Page 94 of Uncrowned

What information did they want concerning me?

Theodore Hart had no idea what he was walking into.

What I needed not anyone could do… but he could. And he would. He had the connections. He had access to the different departments. And I could offer him a life he could only dream of… or take everything from him if he refused. I may have not been the true king, but I had connections and power. He was about to find out just how much.

CHAPTER 31

Penelope

Strength never came from facing a challenge you were prepared for. It came from the uncomfortable time between the start and finish. Between the highs and lows of each day.

I stayed in a constant state of discomfort.

It didn’t matter that I was in one of the most lavish buildings in London.

It didn’t matter that I’d been handed to a woman who had a reputation as a shark, or that Marian LaRoe was even sweet and considerate when no one was looking.

I wanted to go home—to Vaughn.

I couldn’t. I had to face what that meant.

The more days that went by, the more I realized that it wasn’t about what I could control, but what I could do with what I was given.

I’d never reach queen status if I didn’t have this time to myself. Most importantly, I’d never discover the secrets I knew were out there. Vaughn may never find out the truth… but maybe I could. And I was determined more now than ever to try. It wouldn’t be easy. Hell, it was going to put me to the test on every level, but I could do it. I didn’t have a choice if I wanted to do right by those who looked up to me—loved me.

“Penelope?” The footsteps grew closer as I wiped the tears that refused to stay inside. I put down the newspaper, letting the headlining article on me solidify what I knew I needed to do. “Penny?”

“In here.”

I sniffled, using tissue to wipe my face as the door opened and Marian eased inside.

“I hate to bother you. I know today couldn’t have been easy.”

Waving her in, I eased back, putting distance between us. “Oh, no. Please, come in. I’m fine, really.” I tossed the tissue in a wastebasket, grabbing another. “Today was great. This,” I gestured to my face. “This is four months catching up with me. I love that you gave me a job. I had a wonderful time meeting everyone. Cassandra, your receptionist, was delightful.”

Blonde hair with red highlights was twisted to the back of her head and random pieces framed her face. Green eyes were full of concern yet patience. For her upper-twenties, Marian felt so much more grown up than me. She was an American elite but had lived in London for the last decade. Or so the story went. She was engaged to Bastian Allard, a French nobleman who had quite the reputation for being a ladies’ man.

“I’m glad you liked her. Cassandra is a blessing.” She paused, her eyes stopping the briefest moment on the newspaper I’d been reading. “I hate to invade on your privacy. I am sorry. I just… I heard you crying, and with the news, and last night… the nightmares.”

“You heard that?” My head lowered, and tears slipped free, falling to the floor. Vaughn. I couldn’t find my way back to him. There was a man in a mask. First, just one, and then two. It was the rapist guards, and they were after me, trying to make sure I never found my way back. “I’m so sorry.”

“Please, no, don’t apologize. Never be sorry for something you can’t control. I just wanted you to know that I’m here for you. I know you don’t know Katia—Agent Marchase, but she’s my best friend. When she came to me to see if I’d be willing to let you stay here, I jumped at the opportunity. You’re safe now, Penny. No one can get in this building unless permitted. He’ll never find you here, and even if he does, he’ll never get in. I promise you that.”

My heart sank.

“Thank you. That makes me feel better.”

She gestured to the door.

“I’m headed to dinner. Would you like to join me? It’s not often I have company.”

“Dinner? In the city?”

A spark of excitement flared.

“We have our own restaurant here. I’ve got it delivered the last few days so you could adjust, but if you’d like to get out of this apartment for a while, we can go sit at an actual table and look at the city lights.”

I smiled, feeling a small weight lift at the thought of new scenery. “I think I’d like to see that.”