The evening passed with an uncomfortable quietness.
After supper, Lady Sophia retired to her chambers, leaving the sisters to prepare for the following morning. Francesca went upstairs shortly afterwards, explaining that she wished to look through her riding clothes before retiring for the night.
Penelope remained in the drawing room for a little longer.
She had taken up a book, but she had scarcely turned two pages in nearly half an hour. Her eyes moved over the words without absorbing them, and every attempt to concentrate ended with the same unwelcome thought.
Anthony intended to marry Francesca.
She closed the book with a loud slam.
It was absurd that a declaration made by a man she distrusted should occupy so much of her attention. She had spent the entire few weeks insisting that she would not permit him to interfere with her family, yet she found herself replaying his words long after he had departed.
