Hello my dears. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So, first off, sorry for the lack of updates. I have no excuse really, I was just a little blocked. Anyway I hope you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
Penny sat at her dressing table, staring at her reflection. She could barely believe it was her she was seeing in the mirror. It seemed Emily had been hiding her talents at dressing her hair, because tonight she had manage to coral it into an elegant twist of curls held in place by pins, which had all been decorated with little white flowers. She had never seen herself as done up as she was now and Penny couldn't quite get over the sight. As she sat there her door was pushed open and her eyes finally left the mirror when a squeal was heard from that direction. Turning she saw Bea standing there with her hands over her mouth and her eyes wide.
"You look beautiful, Penny." Bea whispered, taking in not only the hair style, but also the deep green grown that she was wearing. The puffed sleeves settled off her shoulders and then led to a V that ran to an almost indecent depth across her chest. But it was the highest of fashion she had been assured, even if in her mind she felt almost naked on top.
"Thank you, Bea." Penny replied with a smile at her sister. And turning her eyes back to the mirror for the first time in her life she realised she felt beautiful.
Suddenly another voice entered the conversation. "You will turn all the gentlemen's heads this evening my dear, though I know there is only one you care for. But Gabriel will be pleased to know he is making all others green with envy at having you on his arm. Speaking of my son, he sent you this." Anne said joining the two sisters in the room and smiling at them both as she held out a jewellery box.
Seeing it Penny wanted to frown, she wanted to refuse whatever was in side, but she knew she could not. Because Gabriel was her supposed fiancée and it was his mother delivering his present. She wouldn't put it past him to have arranged it that way. So instead of saying any of the thoughts in her mind she smiled as she took the box from Anne, opening it to find the most perfect set of diamonds and emeralds set in a necklace which would wonderfully frame the neckline of her dress. She couldn't fault him for the style. It was simple and elegant, just like the engagement ring she was once more wearing on her finger. It suited her perfectly and would match her dress, she did have to wonder how he knew that but she put it aside for something for them to discuss later.
"I must remember to thank him. Would you-?" She asked Anne holding the box back to the duchess, not sure she trusted herself to take the necklace out of it. Not sure she trusted herself not to break the obviously expensive piece of jewellery she would be wearing that evening.
"Of course." Anne replied with a smile moving to stand behind her as she carefully placed the necklace around the younger lady's throat, fixing the clasp surely at the back.
"A perfect addition." Anne said once she stepped back to see Penny's reflection in the mirror.
"Yes, it is." Penny agreed. Her eyes misting over as some emotions she couldn't name rose inside her at the sight that greeted her. She should have looked like this six years ago, when her coming out had been planned for. But before her season her mother had died giving birth to Elizabeth, and she hadn't had the chance to come to town that year or the next, and well then it seemed a little late to be a debutante. But now, sitting in the guest room of the duke and duchess that was exactly what she felt like. A debutante about to enter her first ball. The nerves at such an idea hit her as she had never realised they would. She had to take a minute to calm her breathing and remind herself that she wasn't a debutante. She was a betrothed woman about to make her curtsey to society on the arm of the Marquess of Dare. She was no insignificant debutante, but a future duchess. Even if she knew she would never be what those she would met tonight thought. She would never marry Gabriel, but that did not mean she could let him down. She was a reflection of him and his family, and she would do her best to hold up that honour. Cutting her eyes to her jewellery box she saw the corner of the cream envelope which contained the contract for her and Gabriel's agreement. It was a reminder that she needed to do her best.
Gabriel was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with his father, waiting for his mother and Penny to join them. Castiel and the Winchesters had gone on ahead, leaving the duke and duchess, and the marques sand his fiancée to arrive together. Making sure all knew that the ducal couple gave there complete support to Gabriel's chosen bride. He was nervous, he hoped he hadn't overstepped the mark with giving her the necklace, but she was his fiancée in everyone's eyes now. It was expected he would give her such presents. If he had not there would be questions that they did not want to have to answer. He hoped she understood that, hoped she wore his gift. Hoped she liked it. He had gone too far too many jewellers in Bond Street before finding the perfect piece for Penny. Oh he really hoped she liked it.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps on the stairs drew Gabriel from his mind and he turned his eyes upwards, only to have his jaw drop open. Because the lady walking down towards him was a vision of green dress, red hair and sparkling diamonds. She was the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen and staring at her as she came towards him Gabriel felt as if he heart was going to beat out of his chest. She took his breath away, increased his heartrate to the point where he was starting to worry for his health. But still he could not tear his eyes from her. Could not look away from the woman who would spend the evening on his arm as his fiancée. How was he supposed to look at any other woman when he was with her? How was he to find another lady to marry, when he had this lady next to him? How was he to consider marriage to anyone other than her? Wait… no he could not marry her. That was the agreement they had made. This was not real. She would not be his wife. She was the one lady of the ton he would never marry. He needed to remember that, no matter how stunning she looked. But even these thoughts could not stop his eyes from travelling the length of her as she walked towards him. Couldn't stop him taking her hands in his and placing sincere kisses onto her knuckles. Could not stop the words that came out of his mouth as he stared into her eyes. "You are the most perfect vision of beauty my eyes have ever beheld. No one else there this evening will be able to hold a candle to you, my dear Pen. And I am the luckiest of men, to have you on my arm."
The sincerity he said the words with made Penny blush, even as her eyes sparkled and a smile graced her lips. Because while what he was saying was outrageous, it was also so very Gabriel, and it relaxed her as nothing else could. How this man could give her such a compliment while putting her at ease she would never know. It was a talent, and one she was grateful for.
"Thank you, Gabe. I must say, you look handsome yourself." She replied taking in the finery of his evening clothes. The softness of the material as she lay her hand along his arm. Oh yes, she wasn't the only one who would be causing envy this evening, of that she was sure. Because she would not just be on the arm of the Marquess of Dare, a coop in anyone's books, but she was also pretty sure she would be on the arm of one of the most attractive men in the room.
"Why thank you. I am very glad my humble attempts can offer the foil your perfection deserves." Gabriel gushed in return, his own eyes twinkling as well now, a slight teasing note to his words making Penny chuckle at him even as she rolled her eyes. If only she could spend the evening talking to him alone, she felt it would be one of the best nights of her life. But she knew that would not happen, therefore she would make most of the time they did have together. It was with those thoughts she allowed him to guide her to the staff, standing holding her cloak. Allowed him to take it and wrap it around her shoulders, his fingers briefly brushing her bare skin sending a thrill of excitement zipping through her. Allowed him to escort her to the waiting carriage, without any thought for the other couple that was following them and watching every move.
The duke and duchess on the other hand couldn't keep the smiles off their faces. Watching their son and the one he loved together, it was all they had ever wanted for him, and they were so very glad he had finally found it.
The Hemsworth's Ball was a great success. The room was packed with people dying to catch up with each other and exchange the latest gossip, even if the season had only just begun. Of course the most talked about subject on any lips was the engagement of the Marquess of Dare. Most did not know the lady whom he was now betrothed to, and as such those that did found themselves besieged with people who wanted all the information they had about her. The women found it most flattering and almost it made up for the fact he was not marrying any of the unmarried ladies that had been presented to his mother early in the hopes he would choose them. As such it was not surprising that the stories of the couple's interactions spread arounds the room like wild fire, and buzzed through everyone's ears, even those who really didn't care.
Castiel and the Winchesters had managed to sneak in with minimal fuss, after all he was only a second son and the brothers with him didn't even hold a title. Therefore they stood at the sides of the room listening to the gossip as it made its round. Castiel couldn't help but smirk at what he heard. His mother and brother had certainly been busy in the past two weeks. He listened and was glad to hear that the majority of the rumours shed Penny in a good light. Of course there were those that were somewhat malicious, but it seemed the most they had come up with to say against the lady was that she did not treat Gabriel with the respect he was due. Castiel was pretty sure that anyone in the crowd who actually knew his brother, would know that was what had attracted him in the first place. So no, it seemed from what he was able to hear that she had been well received by the ton in general, and most of them hadn't even met her yet. When they saw her on Gabriel's arm, saw the two together, he was sure her place as his fiancée would be cemented in all minds. Well, all but the two concerned, but there was time for them to see the truth. He was sure they would, eventually. His musing were interrupted by a red headed ball of yellow satin attacking him.
"Where are they Castiel?" She screaked in way of greeted as she squeezed his arm. And Castiel, having known the lady in front of him for most of his life replied without thought to her unorthodox method of greeting.
"They are on their way. You know how Gabriel likes to make an entrance, Charlie."
"Oh please, after his announcement in the Times this morning, they could have arrive early and still made an entrance. So what is she like?" Charlie asked smiling up at her brother. She knew if anyone could give her the insider gossip on her soon to be sister it would be Castiel. He and Gabriel had always been close, not to mention he saw so much more than most people did.
"You'll see soon enough." Castiel replied with a twinkle that was reminiscent of Gabriel's in his eye. He wasn't going to give his little sister anything. Where would be the fun in that after all? Plus he wanted her to form her own opinion of Lady Penelope. Wanted her to realise how perfectly she fit with their brother on her own.
"You Castiel Haynes, are no fun. But I love you anyway, you are one of my two favourite brothers after all." Charlie responded with a shake of her head. She hated it when he went all enigmatic on her. It was must frustrating when she wanted to know everything that was going on.
"You only have two brothers." Castiel replied dryly to her words even if a small smile was splitting his lips at her words. She hadn't changed from the annoying little girl who had followed him Gabriel around, trying to involve herself in their games and childhood exploits. And he doubted she ever would. He was glad marriage had not dimmed that part of her that was uniquely Charlie in his mind.
"Exactly. Now who are your friends, and are they single? Because I think it's time Dorothy married." Charlie answered, turning her eyes to the two well-dressed men at his side. She had never met them before, and that was an achievement. She knew everyone in the ton after all, and there was no way she would forget the faces of the two men she was now staring at. They were remarkably handsome. Just where had her brother been hiding them?
"I'm sure you do." Castiel replied to her comment about getting Dorothy married. He was pretty sure his sister had been trying to do that every season since she married her brother. But be that as it may, he had been raised a gentleman as such he did the introductions. "Charlie, may I present Major Dean Winchester, and his brother Captain Samuel Winchester. Dean, Sam, my sister Lady Charlie Buam, countess of Claymore."
"Major, Captain." Charlie said curtseying to both in turn with some amusement at how that seemed to make Dean become flustered. His brother though, gave her a perfect bow in response. At least now she knew why she had never met them before. They were the ones who had been at war with Cas. And they were the ones who had kept him alive. For that she knew she could never show her appreciation enough.
"Lady Claymore. It is a please to meet you." Sam replied when Dean didn't say anything. He knew his brother was uncomfortable in this crowd. Uncomfortable with all the people who had looked their way as they walked around the room. No, Dean was happier on the battlefield than in the ballroom, but he was going to have to get used to it if he really did insist on accompanying Lady Penelope around this season.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Captain. Once she has her claws in you, she'll never let go." came a cultured voice behind them, making Charlie turn to glare at the new comer.
"Balthazar." She snapped in displeasure.
"Lady Claymore, you are as always, glowing as radiant as the sun itself." Balthazar replied bending to kiss her knuckles as he smiled his most charming smile at his cousin. He did so love to wind her up.
"Hmm." Was all Charlie said to that. And before she could say anything more a sudden silence descended on the room as all eyes turned to the top of the staircase. Of course Charlie's eyes joined everyone else's, only to see her brother standing there with the most vibrant looking woman she had ever seen on his arm. A woman wearing a gown of deep green so unlike the pastel colours that most wore. She stood straight, staring back at those watching her without a care in the world, or at least that was how it looked to all those watching. She had a look in her eyes which said, here I am, take me or leave me, I do not care. She was the perfect reflection of the man at her side who already held such power among those in the room.
"God have mercy." Balthazar muttered under his breath as he looked up at the woman who would be becoming his cousin. She was breath-taking, but he had expected nothing less from Gabriel's chosen bride. No, there was something more about her, and not just the mystery of who she was. No she had an innate confidence, a silent well of… something. He could see how Gabriel have fallen in love with her in such a short amount of time. If he had met her when she was unattached, Balthazar had a horrible feeling he would have fallen as well. Thank the lord Gabriel had found her first. The idea of falling in love, was in his mind, a fate far worse than death. Yes, he was extremely pleased his cousin had saved him from what he could have felt for the woman at his side.
Gabriel had walked with a calm confidence towards the stairs, and when his name and that of his fiancée was announced he watch as every eye in the room turned towards them. He couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face as he felt her spine stiffen at the attention. Couldn't help but enjoy the look Penny got on her face as she stared down the whole ton. Oh yes, there would not be a question in anyone's mind why he had chosen her, not after that display. So he stood there for half a minute, letting everyone have their fill, before bending to murmur into Penny's ear. "I see Castiel, Dean and Sam over by the wall. Do you want to join them?" He asked giving her a look which was filled with love. They were still on full display after all, though he did find it extremely easy to look at her in such a way. He refused to question why that was.
"Yes, lets." Penny agreed smiling up at him and letting her expression soften in one of affection, though she in truth did not need to think about doing so. How could she look at Gabriel looking at her as he was now and not respond?
With her agreement in hand Gabriel guided her down the steps and towards his brother, who he had seen was also with his sister and cousin. Well Penny was going to have to meet the family sometime, and really, was there any time like the present? At least he could make sure Balthazar remembered what would happen if he behaved in any way that was inappropriate. Oh yes, that sounded like fun. Reminding his cousin just what he would do to him if he so much as looked at Penny the wrong way. It was with the gleeful thoughts he guided his fiancée across the room, only one destination in mind. And as they made their way to his family, all eyes in the room followed.
