Penelope My Beloved

chapter three

After hugging my dad for what seems like hours I finally left his warm embrace and we both made our way to the dining table. I had already forgotten how hungry I was and at the sight and sniff of the food nobody needed to tell me twice on how to eat and I ate in the most unladylike like manner l.

"Penelope knightwell!!" My father chuckled

"If you don't calm down on your food your going to have a tummy upset. My, oh my you didn't even wait for your sisters to join us"he chuckled to himself again

"Excuse my manners dad. I only had butter cakes today with tea and it held me for a small time I won't embarrass you when I'm with your friends for dinner don't worry dad and I'm pretty sure Emma and Allison went shopping for the upcoming ball next week."I told him and chuckled as well

"Oh really?whose ball ?"he said

"Uhmm the duke and duchess id westernfield. I heard their two sons are back that's why there hosting the ball to celebrate their return"I told him and continued eating my cake

"Oh my! The duke of westernfield you say ? surely we must go! Yes ! We must! The duke and I are old friends right from our toddling ages. It was even through I met your mum you know "he smiled and me and winked

I laughed to myself

"Oh dad really ? That's good now I can see why your so fond of him. It's makes prefect sense really "I told him

"Yes yes but still I hope your coming to this one and not as a chaperone" he told me

"I am coming yes! I'm also coming as a chaperone dad "I looked up to him as saw his Face with fury

I was scared had I said something wrong

"Penelope knightwell your 18 I repeat 18 just because you think your not beautiful and Don't see your self with a duke some day doesn't mean you should limit your self or hide your face. I know good and noble men that will beg for you hand in marriage my dear . So you will go to that ball as my daughter if your sisters need a chaperone they can bring their maid along have you heard me ? He asked in a harsh voice

I was afraid to look up to him I told he would slap me or raise his voice at me again if I say something wrong again

"Yes father " I replied in my lowest voice

"Ah penny don't be afraid I just don't like what your sisters turn you ok ? I want you to know that your beautiful in every way and you should learn to love yourself is that understood???"
He used his warm voice at me

I couldn't help but cry and pull him for another hug. He really did understand me.

After what seems like years of hugging we finally let go of each other, wiped our tears I hadn't realised he too was crying with me but after the tears came smiles and then we finished up our eating and starting disscuing about Spain and other places he might have been for the two months

After lunch we  were still sitting down and discussing the books we had read over the time. That was one thing me and my dad had in common it was just books and butter cakes we both cherished. My sister's weren't really the "i love books kinda person " they were more into fashion I was just simply inlove with books. After we had finished discussing our favourite poems and plays we both enjoyed and what we learned from it. I helped my dad pack the plates to the kitchen to be washed and he escorted me to the garden were we both sat down on my favourite bench and looked around the garden and started talking about our favourite  flowers and why we adored them so much.

Just then the sky began to turn grey and the wind was very strong we ran to take shelter in the out humble abode least the rain hit us with a cold the next morning and when we got inside we had noticed it was already past six and surely dinner would soon be ready by seven. So I quickly parted ways with my dad and went to my room to get ready for dinner. I ranged up my maid to bring hot water to my bath and help me as I get ready for dinner