Page 29 of My Cruel Duke

“We shall not negotiate the matter, Sister. I am coming with you,” Lydia could not protect her sister from marrying a man she did not love for her sake, but she could protect her sister from her friends.

Penny saw Lydia’s resolve. It would be impossible and a waste of time trying to talk Lydia out of what she had decided. So Penny nodded, and the sisters made the short journey to the drawing room.

“Indeed, Thornbury Hall is as huge as the rumors say it is,” Penny heard Cordelia’s muttered voice before they appeared.

Penny and Lydia stood to receive them.

“Oh, Penny–”

“No. We shall refer to her as society advises,” Marina passed Eleanor a disapproving glare.

“Your Grace,” the three ladies bowed. Lydia stuffed a giggle. For she could not tell if the ladies meant business or not.

“There is no need for all of that. We are in the confines of my home, please speak more casually. Penny will do,” Penny smiled and offered them seats. The ladies awkwardly took them, Eleanor especially since she sat closest to Penny.

“Penny, we came because we realized how unfair it was of us to push you away the way we did,” Eleanor started. “It is just, you know how my parents–”

“We understand our wrongdoings and we are ready to atone for them,” Cordelia nodded her head.

“We are deeply sorry, Penny. If only we had trusted you when you came to us that morning. We each took some time to fit ourselves into your shoes, and to understand your feelings, and we did. You asked us to trust you, we did not, and by so doing, we lost our dear friend,” Marina licked her lips.

Penny was lost for words. She had imagined meeting her friends countless times after that ball, she imagined how it would go. Penny expected the ladies to carry on speaking to her as though nothing happened, but instead, they apologized. Penny did not think they would, and that warmed her heart.

“Ti’s all right.” The ladies exchanged surprised looks with each other.

“Are you sure?” Eleanor asked and Penny nodded her head.

“It warms my heart that you all came to me after realizing your wrongdoings, but I would be wicked to not have put myself in your shoes. It must have been a hard decision to make since it concerned a scandal. You all did what you had to for the sake of your reputation.”

Long gone was the resentment Penny felt for her friends for how they treated her when her father was taken away. She got to understand that they might not have had much choice in the matter. It was either they dropped her or went down with her, and they could not afford to go down with her.

“It does not excuse the way we executed it. We were nothing but rude to you.”

“And now it does not matter anymore. I have forgiven you all.”

Indeed, she had. The ladies had apologized, and that was enough for Penny. She missed them dearly; she missed their company. Putting her family aside, Penny had been lonely these past weeks. And with everything that had been happening between her and Rhysand, she could really use some friends.

Penny smiled and requested refreshments be sent to the garden. It was a fine weather for some sun, tea, and cakes, and the ladies seemed to agree.

“You must forgive me for the lack of flowers in the garden.” Penny placed a hand over her chest. The girls laughed. “Thornbury Hall is undergoing some…” Penny and Lydia exchanged a look of understanding. “… changes.”

“It looks promising,” Eleanor smiled brightly as she took in the garden, then she took a seat beside Penny.

“I cannot wait to see what she will look like when all the flowers have bloomed,” Cordelia cooed with childish excitement.

The ladies fell into a light conversation about the Season. It was the most relatable topic for the ladies of the Ton. Everyone had a story, sometimes the ladies had identical stories, and then some gossip. Yes, Penny had missed this part of having friends.

“I hear the Baron of Sigertem has his eyes on three ladies this Season, but he has his hooks out for our dearest Lydia,” Cordelia had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she spoke.

“All the fine gentlemen of the Ton have their hooks out for our dearest Lydia. She is far more reputable than the diamond of the Season.”

Lydia shook her head. “You flatter me…”

“You should have been the diamond. You fit the role on multiple accounts.” Marina took the white China teacup in her hand and brought it to her lips.

“Even more so that your sister is the Duchess of Huxton.”

“So…” Cordelia’s eyes brightened. “Have you heard from your brother yet?”