Chapter 12

“K -- Kimberly,” William stammered. “You have grown into a beautiful woman.”

Kimberly’s gaze didn’t falter as she took a step closer to her father. “I do not want your compliments, Lord Summerfield,” she snapped.

“But --”

“No!” she exclaimed. “You failed to acknowledge my existence as a child. I want nothing to do with you now.”

“Kimberly, you do not understand --”

“Oh, I do understand. I understand that you could not be bothered to take responsibility for your actions.” Kimberly stepped even closer, leaving only a few inches between them. “Tell me, how do you face yourself in the mirror each morning knowing you denied my existence?”

“I -- I -- you,” Willam stammered.

“Listen closely, Father, I am only going to say this once,” she said, her voice low and unwavering, emphasizing the word father with disdain. “I do not want you in attendance at my wedding. I do not want you to attempt to be noble and make up for lost time. But mostly, I absolutely refuse to allow you to call me your daughter.”

Anger flared in William’s eyes and Penelope noticed the tension in his posture at Kimberly’s words. She broke the thick tension by placing herself between Kimberly and her father. “It is an honor to meet you, Kimberly,” she said.

Patrick smiled warmly at Penelope’s efforts to diffuse the situation. He felt Kimberly relax her grip on his hand as she took a step back.

“Lady Penelope,” Kimberly said. “It is an honor to meet you as well.”

“Please, there is no need for formalities, Kimberly. We are sisters. Address me as Penelope.”

Kimberly smiled at her sister as they both hesitated before stepping forward and embracing in a hug. Penelope whispered something only Kimberly could hear and the women broke their embrace and headed toward the parlor.

William made an attempt to follow them, but Patrick put himself in his path. “It is best to allow her time to calm down, William,” he said.

“I will not allow any child of mine to speak to me in such a manner!” William barked.

Kimberly turned on her heels at his statement and stalked her way back toward him. “I am no child of yours!” she hissed. “As far as I am concerned, you are dead to me!” She cast a glare at Patrick who attempted to take her in his arms then stormed off toward Penelope who was standing just outside the door of the parlor.

Jeffrey and Marcus turned their gazes away from William when he turned and stormed into the study. “Insolent child!” he hissed as he poured himself a snifter of brandy then slumped down on the sofa.

“She has every right to be angry, William,” Jeffrey said.

“Do not presume to know --”

“Enough!” Marcus shouted, his voice booming in the otherwise silent room. “I will not have this feuding in my presence. This is something William and Kimberly need to work out between them.”

Patrick stood in the doorway of the study, glaring at William. He’d always respected the man, loved him like a father, but now he felt contempt for his behavior toward Kimberly and her mother.

“Kimberly has had a rough life, William. It will not be an easy road, but I do hope you plan to make amends for your misdeeds.”

“You heard her, Patrick. I am dead to her.”

“You must try,” he replied. “I would very much like you to be in attendance at our wedding.”

“That will not happen as long as I draw breath,” Kimberly snapped from behind him. “I suggest that you do not interfere, Patrick. This is between Lord Summerfield and myself.”

“But Kimberly, surely you could --”

The anger in Kimberly’s eyes told Patrick he’d said too much. “I shall depart immediately,” she huffed as she made her way toward the bedchambers. “I refuse to marry you if you insist on his attendance at our wedding!”

“Kimberly!” he shouted as he followed her up the stairs.

Penelope entered the study a short time after Patrick and Kimberly left. She embraced Jeffrey when he opened his arms to her then turned to her father. “How could you be so cruel, Father?”

“Why would you do that, Patrick? Why would you tell him to try to make amends when you know my feelings?” Kimberly asked as she gathered up the few items she’d brought and packed them into her satchel.

“I am sorry, Love. I want for nothing more than your happiness.”

“I am happy, Patrick. However, I will not be happy if Lord Summerfield attends our wedding.”

Patrick felt the tension emanating from Kimberly and kept his stance, instead of taking her in his arms as he wanted. He knew he was wrong in what he’d said to William the moment he’d said it.

He was hesitant to agree with her, yet at the same time, he didn’t want further argument. He hoped deep down that there was some way he could get through to her. He wanted to get married when Penelope and Jeffrey did, but knew that Lord Summerfield would be there if that were to happen. Patrick ran his hands through his hair and sighed heavily.

“I will not interfere further,” he said as he took a step closer. He let out a relieved sigh when Kimberly didn’t back away from him. “Please, do not leave, my love. I am sorry.”

Kimberly’s anger melted when she looked into Patrick’s eyes. She knew he was just trying to help and as much as she wanted to stay angry with him, she couldn’t. “I am sorry, too, Patrick,” she said on a sigh.

“For what?” he asked, taking another step closer.

“For getting angry with you. I know you are only trying to help.”

She closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his waist. With her head resting on his shoulder, she sighed heavily again. “I need time to think,” she said. “I will go for a walk in the gardens.”

Patrick pushed her away slightly and cradled her face in his hands. He kissed her tenderly then ran his thumb along her bottom lip. “Do not be gone too long,” he said. “And dress warm, it is chilly this evening.”

“Yes, Love,” she said as she stepped away from his adoring embrace.

“While you are taking your walk, I will go speak with Penelope.”

Kimberly smiled softly at him, but inside she felt a pang of jealousy toward her sister. Patrick had told her how Penelope felt about him and also told her he didn’t feel the same, but she briefly wondered if the feelings Penelope had still lingered. “What do you wish to speak with her about?”

“I would love for her to tell me all about how Jeffrey won her heart,” he replied with a wide smile.

They left his bedchamber hand in hand as they made their way downstairs. When they reached the bottom of the staircase, Kimberly’s eyes locked with William as he was leaving. Neither of them spoke, yet Patrick could see the look in their eyes wasn’t anger, but rather, confusion and frustration.

Patrick hurried Kimberly toward the rear entrance to the gardens then dropped a quick kiss on her lips before turning and making his way toward his father’s study. Marcus sat at his desk looking over the papers that were in front of him while Jeffrey and Penelope sat on the sofa, chatting quietly.

Penelope rose to her feet to greet Patrick when entered; a soft, sweet smile graced her face. “Welcome home,” she said as they embraced. “I have missed you,” she added, just barely above a whisper, only Patrick could hear her. She had wanted to give him this hug since she’d first seen him after his return, but the confrontation between Kimberly and her father interrupted that.

“It is good to be home, Penelope,” Patrick replied.

Their embrace lingered longer than it should have and Patrick turned his gaze away from Jeffrey when he saw the fearful look his brother gave him. He released Penelope and took a few steps back. “Kimberly is taking a walk in the gardens,” he said to Jeffrey.

“I have not yet met her, Patrick,” Jeffrey replied. “I shall go introduce myself.” Jeffery exhaled a sigh of relief when he’d realized Kimberly had not departed back to America after he was witness to the confrontation between her and Patrick regarding William Summerfield.

Patrick smiled softly at his brother then turned his attention back to Penelope. He took her hand and led her to the sofa. “So tell me, Penelope, how did you finally convince Jeffrey to settle down?”

“Actually it was he who made the decision. I was reluctant to marry him due to his past ways with women,” Penelope replied. “He has promised me that those days of bedding a different woman every night are behind him.”

“I can see when he looks at you that there is no other for him, Penelope. I am very happy for the both of you.”

Marcus excused himself and left Penelope and Patrick alone in his study. She turned her gaze away from Patrick, suddenly feeling uncomfortable being alone with him.

“Jeffrey is worried that I still have feelings for you Patrick,” she said quietly.

“He is?”

“Yes. When he told me that you had returned home, he questioned my feelings for you.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“I told him that a part of me still loves you, but my heart belongs to him.”

Patrick smiled softly at Penelope and brought her hand to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles before releasing and returning it to her lap. “He is a lucky man to have your love, Penelope.”