Behind the three main characters, there was an array of the senior servants, elderly aunties, and Pendleton cousins. There were also many people who appeared to be Penny’s age. He supposed they were her friends, and they looked so accursedly young. Like children really, with whom he’d have nothing in common.
He tamped down a sigh of aggravation. What would he talk about with any of them?
Charles had recommended the party as a way to mingle with the significant family members. He’d suggested too that Luke view the event as a sort of test for Penny where he could evaluate her attributes as she played hostess.
Luke had agreed to the plan, so it was a little late to complain about the size or the number of guests. Obviously, they didn’t know what kind of man he was or what kind of entertainment he enjoyed. With any luck, after they trudged through the morass, they’d all end up with a better understanding of each other.
His coach lurched to a stop, and he dawdled as a footman walked over and opened the door. He climbed out to a few cheers and a bit of applause that was humorous and bizarre. He reminded himself that it was an indication that the Pendletons were excited about the match and wanted to lead things off on a positive note.
He went over and made his helloes, and Penny said, “I hope we didn’t scare you with this large reception.”
“Just a tad,” he admitted. “I was expecting a small family gathering.”
“That’s how we initially started, but we constantly remembered relatives we’d like you to meet, and the list grew and grew.”
Charles explained, “We weren’t specifically watching for you. For the past hour or two, people continued to arrive, and the crowd expanded on its own. We simply haven’t gone inside because one carriage, then another, rattled up the drive. We’re curious as to who will roll in next.”
“I’m delighted to hear it wasn’t all for me,” Luke said. “It will put me in my place and keep me from getting a big head.”
“We have a secret guest coming too,” Charles said. “We’re mostly waiting for her.”
“Is she more important than me?” Luke teased.
“Yes, sorry,” Charles teased back. “Apparently, you quite pale in comparison.”
“Who is it?” Luke asked.
“We’ll let it be a surprise,” Charles told him.
Luke didn’t like surprises, and he prayed it wasn’t anyone from the royal family. He was still in the doghouse with the Prince Regent, due to Bertie’s misadventure, and Luke couldn’t abide an awkward moment that would embarrass him and detract from his need to focus on Penny.
She knew why he was there. Luke had insisted Charles tell her they’d been discussing an engagement, and he had a very low bar with regard to his opinion about her. He was already certain he’d wind up proceeding, and he couldn’t fathom why he wouldn’t.
But he had to recollect that, while he was assessing her, she was also assessing him. It would be the ultimate irony if—at the conclusion of the party—she didn’t care to wed him. He was always assuming that the entire choice lay on his shoulders, but she would be allowed to have a choice too, and if she spurned him, it would serve him right for being such a conceited ass.
While they’d been chatting, a small carriage had turned up the lane. It was noticeable because it was painted pink, and he’d never seen a pink carriage before. There were no outriders in livery and no crest on the door to supply a hint as to the identity of the occupants, but there were streamers of ribbon attached to the corners and back.
The spectacle made him think of a princess in a fairytale or perhaps Cinderella on her way to the ball.
He gestured to it, saying to Penny, “You have more guests arriving.”
“It’s been hectic like this all afternoon,” she said.
“It’s probably for the best. You’ll have the greetings done at once, and you can progress to the socializing.”
“I have people showing up tomorrow too, so we won’t be finished today. And of course, the neighbors will join us tonight for dancing. I don’t know when we’ll finally have everyone accounted for.”
At the news, he could barely hide a grimace. He’d spent too many years in the navy, surrounded by tough, brave men. He’d never been much of a reveler, but he had to muster the energy to play the part she was clearly expecting him to play.
He kept peeking at her, trying to imagine what it would be like to have her as his wife. She was quite fetching as British girls usually were: blond, blue-eyed, and brimming with good health.
She was a petite female, so he towered over her, and she was very young. He couldn’t move beyond that pertinent observation, but it was commonly accepted that a man was wise to marry a younger bride. He could train her to her carnal duties before she developed more independent traits, but the whole notion of training a bride was exhausting.
He was especially disturbed by the prospect of fornicating with her. He simply couldn’t envision crawling into a bed and touching her in intimate ways.
“Penny,” Charles said, “I realize you love loitering in the driveway to discover who will appear next, but after this carriage, let’s begin escorting people inside. The servants need to get bags unpacked and bedchambers assigned.”
“Oh, Father,” she fondly replied, “you always want every process to run in a perfectly normal manner. You’re determined to ruin my fun.”
“I am not. I dote on you, and don’t you dare pretend in front of Luke that you aren’t spoiled rotten.”
She grinned up at Luke. “I can’t deny it, Luke. I am spoiled rotten, but it’s Father’s fault. He permits me to behave however I like.”
As she stared at him, he was taken aback. For an instant, she’d looked just like Libby. The slant of her eyes and the curve of her lips resembled Libby exactly.
