Thank you so much for the comments, I really appreciate them. They definitely aid and encourage the writing process. Well, here's the next installment. Happy reading!
***
Jason was in an irritable mood the next morning. He'd tossed and turned all night, sexually frustrated and disturbed by Penelope's words of undying love to that man, Dunsforth.
When he arrived down at breakfast, he gave everyone who looked up a curt nod before taking his place at the head of the table. Having little appetite, he settled only for a cup of coffee before scanning the newspaper. He didn't bother to contribute to any of the conversations going on at the table, though he noticed Alex Coulter, the Earl of Whittenhall exchanged a searing look with Emma.
Jason frowned slightly over the top of his paper, but his attention was drawn away when he heard Penelope's soft laugh nearing. He looked up in time to see her walk in with Dunsforth. Jason hated to see her bright smile fade when she locked eyes with him. He forced his eyes back to the paper, telling himself that last night was over with. They both should be able to move on. They were after all, adults. Dunsforth had taken a seat far away from Penelope, which suited Jason just fine. He put his paper down and saw only half a slice of toast and a small bunch of grapes on Penelope's plate. "Is that all you're going to be eating?" He asked in a low voice, concerned that what happened last night would affect her health.
She lifted one dark eyebrow. "I'm not very hungry this morning, my lord." When he looked at her closely, he saw the slight shadows under her eyes and knew that she hadn't had a pleasant night either. He silently cursed himself.
"I want to speak to you privately tonight, Penelope." He shook his head. "No. Don't argue with me. I'll see you tonight."
Penelope opened her mouth to say something, but then on second thought, closed it. She glanced up at Dunsforth, who was in conversation with Miss Reinhart and Lord Avery. She ached to be with Julian. It was him she should be engaged to, not Jason. Jason, who as indifferent to emotions like love and warmth. She stared down at her plate. Even now she couldn't figure out how he could unhinge her cool and make her feel so vulnerable and less sure of herself. By god, he even made her doubt her own feelings for Julian!
She blinked and then her eyes shot up when his hand covered hers. It was an almost tender gesture. Almost. For some reason she couldn't think of him ever being tender toward anyone. When she met his eyes, there was something indecipherable and dark in his eyes.
"I say, if the two of you continue looking at each other like that, you'll make the rest of the women faint."
Viscount Macey's words broke their trance and both she and Jason looked up to find they had an audience. The women were far from danger of fainting. They all watched with dreamy expressions on their faces, as if they'd glimpsed Jason and Penelope sharing a private moment. Penny tried to pull her hand away, but Jason held it firmly.
"We'll be sorry to lose another bachelor to the shackles of marriage." George Granville said jovially and several people around the table chuckled. Brandon Steel, being the only married one in the party said, "It's not so bad, old man. Don't listen to all the stories. It's rather nice."
"It's fortunate I do not view marriage as being restrictive. Especially not when my lovely bride is one I've known since childhood. There's something reassuring in knowing we have a long history together." Jason said, causing the men to mumble their comments.
Penny knew he was doing it for the benefit of their audience. Resisting didn't help when he lifted her hand up to his lips.
"You are so lucky, Miss Kingsley." Miss Reinhart announced.
Lucky indeed, Penny thought.
***
"Can I see you tonight?"
Penelope hesitated and then shook her head. "You better not. Jason mentioned that we had something private to discuss..."
Julian said nothing for a moment. He was sitting beside her on the sofa as they conversed quietly. "You've softened toward him."
His comment made her pause. "What?"
"I understand. You're getting to know him...and he is a Marquess and will be a duke in the future."
"I don't see how this means anything. You know I care nothing about titles."
"You're no longer indifferent to him."
Penny stared at Julian, unable to lie to him. Jason did interest her, yet she couldn't understand why.
"We grew up with one another, Julian. Our fathers are good friends."
"He's touched you already, hasn't he?" Julian asked, and she could hear the pain in his voice.
"Yes." She looked away.
"I'm surprised he hasn't thrown me out yet. Does he know?"
"I had to tell him." She said.
"But still you could have kept it from him. He needn't know we've been...intimate."
"He intends to keep a mistress. I wanted to have it out in the open that I will have a lover of my own."
This discussion was becoming tiring. She was beginning to hate that she needed to explain everything she did - to Jason and to Julian.
Penny found herself folding her hands tightly on her lap to keep from fidgeting.
"I don't wish to talk about this anymore." She said finally. "It'll all work out in the end."
***
It was late into the night when Jason approached Penelope's door. He knocked softly before entering. He found her sitting at the dressing table, brushing her hair out.
"You could have had us meet in your study."
He didn't bother to comment and instead said, "Dunsforth has thanked me for my hospitality and intends to leave."
Her hand froze and she stared at him through the mirror. Then, abruptly, she stood up and started for the door.
"I swear, Jason, if you have said anything or threatened him -- he's a good man. One negative word from you could ruin him."
Jason caught her by the shoulders, preventing her from leaving. "He is leaving by his own choice."
Sadness filled her. Even if she couldn't be with Julian physically, having him near had been a comfort, just to be able to talk to him. She tried once again to get to the door, but he held her firmly.
"He wouldn't."
