Free Never Had a Dream Come True by Jennifer Wenn Page B

reappeared in society.”
    Penny gasped with delight. “Really, Fanny? This is excellent news, indeed. When did he return?”
    “He came back to his father’s funeral, and according to Rake, who as you know happens to be a very good friend of the new Duke of Hereford, he will be staying for the next Season.”
    “But this is amazing. The man of your dreams, who has been abroad for so many years, just happens to return when it’s time for your debutante Season. It’s like…like…”
    “A fairytale come true.”
    Penny bit back a smile as Francesca hummed dreamily. Happiness for her best friend overwhelmed her. This had been Francesca’s dream since she was just a little girl, and being so in love herself, Penny couldn’t think of anything that could make her even happier.
    “Maybe we could have a double wedding next year?” she teased.
    “Lord, I hope not,” Francesca sighed. “A double wedding would mean you are going through with marrying Mr. Bedford.”
    Penny sighed, defeated. She had hoped Francesca would be on her side regarding Thomas, but to her surprise her friend—who had spent years trying to get Penny out of love with Rake—had turned and was now in favor of Rake and completely against Thomas.
    “But it’s a life I want.”
    “No, it is not. It’s a life you have persuaded yourself into wanting. But the truth is that you still want my uncle, and nothing you say or do will ever change that.”
    “Fanny…”
    “You just have to make him realize marrying you is the best thing for him. You two are made for each other, and you’d better admit it before it’s too late and you are caught in Mr. Bedford’s web forever.”
    “Web? Really, Fanny.”
    Francesca stopped with her hand on the door handle to the salon without opening the door. “He’s not the same anymore.”
    “Who? Hereford?”
    “No, Uncle Rake. He’s unusually still and thoughtful. Even Uncle Jamie remarked about it, and he is Uncle Rake’s twin brother and should know what he’s talking about.”
    “It saddens me to hear about it, but it has nothing to do with me. I haven’t even seen him since August, when I met him in Sandhurst while shopping with Thomas. And then he was his usual witty self and teased Thomas just as wickedly as he always does. Later I missed your family’s August festival, as mother was sick, and then he left for London. It’s not me, Fanny.”
    “He asked for you.”
    “Rake?” Penny cursed silently as her heart skipped a beat. Why couldn’t she stop reacting to him like this?
    “Yes, at the August festival. He spent most of the evening staring at the barn door and didn’t dance one dance, which, as you are well aware, is highly unusual when it comes to Uncle Rake, as he never misses a chance to flirt with the ladies. Not until the party was almost over did he come over to me and ask why you hadn’t come. When I told him you cancelled because of your mother’s sickness, he walked right out of the barn, and the next day he left for London without another word.”
    This was news to Penny, and for a second a flare of hope burst through her body. But just as quickly she mentally subdued the feeling. It was not for her anymore. She had made her decision and she had chosen a life with Thomas. She knew now that her feelings for Rake probably never would go away; the way her body reacted to him told her as much.
    But she could live with it. She just had to make sure Thomas never learnt about it, as she could only guess it would hurt him more than he deserved.
    But more importantly, she had to make sure Rake never found out. If he knew exactly how large her unwanted weakness for him was, he would never end his efforts to turn her into his mistress.
    Rake would get over the attraction he felt sooner or later, and then everything would be fine again. Everything would be back to normal.
    She would forever put a lid on her feelings and concentrate on being perfectly, sensibly happy and content with