A faint silence followed.
Lady Sophia looked almost startled by the remark, and Lord Simon's eyes narrowed.
Penelope did not look away.
For years, she had accepted being told that certain matters were beyond her understanding. Her father had always been kind about it, but kindness had never changed the result.
In the end, she'd been kept away from the ledgers, the negotiations, and the conversations about land and creditors. Perhaps they had thought they were protecting her. Perhaps they simply believed she did not need to know, but she was no longer willing to remain ignorant.
Especially now.
Especially when the future of the family seemed to be resting upon a marriage Francesca had not even secured.
Lady Sophia watched her daughter carefully. "And you believe you can manage all of this?"
She nodded. "I believe I can try."
"That is a great deal of responsibility," Lady Sophia said.
Penelope realized it was. "So is marriage."
