Free Bewitched by Melissa Lynne Blue Page B

Penelope encouraging hugs.
    Laura sighed, perching on the mattress beside Penelope. “I know you were hoping for a love match,” she said after a long moment. “When I was your age, I was much the same.”
    Penelope glanced into her aunt’s kind eyes.
    “My marriage to your u ncle was arranged by my parents , and I was terribly disappointed at the time.” A small, wistful smile quirked Laura’s lips. “I had grand ideas of meeting a dashing gentleman and falling madly in love.”
    “Not an uncommon dream,” Penelope said.
    “No.” Aunt Laura turned to Penelope with a warm grin. “And I found that love, Penelope. Not in the way I would have expected , however. It took time, and work, but I f ell in love with the very man I married.”
    Penelope gulped. While her aunt’s words were meant to be comforting, she could not shed a sense of suffocating panic.
    “ What of Lord John? Do you have reason to believe he might propose?”
    Penelope’s heart twisted. “ No. ”
    The pair lapsed into a companionable silence.
    “Well, there is no need to give the colonel an answer immediately. It is often best to make men wait a bit.” Laura winked conspiratorially . “Come, it is time to dress for Lady St. John’s dinner party.
    Penelope stifled a groan. The last thing she wanted was to attend another simpering party. Heaven help her if Colton, John or Colonel Holbrook attended. If she didn’t see any of them for another fifty years it would be too soon.
    “I know you didn’t feel up to shopping this afternoon, but I found you the most beautiful ribbon,” Laura chattered on. “And I think a bit of distraction will be good for you. I’ll send the girls in. You can all prepare together.”
    *               *               *
    Heaven, apparently, was not on Penelope’s side that evening. While it didn’t appear Lord John or Colonel Holbrook was in attendance , she spotted Colton almost immediately. Humiliation burned in her cheeks. She spun quickly to avoid his notice , and ducked into a corner beside a large potted plant . She’d been lagging far enough behind Marie and Kate that neither of the twins noticed her quick withdrawal.
    Penelope drew a ragged breath and Penny ked from behind one of the fat green leaves. Her gaze collided with Colton’s. She sucked in a horrified breath and jerked back behind the plant.
    Too late.
    Colton glanced surreptitiously about the room and then strode directly toward her.
    Oh, dear Lord… Penelope’s brain whirled, searching for some escape from a confrontation with the duke. None appeared forthcoming. She’d successfully—if unwittingly—cornered herself.
    “Lady Penelope,” Colton said quietly, stopping a respectful distance away from her.
    “Your Grace.” Penelope stepped away from the plant and dipped briefly, wishing to stem the embarrassed heat racing down her neck.
    “I won’t bother you with unnecessary pleasantries,” he continued. “My brother informed me that you are aware of our… arrangement regarding his paying you a few visits.”
    Penelope bristled, squaring her shoulders, and meeting his dark glower head on. How dare he approach her about the humiliating matter ! “There is no need to explain, Your Grace. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my cousins are waiting. ” She began to step around him.
    He quickly parried the move. “Penelope, wait, please, I only wanted to apologize.”
    She halted, skewering the top button of his silver vest with a piercing glare. “Very well then, you’ve apologized.” She attempted to shove past him a second time, but he snared her arm just above the elbow.
    “I’m sorry,” he insisted , a hint of vulnerability ringing through his tone. Penelope paused, glancing into his eyes. “I led you on last summer and t hen t urned my back without a word .”
    Anger flared. “So you felt it necessary to bribe your jaded brother in to court ing me?”
    Colton hesitated , chagrined . “Not my greatest