Page 31 of My Cruel Duke

“On a more serious note,” Angleton cut the silence. “Have you heard from Patrick Hislop?”

“No.” Rhysand shook his head. He had not heard from him since he put his father behind bars. Probably much longer than that.

“This means there is no telling when he will return, or if he will return…”

Rhysand took a deep sigh at Patrick’s conclusion. “I never intended for Patrick to suffer or leave. I was completely unaware of the debtsheowed. Had I known about it sooner, I would have paid it all off for him. I–”

“You consider him a friend then?” Angleton raised a brow.

“Not in the slightest. I would have paid off the debts because of his sisters. They did not deserve to live in penury and pay for the crimes of their wicked father and cowardly brother.”

Angleton nodded with a knowing smile that ticked Rhysand off. “I can only imagine how livid he will get if he returns to the news of his sister married to the duke who caused his family misfortune.”

“I did not cause the family misfortune. I only rendered justice where it was due. Moreover, he shall have no right to express his anger whatsoever. He took off to save himself, and left his sisters to suffer with no male protection.”

“You seem very protective of the Hislop sisters.”

“I am married to a Hislop sister. It is only normal that I feel protective of them,” Rhysand turned to the window again. It seemed the ladies were rounding up their little tea party. “If you want a chance to see your beloved before the day is over, I reckon you should be on your way down now.”

Angleton stared at Rhysand in pure confusion. “The ladies are done with tea,” Angleton shot up to his feet immediately, and both men made their way out of the study, where they met the ladies in the hallway.

“Good day, Your Grace,” the ladies curtsied, Lydia included. “Good day, my lord,” they turned to Angleton, but the man only had his eyes on one person.

“Good day my lord. I had no idea of your coming. I would have prepared some tea for you both.” Penny smiled at Angleton who had directed his gaze in her direction.

“It was a brief meeting concerning business,” Rhysand replied.

“I suppose the tea was good?” Angleton asked.

“It was. You should come around some time for a cup.”

“I shall hold you up to that, Your Grace,” he returned the smile. “Is there any chance that Miss Lydia is not too tired from tea and would want to take a stroll with me?”

Rhysand watched the eyes of the younger Hislop sister come to life as she nodded. The couple went their way, leaving him with Penelope and her curious friends.

“Well, enjoy your trip back home.” Rhysand barely looked at them, but they bowed with wide smiles and went their way.

“You could have at least asked for an introduction.” Penny returned to the drawing room where he sat with a business paper he had picked up to avert his attention.

“An introduction for what?”

“My friends. You did not bother for an introduction with them.” She folded her arms, and the action pushed her chest up, revealing the top of her ample bosom. Rhysand swallowed and fastened his eyes on the paper.

“I see becoming duchess did more than intended. You have friends now.” Penny’s face twisted at the words. Rhysand’s eyes widened when he realized what he had just said. He had not meant for the words to come across so accusing.

“You know the situation that surrounded my family, or perhaps it is because we are married that you have forgotten that you are the one who put my family in that situation.” How he loved her brazen tongue. He had missed it. “I lost my friends because no one wanted to be associated with the daughter of a fallen aristocrat!”

“You should be wary of such friends. Do not trust them simply because they smiled at you.”

“I will trust and smile at whoever I please. My friends have apologized for what they did, and I believe them,” she paused.

“It is interesting how easy it is for you to forgive and forget.”

“I see you are still in a foul mood from yesterday. I shall leave you to your papers then.” She dipped her head.

No. Stay, he wanted to say, but the words felt heavy on his tongue. What would he say to her if she stayed? Perhaps he should start by saying he was no longer in a foul mood. He still felt bitter about the change, but he was not in a foul mood anymore.

“Thank you,” he said instead, earning him a speculative gaze. Then she disappeared.

---