Hello my darlings. I wish you all a happy new year. I would like to thank Miranda Riddle for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
Penny rose early the next morning, not sure how to feel at the outing that was to come. The visit to the modiste that her sisters were so eagerly anticipating. She knew if her engagement to Gabriel was real, she too would be caught up in the excitement of a whole new wardrobe. But it was not real, and she really did not want him wasting his money buying her things she did not need. She had dresses, of course they were not fine enough for the balls or parties of the high ton, especially not when she was on the arm of a Marquess. But still, they would do for day wear would they not? She did not need everything new as it seemed the duchess had decided. She would have to persuade the lady only to buy that which was absolutely necessary, for herself at least. She knew she could never make the same suggestion for her sisters. She would not take away there joy in the day ahead.
So it was with this purpose she descended the stairs to the breakfast room, glad that when she entered she found only the duke there.
"Lady Penelope, my dear. I hope you slept well." Chuck said, standing when he saw who had come through the door and moving with innate elegance to pull out a chair for her before offering her some tea.
"I did, thank your grace." Penny responded simply as she took her first sip of tea that morning. It was known in her old home to always have tea ready for her when she came down, and it seemed that this practise was common place here as well. It did not cross her mind that the duchess had made sure that her housekeeper had spoken to Emily to find out what it was her and sisters liked when breaking their fast at the start of the day.
"I'm glad. So what are your plans today?" Chuck asked returning to his own chair and picking up his own cup as he studied the lady who would become his daughter-in-law over the top of it.
"Anne is taking my sisters and I to the modiste." Penny replied smiling in a friendly way as she took a piece of toast. She had not spent much time with the duke, but he reminded her of Castiel, and that made her feel relaxed in his presence. Even if he was a duke and therefore one of the most powerful men in the country.
"Ah. I remember the joy Charlie and her mother used to have at the visit at the start of the season to gain a new wardrobe." Chuck responded with a smile as he remembered the conversations and excitement his wife and daughter had shared before the latter had found her husband. Though looking at the lady across from him he found that that excitement was missing. "Yet you do not seem to be sharing in it." he commented, wondering what Lady Penelope's reason for that would be. Trying to find out more about the sort of woman she was.
"No I am." Penny replied, trying to make sure the duke understood she was excited. That she was pleased and honoured by the time and effort the duchess was putting into her and her sisters. "It is just…" she tired to continue, tried to find the words to explain her hesitance, without telling the duke the truth.
"Just what, Lady Penelope?" Chuck asked when it seemed she would not continue. He still was not sure about this engagement, sure that there was something more going on here. And Penelope's behaviour this morning was doing nothing to dissuade him of that fact.
At his question Penny took a deep breath. She needed to tell him something, and well, she could say something close enough to the truth without revealing it all, could she not?
"I do not want Gabriel wasting his money on things I do not need. I am sure some of the dresses in my current wardrobe will be fine for day wear. I do not want to… force Gabriel to pay for such frivolities." she finally managed to get out.
At this reply Chuck's eyebrows rose. Castiel was right it seemed, Lady Penelope was not after his son's money. Or if she was, she was doing a very good job at convincing them all that she was not. It had never crossed his mind that her caution on the day ahead was due to her not wanting to waste his son's income. Though he knew that Gabriel would not think it a waste in any way. In fact he was sure he would be hurt if she did not let him buy her everything she needed and more.
Therefore placing his cup down, he thought over the correct wording of his reply to her words.
"Oh my dear. That is sweet of you, but I must tell you it is one of a gentleman's favourite things, to buy you everything you wish. Gabriel has the money to pay, do not worry about that. Do not dishonour him by denying him this pleasure." he answered in a gentle voice, hoping she would understand.
"I mean no dishonour your grace, I just-" Penny started to reply, only to be interrupted.
"You are his fiancée. You are now a representation of him to the ton. An expression of him that the ladies will take to their hearts. Therefore you must be the best dressed one in any room at any time. You must be the one they all look to and want to emulate. That is the role of a duchess, and while my son is not yet the duke, one day he will be, and you will be at his side." Chuck stated in a firm tone. He would not have her show up his son or his wife. Lady Penelope was now a member of his family, she needed to learn what that meant.
"I understand." Penny replied nodding. She had not thought of it like that. She had only thought of herself and her own feelings of guilt, not the role she needed to play to make sure that she completed the deal she had made with Gabriel.
"You are not used to this way of life I know, but you soon will be. And my son and my wife will make sure you have the best entrance into the ton. Of that I am sure. I am looking forward to having a dance with you myself at your first ball. As is my right as your future father-in-law." Chuck responded with a soft smile and a more gentle tone. He did not want to upset the lady, if for no other reason than if he did he knew Gabriel would not be best pleased. He did not want to argue with his eldest son, and maybe had had been a little harsh before.
"Of course. This is all so new." Penny answered with a smile of her own, showing him that she held no hard feelings for the way he had spoken. She had needed it. Needed someone to remind her that this was not just about herself. This was about Gabriel as well. She needed to remember that. Everything she did from this moment onwards would reflect on the gentleman who had saved her and her sisters from what had been, and what could have been. She needed to do everything in her power to repay him for that. And if that meant letting him buy her and her sisters a whole new wardrobe, then so be it.
With that they continued breakfast in congenial conversation until the duke left to go and find his wife. He needed to make sure that she knew of Lady Penelope's reservations, and did not skimp on anything. He knew Gabriel would not be happy if his future wife did not have everything she wished for and more.
That was how, when Penny entered the modiste she found herself getting fitted not just for gowns, but night-rails, and undergarments as well. It seemed nothing from her old live was going to survive in her wardrobe, and she would just have to accept that. This is what she agreed to do, and she could not disgrace Gabriel in the eyes of the ton. That was not part of the deal. So she would pull in her pride and worries and do as was needed. And if she soon got caught up in the conversation of design and material with the duchess and modiste, smiling and letting herself go, then that was the part she was playing, and nothing more. Though she did wonder why it was the duchess asked for so many gowns in varying shades of green, not that she had anything against the colour, it was her favourite and she felt it flattered her nicely. But there really were a lot.
Anne of course, had been asked by her son to make sure Penny had some in the colour that made her eyes and hair sparkle. The colour he loved to see her in, any shade of green would do. And well, Anne was not one for doing anything in half measures, and really, you could never have too many gowns in her mind.
When the ladies returned, the younger ones tired out by the trip, they found a light meal awaiting them. It was during this that Anne informed the elder two of the plans she had made for that afternoon.
"we have Monsieur Durand coming this afternoon, to teach you, Penny and Bea, to dance. I am sure you are both very proficient in the regular dances that are performed at assemblies, but at ton balls you must also know the waltz." Anne stated.
"We are to learn the waltz?" Bea asked her eyes lighting up at the idea of learning such a romantic dance.
"Indeed." Anne replied her eyes twinkling with happiness at the look on the younger girls face. She could see that Penny too was smiling at her sisters reaction, rather than voicing her own opinion on learning the dance. But she had come to realise that for Penny, her sisters always came before herself. Therefore this response did not surprise her as it would have done before she had gotten to know her future daughter-in-law.
Penny was happy that Bea was happy. She herself was also keen to learn the waltz, though more for the reason that she loved to dance. Loved learning new ways to move her body to music. It would be a very pleasurable way to pass the time.
Therefore in the early afternoon it was the two elder Cobrun ladies and the duchess who welcomed the instructor, the duchess choosing to accompany them herself on the pianoforte. The less people who saw her sons fiancée before making her come out in society the better in her mind.
Gabriel hadn't intended on visiting his mother and her guests, but it seemed that his horses had had another idea when he took out his crucible that afternoon. He had planed on going to White's and connecting with some of his friends, spreading around the news that he was engaged. But instead he found himself pulling up outside his parents house, throwing the reins to the waiting stable boy before making his way through the door being held open for him by the butler.
"Thank you Brighton."
"You are welcome my lord." The butler replied as he took his coat and hat.
"Is my mother and Lady Penelope in the drawing room?" Gabriel asked, already starting to move in that direction thinking that that would be where they were. Wondering how the shopping trip had gone, and wondering if his mother had managed to get his Pen the green grown he so wanted to see her in.
"No my lord. They are in the ballroom." The butler responded not expanding on his words and therefore causing Gabriel's eyebrow to rise. Why were they in there? But he did not ask the question, instead he made his way to the part of the house.
As he drew near he could hear the sounds of a waltz coming from the room and he realised exactly what was happening. Penny was learning to dance the newest and most controversial of all dances, and one he couldn't wait to share to with her. The idea of keeping her in his arms for the duration of a dance made his skin tingle. He really needed to get a grip on that feeling before they entered the ton proper.
Standing in the open door he saw his Pen moving around the room lighting on her feet. But that wasn't what drew his attention. No it was the fact she was doing it in the arms of another man. That he did not like. Though he tried to keep that revelation out of his voice as he spoke loud enough for his mother to hear and stop playing, thus ending the dance.
"You really should have informed me you were having a dance. You seem to be lacking gentlemen partners." He said lightly as he saw Bea standing by his mother, her eyes watching her sisters every move, obviously desperate to have a chance to dance herself.
"Gabriel. What a surprise, but a well timed one. Penny has just learned the steps for the waltz. Why do you not practise it with her, while Monsieur Durand teaching lady Bea?" His mother said. She could see that which Gabriel had kept out of his voice in the way his eyes had not yet left the two who had been dancing. She found the idea that her son was jealous of the dancing instructor highly entertaining, and it was something she must remember to inform her husband. He would like to know that Gabriel's feelings for Lady Penelope run as deep as to already seeing her as his.
"I am more than willing to step in and help out." Gabriel responded with a sunny smile, though he could not stop himself from stroking over to his fake fiancée and taking her hand in his and placing a gentle kiss on the back as he stared into her eyes. He knew she knew what he was doing by the way she rolled her eyes at him, but that didn't stop the smirk that appeared on his face at how she let go of the other man and came to his side without hesitation.
Penny in truth was getting annoyed at the little supercilious man. He kept telling her she was showing too much passion for the dance. That a lady did not show passion. She wanted to tell him that this lady did, and then inform him just how much passion she had by biting his head off. Not that she would, but she was extremely glad when she had seen Gabriel arrive and had heard Anne's suggestion. Yes she would be more than happy to practise the dance with her supposed fiancée. After all he was the only one she was likely to dance it with.
So with the two new couples ready to dance the duchess once more began to play, and while she watched Bea learn the steps, she was more fascinated with watching Gabriel and Penny dancing the waltz for the very first time. They fit together so perfectly. Moving smoothly without hesitation or question, their eyes never leaving each others as the moved to the music. And for the very first time she saw exactly what it was about the dance that caused such a sandal among the elders of the ton. Because watching how the engaged couple fell so easily into step with each other, she could see the intimacy in a whole new way.
Gabriel started off gently, taking it slow as he did not want to upset Penny's newly learnt steps, but when he felt her relax in his arms he joined her in enjoying the dance. He had been right. She was a natural when it came to moving to the music. And she felt so right in his arms. She was the prefect height so that he did not have to bend to hold her, and they could stare into each others eyes without constraint. It was perfect, she was perfect. Following him without question, her movements echoing his as if they had been dancing together forever rather than this being the very first time. She understood his every tell when he turned her, and she did not miss a step when he put them both into an intricate set of spins. He was so lost in the feel of her he forgot where they were and who was with them, he just enjoyed the pleasure of having her in his arms. He never wanted the dance to stop.
Penny had been worried to start with. She had only just learnt the steps of the dance, and now she was expected to dance with Gabriel? He, know doubt, had spent many a night whirling ladies up and down ballrooms in the waltz. She did not want to show him up, or show up her own lack of ability. But when the music started and she realised that he was not going to make her move in any complicated steps she allowed herself to relax. In doing so she found herself drifting off with the music, following the gentleman whose arms she was in with ease, feeling immensely happy when she felt and understood the subtle pressure he put upon her lower back when he changed direction. It was so much easier to dance with Gabriel than it had been with the instructor, and she found in his arms a love for this dance, this intricate yet romantic dance, that she had not felt when learning it. It felt different dancing it with Gabriel, whether it was because he was not telling her what she was doing wrong every other second, or if it was because of Gabriel himself, she did not know. All she knew was that she could not wait to dance with him like this again. To show off to the ton her skill, and how well they fitted together in this expression of affection through movement and music.
It wasn't until the music stopped and therefore the dance did too that she came back to earth and realised just what she had been thinking. This was not real, she may need to show the ton those expressions, but she could not feel them herself. Because she was not going to marry the Marquess of Dare. Oh god lord, she could understand why this dance was classed as risqué. If it made her feel like that about a gentleman she was not going to marry, it was a wonder there were not more proposals at the end of every set. She needed to get a hold upon herself. She could not let herself go as she had just done, not in front of others. She needed to remember that this was all for show.
And Gabriel staring into her eyes could see when she remembered, therefore with a sigh he stepped back and bowed over her hand before informing his mother he was going to find his father, waving farewell to those left behind. He knew there was no chance of getting Penny to dance with him again, therefore he needed to leave the room, before he did something that would show just how much she managed to affect. Before he showed just how much Lady Penelope Coburn had gotten under his skin.