Beckett was reluctant to leave Penelope that night, but he felt obligated to ensure that Bucklebee and Lawton made it into the hands of the queen's guards the next morning. He had sent word to London as soon as they'd uncovered the weapons, so he anticipated their swift arrival.

Beckett told her to sleep, and Penelope slept.

Weeks ago, she would have insisted upon staying with him. She might have slipped from her chambers simply to defy the colonel, and she would have likely shown up to insert her ability to watch over Bucklebee and Lawton with the men.

But Penelope did not feel the need to do those things any longer. Simply put, she was tired. Her bed welcomed her. It smelled like Beckett, masculine and woodsy, lulling her to sleep. Having him tuck her in felt...nice. Not condescending or controlling, but caring.

The following day, Penelope rose early in the morning, hating that she woke to an empty bed. Her arm flung out, hoping that she might find Beckett. But he was not there.

Well rested, Penelope rose and called for Collette so she could dress and find the others.

It had not been hard. As soon as she descended into the foyer, Penelope heard the voices trailing in from outside. They grew louder as she approached the door, and when she flung it open, Penelope gasped to find none other than the Queen of England standing in her front drive.

She had heard of the queen's kindness and slight...peculiarities, but this was surprising, to say the least. After smoothing her dress, Penelope stepped out into the mild summer air. The clouds gathered above her, rain threatening to leak from them.

Beckett and Leo stood by the queen, and they were both...smiling.

This simply was not the scene that Penelope had expected to walk into this morning.

Before Penelope could make her way across the front drive, she ran into a barely-awake Griffin. He stumbled toward her, and she did not say a single word when she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a fierce hug she knew he likely hated.

But then, to her surprise, Griffin tightened his hold. He hugged her back.

"I am sorry," Penelope eventually whispered. "I did not mean to keep secrets from you."

"I thought the two of you did not even get along," Griffin grunted as he pulled away. "Whatever happened to that? Beckett acted damned annoyed about the situation when I first arrived."

A laugh burst from Penelope. "Well your arrival did interrupt a...moment. Beckett was not pleased to hear about our relation."

Griffin shifted uncomfortably. "I see." He took a deep breath before adding, "I realize that your affairs are not my business. But you know you can always tell me, Pen. Even if it's my goddamn best friend."

She nodded. "I know. But I honestly did not think...." Her eyes flicked to Beckett. "I did not realize there would be anything to tell once the party was over."

"I imagined the same," Griffin admitted, "but only at first. Then Beck made it more than clear that was not what he had in mind. And I had to break it to him, Pen."

"Break what?" She frowned, all while repeating what Griffin had said in her mind.

It was not what he'd had in mind.

"About Lord Hutton."

Penelope sucked in, hating that the man and his actions still hung over her.

"I thought he knew," she whispered. "I thought everyone knew I was still married."

"I figured as much," Griffin muttered. "To most, it is common knowledge. But Beckett does not pay attention to such things."

She nodded and then confessed her truth. "I do not know what to do, Griffin."

Griff raked his hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. And though he looked pained, he admitted something she never expected. "I do not know, either. But believe what Beckett says. He is a loyal man, Penelope. And you deserve to have that."

"Do you even know what he has said?"

He shook his head. "No, but after watching him the last few days...I can imagine."

And with that, Griffin disappeared into the house, leaving Penelope to ponder his words while strolling toward the Queen of England. She wished she had more time to compose herself, but it would have been rude to linger before welcoming the queen. In fact, she likely should not have even stopped to talk to Griffin. But it was rather too late for that now.

"Your Majesty." Penelope swept into a curtsey in greeting. "Welcome. I did not expect you."

"Lady Hutton." Queen Adelaide nodded in return, acknowledging her. "I do apologize for my lack of advance notice, but I wished to see to this matter myself."

She gestured toward the carriages which had pulled around. Penelope could only guess that Lawton and Bucklebee were inside. Beckett had shared with her before she fell asleep last night the context of Lawton's involvement. And that Bucklebee admitted one of her opportunities had been an affair with a French diplomat, leading to her part in arranging for transit of the smuggled goods.

"Of course," Penelope insisted. "It is no concern, naturally. Will you stay, Your Majesty?"

"Yes," Leo joined in, popping his bottom lip out in a pleading sort of way. "Do stay, Addie. Pen has been planning a magnificent ball for the party's grand finale."

Penelope blinked several times, having honestly forgotten about the ball. It was supposed to be her pride and joy, but given the events of the last week, it was challenging to even care.

Beckett's deep voice grunted, drawing Penelope's attention. He always did have the ability to do that.

"Your Majesty," Beckett emphasized, a certain jab at Leo's informality. "I would like to finish discussing the case at hand before we are swept away in other conversation."

"Of course." Queen Adelaide clapped her hands together. "Do you wish to speak elsewhere?"

"The Rose Room is available," Penelope quickly mentioned, picking the one room in the manor she knew might be sufficient to host a meeting with the Queen of England.

Beckett's eyes landed on her, and Penelope had to force herself not to look at him the way she wanted. A quick flick of her eyes told her that he was smiling, and it was warm.

"That would be lovely," Queen Adelaide said, her smile just as warm.

With a nod, Penelope led the Queen, Beckett, and Leo back into the manor, where the Rose Room awaited them just beyond the corridor. Penelope had always been proud of this drawing room. It was the one room Lord Hutton had allowed her to furnish how she liked when they first married. Penelope took it as a sign of belonging at the time, but now she knew better: it had simply been a means to distract her.

But either way, Penelope loved the outcome. It was soothing, pretty, poignant.

It was perfect for a ruler such as Adelaide.

Penelope let the others walk in before her, and before Beckett sat, he looked expectantly at her.

"Are you not joining us, Lady Hutton?"

He wished for her to join? Of course, she had been planning on it. But hearing Beckett's invitation...It once again made her lips quirk.

"I am, Colonel," Penelope murmured before entering the room and closing the door behind her.

"So," the queen began as they sat. "I was wrong, then."

Penelope rose a brow, surprised at her lack of subterfuge in addressing the situation.

"In a sense," Beckett admitted. "But we all were."

Queen Adelaide nodded in agreement. "I was well aware that Lord Lawton had provided funding to his cousin's business in France. That was what made me wonder if the shipments that were leaving Southampton were related. And when I heard he would be attending the house party...."

She drifted off, giving a slight shrug.

Penelope glanced at Beckett, feeling his gaze. It was easy to tell he'd been attempting to focus on the queen while, instead, his eyes continued to drift to her. Penelope had to withhold a delighted grin.

"A sensible conclusion," Leo said. "But Bucklebee got the best of us, it would seem."

"Yes." A slight frown formed on the queen's face. "Yes, indeed. But I believe Lawton shall return to London regardless." She turned to Penelope. "And I do not think he will require his belongings, Lady Hutton. So you may do with them however you see fit."

Penelope tried not to smile too hard.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

A knowing look passed between them.

Penelope would have no problem disposing of Lawton's belongings.

"So about this ball." Adelaide's spirits raised. "Would it be quite alright if the duke joined?"

"That would be excellent," Leo answered for Penelope. "I had not realized jolly old Kingfield would be along."

He looked more than excited at the prospect of the prince regent arriving at her estate. On the other hand, Penelope thought she might pass out on account of the continued surprises. But it was not as if she could possibly say no. She would not dare it. Besides, she'd met the Duke of Kingfield before, and while he was slightly alarming in his size and demeanor, he was a well-meaning man.

"Of course," Penelope said with a smile, hoping her panic was not evident in her expression.

"We can stay at the inn by the port, naturally. Lord and Lady Trotten are also in town—"

"Oh, please do stay here," Penelope quickly intervened, though she did not know why. Now she would also need to extend an invitation to the duke's sister and her husband. Penelope was used to hosting...but this would undoubtedly be a new experience. "We have plenty of space."

"If you insist," the queen accepted graciously.

"I do," Penelope said.

With that settled, Penelope turned to Beckett and noticed that both he and Leo were fading quickly on the settee. She realized for the first time how tired they must be. They had likely not slept at all.

She smiled, wondering how Beckett managed that many hours in Leo's company.

"I shall ring to have you shown to your rooms," Penelope said, to which the queen nodded. "And I think rest might be required after the night's events."

Adelaide's eyes skirted to the men, quickly catching Penelope's meaning.

"I quite agree," she said, clapping her hands to startle both Beckett and Leo awake. Leo stumbled into action before muttering that he needed to find Scarlett and a bed, leaving the drawing room in a hurry. The queen left next, accompanied by Scarlett's butler as he brought Adelaide to her chambers to refresh herself.

And that left Penelope and Beckett.

It was silent for a long moment, the only sound being the clopping hooves of the queens' guard departing as they began their travels back to London.

Beckett trailed his gaze lazily over Penelope, landing on every each of her exposed skin. She had settled for a plain morning gown this morning, but based on Beckett's apparent interest, he liked it.

But Penelope had enough wits about her to know it was not time for that.

"You must rest," she said, her breaths coming quickly. Beckett's expression was heated. His gaze, hooded.

"Will you rest with me?" he asked, voice low.

"I had all evening to do so. It is your turn now."

Beckett pretended to contemplate that. "I do believe yesterday I told you that I hate any place where I am not with you. Which means if you do not come to bed with me, I shall hate it."

"You are acting rather dramatically, Colonel Ash."

"It would seem you bring it out in me."

He tossed her a wink, and a giggle escaped Penelope.

"Bed, Beckett," she said, standing and pointing to the door. It felt good to be the one telling him what to do. "It is for your own well-being."

She was sure he had said that to her at some point in time over the summer.

When Beckett scowled in response, Penelope teased him with a grin.

"Shall I race you there?" she offered.

The colonel immediately rose from his place in the cushions. "You should have affirmed that you would be joining, my lady. Otherwise, I would have already left."

Her eyes rolled up, but Penelope happily followed Beckett from the drawing room.

And she did not even care when he beat her into her bedchamber. She only cared that they were together.

At least for now.