Because Harry watched so closely, he caught the quick glance she shot Cam, as if unsure whether to request his permission. Harrys displeasure with his brother-in-law deepened. Devil take Cam for bullying her.
I hope shell come to see us both in action. Cam slipped his hand around Pens arm. Pen started as though her husbands touch was unfamiliar. Unwelcome?
Oh, Pen, what the deuce have you got yourself into?
Cam squeezed Pens arm and released her, asking Elias about his parliamentary debut. The two wandered toward the door. It was the opportunity Harry sought.
Before he could speak, Pen leveled a glare upon him. What on earth are you doing?
Doing? A guilty flush rose in his cheeks. I dont know what you mean.
Yes, you do. She folded her arms and regarded him with a stern expression that made him feel about six. You looked at Cam like you wanted to poison him.
Poisons a womans weapon, Harry responded with unconvincing humor.
You always liked him.
So did you, Harry retorted.
I still do. She looked surprised and if he wasnt mistaken, uncomfortable. Hes a good man.
Harry grunted. Five minutes ago, hed burned to punch the dukes nose. Now, he wasnt so sure.
Hes a good man, Harry, she repeated adamantly. And I wont have family discord. Nor will I become a martyr to gossip. Theres been enough talk about both the Thornes and the Rothermeres. Youll have to put on a better face than youve managed tonight. And quickly. People notice.
Pen! He tugged her into a tight embrace. Briefly hed glimpsed the forthright woman he remembered. Im so glad youre back.
She struggled free and patted her hair. Youre quite mad.
She could call him a lunatic a hundred times as long as she lost that gray aura. It runs in the family.
Ha ha, she said. The mocking sound pleased his ears the way a harmonious chord pleased Elias. Now if you can bring yourself to act like a gentleman and not a grumpy bear, lets find my husband and make our farewells.
He had more on his mind tonight than the state of his sisters marriage. Wait.
Impatiently she paused. What is it?
Have you thought about what we talked about?
No.
It was Harrys turn to be annoyed. Its important.
Harry, youre so young
I wont change, he said steadily.
He saw the moment she realized that this wasnt a passing attraction. She sighed. Leath wont let you near his sister. Youre asking for an ocean of heartbreak.
I dont care. I love her, he said stubbornly. I want you to help me to see Sophie. Leath wont watch you. You can carry messages.
Like a sneak.
Like a loving sister.
Pen looked hunted. Is Sophie back?
She returns next week. The aunt is in Edinburgh for some lecture series so Leath wants Sophie under his eye.
I thought communication between you two was cut.
He shrugged. Where theres a will, theres a way.
Youre reckless.
Faint heart never won fair lady.
If youre not careful, your rashness will bring a scandal down around our ears. Cam doesnt deserve it. And if you think Leath wont resent me for promoting this illicit flirtation, youre a blockhead.
Harrys jaw firmed. Ive considered the arguments. I can even bring myself to agree with a few of them. Sometimes.
She looked relieved. Then stop this before someone gets hurt.
Never, Harry said adamantly. Nothing will convince me that Sophies better off married to a man who doesnt love her. A man she doesnt love.
I suppose she fancies herself in love with you. Pen considered him. Ill concede that youre serious. But shes young too.
She knows her heart. With all the trouble involved, it would be easier to give me up.
Perhaps shes swept up in the excitement. Secret meetings and the drama of family opposition can turn a chits head.
Its not like that, Harry said obstinately. Sophie loves me. Were going to get married.
Pen sighed again. Over Leaths dead body. I dont know the man, but everything Ive heard says that he wont yield. If hes decided youre not the right husband for his sister, youll never get his approval.
Then well act without his approval, Harry said sharply, causing a footman stacking chairs at the other side of the empty room to glance up.
Pen looked shocked. Harry, youll ruin us all.
He sucked in a breath and lowered his voice. Right now, all I want is a chance to see Sophie. He read his sisters reaction. You have my word that my intentions are honorable. You wont be assisting a rakes stratagems.
Pens expression was pensive and something went on behind her eyes that he didnt understand. Then to his relief, after a long delay that had him nervous as a cat on a stove, she nodded. Very well. For the moment, you have my cooperation. God help us if this comes undone.
What did Harry want? Cam demanded, once they were in their carriage away from listening ears.
Nervously Pen glanced across at him. Of course that perfect gentleman Camden Rothermere sat with his back to the horses. God forbid he should ignore etiquette and sit beside her.
Well?
Pen was grateful that the lamps inside the carriage remained unlit for the short journey to Rothermere House. Cam always knew when she lied.
Youre sounding very lordly, she responded, bristling at his tone. And eager to evade the question.
Her eyes had adjusted enough to see him fold his arms across his powerful chest. She didnt need to see his expression. It would inevitably be implacable. Humor me.
Why should he want anything? After all, weve been separated for the best part of ten years.
If he didnt want anything, youd tell me.
Devil take him, he had a point. Pen reminded herself that shed promised obedience. Still, she couldnt betray her brother. What do you think he said, Cam?
Cam stretched his long legs across the well between the seats. Hed looked magnificent tonight. Tall and distinguished, a striking man even in the company of spectacular Richard Harmsworth. Pen had fought desperately hard to hide her bedazzlement. Unfortunately, she had a feeling shed overcompensated and convinced Cams friends that she didnt care a fig for him.
Genevieve had been friendly and Richard had always been a darling. Sidonie and Jonas Merrick clearly thought that Cams marriage was a mistake.
She reminded herself that anything, even a cold reception from Cams friends, was better than the exposure of her secret. How the world would laugh at the awkward duchess unable to hide her adoration for her indifferent husband. Worse, Cam would feel sorry for her.
Tonight I heard a disturbing rumor that Harry sets his sights on Leaths sister, Cam said.
I dont know Leath or his sister, Pen responded with perfect honesty. To hide how her hands trembled, she slid them under her velvet cloak.
Leaths ranged himself against me.
Surely he cant do much harm, she said.
Surely he can. Support has dwindled to nothing on a number of my projects, not least that canal scheme that Elias has invested in. I have wool and coal in Derbyshire and a mill in Manchester that Id dearly like to link, not just for my own prosperity but for the people of Fentonwyck.
But youre Sedgemoor.
And Leaths spent his life building political influence, whereas Ive been out of the country for the last few months.
She hid a pang of guilt. Cam had neglected his interests because hed been haring after her. Youre back now. Youll sort it out.
Sorting it out means smoothing his resentment, Cam said austerely. Your brothers plans to seduce the mans sister wont help.
I imagine not. She kept her voice calm. I have no control over Harry.
Just dont encourage any delusions about his courtship.
Im hardly likely to promote the joys of matrimony to someone I care about, she said bitterly.
A blistering silence crashed down.
Shock at her unguarded response had her stiffening against the carriages sway and peering through the darkness at Cam. Her voice quivered with remorse. Cam, Im sorry.
A passing street lamp revealed his devastated expression. At that moment, she loathed herself.
She loathed herself more when he caught her hand and stared at her with piercing concern. Pen, Im so sorry that youre unhappy. His regret made her poor, aching heart cramp. Tell me what I can do.
Love me.
She bit back the inevitable answer and forced an unconvincing laugh. Surely they must be nearly at Rothermere House. She could retire to her room for a serious conversation with herself about making ones bed and lying in it.
Im so sorry, Your Grace. She pulled free. Im a fishwife. I hope youll pardon me. The evenings been difficult.
His sweeping gesture conveyed impatience. This situation bore down on him too, even if he didnt live with the object of an impossible passion. Hells bells, stop it, Pen.
I dont understand, she said in a leaden tone, retreating against the seat and huddling into her cape.
For Gods sake
To Pens craven relief, the carriage turned into Grosvenor Square. Were here.
Were home, he snapped. Dont imagine this discussion is over.
Most men wouldnt notice that she was yet to call any of the Rothermere properties home. She cursed his perception. But none of his houses felt like home. Amidst all the oppressive splendor, she felt like an interloper.
She fell back on the standard excuse. Im tired
Im sure you are, he flashed back. And Im tired of being called Your Grace and treated like a pariah. Im tired of seeing you shy away from me as if you expect a kick for the slightest show of spirit.
I hardly think she began heatedly, before she reminded herself that an argument would shatter their fragile truce.
The door opened. She hurriedly gathered her reticule and stepped out of the carriage, leaving Cam fuming behind her. In his usual dignified style.
Cam watched sourly as his beautiful wife sailed into his imposing London house. He felt like a toad for haranguing Penelope. None of this was easy for her.
It wasnt easy for him either. Ever since hed discovered her in the Alps, Penelope Thorne had demonstrated an unprecedented and decidedly disagreeable ability to stir his emotions.
Hed spent weeks burning up with lust. Foolishly hed imagined that appeasing his hunger would end it. Yet he wanted her more now than before. Somehow the simple fact that he wanted his bridesurely a good thingbecame just another tangle in the knots she tied him in outside the bedroom.