P. A. Featherington

(3) Galway Girl

Dearest Genevieve Delacroix

You will be pleased to know I have found sufficient lodgings with a new friend. A Mr Blake, who has very much opened his arms to me and even helped me to pen my first novel.

Apparently writing is an addiction, if you can believe that. I have secured a beneficial deal with a Mr Clarke, manager of a printer in Marbough Street just outside of town. So I would not be recognised on days that Mr Blake can not help with the delivery of a draft.

You would appreciate Mr Blake's charming outlook and fairness. I have found myself to be a little home sick, but once my first novel is published. All the sickness and worry will disappear. I am sure of it.

Yours Truly
Penelope Featherington

Gen could not help but smile at the correspondence. What a life she is living, with much fortune to be had. The chance of her returning now are almost slim to none.

The Modeste was quieter than usual and Gen found herself looking over her illustrations ready to take them to Paris. Truth be told, she was nervous. But who was she to give up an opportunity such as this.

Her most recent design was a powerful piece, perhaps a little before its time. She was unsure how a creation such as hers would be accepted. She had to be strong, to get even a fraction of the strength that Miss Penelope had shown.

She was due to leave two days hens. She had already started to pack her case. Gen was excited, even if her designs did not go down well then at least she could be content knowing she was in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

It would be an opportunity to not only showcase her work but take some much needed time off.

Since Lady Whistledown's praise in her column, the word 'old' not withstanding. Her business had bloomed. Giving her more range and fabrics from across the globe.

To say she was nervous was an understatement, but she will take this opportunity like any other.

Galway

As the saying goes, when it rains it pours. The roof had already started to leak. That would be a tax she had not anticipated. It way most fortunate that Penelope's first novel already had buyers. Meaning more funds in her pocket which would now go on the significant damage to the tiles. Margot's, a company new to Galway was known for its roofers and construction work, in place for the growth that would soon make its way to her town. More housing and shops were to start their construction. Making the area rather prosperous in the upcoming months.

Fortunately the rain only asked for a week. Feeling more like the worst week in existence. With the rain came a cool draft. The breeze became so icy that Blake would sleep in the bed with Penelope, to merely keep warm.

After the week was over, Pen orchestrated the Margot's to get the job done in haste, considering she still could not get to the first floor. She hated to see what damages the upper rooms must have taken. Billy, the best roofer at Margot's, was extremely handsome to be sure. Instead of writing. Pen and Blake would sometimes find themselves intently looking to him work. Blankets on their legs and a cup of tea in their hands. If she was still Lady Whistledown, this would surely be the most attractive man in town.

His arms were firmly plump with muscles, and when he had to lift his arms up, Pen could swear the mans arms looked even more strong. My god, how strong he must be. Surely he could lift the Pen's chair she was sitting on, with her on it. Blakes eye's were fixed, he was biting his bottom lip quite seductively. So much that when Pen noticed she nearly choked on her tea.

"Perhaps, if I tell him that I am broken, he may..." Blake rose his eyebrows suggestively "Fix me!"

Pen tapped his arm "Stop it!" she giggled "He may hear!"

"He is already handsome, do you really believe he has impeccable hearing also. I bet you a pound he is not?" His tone dismissive.

Pen laughed as she shook her head.

As if he heard, the man suddenly spun around. His untamed facial hair making him ever so masculine to go with his physique.

He smiled. Blake whispered to her "I think I owe you a pound" Pen smirked, Billy watched her like she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Pen started to blush. Her face heated up. Blake passed her a fan "Perhaps, use this"

"if I do, then he knows I had a reaction"

"Do you not wish him to know?"

"I dont know" she shrugged

"Is Mr Bridgerton still in those thoughts?"

"I wish it were that simply Blake"

Blake leaned into her, so she could link her arm into his "Love never is"

"I should offer tea" she changed the subject swiftly.

"If you wish" Blake smiled to jump out his chair first "I can do it!" Pen cackled as she watched him leave to ask Billy if he would like a beverage.

When Penelope came into the kitchen, Billy was sat at the table. His flat cap on the table. His hair was more beautiful then she imagined. Light brown, short, but a little longer at the top. When he looked up at her. She noticed his beautiful brown eyes. The way he frowned. It was then that she realised that she had just been staring. His lip started to tilt upwards.

"Are you well, Miss?"

"Forgive me, I was in my own thoughts I suppose"

His smile was genuine "Good thoughts, I hope"

Her smile faltered.

His tone was soft, and the way his eyes were focused on her. Like he was soothing her bad memories with his fingertips "Whatever it is," Miss Margaret. You are a strong capable woman. Who can achieve anything she wishes"

Pen was taken aback. A small tear dropped. She turned around quickly.

"I am sorry, did I say something wrong?" his tone earnest and gentle.

"In all honest, back home" she took a small breath "I am only thought as a wallflower. A lady who can not achieve anything without a husband"

He drank down his tea and stood up. He was a lot taller than her, possibly similar to Colin's height. He looked down at her "And how wrong they were"

She froze as he left. Leaving her feeling rather giddy. He had said the words she had longed to hear. The only disappointment, was that it was not someone from Mayfair.l who said them.