Over the dinner table, Penelope had an opportunity to further assess her cousin. Since Letty had insisted upon Miss Nilsson joining them, Penelope was able to exchange a knowing glance with her from time to time.
A discreetly attired maid brought the food to the table and served with the help of the housekeeper. Penelope could not refrain from a curious glance at this departure from the customary.
“You have noticed this is a feminine household, I suppose,” Letty said after the maid had left the room. “I have heard horrid stories of nasty footmen who seduce the women of the house, and I’ll have none of it.”
“I doubt if they are very nasty if they are able to seduce the ladies in question,” Penelope replied thoughtfully. “However, I quite see your point, and it certainly is something to consider. How fortunate that my chef, Henri, is of an age to be my father. One scarcely thinks of an older man in a romantic light.”
Miss Nilsson was given to a fit of coughing, and the subject was immediately changed to one of health. Letty appeared quite fascinated with the work Penelope had done with herbs and potions, plying her with questions all through the meal until the apple torte was served.
“I can see we have much to learn from each other. I do hope your quest is not immediately successful. There are a great many things I wish to know,” Letty informed her as they strolled up to the small drawing room on the first floor.
“This is a charming house. I do not recall its being in the family. Is it a recent purchase, then?” Penelope ran a finger along the back of a damask-covered chair as she slowly crossed the pleasant room. Like the morning room off the entry, it was furnished in a bizarre, haphazard manner, with a character rather like that of its eccentric mistress.
“My elder brother was only too anxious to get me off his hands when he brought home his bride. I chose this house as being near the activities I enjoy and in a respectable part of town. I may be lost in poetry much of the time, but I do know what is proper."
“That is indeed a comfort, Cousin.” Penelope’s smile took away any sting that might have gone with her words.
“It was partly furnished. The rest of what I needed came from the attics of the family house.”
“If the ones in town are like those out at Everton Hall, I can see you had a wide choice.”
“How did your parents leave you situated?” Letty inquired with a tilt of her head. “I’d not ask, but since you are here to find a husband, it is best to know. Sometimes one can drop a hint in the proper ear and do wonders, you know.”
Letty picked up Muffin, who had wandered into the drawing room to hunt for a comfortable spot. In minutes Letty had reduced the cat to a purring, blissful lump of fur.
Glad that her pet found favor, yet mildly annoyed she had sought another, Penelope replied in a slightly abrupt way, “Very well, I should say. Everything that was not entailed was placed in my name. That includes twenty thousand pounds per year in income, as well as the charming estate you saw in Kent. My guardian and the lawyer shall handle the settlement and the like.” Penelope gave her cousin a wistful smile. “My guardian spends most of his time climbing mountains in Austria. I last heard from him following the death of my parents years ago.” She took a deep breath, then concluded, “I suspect I am considered an heiress, sufficiently so that I ought not have the least trouble finding someone who will do just as I wish.”
“Ah, that again.” Letty frowned, exchanging a guarded look with Miss Nilsson.
“Mind you, I can only judge from what I have heard, but I rather believe it to be the case in regards to the desirability of money,” Penelope said with all due modesty. She looked to her cousin to see if she might refute the matter.
“I see,” Letty replied, her eyes behind her spectacles assessing her cousin in a most thorough manner. “I rather think we shall have to ward off the fortune seekers instead of hunting for a husband, should word get about that you are so well-to-do.”
Disconcerted by her cousin’s scrutiny, and feeling that somehow her search for a husband was out of the ordinary, when she was quite certain it was not, Penelope rose to drift across to the fireplace. What a peculiar room. How her cousin could tolerate this conglomeration was more than she could imagine. “Hodgepodge” was the kindest description one might make of it. Or perhaps “late attic.”
“I believe an invitation came in the mail that might be of interest to us. At least, I think I still have it.” Letty pushed her spectacles up on her nose, frowning in concern as she did. “As I recall, it is the Collison ball for their eldest daughter. Ought to be a splash that will draw the crowd you seek. Not that I am an adequate judge, but you could get an idea. Perhaps you might even see a gentleman who would suit your purpose while there? Young Collison is accounted quite a catch, or so someone told me. . . I think.” She gave a sad sigh and shook her head at Penelope. “I shall warn you right now that you will most likely fare better with Miss Nilsson than to depend on me for guidance. I fear I am totally at sea when it comes to fashion and the doings of the haut ton.”
“Oh, dear,” Penelope replied softly. She strongly suspected her cousin was more inclined to forget the necessary, rather than not know what was what.
The following morning Penelope was prevailed upon to produce a few
