People Who Hate Happiness for Penelope

[Reuben Slade]

💔

@misspenf

[Deleted]

Penelope woke up in an unfamiliar room. This was not her bedroom, nor her sisters, or Eloise’s. 

The room smelled smoky and brandy spilled all over the floor. She looked at herself, wondering if she was compromised. However, her wrists are tied up. Where is she? Was she kidnapped by someone? Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @misspenf

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

This entire situation had become bloody complicated and Slade was rather displeased by it. One of his rivals seized an opportunity to not only give a strong sign to Lord Featherington of what could happen if he did not pay his debt . . . but also, to frame Rueben for the plot they were intending on carrying out. It was fortunate that Slade received word of this evil ploy against him from one of his informants, before too much had been set into motion.

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But apparently, there was a letter implicating Slade and linking him to what they intended to do. And that was, to kill Archibald's youngest daughter, Penelope Featherington. Now, it was not compassion nor honor that caused Slade to become involved in this. It was the risk being far greater if he was not. He may have already been named as the conspirator and so there was a great deal of damage control that needed to be done. It was why he had sent a couple of men to apprehend her and bring her in to safety.

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She was after all, far safer with him than out there. Why Penelope Featherington was out and about at this late hour, Slade had no idea. Nor did it matter. He needed her alive and long enough to figure out exactly what evidence the others had tried to implicate him with. If the Bow Street Runners got a hold of it, it would cause further complications in Slade's empire. So now, he had to directly speak with Penelope to make it appear as if he was doing this to help her.

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The ton did not know of his more . . . shady or criminal dealings and he would much rather keep it that way. They knew he was a businessman, for he had built his empire, Accumulating all this wealth without his family's aid. And this business focus, is what he would stick to. To show that he was not the enemy here. Bloody complicated indeed. And he was certainly going to make Archibald pay for all this. The Baron owed him.

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Walking into the room where she was being kept, Rueben removed his hat though kept his gloves on as he leaned onto his cane and took some steps forward, towards her. She was awake. The sooner he explained things, the better. "It would appear that your father has become involved in some rather unscrupulous dealings," he began to say. "And as a result, you have been targeted by those he has displeased." Keeping hold of his cane with one hand, he crouched down in front of her so that they were at the same eye level.

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"I have no business with them," he clarified so that she knew that it was not his men nor him that Archibald had displeased to this level. "But my business involves keeping you safe from their nefarious intentions." None of it was technically a lie. Slade delivered the words with the same stoic nature he always displayed, and prepared for whatever reaction she may expose upon these learnings.

[Deleted]

Penelope listened to the mysterious man who kidnapped her about what and why she was here. All she wanted to do is drop off the upcoming edition of Lady Whistledown at her usual meeting spot at the church.

Sometimes she wonders if it’s worth carrying on Lady Whistledown if it means putting herself in danger.

She isn’t surprised about her father’s dealings. She overheard her parents fighting over money and going to boxing matches. She doesn’t think her father would even care if she’s kidnapped.

In his stoic voice, she heard he’s keeping her safe. It’s a valiant decision but why would anyone want to use her as collateral?

“Do you have an idea when I’ll be going home?” Penelope asked, uncomfortable by the bandage on her wrist. “Despite being calm right now, I’m very scared.” Reuben Slade

[Reuben Slade]

Tag: @misspenf

never make

DECISIONS OUT OF FEAR.
ONLY OUT OF SPITE.

She asked him the expected question: when will she be going home. The answer however, was not up to him. And there was no sense in lying to her about it. Her admittance of fear was . . . well, rather honest. He would most certainly give her that. An understandable reaction of course. But Slade was not an overly compassionate individual when it came to dealings such as this. He supposed it was why he remained composed and stoic in all that he did. So that people could make no read of him: good or bad. "Your return home is dependent on two factors," he told her, keeping eye contact so that she would know he meant what he said.

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"The first is of course, your father's arrival." And however long it took him to scrounge up the money he owed Rueben for all this trouble. The start of it anyway. "The second and more important one, being when we have with all certainty, apprehended those who concocted this scheme. To ensure you are no longer in danger." Because her remaining alive, benefited him as well but he need not go into detail about that. She only needed to know the surface of all this. And with that said, knew he would have to explain something else. "Those," he began, dropping his gaze for a moment to the bindings around her wrist, before looking back up at her face. "Were to ensure that you did not struggle nor run away." Depending on what assurance -- if any -- Penelope could give that she would not do either of those things, perhaps Slade would consider their removal.