Three-ish years later...
"Good morning, Miss Collins!"
"Good morning, Miss Katie!" Penelope called back to the young girl feeding chickens as she passed her way into Havenshire. "Have you finished that book yet?"
Katie brushed a few strands of brown hair from her forehead. "Nearly. Mama says I may borrow another one next week if I do my chores without complaining."
Penelope grinned. "That sounds like a very good plan. I look forward to seeing you next week."
After biding farewell to the girl, Penelope continued her walk. She strolled this path to the village of Havenshire nearly every Monday to gather supplies and to see people other than her housekeeper and cook. Penelope had lived in the small house on the outskirts of the village for just over two years. She had traveled around the country those first nine months, both to cover her tracks should anyone have attempted to find her and so that she could find a place she could feel at home.
A home she did find in Havenshire, a small hamlet within a day's journey of Bath. Though small, the people were pleasant enough and did not question a single, young woman leasing a house on her own. Best of all, they did not seem to hesitate to accept her story that she had been the lone heir of a naval captain father and a mother that had died in childbirth. Before passing himself, her father made her promise to find somewhere to settle down and live her life.
She had left London as Penelope Featherington, the third daughter of a disgraced family of the ton, and emerged Eleanor Collins, the only daughter of the deceased John and Mary Collins.
The village had been welcoming, while allowing Penelope her privacy. She had become a favorite with the local children and their mamas as she helped with their reading and lent out books. Occasionally, she invited them and their families to a picnic where she entertained them with stories. In return, no one asked many questions about her past nor pressed her to make a match herself. Whatever they truly thought of her story, they kept it close to themselves.
Penelope entered the local grocer, who also acted as the post. She was immediately set upon by the grocer's children, anxiously telling her the new things that had learned and asking about the next outing they could attend. Penelope smiled indulgently at the children as they were ushered out the door by their mother, extracting a promise from Penelope for another picnic soon.
"Good day, Miss Collins," the grocer greeted when the store became quiet again.
Penelope smiled. "Good day, Mr. Bertram. I would ask after the little ones, but I see they are well."
"Well and as you can see, making noise wherever they go," he joked. "What can I get for you today, Miss Collins?"
"You can start by calling me 'Eleanor'."
Mr. Bertram grinned. "I am afraid I cannot. My mother would rise from her grave to whip me should I even think to do so."
This was a long standing conversation between the two and it pleased Penelope to have the friendly banter. "In that case, I shall need some beef, flour, tea, and a few of those strawberry tarts that Mrs. Bertram makes. We cannot get enough of them in my household."
"Coming right up." Mr Bertram busied himself with her order.
"Good day, Eleanor, Mr Bertram," a pretty young blond greeted as she entered the store.
Penelope smiled. "Good day, Maria. You look excited today."
Maria's dark eyes grew bright. "Indeed, I am! I have received word that my cousin, Virginia, will be coming to stay with us for a few months. It has been years since I have seen her, though she is a most faithful correspondent." Maria practically vibrated. "Ginny is a ferocious reader. She is outgoing and kind and smart as a whip. I believe you shall like her very much."
"I look forward to meeting her then," Penelope assured the girl.
"Ah, that reminds me," Mr Bertram interrupted, placing Penelope's order on the counter. "A package has come for you, Miss Collins. It's heavy."
Penelope was unable to prevent a grin from spreading across her face. "Oh! It must be my manuscript!"
Maria and Mr Bertram exchanged delighted glances. "So soon? I thought we would have to wait for months for the next one!"
"Mrs Bertram will be most pleased. She has nagged me near daily to ask you for an update."
"Well, now, you will be able to give her the happy news." Penelope turned over the book in her hand. It was her third novel, but she had yet to lose the elation that she had felt with the first. She scanned the letter included. "My publisher states the book will be released in three weeks time. They will be sending more books for the town."
Maria and Mr Bertram expressed their delight at the news. Penelope gathered her ordered and bid them good-bye, promising to meet Maria's cousin as soon as she was able. She wandered home slowly, taking in the beautiful day, greeting several people on her way. Upon entering the house, she immediately went to the kitchen where she gave the order to the cook. She waved to the housekeeper as she passed to the small drawing room.
Sitting upon the chaise, Penelope took a deep breath. She glanced around the empty room, a bit of sadness settling into her chest as it always did when she returned from the village. The cook, Mrs. Huxley, and the housekeeper, Charlotte, were both pleasant and friendly, but insisted on maintaining a distance as her employees. She could understand why, having witness how so many of the ton treated their servants.
For a moment, Penelope allowed herself to imagine Eloise and Colin sitting in the room with her, excited over her latest novel. Eloise was excitedly reading every chapter aloud while Colin laughed in delight at her antics. She could see them both turn to her in mind.
But Eloise grin quickly turned to anger as it had the day she discovered the Whistledown truth. Colin stood and turned his back on her, laughing derisively. Penelope forced the image away. It did no good to dwell on those thoughts, especially when she seemed unable to control them. She sighed and began to re-read her newest book, pretending she was doing it in a room full of nameless friends.