Chapter 7
Nash called at one o’clock, lilacs in hand. The ladies curtsied, he and Edward bowed, and he presented his gift to Penelope.
She pulled the bell, and Waters came in to take the flowers and put them in a vase with water.
“Lord Balfour, I would like to ask you if Lady Penelope and I could go for a walk this lovely afternoon.” He turned to Penelope. “Is your maid available?”
Edward looked at Nash, “If Penelope would like to accompany you, you have my permission if we can find a chaperone for you.”
Penelope spoke, “I know Helen is available to me. I’ll just go upstairs and get her and find my wrap.”
Penelope rushed from the room while Nash turned to Cecilia. “Lady Balfour?”
“It’s perfectly fine with me. How long do you expect to be out of doors?”
“I’ll return her within two hours.”
Cecilia nodded. “That’s fine.”
Penelope came down the stairs with Helen close behind her. She came into the parlour, “I’m ready.”
Nash turned to Edward and Cecilia and bowed,” Lord Balfour, Lady Balfour.”
Being out in the sun walking with Penelope was Nash’s definition of an ideal day. He wanted to get out of that parlour and the invasive presence of Henry. If this worked out, he would do it again.
“Where would you like to go, Lady Penelope?”
“I’m not sure. Do you have suggestions?”
Nash thought. Sometimes there were less travelled areas of Rotten Row. “Could we walk towards Rotten Row? The flowers are in full bloom, and once off the main walkway, it’s not very crowded.”
“Sounds delightful.”
They walked at a slow pace, enjoying the weather, and in no hurry. Penelope told Nash of growing up in Somerset with Edward and Henry. Henry had always been a handful, even as a young boy. Penelope had to avoid him as much as possible. Every once in a while, Henry decided he wanted to be around Penelope. That’s when her days turned into nightmares.
“That bad?” Nash asked, knowing it to be true.
“Yes, that bad. Until this,” Penelope pointed to her scar, “then he left me alone.”
“I wish you could have had a fun childhood. Picking flowers, running through meadows, raiding the kitchen.”
Penelope gave a small smile, “Thank you. I wish so too. But it wasn’t to be.”
Nash hesitated, then spoke. “The first time we met, you were fourteen, and I was twenty. You had just been injured, but you came to the dinner table. That must’ve been difficult for you.”
“Yes, my uncle insisted I dine with you. I don’t know why.”
“I sat across from you and looked into those beautiful brown eyes of yours, and I felt a familiarity. At first, I thought we had met before, but that wasn’t it. It was more like a real connection two people share.
“You hear about twins who finish each other’s sentences or old married couples who will swear they know what each other is thinking. I felt it so strong, but I didn’t know what it was. I still don’t. Am I making any sense to you?”
Penelope tilted her head and looked into Nash’s eyes. “When you walked towards me in that crowded ballroom, the night we met? I felt something then. I was too afraid to even admit the feeling to myself.”
Nash was puzzled, “Why?”
Penelope pointed to her scar but didn’t say anything.
Nash rolled his eyes then took a sharp left onto a quiet path deep inside Rotten Row. He looked around to see if anyone was looking. “Penelope, Helen? Let’s pick some of these. They will look beautiful in your parlour.”
Nash and Helen started picking flowers, but Penelope didn’t move. “And when we walk out of here with flowers in our hands?”
Nash turned to Helen. “Is she always a scaredy-cat?” He winked.
Helen nodded.
Penelope looked up to the sky, then down to the flowers. “Oh, all right. If I get arrested, things will get ugly quickly.”
When they emerged with fists full of lilacs, daisies, Iris, and lavender, all three looked very pleased with themselves.
Penelope began walking at a brisk pace. “Quick. Let’s get back before someone sees us.”
Nash laughed. “So, it’s fine to commit a crime as long as no one sees us?”
Penelope gave Nash a fake smile, “Very funny. Let’s go.”
When he opened the door for them, Penelope handed the flowers to Waters. “Could you please have someone get a vase and water for these?”
Nash and Penelope went into the parlour. Nash was happy to see there were tea and a few cookies left.
He sat back while Cecilia poured his tea. “Did anyone else join you for tea?”
Edward answered, “Funny you should ask. There was a gentleman here looking for both of you. He thought my mother and I were idiots and lying to him when we said we didn’t know where you went.
“There was a bit of agitation, then quiet. You really didn’t miss anything.”
***
Cecilia and Edward picked up their teacups while Edward looked at the plate of cookies. Henry could see Edward taking two.
He looked around. “Where are they?” he said, irritation in his voice.
“Who?” Edward said, still choosing his cookies.
“Don’t be such an idiot, Edward. Where are Nash and Penelope?”
Edward lifted his head. “I don’t talk with people who call me an idiot,” he said, then went back to putting another cookie on his plate.
“Then you mustn’t have many people to talk to,” Henry said, raising his voice.
Edward ignored Henry. “Mother,” he said, “I may take the carriage this afternoon. If I go out, is there anything you need?”
“Stop it, both of you, stop it,” Henry said, loudly. “Where are they?” he screamed.
Cecilia said, “There’s a package at the milliner’s if you are anywhere near there. They are on Long Street.”
Edward nodded, “Yes, I know the one. Anything else?”
“No, thank you, Edward.”
In a conversational tone, Henry asked, “Where are Nash and Penelope?”
Edward blew out a breath, “Mother, ignore him. He doesn’t talk to idiots.”
Henry’s face was getting red. The blood in his veins was racing and felt hot. He could hear the blood rush through his ears.
“I’m sorry Edward. You are not an idiot. I spoke out of frustration, and I apologize. Could you please tell me where Nash and Penelope are?”
Edward smiled, and it wasn’t a smile because of his victory over Henry. It was a smile that was a precursor to what was about to come.
“They went for a walk.”
“What? They did what?”
“Nash, Penelope, and Helen went for a walk.”
“Where did they go?”
Edward shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Henry stood, his arms flailing, “You don’t know. You don’t know anything? Nothing? Not the direction they went in when they left? You are an idiot.”
Henry left. He couldn’t take it anymore. They weren’t cooperating with him. They would find out what a mistake that was.
***
Penelope wanted to take extra care dressing for the Thompson ball. She went to her mother’s bedchamber.
“Which gown should I wear tonight? I want to look my best, and I’m not sure which to choose,” she said.
Cecilia smiled. “Let’s go,” she said as she took Penelope by the shoulders and turned her around. She gave her a lighthearted push. Once in Penelope’s bedchamber, she went to the wardrobe and examined every gown.
Cecilia pulled out Penelope’s lavender gown and handed it to her. “Here, this one makes your eyes radiant and shows off your figure. It’s one of my favourites.”
Penelope hugged her mother. “Thank you. I’m a little flustered. Nerves, I think.”
Cecilia put her hand on Penelope’s shoulder. “Why are you nervous? You have one ball under your belt; you should feel better knowing what is expected of you.”
Penelope’s smile was rueful. “I didn’t have anything to lose last time. This time, I do.”
“Ah, five minutes of him in your presence will settle your nerves. Besides, you heard Edward. Their dinner at the club went well. He talked about you more than once without Edward even bringing you up. And you had a nice visit with him when he came calling today.”
Penelope hugged Cecilia, “You’re right.” She shook her head, and then sobered. “I can’t shake this feeling of trepidation. But it will be fine.”
***
Cecilia was right. Lady Thompson had invited too many people. The ballroom spilled over into the corridors. Along the walls of the ballroom, the girls’ chaperones were elbow to elbow. That was cause for complaints. The ballroom floor was so crowded with dancers that bodies were bumping into each other, causing the ladies to need help from their dance partners to keep from falling to the floor. There were a few more gentlemen’s hands on ladies’ bodies than was proper. That may have accounted for more dancers.
Penelope didn’t know where to look. The ball was so crowded; it was difficult to see the fashions on display. She looked to the left to see five girls clumped together, forced to stand close because of the crowd. Their gowns stood side-by-side, yellow, pink, blue, green, and another blue. It was so pretty to see. It must have been so boring in the days all the girls had to wear white.
She liked the white feathers coming out of the hair of a girl with a pink dress. They moved when she moved.
You could tell a lot from a gentleman’s waistcoat, Penelope decided. Most gentlemen wore a black coat over a white shirt and cravat and buckskin pants with boots or buckled shoes. The only way they could express their individuality was through their waistcoats.
Penelope decided she liked the solid ones rather than the plaid. If the plaid was too busy, it ruined the outfit, and the gentleman looked ridiculous strutting around as if to draw attention to himself.
The solid ones added the colour the gentleman chose for the evening, similar to how Penelope chose lavender as the colour of her gown. She liked to imagine a gentleman looking through his wardrobe passing over red, green, and tan to choose blue. Otherwise, men wouldn’t have any fun dressing, would they?
Penelope wasn’t fond of turbans and wondered why any woman would wear one, never mind wear one to a ball. The only thing she liked about turbans was the large jeweled pin centered above her forehead on the turban. She could look at all the jewellery on display all night.
She longed to be able to style her hair so ribbons could be weaved through it in an artful display but tried not to look too closely at hairstyles. There were so many beautiful ones, and she couldn’t wear any of them.
Penelope had taken to putting a hair comb on the right side of her head near her eyes so anyone talking with her might be distracted by looking at her hair comb instead of her scar on her left side. It was suggested that she lowered her neckline to distract others. Penelope and her mother didn’t like that suggestion.
There was only so much she could do. She scanned the ballroom to see if there were other ladies with disadvantages. A large nose, bushy eyebrows, bad teeth, unruly hair. She didn’t think they qualified. A fan helps a large nose and bad teeth. Bushy eyebrows are easily fixed. A good ladies maid could fix unruly hair.
She felt and then saw her mother beside her. “What are you looking for, Penelope. Can I help you search?”
She turned to her mother and smiled. “I’m looking at the fashions. Maybe I will find a look or a hairstyle that might suit me.”
“Anything to your liking?”
“Feathers. I saw a lady with a feather that lay between her skin and her hair, held in place by a hair comb. Maybe we could buy one, and I could experiment?”
Cecilia beamed. “We’ll go tomorrow.”
Edward ventured into the card room to see every seat at every table occupied. Gentlemen were hovering over the shoulders of players, glimpsing their hands to see if they would fold and rise from their seat. It didn’t look to Edward like a chair would open up soon. He would probably have to get behind the men hovering over the tables. Their intent was to get a seat. It would be a long wait.
He went back to the ballroom looking for his mother and sister. In this madhouse, he would never find them. He stood on his toes, craning his neck. No luck. From behind him, he heard a voice.
“You’re not going to find them by standing on your toes.”
Edward turned and smiled. “Oh? What do you suggest, Your Grace?”
Nash smiled. “Come with me.” He climbed the stairs and took a sharp left at the top. About twenty feet down the hallway there was an opening in the wall and a handrail across the opening. They stood, leaned on the handrail, and scanned the ballroom below.
“See? We should have much better luck here.”
Edward laughed. “How did you know about this?”
Nash rolled his eyes. “Simple. I looked up. Quite a few townhouses have a balcony like this. Now, do you see them?”
Edward shook his head. “Not yet. Penelope is wearing lavender.”
Nash saw something below. “Look to the right of the ballroom floor about halfway down against the wall. In yellow. That’s Mildred James.”
Edward leaned over and to the right. Mildred James was one of the names Nash came armed with to White’s. She was attractive, and she laughed with those around her. Her face lit up with her laughter. Edward asked Nash for an introduction, and Nash nodded.
Nash found them first, “There they are.” His face fell. “What’s Henry doing with them?”
Edward’s head swiveled, “Where?”
“In the left corner. He’s got them pinned in there. They are both glaring at him. Why is he here? Is he searching for a wife?”
Edward shrugged. “I doubt it. More likely he’s here to make my mother and sister miserable. And by the look on their faces, I think he’s succeeded.”
Nash pointed his chin to the hallway. “Come on. We have ladies to rescue.”
Edward took one last look to see if Miss James was still where they found her. She was. Satisfied, he followed Nash.
“Good evening, Lady Balfour, Lady Penelope, Lord Stanton.” Nash bowed, and the ladies curtsied. Henry stared. “We had difficulty finding you in this crush of people.”
Cecilia opened her mouth to speak, but Henry beat her to it.
“We? Who is we,” he demanded.
“Oh, Edward, there you are,” Cecilia said. “I thought we lost you amongst all these people. Did you have trouble finding us?”
“Yes, actually, I did. The Duke showed me a spot where we were able to see the whole ballroom. That’s how we found you.”
Henry’s face was getting red. “Don’t tell me you two are best friends now. You only met a few days ago. So help me; if you think I’ll stand for two against one, you’re wrong. My father will stop this charade before it goes on much further,” Henry said, much louder than was proper.
Edward grimaced, “Tell me, Henry. Why are you here?”
Henry looked from Penelope to Nash. “I’ll leave, but remember what I said. Break it off before I have Edward, you, and your mother thrown out. I wonder what you will do all day when you aren’t under my father’s roof any longer. Chambermaid, perhaps?”
Nash looked at Henry, his teeth grinding, his jaw moving. “Tell me, Henry, are you looking for a wife? I would have thought you wouldn’t believe gatherings like this fun.”
Henry, still red-faced, tried to calm himself enough to answer. His control was tenuous. “No. I won’t take a wife for years to come. I’m here to watch over Cecilia and Penelope.”
Edward’s head snapped up, and he looked into Henry’s eyes. His voice was ice, “No need, Henry. I am here, and it is my responsibility. Since you aren’t looking for a wife, and I am watching over my family, you are relieved of any obligation you may have felt, and you might as well go.”
Henry narrowed his eyes at Edward. “Are you dismissing me?”
Edward grimaced, “Tell me, Henry. Why are you here?”
Henry opened his mouth to say something and thought better of it. Instead, he said, “Well, as you said, Edward, I believe I will say good evening now and go.”
He left, taking any of the pleasure of the evening with him.
All four looked at one another. Cecilia said, “I’m not getting a good feeling about this. Why is he coming to the balls? He’s making me nervous. He has an end game. I just know it.”
Edward moved to be next to his mother and put his hand on her shoulder. “You are most likely right, Mother. We must be extra diligent.”
Penelope looked at Nash. “What should we do?”
Nash schooled his demeanour, looking relaxed and amused. “Your cousin likes to go around making trouble wherever he goes. Think nothing of it.”
Nash changed the subject. “My Lady, shall we brave the overcrowded dance floor?”
Penelope laughed. “Yes, let’s give it a try.”
***
Kitty pulled Isobel to an alcove on the far side of the ballroom. She looked left, then right before she spoke.
“What was it with Lord Finch? We all danced with him at the first ball. He seems interested in Penelope instead of one of us. He is good looking and has boatloads of money. Why is he interested in her? It’s not my imagination, is it?”
Isobel lifted her fan so no one could see her talking, “I don’t get it either. There are at least another five girls besides us with the looks and figures to attract the man. He seems oblivious to us all.
“Have you met Lady Ann Graves?”
Kitty nodded.
“She said she had a good dance with him, and he asked her to dance again later. She followed him around with her eyes and saw him introduced to us. That’s why she came to me. She wanted to know what happened. As soon as he was introduced to Penelope, she never saw him again. She tried walking by him a few times to catch his eye, but it didn’t work. He never went back for that second dance.”
“And she’s beautiful and witty. Most of the men in this ballroom have an interest in her,”Kitty said.
Isabel asked, “Have you seen anyone try to get him to notice them?”
Kitty shook her head. “It seems to be a waste of time. I don’t get it. I thought she’d be the last girl this season to find a man.”