Page 6 of Her Sinful Duke

“May I introduce my youngest daughter, Adeline,” the Earl spoke proudly. Then, his hand gestured toward Penelope. “And this is my… older daughter.”

The duke’s eyes locked with hers. She knew that was the moment that would seal her fate. She could choose to use her sister’s name and live in her sister’s shadow in which she had lived her entire life. Or… she could choose her own light and no shadow. That was a dangerous option, but one she preferred.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Grace,” she curtsied. “My name is Penelope.”

Immediately, the duke’s eyebrow rose. Penelope had to admit that, even when he was suspicious about something, the man had a dark, brooding handsomeness about him.

“Was not your name supposed to be Vanessa?” he demanded to know, his jaw tightening as he pronounced each word of that question.

The earl tried to intervene. “Well, you see Your Grace… the fact of the matter is that Vanessa… she uhm…”

“Vanessa is unfortunately gone, and there is no knowing when she might be returning,” Penelope stated boldly, deciding to align herself with the truth.

There were several teachings from the nunnery she had decided to adopt, and truthfulness was one of them. Besides, she had nothing to lose. She was certain that in the case of a failed marriage proposal, she would simply be sent back to the nunnery and things would go back to the way they were. Hence, the truth could only open up new paths in life which was something she was starting to hope for.

“Is this why you have decided to stall with the introductions, Montgomery?” the duke spoke coldly, turning to her father. She had to admit that he was right to be outraged and furious. She would also be if she were him. In a way, they were both being manipulated by her father.

“Well, you see, Your Grace, some complications have arisen,” her father spoke awkwardly, “and we did not wish for you to think that we were not serious about this marriage.”

“So, you have willingly decided to deceive me,” the duke continued, with not a single ounce of understanding in his voice.

“Deceive is such a harsh word, Your Grace.” Penelope watched her father squirm, until finally she decided to interfere and take matters into her own hands.

“I am here,” she told the duke with determination, not looking away from him for even a moment. She did not want him to think that she was frightened of her own words or of his gaze. If anything, she was strangely titillated by it. “And I promise to be a faithful wife to you and fulfill my duties.”

As she spoke those words, she could feel her heart beating inside her throat, making it increasingly more difficult to breathe, but she still refused to look away.

His eyes burned with a fiery rage. She could see that he was not a man to be swindled by any means, and she only hoped that he saw there was no one there who wished to deceive him.

Still breathing as if a storm was raging inside her chest, she suddenly felt his hand on her upper arm, gripping her gently but tightly enough for her to know that he was in control of where they were headed.

He started walking toward the far end of the drawing-room, leaving the rest of their company behind and out of earshot.

Facing her once again, with his hand still burning through the thin fabric of her gown, she trembled before this mountain of a man, melting in the ferocity of his eyes. He leaned dangerously close to her, so close that she could feel his hot breath spilling all over her lips. Her lips parted unconsciously, drinking him in.

“Do you know what duties await you?” he whispered.

“I do,” she nodded hastily, her eyes wide and doe-like.

“Are you certain you wish to fulfill them all?” he asked again, in the hushed tone of voice.

She had no idea whatallentailed, but for some reason, her face immediately blushed a fervent red.

Still, she nodded yet again.

Having received this confirmation, he released the grip he had on her upper arm, and immediately, Penelope felt as if a part of her own flesh was torn away from her.

“Fine,” he announced as he did so, turning his attention to Penelope’s father. “The wedding will take place tomorrow as scheduled, but do not think for a moment that your slight will be forgotten.”

Upon those words, he headed straight toward the door, lingering in the doorway for a moment only to add, “Collingsworth will see you out.”

CHAPTER4

“Isuppose things could have gone much worse,” the earl observed as the family returned home immediately after having introduced Penelope to the duke.

Penelope was barely listening to the sound of her father’s voice. She was more focused on the sounds of the wooden wheels reverberating through the enclosed space, echoing off the plush interior.

Each bump and jostle sent a rhythmic vibration coursing through the carriage, accompanied by the steady clip-clop of the horses’ hooves against the hard-packed earth.

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