P is for Penelope

Chapter 27

Violet found herself smiling as she sat with her children looking at Anthony speaking with Penelope on the bench. She knew Sweet Penelope had a lot on her young shoulders, but to hear just a bit of the added stress of having to take over for her injured father while out on her first season was too much.

Anthony seemed to be going over what she was currently working on and offering to help her with the duties handed to her. Watching them made her feel a sense of peace and slight longing for her own lost love.

She even noted Miss Marina sitting next to Benedict looking over his painting. Benedict tended to not like people looking over him while he worked, but he did not seem to mind Miss Thompson. They even shared a smile after she made a comment to him. Colin seemed to be trying to gain Miss Marina's attention but failing to do so. She could smell the love in the air along with the roses. 

She worried a bit for Daphne, but not too much she was living up to the Diamond standing that the queen gave her, and there were plenty of suitors. Anthony was more attentive to his sister's prospects and would discuss whom he felt was a viable candidate. Violet was sure she had Penelope to thank for Anthony's shift in perspective.

She glanced down at the compact mirror Penelope had presented to them and smiled. The design was one she had never seen before. The engraved texture  had an interesting but classical feel to it. She called the design of this mirror "The Penelope" due to the meaning of her name, which was indeed clever.

It seemed like Lady Danbury and herself needed to speak with Penelope sooner than she once thought. After all, what kind of Mother in law would she be if she did not help her daughter in law as well.

She had a feeling Anthony would ask to court Penelope very soon. Hopefully, the courtship was short, and her new daughter would be home with them.

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There were two letters that had her interest in a way nothing else had in the past ten years. She could not help the mischievous smile that spread across her face as she sat to break fast with her once ward and godson. Both caught the smile and looked worried.

"I should hope that smile is not for me." Ambrose teased as Simon coughed to hide his laughter. Agatha sighed and gave them both an unimpressed look.

"The Wild Rose of the Season looks like she will live up to her name. Unfortunately for me, neither of you would make good gardeners." Agatha lamented that she did not have the means to pluck such a precious rose before anyone else.

Simon rolled his eyes discreetly towards Ambrose. Ambrose smacked his arm, trying not to laugh. Simon took a sip of his tea.

"Actually, Godmother. I called on Miss Penelope Featherington."

Simon choked a bit and took another sip. Agatha raised a brow slightly impressed by her godson's initiative.

"We went to promenade, and I proposed."

Simon spat his tea out. As Agatha's eyes widened.

"Well, out with it. What did she say?"Agatha hoped it was a yes, but more likely than not, it was a no.

"She rejected me. For now, at least." He sighed as if reminiscing of a fond memory. 

Agatha felt that she had to give up hope in capturing the pretty rose. One man refused to marry, and the other had odd tastes. If her son was younger, she would have pushed him, but that is not possible now.

"I am disappointed."  She teased Ambrose and continued to eat.