As Long As You Follow – Fleetwood Mac
I've been searching for a pot of gold
Like the kind you find at the end of a rainbow
I've been dreaming thought it was in vain
Ah but now you're here
Can't believe that you're back again
Now I know I can't lose
As long as you follow
I'm gonna win (I'm gonna win)
I'm gonna beg, steal or borrow
As long as you follow
I've been wandering, gone away too far
But the road was rough, to get back where you are
And the sun went down, never seem to rise
Ah, but now you're here
With the light shinning in your eyes
Now I know I can't lose
As long as you follow
I'm gonna win (I'm gonna win)
I'm gonna beg, steal or borrow
As long as you follow
Yes, I can live today
If you give me tomorrow
As long as you follow
Now I know I can't lose
As long as you follow
I'm gonna win (I'm gonna win)
I'm gonna beg, steal or borrow
As long as you follow
Yes, I can live today
If you give me tomorrow
As long as you follow
There was some amusement to be had this evening in that Antony had not been invited. Other than that, Colin had not been enthusiastic about attending. Although seeing Penelope meant he would at least have someone to talk to.
"So, what will it be for you tonight?" Whatever could Penelope mean? "A song, a jig, some hoop rolling talent you've yet to share with the world." Ah, Pen's sense of humour. As if he would stoop to behaving like a performing monkey.
"I'm afraid I'm just a spectator." It would be safer that way and he would be less likely to make a fool of himself. Not that it would bother him to do so for the right person.
"So much interest shown in a young lady who none of us really know." That hadn't stopped his brother from attempting to court her. Although his brother's criteria for his future wife was minimal.
"Not a devotee of mystery Pen?" Unlike so many of the young women in attendance, Penelope was more curious than envious of the newcomer.
"Me? No. I'm always turning to the final chapter first." He could imagine her doing so. "Speaking of mysteries. You must tell me the name of the young lady you seem to have met while out of the country." He could not recall speaking of any women he had met while away.
"What can you mean?" He recalled from her letters that Penelope had an excellent memory so perhaps she recalled something in his writings that he did not.
"You mentioned at the races you were never lonely." How could he have been? Her letters arrived so frequently it was as if she was there with him. "I only assumed … Never mind. Look. There truly is someone hoop rolling tonight." Sure enough some fool had thought hoop rolling would capture Miss Sharma's affection.
"You are right." But she had misunderstood the meaning behind his words. "I was not exactly lonely on my travels. I did begin a real conversation with someone. Someone I had known for a very long time. After everything that happened with Miss Thompson, I realised I never truly knew this person at all." Why did Pen look so guilty whenever he mentioned Marina? "Myself."
"Yourself?" She looked surprised and a little confused. Befuddled Penelope was adorable. How had he not noticed this before?
"I have you to thank." That only seemed to confuse her more. "Your letters were so encouraging. I thought if Penelope can see me this way surely I can too." Her whole face seem to light up at his words and he meant every one of them. Her letters had softened the humiliation of last seasons events. "I was just so distracted by Miss Thompson, so I cleared my head, swore off women and love and well I only wanted to fully understand myself before stepping back into this world." This appeared to shock Penelope. Perhaps it wasn't something a gentleman shared with a young lady, but Penelope was so easy to talk to.
"You've sworn off women then?" She looked stunned. It wasn't that shocking a revelation, was it?
"Well, for the time being." He wasn't a monk for goodness sake. He wasn't swearing off women forever.
"I am a woman." Obviously, she was but she was so different from other women. Apart from anything else, she was his sister's friend.
"You are Pen. You do not count. You are my friend." Which was better than any romantic involvement. They would be there for each other always with no secrets between them.
"Of course. Your friend." Somehow her demeanour seemed to have lost some of its sparkle. "How good to hear that." That's what he liked about Penelope, she understood him.
He excused himself to mingle with the others in attendance and hopefully avoid his mother's need to play matchmaker. Violet Bridgerton would not be thrilled to find out he had sworn off women. If she thought that he was at least trying to find a bride, she would not see the need to meddle or in her mind: assist.
The arrival of his brother Antony to join in the antics of attempting to capture Miss Edwina Sharma's attention made the evening even more enjoyable. Perhaps this season wouldn't be so bad after all.