the butler stepped aside to let Penelope into the entry hall. “Good heavens, what are you doing here?”

Isaodora was still rubbing her eyes, as if to confirm what she was seeing was not a figment of her imagination. Penelope could hardly blame her, she had caught her at an odd hour and come over without prior announcement.

Penelope managed to plaster on a weak smile as her sister hurried down the staircase.

“Nice to see you, sister.”

Isadora reached the bottom step, frowning with concern as she took in Penelope’s pale face.

“I do not mean to question you so much,” Isadora’s voice was thick with worry. “I mean, surely you could have written before arriving but you are absolutely welcome any time but… why… did something happen? Has the duke come with you as well?”

Penelope knew that Isadora was bursting with curiosity, but did not wish to overwhelm Penelope. She gave a small shake of the head.

“Alexander is not with me.” Penelope admitted, glancing away. “I couldn’t write ahead.”

Isadora stepped closer, her brow creasing.

“So, how did you come here then?”

“Alexander arranged a carriage for me,” she replied. “I…”

“Penelope,” Isadora took her sister’s hands into her own. “You are trembling as you speak, and I am beginning to grow very concerned.”

“I just need a place to stay for a few days,” Penelope said quickly. “Alexander and I… we have decided to take some time apart for the time being.”

Isadora gasped. “Did you two fight?”

“I would not call it so much of a fight,” Penelope sighed. “More so, a shift in priorities.”

“But I am not sure if I understand,” Isadora continued. “I met you just days ago and things between the two of you were fine.”

“I can’t talk about it right now.” Penelope’s voice cracked despite her effort to sound composed. “I only need to rest my mind, and perhaps some company from you.”

Isadora’s expression softened.

“Oh, darling.” She drew her sister into a warm embrace, rubbing her back gently. “You don’t have to explain anything if you’re not ready.”

“Thank you,” Penelope clung to her tightly, eyes closing as exhaustion washed over her. Suddenly, it felt as though she was a young girl again, reminded of all the times that Isadora had looked after her when she needed her to.

“Come upstairs,” Isadora murmured. “We’ll get you settled. You can rest. Everything else can wait.”

Penelope allowed herself to be led up the stairs. For now, it was enough to be here. The rest she would explain later.

It had been exactly three days since Penelope had been at Isadora’s estate. To her credit, her sister had been a wonderful host. She had never once made Penelope feel unwelcome. She even made her feel safe enough to finally admit what had happened between her and Alexander.

“He is overreacting,” Isadora had said once Penelope had finally told her the reason. “It was only the park, and that is no reason to send your wife away.”

Penelope had no response to that. If only she understood what went on in Alexander’s mind, she would not have been in this situation to begin with.

But on the third day, Isadora announced that she was beginning to grow sick of how miserable Penelope was. As a solution, she had taken her for a walk into town with her and her husband, Evan.

“Do keep up, Penelope,” Isadora called cheerfully over her shoulder as she and Evan strolled ahead, their arms linked. “It’s such a fine afternoon. Surely, even you cannot mope in weather like this.”

Oh, I can. Ever since Penelope had left the estate, it felt like all she ever did was mope. Still, she did not want to be too much of a downer, so she forced a smile.

“I’m coming.”

Isadora glanced back, worry flickering in her eyes despite the smile she tried to maintain.

“You’ve hardly spoken all morning. But I am certain that a change of scenery will do wonders for your mood,” Isadora went on, as optimistic as ever.

“It’s true, Penelope,” Evan turned as well, his brow raised. “You look like you’ve been awake all night.”

“I have been,” Penelope admitted quietly, feeling suddenly self-concious. “I have not been able to get much sleep these past few nights.”

That would be putting it lightly. In reality, she was wracked with worry every time night came and she was left alone in her chambers.

She thought about what Odette might be doing, or how Alexander must be feeling.

But she had no way of knowing these things for certain, and that was driving her mad.

How was she expected to stay away from them forever when she could barely make it past a few days?

Isadora slowed, letting Evan’s arm slip from hers so she could walk beside her sister.

“You barely touch your food. You barely leave your room unless I drag you out.” She linked her arm with Penelope’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I do not wish to be strict with you, but you are really breaking my heart here. I am concerned for you.”

Penelope sighed, gazing distantly into the path in front of them.

“I’m sorry, Isadora. I don’t mean to be a burden,” she admitted. “I shall only bother you for some more days until I figure out where next to go.”

“Oh, hush,” Isadora said immediately. “You are not a burden in the slightest, and we would be happy to host you indefinitely. It’s only your happiness that I am worried about.”

“I was happy back at the estate,” Penelope muttered under her breath, “only that the duke no longer wishes for me to be there.”

“See, I know that you say that. But I have a hard time believing it,” Isadora said. “I am sure that he must be regretting his decision.”

“I am sure that he isn’t even thinking about me,” Penelope replied, feeling her heart sink as she said the words out loud.

“You do not know that.”

“I do,” Penelope insisted with a sigh, “But I do not wish to wallow more. The least I can do is be a bearable guest for you, since you were so kind to take me in.”

Isadora pressed her lips together, clearly wanting to push for more, but holding back. Instead, she looped her arm more firmly through Penelope’s.

“Well. We’ll walk until you’re too tired to brood any longer. Does that work for you?”

Penelope smiled faintly but said nothing.

They continued down the path. As they reached the more crowded portion of the street, a prickling sensation crawled across the back of her neck. She glanced behind her.

“What is the matter?” Isadora asked immediately. “You look quite startled.”

“Oh, nothing,” Penelope shook her head, and turned forward again. You’re imagining things, she told herself. Stop being foolish. “I thought I saw something.”

It wasn’t the first time, either. For the past two days, ever since arriving at Isadora’s estate, she’d had the oddest sense of being watched. Every time she stood by the window, every time she crossed the garden. She’d glance over her shoulder and find nothing there.

It was frustrating, to say the least. Perhaps it was simply nerves. Or maybe she was finally going insane.

“Isadora,” she said hesitantly, “have you… noticed anything unusual lately? Around the house?”

“Not that I can think of,” Isadora frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I don’t know,” Penelope admitted. “I just keep having this strange feeling, as though someone’s nearby.”

Isadora’s concern deepened.

“Perhaps you are missing the duke far too much,” Isadora surmised. “That is why you think someone is lingering around you.”

“No,” Penelope said quickly. “No, I don’t think that.”

Evan had stopped ahead to wait for them by a stone bench. “All well?” he called.

“Just a bit of fatigue,” Isadora replied breezily, though her eyes stayed fixed on Penelope’s troubled expression.

Penelope gave her sister’s hand a small squeeze.

“Don’t fret over me. Truly. I’m probably imagining it.”

“Well, we can fix it,” Isadora urged. “Let us go into the shop. It will get your mind off things.”

Isadora gestured to the dress maker’s shop in front of her, willing Penelope to come inside with her. Penelope shook her head faintly.

“Go on without me. I think… I’d rather wait out here.”

“Are you certain?” Isadora’s brows knitted together in concern. “At this point, I am a bit scared to leave you on your own.”

“I just need some air,” Penelope murmured. “Please, I will be more miserable inside.”

Isadora hesitated, her gaze lingering on Penelope’s pale face, before sighing and disappearing into the shop. Evan followed her in. Penelope was left standing alone on the pavement.

The street had gotten quite busy now, with carriages rumbling past, the cries of vendors hawking their clients, people moving about.

Penelope inhaled slowly, facing the sun. But then there was that peculiar feeling again.

Someone’s watching me.

At Isadora’s estate, she had dismissed it as a figment of her imagination, but in the crowded streets, it was difficult for her to do the same as easily.

She glanced behind her, scanning the passersby. An elderly gentleman adjusting his spectacles. A boy selling newspapers, waving one in the air. Nothing unusual.

“Stop it,” she whispered under her breath. “There’s no one.”

A sudden gust swept down the street, rattling the signs above the shops and sending dust swirling around her skirts. She took a step closer to the curb and heard a shout.

“Look out!”

Penelope turned just in time to see a carriage barreling toward her, the driver pulling desperately at the reins as the vehicle swerved dangerously onto the walk. The world seemed to slow down.

Was she going to get hit? It was so sudden that her instincts failed and she felt frozen into place. But just before the carriage could crash into her, something pulled her back.

Or, rather a very strong arm. Wrapping around her waist in a sudden grip.

She was pulled backward with force, stumbling against a solid chest, the rush of wind and speed blurring past her as the carriage roared by, missing her by mere inches.

The carriage careened to a halt further down the street, the driver shouting apologies. Penelope spun around, heart hammering wildly.

“What…”

But no one was there. She craned her neck, searching the crowd, her breath still ragged and her hand pressed to her racing heart.

It was as though whoever had saved her had appeared out of nowhere. And had disappeared in a flash, just as easily.

Oh. Her eyes widened. Suddenly, she knew exactly who had pulled her from harm’s way.

“Penelope!”

Isadora’s voice rang out, panicked, as she burst from the shop.

“Good Lord! I saw it from the window, are you hurt? I knew I should not have left you alone here.”

Penelope could only shake her head, still wide-eyed.

“No… no, it didn’t touch me. I was saved.”

Isadora grasped her shoulders, scanning her from head to toe. “Thank heavens. But how did you get out of the way? I thought I saw someone and then… ”

Penelope’s lips parted, “I don’t know. Someone… someone pulled me back.”

“Who? Where are they?” Isadora whirled, peering down the road. “I saw a man, I swear I did.”

“There’s no one,” Penelope said softly, her gaze sweeping once more over the crowd, but already knowing she would find nothing.

Isadora turned back, frowning deeply.

“Penelope, what’s going on? Who saved you?”

“I think I know what is going on here,” Penelope finally got up to her feet, dusting off the dirt from her dress.

“You are beginning to seriously worry me,” Isadora’s brow creased in confusion. “You keep saying things I cannot understand.”

Penelope looked down the street again, where the carriage driver was being scolded by a constable. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. The peculiar sensation that had haunted her for days was no trick of the mind.

“You’re trembling,” Isadora murmured, pulling her closer. “Come inside, dearest. Sit down. You’ve had a shock.”

Penelope allowed herself to be led into the shop, her steps slow, her mind spinning.

“We should get her a glass of water,” a concerned Evan noted from afar.

“No, I think it is better we return home now,” Penelope mused with more energy than she had been able to muster in days.

“Yes, that would be a good idea,” Isadora began to nod. “I think you should rest for a long while. And maybe we should skip the public appearances for now. Whatever bad luck is trailing you has not gone away yet.”

Penelope was shaking her head again. This time, there was a look of determination on her face.

“What are you thinking?” Isadora frowned.

“I do not need to rest,” Penelope got up from her place on the bench. “In fact, I would much prefer if we can head back to the estate right away. There are certain things I need to tend to.”

Isadora and Evan exchanged a glance. Penelope could not blame them, for this must look quite bizarre to an observer . But Penelope felt as though she had just figured out a missing piece of the puzzle she had been looking for, for the past few days.

And it was enough for her to take a bold step.

“Penelope,” Isadora said again, “are you sure you did not hit your head when the carriage came?”

“I was unscathed,” Penelope gestured to herself. “In fact, I am now convinced that even if you were to leave me in the street , and go home, I would be fine.”

Isadora scrunched up her nose. “Why would I ever do that?”

“No,” Penelope shook her head. “I would be completely fine. Because once again, someone is watching over me.”

“You are talking crazy,” Isadora’s voice dropped down to a whisper.

“I am finally making sense,” a smile formed on her lips. “Please, now drop me at the estate. I need to deal with something extremely important and I cannot wait, even for a moment.”

“I think it is best we listen to her,” Evan chimed in.

Isadora was not convinced. But she knew how stubborn her sister could be, so finally, she agreed. As they walked back to the streets, Penelope felt a strange, fleeting sensation of freedom.

It was no coincidence that she had felt watched for the last few days. If anything, it was a sign from someone who would never communicate properly.

She had to go back to the estate if she was to get any proper answers.