"Are you sure, M'lady?" From the driver's seat, Parker turned to regard her for an answer.
Civility and years of etiquette training dictated she should at least let the genie know they were leaving without him, but she was still rather perturbed by his gaunty behavior. She had very little tolerance for individuals who found enjoyment tormenting others.
"I'm certain," Penelope replied with a gentle stroke to the top of Sherbert's head. "Maybe after we get some answers about our guest, he'll be more inclined to cooperate."
Without further word on the matter, Parker started Fab1, pulling her from the garage and down the drive. She could see the unasked question on his face and wondered for a moment what it was about. There was something to worry about between Parker and Gordon. One offered something far too tempting to the other and she wasn't comfortable letting that continue unrestrained.
"H'I take it 'is conversation with you didn't go well?" He finally spoke as he turned onto the main road and picked up speed.
That conversation, if that's what it could've been called, had been sitting at the back of her mind to fester. She couldn't trust him, though part of her wanted to when he had the sense to actually look sorry. Penelope opened her mouth to insist it would be alright, but let out a startled yelp as the back seat filled with an explosion of blue and seafoam smoke.
"Blimey!"
Penelope felt the car come to a stop and the doors opened, letting the fog spill out over the pavement. For reasons beyond her desire to explore, she wasn't surprised to see the blonde sitting next to her, his eyes wide in confusion.
"Was that entirely necessary?" Penelope grumbled, waving more of the smoke out of the opening.
"It is when you leave without me," Gordon had the gall to glare at her. "I have to be within a certain distance of you or this happens." He gestured to his presence and the smoke trailing off of him.
"That's information that would have been pertinent earlier," Penelope lifted Sherbert, who had immediately wedged himself against her at the surprise.
The genie simply shrugged as he leaned back in the seat. "I prefer to learn as we go. Kinda makes things stick when they happen, don't ya think?"
Calm. She needed to stay in control of her emotions, so Penelope redirected her attention to her driver. "Are we alright to continue, Parker?"
"Yes, M'lady," the elder man glanced at the rearview, eyeing the two of them for any sign she might try to do something brash. She wouldn't, even though she had the strong urge to boot Gordon from the car.
"So where's this shindig we're going to, anyway?" He asked as Fab1 continued on.
"Paris," she didn't feel like expanding from there. If he was forced to come, then it wasn't likely he could do anything about their destination.
A deep sigh wasn't followed by the quip Penelope had been expecting. Instead, he offered a subdued "okay," before turning to view the countryside. She was fine with that. They would make their little detour first and then head over to the benefit. She was eager to gain more information regarding the genie and was hopeful her friend would be able to help.
So, with her mind elsewhere, Penelope watched the countryside opposite his. She didn't think twice when Fab1 took flight, but blinked with the startled cry that came from Gordon.
"This thing flies?" His earlier irritation was gone.
"Yes," Penelope started before adding, "and that's not information that's privy to all. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Gordon was all smiles as he leaned against the window to view the retreating ground.
Penelope found it strange how quickly his moods could shift. Since meeting him, she'd thought him an immature boy given far too much power, but then she would catch a hint of age, dark and expansive that flitted away with so much as a flippant grin. Maybe that's what worried her most about him. He must be ancient. Why would he care about this world or what happened to it?
But as she watched his eyes dance in the mid afternoon sun, Penelope knew that wasn't true.
Right now, she would focus on the task at hand. After that, she would have to tread lightly if she planned on making any more wishes.
The remainder of the ride passed in a mutual silence until they made it to the rural highway that lead to the mansion. Penelope had wondered what he might think of their destination and was somewhat surprised to see apprehension and pain. Not physical - no - this was the ache of something deeper and for a moment, she wondered if this was a mistake.
Then, the door opened and Penelope was stepping out with the helping hand of Parker. Duchess Wellesley was already through the entryway by the time she straightened.
"Lady Penelope, back so soon?" The elder woman sounded delighted. "Were you able to find something for your family's organization?"
Ah, she'd found something alright, but now there was that itch of guilt for getting the woman's hopes up. Although, if she were knowledgeable about Gordon, then the issue could be forgotten.
"Unfortunately, I did find something, but it seems I may need your help with it." Penelope gave the dutchess an apologetic look.
"Oh, of course, dear," she beamed and Penelope stepped aside to allow her full view of the man currently exiting the pink Rolls Royce. Her smile fell sharply. "Oh -"
Concern swept through the London agent, noting the color leave the dutchess' face. Penelope turned quickly to look back to Gordon only to find him wearing a soft, mournful expression. As far as her expectations went, this was a bit on the alarming side.
"Ma'am -" Gordon's greeting broke with uncertainty.
Dutchess Wellesley didn't allow him any time to collect himself. The shiver of sorrow in her voice had Penelope wondering if the woman was losing the strength to stand. "Oh, my dear - I thought… you -"
A tear fell.
Footsteps sounded behind her before Gordon moved past and Penelope found herself a perplexed bystander to an emotional reunion. The dutchess collapsed into him, her thin fingers clinging to the fabric of his jacket. Part of her wanted to focus on the stains running across his back and the seat of his pants, anything but the questionable guilt she was feeling about bringing him here. About the obvious pain it was causing the elder woman. Why - she still needed more answers, but with the sound of sobs muffled by ruined Armani, Penelope was willing to wait.
For the remainder of the next few minutes, she simply observed, unsure of her role other than instigator. Gordon had urged with gentle words that the dutchess should allow him to help her to one of the benches if not inside. It hadn't taken her long to settle once she was lowered, wiping at the tracks of wetness with shaking fingers. Parker, who had been dumbfounded by the exchange from his place at the boot of Fab1 joined them and offered a handkerchief from his pocket.
"I'm dreadfully sorry, Dutchess Wellesley," Penelope started, hoping to sooth the churning in her gut for the trouble she'd caused. "I didn't intend to cause you distress."
To her surprise, the older woman smiled as another tear slid free. "Nonsense, dear, this -" and she turned back to Gordon, taking his face in her hands and pulling him down to plant a kiss on his forehead. "This is a wonderful surprise. Oh Gordon - where have you been all this time?"
He gave a sad chuckle as he took her hands in his, folding them together between them. "Genies, Maddie - we go back in our lamps when… Well, when we're no longer needed." A frown pulled at his lips, marring the boyish charm he seemed to flaunt. "I'm so sorry."
The dutchess wiped at her cheeks with the cloth, returning an aged gaze with the understanding that followed his sentiment. "When I lost Hugo, I could only imagine where you had disappeared to. I thought, maybe, you had abandoned us, but that seemed impossible. You never left his side. Not in all the time I had known the two of you."
"Even if I could've left, I wouldn't. Your husband had a good soul. I was proud to serve him." There was an unmistakable shimmer in the amber eyes that sent Penelope's heart plummeting. She succeeded in one thing. She had learn how much he could feel for others. He cared deeply and she was taking advantage of that.
"But twenty-three years?" The dutchess gasped out in disbelief. "You were locked away for so long."
This time his laugh held more amusement than pain. "Oh, that's nothing! I've endured centuries of waiting. Some of my masters felt it necessary to lock my lamp away so no one could find it. Time has its ways, though."
The three mortals gaped in horror at this rather large fact about the genie. Dutchess Wellesley shattered their shocked silence with an indignant grunt, before pushing herself up from the bench.
"Then I owe you at the very least the hospitality of supper, my dear boy." She held out her hand to usher him to follow. His eyes, however, went to his new mistress.
Penelope, for once, didn't know what to do or say, her mouth falling open. She knew he required permission and there were no valid reasons not to give it. Her plan had originally been to visit the dutchess with enough time to talk before heading off to the benefit.
Another moment ticked by and she realized all eyes had turned to her, so Penelope did the only thing that could muster its way through her muddled thoughts. She nodded.
It wasn't until they had entered the estate that the first dilemma made itself known to her. Though they had time to talk, a meal was not a possibility. Penelope, now with a bit more of her wits about her, gave a soft cough to alert their host.
"Oh, I really must apologize. We unfortunately have other engagements to attend to, so I'm afraid supper might need to be postponed for another visit." She offered a remorseful expression as the reunion would have to be cut short despite the wounds that had been opened.
Dutchess Wellesley didn't seem too fazed as she nodded, her arm wrapped around Gordon's. "A drink perhaps?"
Penelope was grateful for the flexibility. She valued this lady's friendship and wasn't thrilled to have that tarnished by an inability to compromise.
"That would be lovely," she smiled, following their hostess inside, Parker trailing behind.
They eventually found themselves seated in a small lounge, Gordon sifting through a handheld holoprojector. Images of Duke Wellesley were easily identified from her location, most of which also held the dutchess, but none of Gordon himself. What struck Penelope about the whole situation was how civil the genie was being - almost lovingly, like a son home to visit after too long. It was so different from her own experiences with him.
"Here we are," the dutchess spoke as she returned with a servant carrying a tray of tea and biscuits.
"Aww, none for me?" Gordon pouted from behind the hologram of the duke sitting in an antique Corvette.
"You know yours takes the longest," Dutchess Wellesley countered with a smile.
As the tea cups and plates were set on the table, another servant appeared, carrying a brightly colored frozen drink with fruit sticking off the side of the glass. Penelope starred at it with an uncanny sense of complacency. This was actually happening and she couldn't find the heart to voice her shock.
Gordon could, with a bright, joyous laugh. "You remembered?"
"Of course I do," the dutchess took a sip of her tea, all poise and grace, but her eyes still glistened with memories, long locked away, finally spilling out. "You had poor Hugo so enamored with them, you and he had to hide on the veranda to keep me from knowing."
Mid-sip, he stopped to give her an incredulous look. "Then how did you find out? I thought we did a pretty good job, you know, with our cups of tea sitting there."
Penelope turned to Madeleine - Maddie, by Gordon's familiarity - for an answer to a story that shouldn't have been this enthralling. "The sink, dear. I always found your glasses ready to be washed. Ms. Krieg found it amusing to spill the beans on the two of you."
A chunk of pineapple muffled the chuckle that followed this information. The silence after offered Penelope a way to wriggle her own questions in.
"How long have you two known each other? If you don't mind my asking." There were other, more pertinent questions to ask, but it didn't feel right delving into them just yet.
Madeleine glanced to the side in thought before turning to regard the genie, "You and I, about thirty some odd years." She found Penelope next, "package deal those two. I met Hugo at a gala trying to pass himself off as a prince. It didn't take me long to figure that little ruse out and I was introduced to his cohort in crime." A glance in Gordon's direction.
The genie, though smiling and presenting as though it were a jolly story to be telling, didn't expand on it. Penelope prided herself in being able to read a person via little quirks of discomfort or excitement. Currently, her new companion was trying to keep up appearances. Whether it be for their host's benefit or her own, she couldn't tell.
Eventually, he offered a grin, setting his drink down, "And if I'm not mistaken, you were more than happy to participate after the fact."
"Ah, yes, well - he did have a certain charm about him." Madeleine's smile softened. "I miss him."
Another beat of silence, broken by Gordon this time. "What happened?"
Penelope's breath caught at such a personal question, wondering how either of them would take it. However, she wasn't too surprised to see the warmth spread over the older woman's face as though she were softening the blow of news to a loved one.
"His heart stopped," she said, as though it hadn't been too much of a surprise. "You know Hugo and doctors. Never could get him to go to one and when he did, they tried putting him on medication for his blood pressure. Stubborn fool… He'd had a cold the day before, remember?" Gordon nodded, silently listening. "It was just poor timing and a terrible genetic history in the end. I found him in bed, curled up with his readers still on. Thought he'd nodded off, he looked so peaceful."
The explanation hung over the group, all eyes on Gordon who had found a spot on the table, his lips thin as his mind processed. The sigh that escaped was heavy, but there was a corner of his mouth that twitched ever so slightly. Penelope could only imagine how he must be feeling after learning of his friend's fate.
Not friend - master. Duke Wellesley had been Gordon's master until the day he died. How many masters had the genie been through?
"Thank you," Gordon finally spoke, breaking her train of thought. "And you're right - he was pretty stubborn. Sometimes I had a hard time deciding if it was his worst or best quality."
"Mmm - it certainly depended on the day," Madeleine said fondly, regardless of what had come of her late husband. Her eyes found Penelope, bright with knowledge. "And now it seems you've found a new mistress who could run circles around Hugo. You are quite the powerful woman, dear."
She knew this, yet in the presence of their current situation, there was the unwelcome spread of heat over her cheeks. The thin layer of concealer and perfectly applied powders were hopefully enough to hide that slip.
"It has been an interesting twenty-four hours, to say the least," Penelope easily kept her tone light, not wanting to voice the true frustration that had brought her here.
"I'm certain he isn't helping matters," the dutchess gave her a knowing wink that wrinkled the corner of her eye. It gave the London agent a little levity, knowing that she hadn't been the only one earning the genie's mischievous treatment.
"Aw, c'mon, Mads," Gordon pouted. "I'm not that bad."
"Oh, like the time Hugo wished for the most beautiful pearl in the world as an anniversary gift and you brought him a live oyster?" Madeleine folded her hands over her lap, pinning him with a glare.
"He asked for the 'most beautiful pearl'! I couldn't help that it was still stuck in a mollusk." He threw another piece of fruit in his mouth.
"But you gave him grief for weeks after he had to kill it," a razor sharp brow lifted.
"I did do that, yes," he had the sense to look apologetic.
"Pardon my interruptin', m'lady, Dutchess," Parker caught their attention as he set his own cup on the table. "We'll be needin' to 'ead out soon if we mean to arrive on time."
Penelope really hadn't set aside enough time for this type of reunion, but knew it would be easily remedied. "If it would be alright with the two of you, I could bring Gordon back to visit? I'm sure you have much more to discuss."
The genie's face lit up with the offer and the dutchess was more than willing to agree. The details were discussed on the way to Fab1 and with the gentlest care, Gordon gave his old friend a long hug. Penelope felt the warmth of it, pleased to be witness to it. Her line of work typically didn't leave room to admire such meetings.
"Thank you so much, dear," Dutchess Wellesley pulled her into her own embrace, hands trembling as they took hers. Gordon had taken his place next to Parker, well out of earshot. "I know he may be a nuisance at times, but that man's heart is good. He just needs reminding every once in a while."
"I'll do my best," she offered, not really feeling the smile she wore over the uncertainty. She would appreciate a little more cooperation on his part. Maybe after today, their partnership could be far less problematic.
And just as quickly as they had arrived, they were off again. This time, she was gazing out the window towards the hills that lined the road, unsure of what to say to her passenger. She had been allowed to view a part of his life none had been privileged before. What was she supposed to do now? Comfort him? Offer her condolences?
She'd done that for far too many - and too many of those had been close friends. This was different. There were so many avenues, yet none glaring at her to head down first. It was unnerving and she found her nails digging into the palms of her hands to just keep from growling in frustration.
And then, Penelope heard the slow stream of breath pass through his lips - the silence that followed. She turned her head just enough to see his head bowed, hunched over with his elbows resting on his knees. In that moment, he was completely vulnerable. Every ounce of control that he'd kept in front of the dutchess was gone.
"Are you alright?" She found herself asking before she could think better of it.
A grunted laugh was her answer, followed by a thick silence. She didn't dare press, unable to read his expression behind the hands that covered his face - until they fell.
Gordon was smiling as he spoke quietly. "Most people knew Hugo for his work, you know that?" Penelope nodded. It's how she knew him - being in the possession of more than a few of his original literary works. "I knew him when he worked in a factory packing boxes. Not a lot of people remember that since he tended to work late and kept to himself. He loved writing and would tell me all about his stories. Never once wished for me to write it all out for him. That was his passion. What he wished for was for someone to read just one of his final drafts."
"What did you do?" She asked, honestly interested.
"I dropped it right into the lap of one very specific person," the grin was beaming with the memory.
"Who?"
"Elio Bisset - head of publishing for Le Voyage. And he loved it. All it took was one person and Hugo was on his way out of that terrible job." Gordon went back to watching the scenery, still smiling.
Penelope followed his gaze to see nothing of significance outside other than trees and hills. Though she had heard stories of the Duke's rise in fame and fortune, she had never really met the man. He'd passed before she'd even learned to read, but once she grew old enough to enjoy his complicated and intertwining works, they had made it to the top of her list of books to read more than once. Each time revealed a whole new look into something she had missed the first time through. Getting to be an acquaintance of his wife had been almost like a dream. And now this.
"He was a talented man," she finally gave in praise. Gordon didn't seem to acknowledge, but she did notice he looked a bit more at ease.
"Thank you," the words were thick and she could see a slight shimmer that rimmed amber. "I've never had the chance to know what really happened to any of my masters. I just have to accept that their life is over and it's time to move on. It's..."
Penelope's lips thinned as he trailed off, a dull ache passing through her chest at his confession. "That's terrible." She couldn't help adding and was rewarded a subtle nod. "If ever you need to visit, I'm sure the dutchess would be glad to accommodate. All you need to do is ask."
The offer seemed to bring back some of his spark as a smile reappeared and he glanced over to her. "Thanks, I'd appreciate that, a lot."
Something had changed in the space of an hour for the London agent and without meaning to, she'd developed a need to help this man. It felt right, regardless of how their initial meeting had gone. If that meant taking more trips to his old friend, she would do everything in her power.
First things first, though. She had a job to do and she needed him to look the part if he was to accompany her. "Good, and as for tonight, if you would like to accompany me to the benefit, I would certainly appreciate your help?"
Gordon's eyes lit with amusement, "You mean schmoozing with the super rich?"
A grin played over her lips, "Something like that. So, how did that wish go?"
"You wish for me to wear the suit in my closet and this suit to go back to my room?" There wasn't a hint of mischief and it gave Penelope some relief.
"Yes, that's my wish."
"Then let's go to a party," and he snapped his fingers.
