Page 6 of The Guardian Duke (Wayward Dukes’ Alliance #21)

Why was it so hard to understand women?

He never had any difficulty when it came to his mistresses or his sister. His cousins, however, were another matter entirely.

Though, perhaps if he would have spent more time in their company, the shock at how much they feared displeasing him, or spending funds he allowed, would not have occurred. Lady Penelope could also have chastised him for his innocent teasing of asking how much damage had been done to his pocketbook, but she had not, even though she knew how his cousins would have been sensitive to his words. Instead, she conveyed her concern in such a manner that it did not take long for Henry to realize that his cousins may be the first women of his acquaintance who feared spending money.

What else did he not know and how often would he need to guard his words in the future until they grew more comfortable?

Or worse, how many more visits would Lady Penelope be making to his home?

Dancing!

What else might she have planned and what would be required of him? Not that he didn’t want to see his cousins have a successful Season, especially after the first attempt had been an utter failure, for which he accepted responsibility, but he hated that Lady Penelope saw him as an inattentive guardian.

It was her opinion of him that had Henry visiting White’s last evening.

It should not matter what Lady Penelope thought, yet it did.

Why did he want her approval?

Was it because she did not like him very much?

Those words still haunted him because he had wanted her to like him, but could not understand why. The opinions of others had never mattered before.

Was it because she was the only female who did not care for him? Did he see her as a challenge and nothing more?

Oh, he wished that was the case because Henry did like her, far too much. However, that did not mean he wanted his female cousins to adopt her independent tendencies, so he needed to find a way to distance Lady Penelope from his family.

But first, he knew that he would need to get through the dancing lessons. Thus it had been providence when Henry encountered his distant cousins, the grandsons of his grandmother’s brother, at White’s. It had also taken some convincing, and possibly begging, but after they had drunk enough ale the three had agreed and now stood in the center of the drawing room where all the furniture had been moved out of the way for lessons to begin.

“Lady Penelope Johansen,” the butler announced as she entered and took in the room and frowned.

“I thought the lessons were for your cousins.”

“These are my cousins,” Henry announced.

“ Female cousins,” she corrected.

“I am certain they will be along shortly,” Henry assured her. “But, given there are five of them and only one of me, I engaged additional toes to be trod upon.”

He also hoped that it would make the lessons go much quicker and he would not need to spend all morning and potentially afternoon dancing or teaching. “My second cousins, Misters Chadburn, Jude and Vance Grell.”

“We are acquainted,” Lady Penelope answered before she greeted them.

Henry supposed that he shouldn’t be surprised. Lady Penelope was five and twenty, observant and did seem to know everyone in Society. And, given her independence, it is likely she may have asked them to dance with her at one time.

Did that mean if she found a gentleman she preferred, she would ask to court them?

He would not be the least bit surprised, which was the very reason that he needed these lessons to be completed as soon as possible because once his cousins were clothed in a manner more becoming and they knew how to dance, Lady Penelope would no longer be an influence in their lives.

There had been no negative effects thus far, but exposure of a long duration might make them…well…less manageable.

“Cousins,” Judith greeted the Grell brothers cheerfully. “We were not aware that you were to call. It has been too many years since we have seen you.”

“Had your father approved, we would have visited more often,” Chadburn responded.

“Did he approve of anyone,” Henry grumbled to Vance who only snorted then chuckled.

“Should we ring for tea?” Chloe asked.

“Not as of yet,” Jude answered. “We are here because we have been given the task to serve as your partners.”

“For what?” Bernice asked.

“Dancing,” Lady Penelope answered.

“I know how to dance,” she responded.

“Yes, you do, but only because you had an excellent partner in Mr. Peter Storm. Your sisters, however, have not yet danced nor did your father believe it necessary that you know how. Therefore, you shall learn today.”

Four of the sisters appeared pleased. Damaris, however, grew pale and stepped away from the others.

“I will play,” she quickly offered and hurried to the piano.

“You must dance as well,” Lady Penelope insisted.

She was already shaking her head vigorously before the words ever formed. “I have no desire to injure or be injured or cause a disruption and draw attention.”

“I am certain that will not happen.”

Henry wasn’t so confident and thought perhaps it wise that of all his cousins, she be the one to remain along with wall with the other wallflowers where less damage could be done.

“There were no incidents yesterday,” Lady Penelope argued.

Henry blinked. “None?” Damaris could barely cross a room without mishap. How had she shopped the whole of London, or nearly what seemed like it given the number of packages that had arrived home with them yesterday, without an accident?

“She was in the comfortable companionship with her sisters and myself,” Lady Penelope answered confidently. “Much different than a crowded ballroom.”

Then it was true. Damaris did suffer from a nervous condition, but how did one cure such an affliction?

“That is not true,” Damaris answered quietly. “I tore lace at one shop. Upset a perfume at another. Tripped over parasols, stepped on the bookmaker, and spilled ink at the stationery shop.”

“You did?” Lady Penelope asked in surprise.

How could she have not noticed such accidents? Was Lady Penelope not supervising his cousins as well as she should?

“We have become proficient in hiding such incidences,” Bernice answered.

“The lace, perfume and ink were included in the purchases and delivered yesterday,” Chloe said quietly as Damaris’ face turned crimson. “We used our pin money to cover the cost.”

“Please, Cousin Henry, do not make me dance,” Damaris begged.

It would be heartless for him to do so. “Very well. You shall play.”

He then addressed his cousins, both male and female. “Choose your partner and Lady Penelope will instruct.”

“The gentlemen shall teach and I will watch,” she corrected.

Henry wanted to take issue with the dictate, but since it was him and his three male second cousins with the four female cousins who needed to learn, Lady Penelope was not needed to participate.

Though no doubt she would correct the slightest mistake.

* * *

The country dances were learned quickly and with little effort. They were followed by the Reel, Cotillion and then Quadrille. Penelope was certain that each of the Simpson sisters, except for Damaris, would be a graceful partner. Such could not be said for the waltz.

The gentlemen were patient and tried to guide, but the women were, well…stiff. The moment a Grell brother or His Grace placed a hand on their back, the sisters grew tense, rigid.

Even Bernice, who had danced previously.

“Stop!” Penelope finally commanded “What is wrong?”

The sisters blinked at her.

“It is like trying to dance with a tree,” Mr. Chadburn, who had been dancing with Bernice, the one who was supposed to have already known how to dance, finally answered.

“It is difficult to ignore years of being told that it is not proper to touch,” Judith explained.

“You touched during the previous dances,” Penelope reminded them.

“Those were hands alone, and acceptable when necessary.”

Despite earlier beliefs, there was nothing scandalous about the waltz. “It is simply his hand on your back instead,” she reminded them. “And yours on their arm or shoulder and a hand is still clasped.”

“But we are facing, and he is very near,” Jael spoke with alarm.

“Father warned that all touching was a sin, especially when one touched a gentleman or he touched us,” Chloe advised.

“These are your cousins, not rakes or rogues,” Penelope reminded them.

“Well, we are cousins,” Jude offered quietly with a chuckle as he glanced at Chadburn, who had the reputation of being a very charismatic rake who could charm a lady out of nearly anything if he wished. He was the most handsome of the Grell brothers, not that she was interested in any of them. However, he never toyed with innocents, which helped him redeem some respectability.

As for the other two brothers, Jude was a Bow Street Runner and Vance was an investigator for the Thames River Police. They were also considered delightful rakes, but were rarely at Societal events, preferring the company of those not associated with the ton.

“I assure you that there is nothing scandalous about the waltz, nor will you be harmed in any manner by dancing such with a bachelor, even if you are not related to them.” It was rather exacerbating that their father had filled their heads with such fears. Besides, it was not the middle of a ballroom that they needed to worry about, but strolls in gardens and such, not that she was ready to issue the true dire warnings of being in London during the Season. That would come later.

“Did you waltz this stiffly with Mr. Peter Storm?” Penelope asked Bernice.

“I fear that I did.” Her face grew quite red. “I explained that it was because I had not been granted permission yet and that I was afraid of being caught, so he made certain to keep me out of site of the patronesses. He also assumed that was the reason for my lack of grace.”

Permission!

How could she have forgotten? “Have any of you received a voucher to Almacks?”

“We have not,” Judith answered.

“That is it then. We are no longer needed,” Vance announced.

“You are!” Penelope rebuked. “When your cousins return to Society, they will gain the notice and attention of everyone and be added to every guest list, which means that the patronesses will take notice. Therefore, they must learn to waltz so that when they are finally given permission, they will be able to do so.”

The Grell brothers blew out a sigh, resigned.

“There is nothing sinful in the waltz so we shall try again.” She motioned for the men to join their partners then nodded to Damaris to play again.

“Relax!” she nearly yelled with encouragement when there was no more fluidity to their movements than the ice that sits upon water in the winter.

“It is impossible,” Chloe cried as she stepped away from Jude.

“If it is so easy, why do you not demonstrate,” Jael challenged Penelope.

“I know how to waltz,” she reminded them.

“Perhaps if we watched you, we would have a better understanding,” Bernice suggested.

Goodness, she had not expected this turn of events.

“Very well!” She stepped forward. “Who shall partner me?”

The Grell brothers looked first at each other and then all three focused on His Grace.

The duke approached and held out his hand. “Lady Penelope, may I have this honor.”

Her pulse immediately increased and nervousness settled into her belly, which was quite discomfiting. It was a waltz to teach a lesson, in the middle of the morning in a drawing room. It meant nothing more. Besides, she had waltzed with him not long ago.

“Thank you, Your Grace.” He led her to the center of the room as the others backed away, then nodded to Damaris who began to play.

Penelope hardly heard the music as they swept from one end of the room to the other and back before coming to an end. Neither were wearing gloves and his palm warmed hers just as his hand on her back nearly burned her skin through her light gown. Their steps were evenly matched, as if they were one, moving and turning without a single misstep. She knew the direction, even without the slightest nudge from him.

It was easy and graceful and with each step, his blue eyes grew darker and her breathing became more difficult, which was certainly from the exertion and nothing more. Only when they returned to the center of the room and stopped was she able to once again catch her breath.

There was a pause of silence, then the sisters applauded.

“That is how it is done!” Chadburn announced. “Shall we try this one more time while those two recover from what was quite a moving and strenuous activity.”

His brothers chuckled, but His Grace did not.

Was there an underlying meaning to his words that she had not understood?

“I shall ring for tea,” His Grace announced and marched away from her, leaving Judith without a partner.

“That was lovely,” she said.

“It is how the waltz should be and once you become comfortable with it, you will understand.”

Except, no other gentleman had left Penelope breathless, caused her pulse to increase, or her body to warm, which had nothing to do with the exertion of the dance.

It was all very odd indeed and Penelope was not certain what to make of it and feared examining it too closely.