This scapegrace showed up at Houghton Park the day before yesterday, claiming he tired of London, Elias said. When he discovered I was bound for your wedding, he wouldnt stay behind.
Wouldnt miss it for the world, Harry said with the wicked smile that she didnt remember in his younger self.
Shed heard that he cut a swathe through societys ladies. Right now she believed it. Ill need time to get used to seeing my unpromising lout of a brother with so much town bronze. Youre almost presentable these days, Harry.
Too kind. If you ask nicely, Ill take you round the modistes and show you the latest rigs.
She cast him an annoyed glance. Im sure you heard about the shipwreck. I only reached Fentonwyck yesterday. There wasnt time to have a gown made.
Id take her in her petticoat. Cams smile looked almost natural. She was impressed. Nobody seeing this superb man in his elegant clothing and with his easy manner would guess that this marriage wasnt his choice.
You almost did, she said.
It might be an improvement, Harry remarked.
She scowled at him. Now Im a duchess, Ill thank you to show some respect. Theres a dungeon at Fentonwyck, young man.
Cam snagged two glasses of champagne from a footman and passed her one. As she accepted, she summoned another smile. Her brothers needed to believe that she was happy. She was bleakly aware that a lifetime of pretense awaited.
The dungeons are now wine cellars, Pen. Tomorrow Ill take you on a tour of your new home.
Id readily commit the occasional faux pas, if it means youll lock me away with your claret, Cam, Harry said.
Cams arm slipped around her waist. Shock made her stiffen and withdraw before she recalled that they were in public. He caught her hand and gently rubbed his thumb over her wedding ring. The new ring felt alien, almost oppressive. Shed become accustomed to the weight of his signet, now on his hand where it belonged.
Pen, he warned under his breath, releasing her.
She blushed at the reprimand, however deserved. And at the touch of his hand. Shed spent the last days bracing herself to share Cams bed when hed do much more than put his arm around her. How could she pretend that she didnt love him when he took her body? If he discovered she loved him, this current awkwardness would fade to nothing in comparison.
Are you and Elias staying? she asked Harry.
No, we leave after the breakfast, Harry said.
Its a long way to come just for the ceremony.
How cowardly she was, but her brothers offered refuge against Cam and what would happen in his bed tonight. Except that nothing would stop him possessing her. Shed spent her life trying to strangle her painful, unwelcome love. If he took her, that dependence would worsen. And now she couldnt run away to the Continent to avoid the constant reminder that hed never love her.
She gulped a mouthful of champagne to dislodge the familiar lump in her throat.
Steady on, old girl. You dont want to be tipsy on your wedding day. Cam doesnt need to know all the family foibles at once.
Ha ha, she said sarcastically, although Harrys teasing stemmed rising panic. Shed hoped shed accepted her lot. Apparently she hadnt.
One of the nice things about marrying someone you met in their cradle is that there are few surprises, Cam said drily, sliding his hand around her waist once more. This time she made herself stand rigidly still.
Elias doesnt wish to intrude on your honeymoon, Harry said.
Theyd told her brothers the lie about the European ceremony. Were an old married couple now.
Cam sent her a sardonic glance. Hardly, my love.
The world stuttered to a stop. She only just saved herself from wrenching free. Those two wordsmy lovethreatened to drag the whole façade around their ears. Those two words hurt. Dear God, they hurt. And shed just signed up for fifty years or so of more hurt. Someone should shoot her now.
Credit us with some tact, Pen, Elias said.
I havent seen you in so long, she said with a trace of desperation.
Come and stay at Houghton Park once youve settled. Sadness shadowed Eliass expression. Its shabbier than you remember. Old Peter wasnt much of a manager.
He had a big heart and a generous spirit, Pen said quietly. Ill miss him.
Ill miss him too, Cam said softly, a reminder of the bonds linking her to this man. There was nobody like Peter.
A somber silence extended as a benevolent ghost briefly hovered. A man who had been careless with money but never with peoples feelings.
Hed be happy today, Elias eventually said, smiling his approval at Pen and Cam. He always considered you a brother, Cam.
Thank you. When the butler appeared at the dining room door, Cams grip on Pen firmed. Breakfast is served.
With such a small and almost exclusively male gathering, social rules hardly counted. Still, Cam clearly meant to escort Pen. Through his glove and her dress, she felt the burning possession in his touch. The heat seared her, made her tremble with nerves. How on earth could she become his lover without revealing her feelings? The night loomed like a monster.
Harry touched her arm. Pen, can I have a word?
Of course. She turned to Cam. I wont be long.
She hung back while Cam ushered the guests away. Once they were alone, she faced Harry. However different he looked, something in her soul insisted that he was the same: impulsive, generous, sweet-tempered, surprisingly steady in his loyalties.
He fixed his black eyes upon her. I need your help.
Oh, no. This didnt sound good. She could barely hold herself together, let alone take on Harrys problems. Are you in trouble?
Not exactly. His tone didnt convince.
Well, what, exactly? She glanced behind to see if Cam returned for her.
Theres this girl
A grim premonition settled in Pens stomach, souring the champagne. You havent done something dishonorable, have you?
Well, what, exactly? She glanced behind to see if Cam returned for her.
Theres this girl
A grim premonition settled in Pens stomach, souring the champagne. You havent done something dishonorable, have you?
Harry drew himself to his full height and surveyed her down his straight Thorne nose. Not yet.
Hardly reassuring. Who is she?
Lady Sophie Fairbrother.
He paused as if Pen should immediately understand, but shed been out of England too long. I dont know her. Is she related to Lord Leath?
Shes his sister, Harry said glumly.
Harry, you cant make a marquesss sister your mistress.
Anger flashed in his face and she realized with a sinking heart that this situation was much more serious. If she recognized the signsand how could she not?Harry was in love.
I dont want to make her my mistress. I want to make her my wife.
Thats aiming high for a third son with no prospects, Harry.
I love her and she loves me.
Pen saw it was pointless saying that a young girls fancy changed with the wind. There was even less point in saying that a young mans fancy was just as fickle. When Harry fell in love, hed love forever. Just like she loved Cam. If thats true, lets hope that Leath wants his sisters happiness. Youll have to offer for her.
Harrys mouth turned down. I did. He showed me the door. Damned rudely.
He must think youre a fortune hunter. A reasonable assumption. Leaths sister would be an heiress and Harry had little to recommend him, apart from his steadfast heart.
Hes picked a husband for her. A dry old stick with political connections called Lord Desborough.
Do you want Cam to speak to Leath?
Harrys laugh held no amusement. No, that would completely scupper my hopes. Youre out of touch with the tattle. Sedgemoor and Leath are at daggers drawn. Cam exposed Leaths uncle as an out and out villain. Leaths doing his best to stymie Cams business ventures. Surprised nobody wrote and told you. The scandal has put paid to Leaths political ambitions. At least for the moment.
Oh dear. Shed been right to worry. Harry was in a mess. I do remember the news about Leaths uncle, now you mention it. In Italy, it hardly seemed important.
Well, its important now. At least to me.
With your sister married to Cam, Leath will place you in the enemy camp.
Harry nodded gloomily. And I was less welcome than a flea at a feast anyway.
What can I do? Today shed signed up to a lifetime without love. How could she bear to condemn her brother to a similar fate? And perhaps her involvement might temper Harrys recklessness.
Harry smiled with a relief she couldnt feel she deserved. You always were a great sport.
She had an ominous feeling that being a great sport in this instance was likely to incur her husbands wrath. All I can advise is wait. Its not the Middle Ages. Leath cant haul his sister kicking and screaming to the altar. Once he understands that her feelings are real, he may relent.
But he wont let me see her, Harry said on a despairing outburst. Hes sent her to Northumberland. Even when she comes back, hell keep us apart.
You want my help arranging a rendezvous? Pen asked without enthusiasm.
Harry looked brighter. Would you?
She stared at him in frustration. Im in Derbyshire. What do you think?
I think you wont be in Derbyshire for long. Cam will go down for parliament and to introduce you to society.
She didnt hide her displeasure with her brother. And you want me to act as your go-between?
Harry displayed not one whit of compunction. Yes.
I see.
Her reluctance surprised him. Pen, you were always up for a lark.
This is hardly a lark, she said sharply. She suddenly felt the gulf of five years in their ages. Cam wont want a scandal.
Harrys black brows drew together. Do you mean to dwindle into a mere wife after all your adventuring? I never thought to see it.
She glowered at her younger brother, wishing for the days when she could give him a good clip around the ear. You know Cams concerns for the Rothermere name. I dont want him to regret marrying me.
Harry regarded her strangely. You speak as though hes taken you on approval.
Hells bells. She needed to be careful, even with her family. Nobody could know about the cold center of her marriage. Nobody except the two parties most intimately involved.
Dont be silly. She struggled to sound like the suggestion was absurd.