Page 112 of One Night with an Earl

“Penelope! We have been searching for you. Everyone is frantically worried.” Ana whirled to the soldier. “Lieutenant Smithfield, what on earth were you two thinking?”

Penelope rose from the bed. Dressed in a simple blue day dress with her blonde hair tied back with a ribbon, she looked impossibly young. “It’s too late. We have been unchaperoned for hours in the carriage and most of the evening here. Even my mother would consent.”

Ana’s eyes closed as all manner of thoughts crossed her mind. Was there a way to save the girl? What story could they concoct on short notice to salvage her reputation?

Ana clasped her hands in front of her, hoping to convey a calmness she did not feel. “Lieutenant Smithfield, I’d like a word alone with my charge.”

The soldier’s gaze met Penelope’s. She must have given him a reassuring nod, because he turned to Ana. “Yes, Miss.”

Before he could leave, Oliver’s form filled the doorway. “I’d like a word with the young man while you two speak.”

Any objection the lieutenant would have voiced was silenced after one glance at the earl. Ana almost felt sorry for the younger man.

The door closed, and Ana was finally alone with Penelope. “Everyone is worried.”

Penelope folded her arms across her chest. “You mean my mother and father.”

“And me.”

“It’s too late. I’m ruined. No man will have me now.”

Ana’s gut twisted. Maybe Penelope’s determination had succeeded. “I thought Lieutenant Smithfield had ended things between you two.”

“He had. But I was determined to take matters into my own hands. I needed to show him that he was not less of a man because of his injury and that nothing could stop me from loving him. I also knew he did not mean what he said. So I slipped out the back door when my mother was busy with household matters and visited him at St. James’ Street. I was right and Timothy proposed.”

Her gumption was incredibly foolish, but also admirable. If it was under different circumstances, Ana would have been proud of her. “Did you two marry?”

“Not yet, but we plan to. Since I’m underage, no clergyman will perform the ceremony, even in the country. We are off to Scotland first thing in the morning.”

Rather than argue with Penelope over such a rash decision, Ana studied her delicate features. Her fair complexion appeared a shade paler. Was it the excitement or something else? Ana was almost afraid to ask. “Penelope, are you well?”

Penelope’s bottom lip quivered. She unfolded her arms and rubbed her temples. “I thought intimacy would be more pleasurable.”

Oh, sweet heaven. “My darling, a woman’s first time can be difficult.” She thought of her first night with Oliver. It was awkward at first. But Oliver had taken his time with her and ensured Ana had received pleasure before seeking his own. The second time, and the times thereafter, had been even more fulfilling.

Don’t think about those times now.

Penelope shifted her feet. “I’m unsure if I want to try again.”

“If you love him, it gets better. I promise.”

Penelope looked at her. “Just as you love Lord Drake.”

Ana’s breath stalled in her lungs. She did not want to talk about her relationship with the Earl of Drake. Just thinking of Oliver was painful.

“I worry for you when we return to London, Penelope.”

She blinked. “Me? You should worry about yourself, Ana. My mother is not the forgiving kind.”

“You are right. But she is not my mother, darling. She’s yours.”

Penelope covered her face with her hands and choked on a sob. “I wanted this badly, but now that it’s done, I’m afraid.”

Ana led her to sit on the edge of the bed and sat beside her. “Hush. It will be all right.”

“You think so?” Penelope leaned on her shoulder and cried.

“Timothy loves you and you love him. Everything will come in time.” Hadn’t Oliver said the same thing to her about the young couple in the carriage?