Penelope sat with Julie and Ally inside a drawing room where she opened the gifts sent for her.
"Has anyone else sent gifts to you or wished you a lifetime of happiness? Aside from your family," said Ally.
"No. I'm sure the news of our wedding is only now getting around, and many will not be pleased by it. He has gone from the most eligible man to wed to a man claimed overnight," Penelope replied.
"I'm sure your true friends will write to you and visit you in time. No one would want to disturb you during these early days. So, how was your wedding night? Was it all that you imagined it to be?" Julie asked, causing Ally to spill her tea. "Oh, come on. We are not children."
Ally wiped at the spilt tea with a napkin before there was a stain. "Some of us are not married and wish to hold onto our innocence. I should have known this is what you would speak of."
