CHAPTER NINETEEN

 

 

Edmond gestured toward one of two twin armchairs facing the dying fire in his library before handing Colin one of the two tumblers of brandy he held. While Colin settled, he approached the hearth, shoveling more coal onto the embers and using the poker to stoke them back to life again. They'd left Penelope sleeping with a fresh blaze going in his room, after which Edmond had loaned Colin a shirt to replace his soiled one. Then, he'd suggested they adjourn to the library for what he supposed would be a surreal conversation. He was certain he had about as much of an idea concerning what to do about all this as Colin did.

Once he'd taken his own seat, he lifted his glass to Colin, then took a sip, sighing as he slouched in the chair.

After a short silence, he chuckled. "Who would have thought two old Eton and Cambridge chums could patch up their ruined, lifelong friendship by sharing a woman and a glass of brandy after a round of fisticuffs?"

Colin's eyes widened, then he chuckled as well, shoulders shaking with mirth. "I wouldn't exactly call it a 'round', Ed. I slaughtered you."

Arching one eyebrow, he smirked. "I let you. Besides, I did plant you one facer."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Colin grimaced. "A bloody good one, too, by Jove."

They shared another laugh, then lapsed into silence, during which they each stared pensively into the fire. Edmond's finger twitched, tapping his signet against his glass.

"What are we going to do?" Colin mused, gaze still locked on the flames. "You and I have shared many things as friends over the years … but a woman?"

He shrugged. "She loves us both, it would seem. Lord knows I cannot understand it. I could never imagine loving anyone but her."

"Me, either," Colin agreed.

"What else can we do but share her? It's either that, or lose her."

Colin shook his head. "Do you hear yourself? That is insane. Share her for how long? One night is not the same as a lifetime, Ed. Besides, it isn't as if she could be married to us both."

His spine straightened as Colin's words sparked something in him. He turned to face his friend and smiled.

"Yes, she could."

Frowning, Colin took another drink. "What madness do you speak? No such marriage would ever be sanctioned."

Edmond rolled his eyes. "Of course not, you idiot. I don't mean a conventional marriage. I have a more … non-traditional union in mind."

Holding one hand up before Colin could object, he grinned. "Just hear me out. In public, and by society's standards, she could only ever belong to one of us. But, what if the three of us made a pact? Penelope is our wife, and we are her husbands. We will love her, protect her, lavish her with everything she could ever want. And behind closed doors, it would just be us. No one ever need know."

Colin shot to his feet, his expression not unlike the young boy who had despaired every time Edmond pulled him into some prank or another during their school days. He'd always been the daring one, Colin more cautious. Yet, where Penelope was concerned, caution would get them nowhere.

"Are you insane? Consider what you are saying! What about living arrangements? What about servant gossip? What about our families? How would we ever explain it? And what about children? If one of us sires a child on her, who claims it? Does one of us get to be the father while the other is 'Uncle Colin' or 'Uncle Ed'? It will never work."

Grasping Colin's shoulders, Edmond halted him before he could begin pacing. "I know it sounds mad. But the alternative is life without her. There are plans to be made, and many long conversations we must endure as a trio, but … I don't know about you, but if I'm going to share a woman with someone, I'd only want to do it with my best friend. No one can love her like I do, except you."

Folding his arms across his chest, Colin lifted one hand to his chin and seemed to consider his words. "You're right, of course. Nothing about this will be easy. We will all be living a double life. But did you see her, Ed? When she was with us … she was … I've never seen her like that. Happy. Free. Loved. She came alive in our hands."

Edmond had seen all of that, just as Colin had. He'd never thought being with her could be any better, until tonight.

Extending one hand to his friend, he laughed. "So, what do you say? Will you share a wife with me, Colin?"

Batting his hand aside with a chuckle, Colin shook his head in disbelief. "I never thought I'd live to see the day a man would propose marriage to me."

"You're the only man I'd ever ask, believe me. And, for what it's worth, I am sorry for the way things all worked out. As well, I apologize for the things I said in the heat of the moment. I didn't mean any of it."

Colin shrugged. "Think nothing of it. Besides, I can be arrogant, so you weren't completely off the mark. I apologize, as well. I know you don't want Penelope for her money."

Draining the dregs of his brandy, Edmond set his glass aside. "Well, what now?"

Colin sat back down, crossing one leg over the other, and resting his ankle on his thigh. "We have a very confused woman to propose marriage to, but before we do, we'd bloody well better be prepared."

"You're right," he replied, taking his seat, as well. "I had not planned to sleep tonight, anyway. We have until just before dawn to wake her, propose, and return her home before anyone's the wiser."

Running a hand over his tired face, Colin sighed. "By all means, let us get on with it."

 

***

Penelope fought back a smile as she entered the drawing room just after breakfast the next morning. She expected her mother any moment, and together, they would receive the morning callers. One of them, she knew, was not coming for small talk over tea. One of them would come to ask her father for her hand. Her stomach had tied itself in knots, and she couldn't stop her hands from trembling. Anxiety wouldn't dissipate until everything had been said and done.

Despite the fear and apprehension curling in her middle, she also felt a great deal of excitement. She'd been awakened before sunrise by both Edmond and Colin, who had brought her to with kisses. Opening her eyes, she'd found Edmond's lips roaming her face and neck, and Colin's tracing a slow path from the back of her hand up her arm. Hunger had flared in her … a yearning to have them both again, inside her, touching her, worshipping her body with two mouths and four hands. It must have shown in her eyes because Edmond had chuckled.

"Ready for us again so soon, darling?" he murmured. "There will be plenty of time for that later. For now, we must talk and there isn't much time."

After she'd come to full wakefulness, they'd joined her on the bed, Edmond on one side and Colin on the other. Together, they'd convinced her that just as much as she needed both of them, they needed her as well. So much that they wanted to share her as a wife.

The idea seemed so preposterous that she had laughed at first. Yet, the more they spoke of the idea, the more she began to believe it might be possible. Of course, there would be hardship, secrets, and perhaps some tough decisions to be made—but wasn't that the case in any marriage? At least, this way, she could be with both men she loved, and everyone could be happy.

They'd discussed the finer details as much as they could. Then, it was time for her to return home before it was discovered she had been gone all night. She'd made the ride home in Edmond's carriage, sandwiched on the seat between them, far too aware of the two powerful male bodies surrounding her. They'd walked her to the garden gate together, each taking turns kissing her good-bye.

"I cannot wait until there are no more good-byes between us," Edmond had murmured after his turn.

"That makes two of us," Colin had added before taking her in his arms next. "Just a little while longer, and all will be as we planned."

Oh, she hoped it would be. She had no reason to believe the marquis would refuse her marriage. While she knew her parents had resigned themselves to her living as a perpetual spinster, she also knew they'd secretly hoped she would change her mind concerning marriage. At this juncture, it did not matter who took her, so long as someone did.

"My, don't you look especially lovely this morning?" her mother murmured as she entered the room to find her already seated with a book.

Penelope smiled. "Thank you."

She'd taken great pains with her appearance, wearing her best white muslin morning gown, and arranging her hair in a soft chignon. Yet, she knew her appearance had been enhanced in part by Edmond and Colin. Being loved by them would put a glow on any woman's cheeks.

In the hour that passed, Penelope tried not to watch the door or listen too closely for the sound of the knocker. Two of their neighbors passed through, stopping for tea and biscuits and idle gossip. All the while, she counted the minutes that went by, each one leaving her more anxious than the one before it.

Finally, when their second visitor stood to leave, she heard another knock at the door. Heart leaping into her throat, she clenched the arms of her chair so tight, the wood might have splintered if she didn't force herself to ease her grip. As a footman opened the door to escort their guests out, she caught a glimpse of him being ushered through the foyer and toward the marquis's library.

She gasped, her heart leaping up into her throat. He looked splendid in his dove grey morning coat and buff breeches, his hair styled in just the right air of artful disarray. Turning his head as he passed, he caught sight of her through the open door and smiled, giving her a wink.

Her mother cast a curious glance into the hall. "Oh, I wonder what he could be doing here?"

Settling back in her chair, Penelope took up her cup and saucer and pretended to inspect the contents.

"He is here to talk to Papa, Mother."

"Oh? What about, I wonder."

Smiling, she watched her mother's face closely, amused to watch for the reaction to come. "It's nothing really … he's simply come to ask Hartford for my hand in marriage."