Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 1

  Crisp air blew through the trees of the small garden area at Stalwort Manor. The season was finally beginning to change from the stale heat of summer to the cooler breezes of autumn. This was her favorite time of the year, watching leaves turn from bright greens to golden yellows, ruby reds and fiery orange, it gave one the feeling that anything was possible, that there indeed was a chance for new beginnings. Penelope Swift trailed her fingers through the small fountain located in the middle of the garden. Gazing absently at the arching spout streaming from a stone pot held by a fat cherub, she silently wished to herself that things were different. She had lived her entire life without so much as a moment of excitement. She was expected to act the perfect lady at every second in the day, and her entire life was mapped out for her. There was a very specific role ladies were to play, and unfortunately it seems, her role would be no different. She sighed, wiping her damp fingers on her silk gown to dry them, leaving damp markings in the delicate fabric. What was the use in wishing and dreaming her life away, it would make no difference, she would still be right here as soon as she came back to the real world.

She wanted to live a life of excitement! Why couldn’t a woman have adventures? Why must she stay at home while the men gambled at the gaming hells or went on explorations in other parts of the world. It just wasn't fair! More than anything Penelope wished to travel to new lands. She had heard many stories from her brother of different lands he had visited while in the Royal Army, and had often dreamed of witnessing the beautiful coasts and land he had described to her.

Penelope had once expressed her desires for exploration to her father. As soon as he had finished laughing, he reminded her that a woman’s place was to produce her husband with an heir and a spare, not to go off gallivanting about the world. She had been wounded by his words, though Penelope had not been deterred from her dreams, she still played the plundering pirate out to conquer the world or the treasure hunter, exploring unknown lands.

All those dreams, however, had come to a screeching halt, the morning of her eighteenth birthday. The day she overheard her father in his study discussing her impending marriage.

“She will be agreeable that I assure you, My friend.”

Her father’s cohort Fenton, shifted on his feet, “My lord, your daughter is very strong willed, I do not think she will be so easily commanded.”

“Fenton, my daughter knows the rules. I rule this household and she will follow my rules or else be cast aside.” At this her father had chuckled, before continuing, “I will not accept anything but her agreement, and Lord Colffrey is owed a great debt by me. Tis the only way I know to repay my loss to him, since I haven’t the gold to do it. He has already accepted the proposal and in time she will as well.. That will be the end of it.”

Upon hearing this Penelope had fled, not wanting to hear more of her father’s plan to sell her to repay a debt. What kind of man would accept a woman in place of money! He must be the deplorable sort, the type of man who thinks of women as a piece of property rather than a partner. The rest of the evening Penelope consumed herself with all sorts of tales about how aweful her future husband would be.

It was a week later that her father made the announcement that she was to marry. By then she had worked herself into such a frenzy over the situation that she had begged and pleaded with him not to force this match. She had raged at him, threatening to disgrace herself before she allowed herself to be sold to a man such as Lord Colffrey. Though this was the first time she had heard his name, she was sure he would be the vilest man on this Earth. Though never a cruel man in the past, he had grabbed her by the hair after that statement, pulling her up to look him in the eye, telling her in no uncertain terms that if she embarrassed him in such a way, he would make her regret it in every way possible for the rest of her life. She had ceased at that moment from her complaining and decided that she would make a plan to escape before the wedding took place.

` Unfortunately, as Penelope learned in the weeks to follow, escaping was easier said than done. Without the funds to pay for it, taking her leave of this place was turning out to be a lot more difficult than she had imagined. She did not know what to do, at this point it seemed that she would be doomed to marry this man, her father had chosen. She had taken the time to ask about Lord Colffrey. After finding out her intended's name she had put it upon herself to do some research regarding the man she was forever going to be entangled with, and she had been told many stories of his rakish ways. He was known to the ton to be a scoundrel and philanderer. Rumored to have deflowered many a young lady. Countess Montreux had told her just yesterday that Colffrey was rumored to be a close friend of the notorious Fallen Angel, an actress and courtesan from West End. The man kept mistresses, seduced virgins and was often spotted at the most scandalous gaming hells. How was she supposed to marry a man like that! There was no way she would be able to be happy with a man who was sure to make a fool of her at every turn.

“Penelope? Earth to Penelope?” Startled Penelope jumped, almost falling backwards into the small fountain.

“Maman! You scared me, for goodness sakes! Why must you constantly sneak up on me like that?”

“Oh darling! I called out to you several times, but it seems like you could not hear me. What are you thinking my love?” Her mother, Lady Delphine, chuckled lightly.

“Woolgathering, I guess,” Penelope stood slipping her gloves back over her slender hands, “I am sorry I did not hear you sooner Maman.”

“You have been woolgathering much of late, My Dove.” Penelope gave her mother a sad smile.

“I have much to think on.”

“Oh darling, you are ever drawn to the dramatics!” Delphine laughed, “It is not so bad as you make it! I know you worry about your marriage, but you will find that married life is not a prison sentence.”

“But I do not want this marriage! What I want is my freedom, not to be forced into a union where I will be ruled under my husband’s thumb for the rest of my days!”

“Penelope! You should feel lucky that you are marrying Colffrey. He is not a man who is known to be inclined towards physical retribution and he is very wealthy.”

Penelope buried her face in her hands and groaned. Her mother just did not understand! For her mother a good marriage to a high status husband was more than one could ask for, though Delphine had married when she was Penelope’s age, and that marriage was one of convenience. Her mother had always felt that she had won some sort of prize. Penelope did not agree. In Penelope’s entire life never once had she seen her mother or father show affection for one another. Nor had they bothered to continue their marital relations beyond what it took to beget an heir for Stalwort. There was no love between the two, in fact Penelope had the idea that her parents barely tolerated each other. If and when Penelope married, it would be for love, to a man who shared her sense of adventure, a man who would never entertain other women, and most importantly a man who would never make decisions for her in life or expect her to stay home raising children. Her mother had always said that this was the duty of a wife. Marriage for love was not the way the world worked, and Penelope would be expected to do the same when her time came, but not if she could escape before the wedding.

“Maman, did you never wish for a little more in your life?” Penelope pressed.

“More? What more does a woman expect? I have three wonderful children, whom I love very much, I live comfortably with all my needs met. There is nothing more I could want than what my marriage has provided for me.” Delphine exasperated, “This you will find to be true once you are married.”

“Did you not want to love the man you married? To live your life and explore new experiences?” Penelope was near shouting at this point, “I do not want a life of marriage to a man who is forever going to make me a fool!”

“It is our duty as wives my dear. We do not choose our own paths but make the best of that which we are dealt.” Grasping Penelope’s hands, Delphine rubbed her thumbs across the backs, “I was given a husband with a respectable name, who did not abuse me, and treats me with a degree of kindness. This is all I could wish for and need. This you will see come your wedding.”

“It is not what I want!” Penelope ground out through gritted teeth.

“Tis what you will accept, now hush before your father hears more of your caterwauling! It is time to be getting ready for Lady LaGrange’s ball tonight.”

“I – “Penelope started and stopped. The look on her mother’s face told her that her complaint would not be welcomed, nor would it matter. She would be going and that was that. Penelope sighed and slumped her shoulders before following her mother inside. Time was growing closer to her wedding date, and if she didn't find a way to run soon, she would be stuck married to this Colffrey fellow.