Page 113 of One Night with an Earl

The girl sobbed louder. “I’m so sorry, Ana. I was mean to you, horribly mean. You meant to protect me, to do the best for me. I realize that now. I should have stood up to my mother and told her about Timothy.”

“You still can.”

“You believe I have the courage to face my mother?”

Ana smiled. “You ran away with a man. I’d say you have ample courage.”

Penelope chuckled, then rubbed her eyes. “You’re right. I vow to face my mother from now on!”

Ana handed her a handkerchief from her skirt pocket. “I will stand by your side if you need me.”

“You are a true friend.” Penelope dabbed at her eyes. “You came for me with the earl?”

“Yes.” Truth was, she wouldn’t have been able to find Penelope and the lieutenant without Oliver’s help. And the duke’s modified carriage.

Penelope’s eyes were red-rimmed, but her gaze serious. “Lord Drake loves you. You must see it, too.”

Ana let out a sigh. “Penelope, it’s complicated.”

“No. It’s not. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my experience is that you must forgive. And understand. Lord Drake was shocked to learn of your true identity, as was I.”

“I’m sorry I never told you.”

Penelope reached for Ana’s hand. “After the shock had ebbed, I understand why you did not. But Lord Drake is different, and your families have an unsavory history. You must not judge him too harshly. After all, would you have acted differently in his position?”

Would she have? It was a good question. One she had initially refused to consider or face for fear of the answer. She was honest enough with herself to acknowledge the truth now. If she’d learned Oliver had kept a secret about their family’s pasts for the entire duration of their relationship, she would have felt betrayed.

Penelope’s grip on her hand was surprisingly strong. “Do not let your pride get in the way of your own happiness. Go to him now, Ana.”

…

“What will become of them?” Ana watched the two young lovers as they sat at a table in the inn’s main room with tankards of warm ale and a hot meal. Oliver had paid the innkeeper for their night and the food and informed everyone that they would return to London in his carriage.

Meanwhile, Ana sat in a corner with Oliver. Her own tankard and bowl of stew sat before her.

Oliver lowered his tankard. “I suspect Penelope’s family will seek a quick wedding, perhaps even obtain a special license to avoid scandal,” he said.

Ana nodded. “I suppose it’s the wisest course of action.”

“I’ve thought of the young couple’s predicament during our ride here.”

Ana blinked. “You have?”

“The earldom has many estates, all of them entailed. But there is one that is not. One I’d like to give to the young couple as a wedding gift. One which will allow Penelope to continue to live as she always has, one which will allow them never to have to worry about money.” He leaned forward to gauge her reaction. “But only if you approve.”

The implication was astounding and astonishing, one she would never have thought of, and one in which she was irrevocably and emotionally attached.

Rosedown.

Because the estate was won over a game of chance, it was unentailed, and Oliver was free to gift it to whomever he desired.

Yet he was asking her permission.

Her voice was a faint whisper. “You mean Rosedown?”

“Yes.”

A lump rose in her throat. Rosedown was her home, her one place of happiness.