Page 73 of Her Sinful Duke

Penelope frowned. “That isn’t true. You are responsible for your own fate, Ciara. You risked everything to help us. Now, let us help you.”

“Yes,” James nodded. “You can stay with us until we find a better solution.”

“I…” Ciara sounded confused. Penelope could see it in her eyes, but she could also see hope. She knew that Ciara was fighting herself, just like Penelope herself had been doing her entire life, believing that she wasn’t good enough. But that was never the truth.

With a final glance at the dimly lit corridor, Ciara nodded, her decision made. “I will come with you,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “Thank you.”

As James, Penelope, and Ciara approached the courtyard where James’ carriage awaited them, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking their path. It was Mother Superior, her expression a mixture of anger and disdain. She had several nuns by her side, and Penelope instinctively hid behind James, holding him by the hand.

“Where do you think you are going?” the woman demanded, her voice echoing in the stillness of the night.

James stepped forward, his posture resolute. “We are leaving,” he said firmly. “And Ciara is coming with us. You are keeping young women here against their will.”

The woman smiled maliciously. “It is the will of their parents. After all, are the parents not responsible for their wayward children?”

“I do not see any children around me,” James spoke, making Penelope prouder with each exchanged word. “All I see are young women who have been forced to come here and endure cruel punishments.”

“Every punishment fits the crime,” Mother Superior exclaimed. “Not that I would expect you to know anything about that.”

“You are twisting the word of God to fit your own devices,” he growled at her. “But I will make sure that everyone knows what is happening here, and you will never again force a young woman to stay here against her will, mark my words.”

“You presume that you are to leave here with the two of them,” she told him. “You presume wrong, young man.”

“I am not alone,” James announced. “My grandfather is waiting in the carriage. One word from him and this nunnery will be closed forever, no questions asked. I would love nothing more than that, but I do believe that there are good women in here, Godly women who do wish to serve Him as they should, not as you tell them to. So, I will make sure you are stripped off your cloth, never to step foot into a church as a woman of cloth ever again.”

“You may take your wife, then,” she snarled. “But you have no right to take Miss Everton. She made her choice when she decided to aid you in your foolish escape.”

Penelope felt a surge of fear and anger rise within her. She stepped forward, her voice trembling but determined. “She helped us because she knew it was the right thing to do,” Penelope replied angrily. “And we won’t leave her behind to face your wrath alone.”

Ciara stood beside them, and at that moment, she took a step forward, her eyes blazing with fury. “I am leaving of my own accord. I don’t care what my parents have to say to that. I cannot stay in a place where compassion and kindness are punished.”

Mother Superior’s face darkened with rage, and she took a step forward, her eyes blazing with fury. “You will not leave this convent,” she spat, her voice laced with venom. “I will not allow it.”

But James stood firm, his resolve unshaken. “We’re leaving,” he said, his voice unwavering. “And there’s nothing you can do to stop us.”

“You do not know the extent of my connections and power,” Mother Superior snarled at him venomously. “I doubt you want to make me your enemy, young man.”

James snorted. “I already have more enemies than I can count. One more makes absolutely no difference to me. Whatdoesmake a difference is my unwillingness to back down. I doubtyouwant to make meyourenemy, Mother Superior.”

They all waited for her to reply, but she remained silent. With that, he took Penelope’s hand, and together, along with Ciara, they all stepped around the Mother Superior, determined to make their escape.

As they hurried toward the waiting carriage, Penelope couldn’t help but glance back at the imposing figure of Mother Superior, knowing that she would never have to see her again.

* * *

As James led Penelope into her chamber back at the manor, a weight lifted from his shoulders. They had made it home safely, and Miss Ciara Everton now settled in a guestroom and attended to by their household staff. Yet, despite the relief flooding through him, James couldn’t shake the nagging sense of guilt that weighed heavily on his conscience.

James opened his mouth to speak, his mind swirling with apologies for the ordeal Penelope had endured because he felt he had somehow caused all of it by playing into Vanessa’s game. The truth was they had all fallen into her trap. But fortunately, they were both home, safe and sound.

However, before he could utter a word, Penelope reached up and placed a gentle finger against his lips, silencing him.

“James,” she said softly, her eyes searching his, “there’s no need for apologies. We’re together now, and that’s all that matters.”

James felt a surge of emotion welling up within him at her words. Here was Penelope, facing the aftermath of their harrowing ordeal with strength and grace, her unwavering support a beacon of light in the darkness that had threatened to consume them.

Without another word, James pulled Penelope into his arms, his heart overflowing with love and gratitude. Their lips met in a tender kiss, a silent reassurance of the bond that had brought them through the trials they had faced together.

As he tried to pull away gently, he noticed that her hands caressed him, looking for buttons that would free him from the confines of his clothes. The thought drove him mad with desire. He had been thinking solely about her all this time, but instead of giving in, he softly pulled away from her lips, taking her hands into his own and kissing them innocently.

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