Feeling cold, Nev covered Penelope’s hand with his own and gave Sir Jasper his most charmingly apologetic smile. “Lady Bedlow forgot to eat dinner today, and I doubt she’s ever had brandy before. I’m sure she doesn’t have any idea what she’s saying. My mother is very susceptible as well-Louisa tells me she’s already falling asleep. We’d best be taking our leave.”
“Of course,” Sir Jasper said sympathetically, calling over a footman to summon their carriage, and Nev was left to wonder if he’d imagined the murderous gleam in his eye. “I’m sorry we did not get our dance,” the baronet said to Louisa. “But I had the pleasure of watching you, and that must suffice. You look lovely in your new dress. I hope soon to give you another opportunity to wear it.”
Oh, for the love of God. “Louisa, can you fetch Mama?”
“Whatever you say, Nev,” Louisa said with poisonous sweetness. Nev glanced swiftly at her, but she had already turned away.
He turned back to Penelope. “Come on, love. We’re going home.”
She stood. “All right.” She seemed steady enough on her feet, but Nev put an arm around her waist anyway. She swayed into him, and he closed his eyes, just letting himself feel the trusting length of her against his side.
“I’ve got her.” Louisa’s resigned voice was close by, and he opened his eyes. His mother was draped over Louisa. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Nev,” Thirkell said. “Nev, I need to tell you something-”
“Ugh, her earring is caught on my dress.” Louisa tried impatiently to untangle herself from Lady Bedlow’s jewelry.
“Careful!” Lady Bedlow slurred. “That’s your father’s hair…”
“That is so very morbid, Mama.” Louisa twisted her head around in a vain attempt to see what she was doing.
Sir Jasper stepped forward. “Allow me.” In a moment he had disengaged the earring and was straightening Louisa’s neckline. Louisa slapped his hand away.
“I’m sorry, Thirkell,” Nev said, “but maybe now’s not the best time. Why don’t you come by for dinner tomorrow?”
The drive back to the Dower House passed mostly in silence. That was all right with Nev; he could have sat a million years with Penelope slumped against him, breathing quietly. It felt so natural and right, as if they had been formed just for this, just for each other.
At the Dower House, however, Lady Bedlow proved difficult to wake. “Come on, Mama,” Louisa said. “Get up and put your arm over Nate’s shoulders so he can help you down the steps.”
“Nate, is that you?” Lady Bedlow asked.
“Yes, it’s me.” He put his hands on his mother’s waist to steady her. “Come on, now.”
“Always such a good boy.”
Nev rolled his eyes. “I was never a good boy, Mama. Yes, that’s right, hold on to the rail.”
“You were always my favorite, Nate.” There was still a smile in her voice.
Nev almost dropped her. Instead, he said, “Hush, Mama,” and got her down the carriage steps. Louisa climbed down without waiting for his help.
“Louisa-” All summer he had ignored his mother’s treatment of her. No wonder she was miserable at home and desperate to get away. No wonder she resented them all.
Louisa sighed. “Come, Nate, it’s nothing we didn’t all know before.” Her smile was resigned. “It’s all right. You were always my favorite too.”
“You’re coming to live with us,” he said fiercely. “Start packing your things. You can move into the Grange tomorrow.”
“I-you needn’t-” She sniffled. “Oh, Nate!” She threw herself at him. He hugged her tightly with the arm that wasn’t supporting their somnolent mother. “I’m so sorry for everything! I hope-I hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course I can.” He was surprised to find it was true. “You’re my little sister, aren’t you? Everything will come right, you’ll see.”
“I hope you still feel that way tomorrow.”
“I’m not drunk. I know I haven’t been a perfect brother, but I’m not so fickle as all that.”
She hugged him again. “I do love you, Nate.” There was a catch in her voice. “Come along, Mama,” she said with weary affection, taking their mother’s arm. “Let’s get you inside.” Nev watched to make sure they got safely through the door before climbing back into the carriage.
“Your family gives me a headache,” Penelope said.
“Penelope!” Edward hissed.
“They give me a headache too.” Nev took his seat again, feeling a moment’s triumph when Penelope immediately leaned her head on his shoulder.
“Actually, maybe it’s my hairpins that are giving me the headache.”
“We’ll be home soon.”
Penelope shrugged, sat up, and began pulling out her hairpins.
If they had been alone he would have let her, but they weren’t. Even so, it was several seconds before he could bring himself to speak. “Penny, sweetheart, don’t.” He reached for her hands.
She stopped, looking stricken. “Oh, God, am I acting vulgar? I can’t tell anymore. I don’t want to embarrass you, Nev.”
“This is dreadful,” Edward said in a low voice.
“This is your fault for not making her eat something like I told you to!” Nev turned back to Penelope. “You’re not acting vulgar, sweetheart. You know I love your hair.” He reached out and tugged on a sleek brown lock that had fallen over her ear. “But if you take all your hairpins out, you’ll lose them.”
Penelope smiled. “Do you really like my hair?”
“I adore it.”
She sighed contentedly. “I love your hair too.”
Nev swallowed hard. She had told him that once before, after he had pleasured her for the first time with his mouth. He remembered clearly the heat of her naked thigh against his cheek and her fingers in his hair, and he wished Macaulay at the devil.
“It’s like cinnamon,” she said dreamily.
Nev glanced at Macaulay and saw only his rigid profile as he stared out the window. Unexpectedly, he felt sorry for the man. It was impossible to be jealous when they were almost to the Grange, and then Macaulay would go to his room alone and Penelope would come with Nev. “Hush, Penny. You’re making Edward blush.”
“I’m sorry,” she said at once, and was silent until they were standing in the hall at the Grange.
“Good night.” Macaulay turned away.
“Good night, Edward.” Penelope pulled away from Nev to stand on tiptoe and kiss Macaulay’s cheek. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you. You’re my very dearest friend and I don’t want you to be angry with me.”
He smiled sadly down at her. “I’m not angry with you, Penelope. You’re my dearest friend too and-I hope you shall be very happy,” he finished roughly. “Good night.” He looked into her face for another moment, then hurried off.
Penelope turned and saw Nev watching her. “Edward is stuffy,” she said, “but he loves me.”
“I know.” He hesitated. He had been waiting impatiently for this moment, but it seemed crass to simply take her in his arms as soon as Macaulay was out of sight.
Then it didn’t matter; Penelope stepped toward him and put her arms around his neck. “Kiss me.”
He obeyed her. She tasted like brandy. He pulled her hairpins out by feel, her hair tumbling down around his fingers as he kissed her.
“Upstairs,” she murmured against his mouth, and he picked her up so he could walk and hold her at the same time. “No Sir Jasper this time.”
He remembered carrying her over the threshold, muddy and laughing, the day he had made her his. It seemed so long ago. They had been so uncertain and so easily cowed. “No. Not this time.”
“Sir Jasper doesn’t like me.”
“No, he doesn’t. I can’t think why.”
“He keeps talking to me about Miss Wray, and I think he thinks I’m having an affair with Mr. Garrett.”
“He what?” Was that why Sir Jasper had let Percy stay at Greygloss? Why would he do that?
“Well, I might be wrong. But Louisa was telling me not to have an affair, and Sir Jasper heard her and he said-”