The Reluctant Guardian by Laura Beers

Author:Laura Beers [Beers, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2019-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

9

Without saying a word, Emeline led Penelope towards the drawing room. It wasn’t until she closed the door that she turned to face her friend and asked, “You married your guardian?”

Penelope nodded. “I did.”

Emeline walked further into the room. “Based on your descriptions of him when we were at school, I’d always imagined the duke to be a hairy man with missing teeth.”

Laughing, Penelope sat on a velvet settee. “That would have been the previous duke. Nicholas inherited guardianship of me when he became the duke.”

“He’s quite handsome.”

“He is. I find I’m partial to him,” Penelope joked.

“I’m glad.” She smiled. “Was it love at first sight?”

“Heavens, no. We fell in love gradually.”

“I am truly happy for you.”

Placing a hand on her stomach, Penelope shared, “I am increasing.”

Emeline clasped her hands in front of her. “How exciting! Congratulations!”

“Thank you.” Penelope gave her a knowing look. “Do you want to explain how you came to be a governess at my cousin’s estate? And under an assumed name, no less.”

“Your cousin?” she groaned. “That means that you own Foster Company. How did I not realize that?”

“That was a well-guarded secret when we were at school,” the duchess shared. “I didn’t want anyone to treat me differently.”

“That makes logical sense. I did the same thing.”

“You did?”

She pressed her lips together. “My father owns Warren Trading Company.”

Penelope’s brows shot up. “He does?”

Emeline nodded.

“Then, how did you come to work as a governess?”

Coming to sit down next to her, Emeline started, “If you recall, last time I saw you, I left Miss Bell’s Finishing School to prepare for the Season with my stepmother.”

“I remember.”

“For the past three Seasons, I have participated in the dreaded marriage mart looking for a husband.”

Penelope gave her a baffled look. “You haven’t received any offers during three Seasons?”

“Why does everyone always assume that? I’ve received offers,” she said, rising. “I received plenty of offers, but none that I truly considered.”

“Were these advantageous offers?”

“Many were.”

“But…” Penelope said, her voice trailing off.

Wincing, Emeline admitted, “I know this may sound ridiculous to you, but I want to marry for love.”

Penelope smiled. “I think that’s wonderful.”

“You do?”

“Jo, Carolina, and Adelaide made a similar promise to each other, and we all married for love.”

“That does give me hope,” Emeline murmured. “However, my stepmother does not share my sentiments. She even accused me of sabotaging my younger stepsister’s chance for finding a suitable match.”

“In what way?”

“Until I accept an offer, it’s inappropriate for any man to show interest in her.”

Penelope lifted her brow. “There are exceptions to that rule.”

“Not according to my stepmother,” Emeline lamented. “After we returned back to our estate, she demanded that I accept an offer from Lord Mortain.”

“What was wrong with him?”

“Nothing, except he is my father’s age.”

Penelope giggled. “I see the problem.”

“Besides, I refuse to marry a man who is more interested in my embroidery skills than my opinions.”

“I agree with you there.”

Walking over to the window, Emeline peered out and shared, “I overheard my stepmother telling my horrid stepsister that she intended to lock me in my bedchamber until I agreed to Lord Mortain’s courtship.

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