Hello my dears. I would like to thank CupcakesCult, rainystv and 88dragon06 for the lovely reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.

So, firstly sorry about the long wait. I have no excuse, so sorry.

Anyway here is the next chapter, I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.


Penny couldn't help but gawk around like the county girl she was as they made their way through the London streets towards the park. It was the first time she had been able to properly see and hear all that happened around her as she travelled through the city. The only other times she had been out of the house had been in a carriage, or the short walk along Bond Street to the modiste. And neither of those gave justice to what she was seeing and hearing from her position on the bench next to Gabriel in his crucible. She also marvelled at the control he had on his horses. How he managed to keep them on their path and at a steady pace even with all the distractions that were around them. Though she realised as soon as she had thought it, that they, both driver and steeds, no doubt had much practice traversing these streets. Still it was something she knew she would not be able to manage. Oh she knew how to drive horses, she had had the gig at her home at her disposal since she was young, but this took the skill to the elevation of an art form in her mind.

Gabriel for his part remained silent as he made his way towards their destination. He could see how Penny's head kept turning every which way, and he couldn't help but smile at the wonder she had in her eyes. He would allow her this time to take in all that was London. And in doing so he couldn't help but start to see the sights he was used to seeing through her eyes. Through the eyes of a stranger. Of one that this was all new to. It was a surprising thing to do. Surprising because for once he actually saw what was around him, and not just what was in front of him. He saw the flower sellers at the side of the road, and the street sweepers standing with their brooms. They were things, people, he had never taken any notice of before. Just assumed they were there, but were not his concern. Now he saw it all as he guided his horses through the streets. It was eye-opening to say the least. To see thing the way the lady at his side was doing.

But finally they made it to the relative quiet of the park, and he eased the horses into a steady trot around the circuit all the ton took when coming for a drive here.

"How have you been since I last saw you then, Pen?" Gabriel asked once he was sure the horses were well enough he could give his undivided attention to the one next to him.

"Very well. I have been making the acquaintance of many of the ladies of the ton." Penny replied pulling her eyes away from studying all she could see and instead turning to the man next to her. She didn't even register his use of Pen. She was still too caught up with bustle of the London streets.

"And how is that going? You made any friends among them? I know my mother and sister bonded with a few debutantes upon their coming outs, and they still remain those friendship to this day." Gabriel asked, wanting to make sure she was settling into her new life. Finding people she could talk to. Ladies with whom she could ask questions and could help guide her through the female side of the ton.

"I am not a debutante on my coming out, Gabriel. Or did you forget that I am your fiancée?" Penny asked with a quirk of her lips as she said the words. Did he really think that any of the ladies she had been meeting would welcome her? She was their rival who had taken the prize before they could even compete. No. None of them would be a friend to her.

"I would never forget that, my dear darling Pennilina." Gabriel replied deciding to try out a new variation on her name. She seemed to have become too accustomed to Pen for his liking if her reaction was anything to go by. He needed another way to make her eyes spark at him when he addressed her. He did enjoy it when they did so.

But all the response Penny gave to his choice of name was to raise her eyebrows. Because seriously? Pennilina? That was not even a word. Surely Gabriel could do better than that. But rather than say anything she addressed his original question. Mainly because she knew if she addressed his new name, it would challenge him to think of others. And she could only take so many.

"Then I am sure that you are aware that not many of the single ladies of the ton wish to make friends with me. In fact I think they would prefer it if I tripped and fell down the stairs." She answered humorously with startling honesty as she turned to watch those who were meandering across the green parts of the park. Studying them and trying to decide who they were and why they were there. It was so much easier to see the behaviour of the other ladies in a different light now she was out of that room. Outside and in the relative freedom of only having Gabriel as company. The one person she knew she could drop her act of the perfect lady with. Because he was the one person she did not have to convince that she would make the perfect duchess. And while she knew she would have considered her words more carefully under normal circumstances, she was just so relieved to out of her role, if only for a little while, and therefore she knew she could not and would not censure them.

"Have they treated in an unwelcoming manner?" Gabriel asked straightening at her words. He did not like the idea that anyone had been unfriendly to the Penny. She was the woman the ton believed he was to marry. They should treat her with the respect due to her future station.

"Nothing that I cannot handle. Do not worry Gabriel. But I would advise you not marry any of them. I think their mothers would drive you up the wall." Penny replied laying her hand his arm and smiling into his eyes so he knew she spoke the truth. She could handle those ladies, and the display Gabriel had put on when he had arrived to invite her for this drive would certainly go in her favour. It showed that to him, she was the only one he saw.

At her words Gabriel started. He had almost forgotten that the whole point of Pen being there was so that he could find himself a bribe. But as soon as he remembered he knew he would not ask for the hand of any lady who did not show kindness to others. Any lady who had made his chosen fiancée feel uncomfortable would be never be considered by himself as a future duchess. No to hold that post a lady needed humility and an openness of spirit as well as grace and an ability to carry a conversation with all.

"I think you'd best make me a list. Of women not to marry." He said dryly, a twinkle coming into his eyes at the thought. He did not mind her advising him on who not to marry, it was if she decided to advise him otherwise he knew he would not appreciate it. Because he still was not sure what sort of lady he wanted, though his list of requirements was growing by the day it seemed. Or maybe it was growing every time he saw the lady who was currently his fiancée. She made him see what he wanted from a wife. He wanted a partner, someone who understood him, and someone who could and would stand up to him.

Penny could hear the humour in his words, and knew Gabriel did not mean his suggestion. But she did feel that she was in a unique position to help him find his perfect wife. Even if the idea of doing so didn't settle to well with her. She did not know why, maybe because she knew whoever he chose would also have influence over her future too? That Gabriel's bribe would be able to prevent him from supporting her and her sisters as he had promised to do? Oh. She had not considered that during in her agreement to his arrangement. She needed to make sure the woman he chose was the right one. For all of them. Therefore taking a deep breath she spoke in a sincere tone.

"I do not believe that would be proper Gabriel, but if you wish, I can advise you on any lady that appeals to you."

Gabriel wasn't sure what to do with that offer. His first thought was to refuse outright, he did not want her involvement in finding a bribe. But she was correct in the fact she would see another side of any lady he considered… but the idea of having her involved in him finding a bribe, while the ton believed she was engaged to him… he couldn't figure out what it was about that that made him feel so uncomfortable. It was logical and he knew if Charlie, for instance, had suggested her help, he would have agreed readily. So why did he not with the lady at his side? There engagement was not real, they both knew this… so why was it? No. He would need some female insight and she was the only one who could give it to him. His mother and sister would be of no help. After all they already thought he had found his perfect bribe. Therefore taking a deep breath and ignoring all the protests his mind was offering he responded.

"That would be most helpful. Thank you, Penny." He finally answered formally, nodding at her before he turned his eyes towards the horses. Not wanting to look at the lady at his side. Not wanting to see how she would respond to his words. Not wanting to read whatever emotion he would see in her eyes.

"I am happy to help." Penny replied with a smile firmly in place on her lips as she too turned forward. Inside her feelings were swirling around, but she had no idea why. She had made the suggestion, so surely she should be happy that he had taken her up on it. She had wanted to be his friend, and if he was willing to take her advice on the lady he spent the rest of his life with, surely that meant she was becoming so. So why did it leave her feeling so hollow inside? Why did it cause her to feel so… despondent?

With that the serious conversation ended as they both carried on their journey lightly discussing nonconsequential things. Neither of their minds were truly on the conversation however, instead they were both trying to figure out why it was that the agreement they had just made, did not make them feel as happy as it should have done. Trying to work out what it was that felt so wrong about the idea of Penny helping Gabriel find a lady to marry. A lady that was not her.


It was with some relief when they finally returned to Ravenscliff House, and they were able to part. Penny to go to her room and change before returning to Anne, pleased to see that when she returned to the drawing room most of the ladies had left while she was out. It gave her a chance to try and work out what it was that was going on inside her without the intense scrutiny of the ton or Gabriel upon her. And the ladies who had remained presumed that her occupied air was due only to the fact she had just come back from spending time with her beau. They therefore left her to it.

Gabriel on the other hand made his way back to his home and his study, glad that Castiel was not at home for once. He needed time to think. Needed time to consider what it was he wanted from a wife. Because the season would be soon upon them, and once he had introduced Penny to the ton, he would need to try and find the lady that would become his duchess. But all he could think of as he sat there was that he wanted someone like the lady he was currently engaged to. He refused to think about the fact that it could be possible that it was the lady he was currently engaged to that he wanted. She was the one lady he could not have. Hopefully when he interacted with others on the marriage mart, he would find what he was looking for. No doubt his thoughts about Penny were only because she was the only lady he had been with since he decided to marry. That and the fact that everyone thought they were engaged. Yes, surely it would all change when the season started. He would just have to wait until then. Everything would be fine then, surely.