Page 32 of It's a British Christmas

Several hours later, Penrose strode into the drawing room as Brandon poured himself a brandy. He glanced at Penrose over his shoulder. “Care to join me, brother?”

“Yes. Please.” Penrose walked further into the room and took the glass. “I’m glad you are the only one here. I wanted to speak with you before dinner.”

His brother raised his eyebrows. “Sounds serious.”

Penrose drank from his glass and motioned to the two chairs in front of the fireplace. He settled into one, and leaned forward, his elbows braced on his legs, the glass dangling from his fingers. He studied his brother. “I have decided to take a wife.”

Brandon made a choking sound, then coughed and wheezed for a few minutes. Once he had himself under control, he put his glass down, and took in a deep breath. “You said you would never marry.”

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“So it seems.” Brandon shifted in chair. “Miss Chambers?”

Penrose smiled. “Is it so obvious?”

“Only to everyone who has observed the two of you pretending to ignore each other.”

“Ah, yes. Well, you may chide me now. To your way of thinking the giant has fallen.”

“I knew it would happen one day. You never meant for me to be the heir. It was only a matter of time before you came to your senses. I am not, and never will be, fit to be the duke. I’m just surprised it has taken you this long.” He raised his glass in a salute. “And may I say I congratulate you on your choice. Had you not spoken up, I would have paid my own addresses to the woman.”

“Hands off, brother.” Penrose narrowed his eyes.

Brandon threw up both hands, palms face out. “I would never tread on your territory.”

They grinned at each other.

Merry closed the door to her bedroom and headed to the stairs. Her headache had diminished somewhat, but she’d spent the time lying in the darkened room, remembering. Perhaps it wouldn’t have been so easy to do if Penrose’s scent still didn’t linger on the pillow where he’d slept. She had quickly changed her own sheet that the morning, horrified to see the smear of blood. The evidence of her indiscretion staring her in the face.

Her confusion at his reaction this afternoon remained. Hopefully sometime tonight they would have a few minutes alone, and she could talk to him, determine his feelings.

What feelings? You allowed him to take you to bed. You are certainly old enough to know what men think of those kinds of women.

She reached the partially open drawing room door to hear Penrose and Lord Brandon speaking. Knowing she shouldn’t, nevertheless she halted and listened.

“I will announce our betrothal at the ball tomorrow night.” Penrose’s voice reached her ears, causing her to take in a sharp breath.

Betrothal?

“Well done for my future sister-in-law. From governess to duchess,” Brandon said.

Miss Jennings? Everything inside Merry dissolved into pain. The woman had been right. With her English background, the duke would select Miss Jennings if he ever decided to marry. Apparently his meeting with her in the library was to propose a business arrangement.

Oh, how stupid she’d been. She’d given herself to a man who had no regard for her, who probably thought since she was an American, she had no morals. Is he right?

Merry’s knees went weak. He hadn’t lied. Marriage was merely a way to gain the perfect duchess, with no consideration of love. She shook her head and fought down the bile that rose to the back of her throat.

“What about the other one?”

“I have plans for her. I don’t want any complications her presence would cause in my marriage. I’ll see she is well taken care of and settled elsewhere.”

“Won’t she expect more than that? I’ve always felt the woman was smitten with you.”

“No matter. Her false assumptions will be dealt with.”

Smitten? False assumptions? Had the entire household noticed her attraction to the despicable man? Oh, if only the floor would open, and she could drop through.

Merry stumbled backward until her heels hit the bottom stair and she fell on her bottom. She scrambled to her feet and raced up the stairs to reach her bedroom before she shattered into a million pieces.