would be another childish frock, but on this night she would not just look like a lady, but the most beautiful one to ever grace Westcott Manor.
She was indeed a vision in the dress. Fashioned from the finest pale pink satin, the gown featured a perfectly fitted bodice with a fashionably low neckline designed to accentuate her perfect breasts. The skirt was bejeweled with hundreds of tiny crystals that caught the light whenever she moved. Her hair, styled in an elegant chignon, was adorned with jeweled pins.
The appreciation in Lord Westcott’s eyes when he finally saw her made Penelope flush with happiness. His gaze made her feel proud, and she enjoyed that feeling without guilt. He’d chosen her, and with each passing day at Westcott Manor, she felt a growing peace that this was where she should be. Now, as she descended the grand staircase on his arm, Penelope gave a silent prayer of thanks for the moment.
He’d taught her to dance in the days leading up to the ball. Now she found herself smiling up at him as he led her in the first dance of the evening. Admiring eyes followed their every step. But so did envious ones, for despite Alton Westcott’s reputation, more than one woman had hoped to be in Penelope’s place.
The gentlemen in attendance were no doubt as envious, for as soon as the first dance ended, every man in the room sought a chance to dance with the perfect rose Lord Westcott had plucked from behind convent walls.
Penelope was a gracious partner, but after each polite dance with a stranger, her eyes sought out her true partner. When she saw him dancing with a tall blond woman who was whispering something in his ear, she felt a twinge of jealousy and chided herself for it. She was relieved when the two parted ways, although she noted how the woman held his hands for a moment before letting go, and whatever she said to him made him smile before turning away.
After that, she lost sight of Lord Westcott entirely. Even in a house as large as Westcott Manor, the Christmas ball meant a packed room. Eschewing a glass of champagne offered by a servant, the diminutive Penelope instead chose to navigate the crowd, standing on her tiptoes from time to time as she struggled to see over the shoulders of those blocking her path.
“Looking for someone?” A silky voice got her attention and Penelope turned to find herself face to face with the blond woman she’d seen dancing with Alton. For a moment she was speechless. The woman was even lovelier up close, with flawless skin, full lips, and ice blue eyes several shades lighter than her sapphire gown.
“I… I was looking for…”
“Alton?” The woman used his name casually, and arched an elegant eyebrow before scanning the room. “I believe I saw him over there.” She pointed to a nearby hallway and took Penelope by the elbow, leading the way. Penelope suddenly felt inadequate next to this imperious woman leading her as an adult would lead a child.
But the hallway was quiet and empty when they arrived. The woman looked around as if surprised. “My goodness,” she said. “I could have sworn he was here. I guess I was wrong.” She fell silent then, her cold eyes sweeping Penelope from head to toe. “So you’re the one—the future Lady Westcott.”
“I’m Penelope Lennox,” Penelope replied. “And yes, Lord Westcott and I are to be married in two days’ time.”
The tall woman smirked. “Well, I’m Lady Caroline Whitfield. And let me give you some advice, little Lady Lennox. You’re about to tread into the mouth of a lion. That man who woos and coddles you now? That’s how it starts. But once he has you, you’ll find the gentleman of the manor is a beast in the bedroom. I should know. I was his lover under duress for years, until I became strong enough to escape.” She closed her eyes and sighed, her voice quavering as she continued. “Oh, the things he made me do. I wasn’t a sheltered virgin like you when I came to his bed; I was a
She was indeed a vision in the dress. Fashioned from the finest pale pink satin, the gown featured a perfectly fitted bodice with a fashionably low neckline designed to accentuate her perfect breasts. The skirt was bejeweled with hundreds of tiny crystals that caught the light whenever she moved. Her hair, styled in an elegant chignon, was adorned with jeweled pins.
The appreciation in Lord Westcott’s eyes when he finally saw her made Penelope flush with happiness. His gaze made her feel proud, and she enjoyed that feeling without guilt. He’d chosen her, and with each passing day at Westcott Manor, she felt a growing peace that this was where she should be. Now, as she descended the grand staircase on his arm, Penelope gave a silent prayer of thanks for the moment.
He’d taught her to dance in the days leading up to the ball. Now she found herself smiling up at him as he led her in the first dance of the evening. Admiring eyes followed their every step. But so did envious ones, for despite Alton Westcott’s reputation, more than one woman had hoped to be in Penelope’s place.
The gentlemen in attendance were no doubt as envious, for as soon as the first dance ended, every man in the room sought a chance to dance with the perfect rose Lord Westcott had plucked from behind convent walls.
Penelope was a gracious partner, but after each polite dance with a stranger, her eyes sought out her true partner. When she saw him dancing with a tall blond woman who was whispering something in his ear, she felt a twinge of jealousy and chided herself for it. She was relieved when the two parted ways, although she noted how the woman held his hands for a moment before letting go, and whatever she said to him made him smile before turning away.
After that, she lost sight of Lord Westcott entirely. Even in a house as large as Westcott Manor, the Christmas ball meant a packed room. Eschewing a glass of champagne offered by a servant, the diminutive Penelope instead chose to navigate the crowd, standing on her tiptoes from time to time as she struggled to see over the shoulders of those blocking her path.
“Looking for someone?” A silky voice got her attention and Penelope turned to find herself face to face with the blond woman she’d seen dancing with Alton. For a moment she was speechless. The woman was even lovelier up close, with flawless skin, full lips, and ice blue eyes several shades lighter than her sapphire gown.
“I… I was looking for…”
“Alton?” The woman used his name casually, and arched an elegant eyebrow before scanning the room. “I believe I saw him over there.” She pointed to a nearby hallway and took Penelope by the elbow, leading the way. Penelope suddenly felt inadequate next to this imperious woman leading her as an adult would lead a child.
But the hallway was quiet and empty when they arrived. The woman looked around as if surprised. “My goodness,” she said. “I could have sworn he was here. I guess I was wrong.” She fell silent then, her cold eyes sweeping Penelope from head to toe. “So you’re the one—the future Lady Westcott.”
“I’m Penelope Lennox,” Penelope replied. “And yes, Lord Westcott and I are to be married in two days’ time.”
The tall woman smirked. “Well, I’m Lady Caroline Whitfield. And let me give you some advice, little Lady Lennox. You’re about to tread into the mouth of a lion. That man who woos and coddles you now? That’s how it starts. But once he has you, you’ll find the gentleman of the manor is a beast in the bedroom. I should know. I was his lover under duress for years, until I became strong enough to escape.” She closed her eyes and sighed, her voice quavering as she continued. “Oh, the things he made me do. I wasn’t a sheltered virgin like you when I came to his bed; I was a
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