Page 45 of My Cruel Duke

“I would prefer it if you teach me to swim. So, if I am ever in such a situation as that, I would save myself.” Using their joined hands, he pulled her toward him so her face landed on his chest.

“I promise not to do anything this time, and I shall teach you to swim, but if you are ever in such a situation, I shall see to it that the lake is drained out and the criminal locked in prison!”

Penny felt a warm glow flow through her at his words.

Rhysand guided them down slowly to sit on the bed, with more than half of Penny’s body pressed against his. He held her right hand in his, playing with her slender fingers. The silence was not uncomfortable, but an inevitable wave of tension hovered above their heads.

“Have you ever tried swimming before?”

Penny shook her head immediately.

“I have a painful memory with water. It happened when I was very young; my mother tried to drown me, and when she was caught, she killed herself.”

Rhysand’s body went cold beside hers, and his wide eyes stared at her in disbelief.

“I have not the faintest idea for the reason for her actions as I do not recall a thing from the day itself and the days before.” A sad smile sat on Penelope’s face as she spoke.

“The doctors told my papa that my mind chose to heal by ridding itself of the painful memory, and as such, my latest memories begin from the day I woke up after the incident. Since then, I never went anywhere near water…” Which explained her uneasiness when they arrived at the park.

“And you wish to learn to swim?” Rhysand asked, and Penelope nodded. Her brown eyes were full of life, pain, and strength. He noticed she did not speak of the incident as though it were an excrescence. Aside from the apparent fear of water, Penelope had only taken strength from her past, shaping her into the woman she was today: bright, beautiful, and strong-willed.

Rhysand was in awe of her strength.

“It has been a while since then, and all I have done is cower at the sight of large water bodies. I wish to terminate the hold that incident has over me, for I realized, had you not rushed to save me at the time you did, I would have lost my life in the same manner my mama wished to take it.”

Penelope’s strength was admirable. She experienced the wickedness of humans at such a young age and worse by the one human that birthed her. She had lived her life with a bright smile while carrying such a burden.

With his knowledge of the entire incident, Rhysand instantly regretted making the promise to Penelope. Madeline deserved to pay for attempting to end her life; she was a criminal and should be treated as one.

* * *

After the unsolicited meeting with Rhysand’s hounds, Penny decided nothing about Thornbury Hall could surprise her anymore, especially when she found out there were more than just the hounds and horses, as Rhysand kept a short list of animals as pets. She deduced there were many things she had not seen and did not know about the estate because she was restricted– by no one– to the main house, which she had dedicated her time to renovating. But Penny could not hide her surprise as she looked over the lake before her. With wide eyes and her lips slightly parted, her gaze darted between the lake and Rhysand, who stood beside her with a proud smirk on his lips.

“Forgive me, but I am having a hard time accepting that you are not the one behind this lake, but nature.”

If he had the means to drain the Serpentine, then he surely had the means to fill up a lake. Rhysand laughed.

“Trust me, Sunshine, I would love to take the credit for making such a beauty, but I did not,” he smiled down at her.

Penny and Rhysand had walked to the stable, where a sweeping lawn led to the picturesque lake just behind it. Within the lake sat waterlilies and bulrush scattered about. The setting sun glistened atop the lake, and a cool breeze swept through Penny’s hair. A smile spread across her face as she stared at the magnificent view. Rhysand had returned home from handling his business and announced the great news that would be the start of Penny’s swimming lessons.

Quite frankly, Penny was still shocked at Rhysand’s acceptance of teaching her how to swim. She had never thought of swimming or learning to swim a day in her life, but it seemed it was the only way she could keep him from going after Lady Madeline.

Three days had passed since the incident, and in those days, Penny had done all she could to prepare her mind for the lessons, which had been a difficult task, for as she fell into the lake that afternoon, a younger version of her fell in. it seemed a part of her memory from that Sunday afternoon was unlocked.

Penny had seen her little self gasping for breath, screaming in the water, begging to be let out, but large hands she suspected belonged to her mama held her down. Penny had opened her eyes slightly just in time to catch sight of a signet ring on her mama’s left hand.

Some parts of the memory were blurred, like her mama’s face, which Penny was thankful for, as she did not think she could handle seeing her mama’s smile just minutes before she betrayed her.

“Are you well? If you are not, we can schedule the lesson at a better time,” Rhysand’s voice cut into her mind, pulling her out of the painful memory.

“I am well. I only wish to catch my breath.” Penny smiled up at Rhysand, who stared at her as though he could tell she was lying. After a few seconds of nothing but silence, Rhysand took Penny’s hand in hers, looking down at her softly.

“We do not have to rush it. We shall leave today and return when you are ready.”

Penny parted her lips to protest, but Rhysand shook his head. He reached out and pushed stray strands of her chestnut hair behind her ears.

“It is too early for you to jump into the water, and I refuse to teach you in this state.”

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