Hello my darlings. I would like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.

So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it, and I am very sorry for the long wait for it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.

Penny woke late in the morning. Stretching, she couldn't stop the smile that appeared on her face at the memories of the previous evening. For while it had started rather stilted, her nerves held in check only by her will, by the end of the night she had relaxed. Talking to those people Gabriel considered friends had been an eye-opening experience. They were all kind, intelligent people with a well-defined sense of honour. She had not been able to stop herself from offering her assistance with one of his friend's wife's charity to help the poor. It was something she was used to doing within her community, but taken to a much larger scale. It was refreshing to find that even those with money and influence, found the need to help those not as well off as themselves. And it wasn't just a duty to be done to the ladies she had talked to the previous evening, no, it was something they felt the needed to do, to help others. Though she realised she probably shouldn't be surprised to find that, these people were friends of Gabriel. And for while she did not know him as well as they claimed she did, she did know he was at core an honourable man who would do whatever it took to help those less fortunate than himself. Those he classed as friends had reinforced that in her mind the last evening.

She was still musing on these things when her door opened and she was suddenly assaulted by a small projectile, otherwise known as her youngest sister.

"Good morning, Lizzie." She said to the brown hair covered head that was all she could see of the girl, before raising her eyes to the door and seeing both Lottie and Bea standing there, though they both seemed to be holding back in launching themselves onto her bed. "Sisters, come join me." She said to them.

That was all they needed to be hopping up onto the bed with her.

"So, how was last evening? Did you dance every dance? Did you waltz? Did you meet royalty?" Bea asked the words rushing out of her as she put into questions all the dreams she had ever had of being at a ton ball. Though she did blush when she realised what she had done, it was most improper. But it was only her sisters there, so she did not feel too bad about her excitement.

"It was fun. I met many people, but no I did not dance every dance. I spent my time with Gabriel and his friends." Penny replied smiling at her sisters as she sat, moving into a more comfortable position in which to hold Elizabeth as she talked, trying to give adequate answers to her sisters questions, not that she felt she could ever truly describe the evening to them. It was something that most definitely had to be experienced for one's self to ever truly understand.

"What are they like?" Bea asked wide-eyed about the idea of her sister spending her evening talking to friends of a Marquess. They must be the most descent of ladies. She could only imagine what the scene would look like.

"Honourable, good and intelligent. People very much like Gabriel himself. It was a very enjoyable evening." Penny replied honestly. She really had enjoyed talking to the ladies married to Gabriel's friends. Her only regret was that they mentioned they would not be attending the ball Anne and Gabriel had planned for her to attend this evening. It seemed they were going to a musicale instead. Oh how she wished she could be going with them. She wasn't sure how she would cope in a ballroom without their friendly conversation as a buffer for the looks sent her way. For she was realistic enough to know that the coming evening would not be as pleasant as the one she had just had.

"And did you waltz?" Bea asked once more determined to make sure some of the dreams she had had come true. She loved the waltz and could not wait to dance it herself in the ballrooms of the ton. Oh she knew they would not be in London, not with Penny and the Marquess not really being engaged, but surely they would move somewhere that she could dance it. Surely by the time she had her coming out it would be more common in the more rural areas of the country.

"I did, both with Gabriel." Penny replied with a nod even as she rolled her eyes to herself at knowing what her words would do to her sister's overly romantic imagination. Gabriel had only danced them with her as it was what was expected of them as an engaged couple. And yet while her mind said those words, she couldn't stop her heart from ignoring them and remembering the thrill of being in his arms. Of remembering how it felt as if everyone else disappeared as they moved around the room together. How it seemed that he saw no one but her when she was in his arms, and those two dances had been the best moments of the evening for her, if not some of the best of her life. Nor could she stop her heart from starting the slid towards feelings she knew she could not have for the gentleman she was not going to marry, even if the world believed she was.

"Ahhh." Bea sighed already envisioning it in her mind. And if she saw Penny and Gabriel falling in love as he moved her around the floor, well there was no problem with that now was there? After all she had seen them waltz before, and she had seen the connection between the two of them. Not to mention the decidedly glowing look on her sisters face right then. If only they would realise the attraction they had for each other and fall in love… everything would be so much simpler then.

"Bea…" Penny said in exasperation, snapping back to the here and now at the soft sound from her sister's lips. Bea knew the truth, she needed to stop romanticising everything. Nothing could come of her and Gabriel, no matter what her feelings may be by the end of the season. She had made the agreement and she was going to stick to it. That was what her honour demanded, and as such she knew she could be nothing else.

"But it is so romantic, to waltz at your first ball with your fiancé." Bea responded cheekily, her words were echoed by Lizzie and Lottie who both nodded in agreement. Though only her eyes twinkled with the romantic dreams she was having at how things could change between Penny and the Marquess. Her other sisters after all did not know the truth of the plan the couple had hatched to hoodwink the ton.

"I believe that if I had waltz with anyone else it would have been most improper." Penny replied trying to remove the romantic thoughts from her sister's minds. And if Penny finished that sentence in her head with the fact that she was pretty sure that Gabriel would not have let her waltz with anyone else she chose not to say it. She could already see the stars in her sister's eyes, and she did not want her Bea getting ideas about her and Gabriel which would not come to fruition at the end of the season.

Balthazar climbed out of bed at a god-awful time of the morning, though in his mind any time before one in the afternoon was far too early. But he needed to go and see his cousin before he left his house for the day. He wanted to make sure the words he had spoken to lady Havelle had done the job they were intended to do, and he wanted to know what Castiel and Gabriel had planned to prevent another attack from the ghastly man that called himself a Viscount and Lady Penelope's uncle.

As such it was before noon he rolled up at Gabriel's home, asking to speak to him. He knew he should probably ask for Castiel as well, but he had always got on better with his elder cousin. They knew each other well. In fact if Balthazar was feeling fanciful he would say Gabriel was the closest thing he had to a true friend. But then he never felt that fanciful unless he was deep within his cups. Plus if Gabriel felt the need for Castiel's input he could call for him. It wasn't like his younger cousin would be staying anywhere other than in his brothers home.

Walking through the door he told Michaelson he was here to see Gabriel. Though he found himself surprised that was directly taken to the study. Surely the other man should still be getting up at this time of the morning? But no. As he entered he saw Gabriel sitting at his desk, a pot of tea next to him as he worked through what looked to Balthazar as the financial books for one of his estates. Why was he bothering to go through those? That was what his man of business was for, surely. It was what Balthazar used his own for at any rate.

"This reminds me as nothing else could why I do not want to be a Duke. Why on earth are you working so early, Gabriel?" He asked as he collapsed into a chair smiling at the butler as he said he would bring him tea. He felt the need of its lifting effect right then. It really was far too early.

"Some of us have grown out of a life of debauchery, Balthazar. Now, why are you here, before noon I should add? Nothing is wrong with uncle is it?" Gabriel asked placing down his pen, a frown coming across his face at the idea of any harm coming to his father's brother.

"No, all is fine in the homestead. He and mother will be arriving in town tomorrow. No I have come to discuss your fiancée." Balthazar responded wanting to alleviate Gabriel's fears for his father.

"What about her?" Gabriel asked his frown turning into a scowl at the idea that Balthazar had anything to say about Penny. He had better make sure he used the right words, because if not Gabriel would not hesitate to call him out if he so much as hinted at besmirching her honour. Though he was pretty sure his cousin knew that just as well as he did, he just didn't trust him to take heed.

"I wanted to make sure that no backlash came from the vile words her uncle was spewing. Wanted to make sure Lady Havelle had done her job properly." Balthazar responded seeing the look in Gabriel's eyes and thinking that maybe the rumours hadn't been completely squashed by his tale. If so he would need to think of more words to help his cousin. Because he would help him, they were family, and that was what one did for family. Not to mention he liked the Lady Penelope and could not wait to welcome her into the fold as his cousins bride.

"I do not know what you are talking about, Balthazar, but I think you need to fill me in." Gabriel replied in confusion. What did he mean by that, what had been said that he had not been aware of, and how had he not been aware of it?

"Castiel didn't tell you?" Balthazar asked in surprise. He was sure his younger cousin would tell Gabriel. It hadn't crossed his mind that he would keep this to himself.

"No." Gabriel growled and the look on his face clearly told Balthazar that if he did not tell him right now then he was going to have hell to pay. Therefore Balthazar did just that.

"When Lady Penelope was dancing with your father I overheard her uncle telling people that her youngest sister is in fact her daughter, and that you are the child's father. He claimed he is the reason that you have finally come to the sticking point and agreed to marry her."

"I will kill him." Gabriel replied standing as if he meant to go and call the man out right now. To demand he pay retribution to the slander he had spread about the Lady Gabriel loved.

"Yes I am sure, but before you do let me tell you the rest. Castiel told me of how you and Lady Penelope met, and I may have shared this information with Lady Havelle, adding a bit of my own personal flare while I did so." Balthazar responded without battering an eyelid at his cousin's behaviour. He knew his sense of honour, and he was suddenly realising a possible reason why Castiel had not told his brother the previous evening. No doubt he did not want to be witness to the blood bath that would happen when Gabriel got a hold of Viscount Simmers, not to mention it really was not the done thing to commit murder in the ballrooms of the ton.

"I have a feeling you had better tell me exactly what you said, so that I do not contradict you in the future." Gabriel replied forcing himself to calm down and return to his chair. He needed to know everything so he could protect Penny. And he would do anything he could to protect. Nothing would harm her, especially not her own uncle.

"Happily." And with that Balthazar retold the story he had spun using Castiel's facts as his base. Gabriel listened and couldn't help but shake his head at the embellishments Balthazar had added. If he had still been in the market of looking for another bride it would have seriously hampered him. Luckily the lady he wanted to marry was the one he was engaged to, and as such it played right into his hands. Oh how he loved his cousins flare for the dramatic right then, even if it had gotten them into so much trouble when they were at school together. Of course the pranks he had played had given a fair share of it as well.

"So, what are your plans for this evening?" Balthazar asked when he finished. He wanted to make sure he was wherever his cousin and Lady Penelope went. Wanted to make sure he would be able to make sure no other rumours spread about the Lady who was to become his cousin. For while he may be the black sheep of the family, a rake of the first order, he would not let anyone destroy the happiness of one of favourite cousins.

"Mama I and were thinking of attending the Thorpe's ball." Gabriel replied readily. He knew his mother had suggested this one in the hopes that it would help Penelope accustom herself to the ton, but after the previous evening he knew that was not necessary. She had fitted in as if she had been at such events all her life, and that it was not in fact her first.

"What? You cannot go there, Gabriel. That is a ball for debutantes. No, you must go to the Havelle's musical." Balthazar replied in horror at the idea of spending the evening at a debutante's ball. Penny was no debutante. That had been made clear to him and the rest of the ton last evening. At such an event she would stand out like a sore thumb. She needed to be in a place with her peers. And as she was the future Duchess of Ravenscliff, the Havelle's musicale was the only place for her in Balthazar's mind.

"But mother has already committed the ball. She cannot change her plans now, and I cannot take Penny unaccompanied." Gabriel argued, though he agreed with Balthazar's sentiments. He had originally planned to use that night's ball to look over the prospects, but considering he had realised he was in love with his fiancée, there really was no need for it. And he was sure Penny would much prefer the musicale to another ball, especially when all the ladies she had met the previous evening would be in attendance.

"My sister is in town. How about the two of us accompany you. None could reproach her as a proper chaperone." Balthazar suggested off-handedly, neglecting to mention the fact she had already railroaded him into accompanying her. Her husband was not a music lover and as such did not want to attend, but also felt she could not go alone. Enter the poor susceptible brother being roped in to accompany her. At least if Gabriel was there too he could sneak off and talk to the current widow he was pursuing.

"I do not wish to put Hannah out." Gabriel replied in an innocent voice. He knew how his cousin loved music and as such he doubted it would be much trouble to ask her to accompany them, even if it did mean she spent the evening with her brother. Which would no doubt exasperate her greatly, as he did most of their relations.

"Nonsense, she is already dragging me to the event, she might as well make herself useful too." Balthazar responded with a wave of his hand. He knew Gabriel didn't really mean his words, it was more for show. But it was a show they must put on as the gentlemen they were.

"I will go visit mama and Penny and see what they say. I will let you know once I have spoken to them." Gabriel agreed with a nod. He could not see either of them saying no to the suggestion. Penny had done so well the previous evening, that as long as they were properly chaperoned he couldn't see his mother worrying about the change in plans.

"Capital. Now I plan to go and rest. I haven't been up this early since I stopped sharing the bed of married ladies." Balthazar replied standing and stretching as he did so. Yes a couple more hours in bed would do him the world of good.

"That is information I did not need to know Balthazar." Gabriel answered drily.

"Still true. See you later, cousin. I'll arrange for Hannah and I to pick you up at seven, as long as you mama is agreeable." Balthazar responded moving towards the door.

"I will see you then, then." Gabriel agreed, even if he had yet to speak to his mama or fiancée.

At that Balthazar laughed as he made his way out of the office. He knew his cousin and he knew he would persuade his aunt to their way of thinking. And as he said, his sister is above reproach. It wasn't her fault she had a reprobate for a brother, nor a husband who disliked music. And that was the only reason she was making Balthazar accompany her.

As Balthazar left Gabriel tried to turn back to the work he had been doing, but instead he found his mind turning to how best approach his mama about the change of plans. Not to mention watching the clock on the mantel so that he could leave to visit her and penny at the earliest acceptable time. Purely so he could get would to Balthazar and Hannah of course, and it had nothing to do with how much he wanted to see the lady he loved. No nothing at all.