Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 5

Penelope stood along the far wall of the ballroom, trying her best to avoid being noticed. She had not wanted to attend this evening. It was rumored that her new betrothed was in attendance and she wanted to avoid the imminent meeting. She rubbed the bridge of her nose, willing away the pressure building behind her eyes.

“Hello sister.” A deep voice came from her left.

“Rafe!” She near yelled swirling to face her younger brother. She flung her arms around him, ignoring the impropriety of the display. How she had missed him, after his long year away. He had been attending University and was not due to be home until the next summer season.

“What are you doing here? I had not expected to see you again for some time!” Raphael smiled holding her hands in his.

“I came for you my dear. Mother wrote me to tell of your upcoming wedding and of your reluctance to see it through” Penelope groaned, looking away from her brother to avoid his searching eyes.

“Oh Rafe, I do not want married life. I am not mother, content to sit at home bearing children and behaving. This whole situation is a disaster.”

“Oh Penny, always the dramatics, you have been allowed to much freedom in your life.” Raphael chuckled, “There is nothing to fear, marrying into a good family.”

“Then why do you not marry instead?” Penelope's statement dripped heavily with sarcasm.. Raphael’s barking laugh made her look up, fixing him with a blazing glare. When he looked down at her face he burst out laughing again.

“Oh Penny, if looks could kill!”

“It is not funny!” Penelope insisted.

“Oh, my dear sister, I do love you so.” He wiped his eyes. “He is here tonight you know.” He said quickly changing the subject.

“I have yet to see him, nor do I want to.” Penelope gritted, turning away.

“Look over there,” Raphael indicated a space across the ballroom. Penelope refused to look.

“I said I did not want to see him.”

“You may want to take the chance to know him before your wedding night. This will some... things... a little less uncomfortable.” Penelope’s already white skin paled even more. She had already refused to even consider the idea that this man, this stranger would be allowed that kind of access to her body.

When her mother had first sat her down in the days following her father’s announcement, to tell her of the relationship between a man and a woman, Penelope could not even begin to fathom how the act could work. She had been told that it would hurt the first time, and then come to feel pleasant if not enjoyable. The fact that any woman could enjoy that kind of violation made Penelope laugh. Her mother had just been trying to sooth her fears, of that she was certain. For if it were enjoyable why had her mother and father not continued to share their marriage bed?

“I’ll have you know –“ Penelope started and stopped, her brother had disappeared.

She scanned the room looking for where he had gone, but he had slipped away as quickly as he had appeared. Her eyes landed on the spot Raphael had indicated her future husband occupied. Her mind balked. This was the man her father expected her to marry? In the far corner of the ballroom stood a tall man, much taller than her, he also happened to be wider and older than her by several numbers. The man’s rotund belly stuck so far out it was a miracle it did not set him off balance. He had graying hair and weathered face, this man was old enough to be her grandfather!

She sighed, smoothing her skirt with her hands. That was it, she had no choice other than to leave. There was absolutely no way she was going to marry a man twice her age, if not more. This man was rumored to be a notorious rake? Maybe he was in his early years, but this man did not look capable of stealing the hearts of young ladies and experience courtesans. Maybe marriage to him would not be so awful, if the look of the man was any indication, he did not look capable of living through the wedding let alone the wedding night! She laughed out loud at that thought.

“What may I ask do you find so funny, my lady?”

Penelope jumped as a voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned towards the sound, where her brother had stood but a few minutes before, now stood a man she had never met. She sucked in a breath. This man was beautiful, not handsome or even just attractive, he was beautiful. He was tall, several inches taller than her, with piercing blue eyes and shorter than was stylish black hair. She tipped her head back to get a better look at his face, he had a strong straight jaw, covered in just the slightest bit of stubble. His straight narrow nose ended an inch above a pair of full lips that looked buttery soft, but his eyes, they were the most captivating. Penelope felt that she, or any woman, could easily get lost in such deep pools of wonder.

“E-excuse me?” Penelope stuttered, realizing she had been staring, she shifted uncomfortably.

“You laughed, and I had hope you might allow me to share in this private joke of yours.” His eyes bore into hers, his lips moving to form and self-assured smirk. Penelope’s eyes narrowed. This man was entirely too aware of his attraction. She snorted in disgust.

“No joke Sir, just an amusing thought passing through my head.” She said with a slight wave of her hand.

“Hmm, well my beautiful lady, in that case, would you do me the honor of sharing this dance?”

“I do not even know you sir! 'Tis against all rules of society for us to dance without a proper introduction. ” Penelope stated dully, still captivated by this man's eyes.

“Oh! My lady, if propriety is what prevents us from dancing, we will just have to rectify the situation.” He stood up straight and looked around, hoping someone he knew was standing nearby. Penelope watched this handsome man in confusion, wondering why on Earth he would have stooped so low as to ask her to dance.

“My lady, I seem to be at a disadvantage here, for I do not have anyone to introduce us, but I would also fall on my knees in this very room for just one dance with your loveliness.” Johnathan crooned softly, trying his best to coax the lady into breaking the rules, just this once.

Penelope was startled by the man's declaration, her face grew warm and she could feel the rush of color in her cheeks. This man was being cruel, probably another joke set up by the LaGrange sisters. Penelope glanced around, but instead of seeing the two cackling hens, she spotted her father. His face red as he struggled to march through the crowd towards her.

“Fine, I will dance with you sir, one dance.” Penelope stated hastily, wanting to avoid her father for just a bit longer.

“Excellent!” The stranger exclaimed, tucking her fingers in his arm and turning her towards the ballroom floor. He led her into the middle of the dance floor just as another song was starting. Relieved, Penelope recognized the beginning sounds of a country dance. This meant that she would not have to endure his hands on her for the entire dance nor would she have to stand staring into the eyes of his, for they would have to switch partners several times. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her body in closer than was necessary, and on the verge of inappropriate. He did not speak to her, merely gazed on her face, as though examining her features.

When the time came to switch partners, he held her tighter and whirled her away from the other dancers.

“You were supposed to change partners.” Penelope exclaimed, embarrassed by his lack of propriety.

“I did not feel so inclined as to let you out of my arms, sweet lady.” The man smiled down at her. She growled in frustration, not paying attention to anything but her foot movements, staring daggers into his chest.

“Jonathan.”

“What?”

“My name is Jonathan Francis.” He paused waiting for her response. When she made no sound he stated, “This my dear is where you tell me your name.”

“Penelope.” She ground out. He stiffened slightly, then grasped her arm suddenly turning her away from the dance floor.

“Would you care to go for a walk in the gardens with me?”

 “I…“ She started to protest and pull away, but it fell on deaf ears as he steered her towards the double oak doors leading out the balcony.