His words and condition echoed with relentless persistence, associated with the little time she had. It was not a request made lightly, nor one any sensible lady would entertain. And yet… he had been the only one to step forward, the only gentleman willing to offer what she so desperately required. Time, cruel as ever, had narrowed her choices to almost nothing.
Penelope had spent the hours of her night marked only by the slow passing of candlelight and the restless turning of her thoughts. Pride urged her to refuse, fear pleaded for her to flee the very notion but desperation spoke the loudest of all.
Four days. That was all that remained, and hu the time dawn crept through her curtains, Penelope had arrived at a decision that settled heavily upon her chest.
