Page 14 of Her Sinful Duke

With a fervor born of unspoken yearning, he felt her melt into him, lost in the heat of the moment. Their tongues danced to a melody known only to the two of them. His lips molded to hers with an urgency that mirrored the racing of his own heart. Every touch, every caress ignited more passion that consumed him in its entirety, sweeping him away on a tide of ecstasy. In that timeless moment, nothing else existed, there were only the two of them.

He did not want to allow her to be the one to pull away first. He wanted to lead this game she had started. Although reluctantly, he pulled away, relishing the sight of her slightly swollen lips and her beautiful eyes, wide with surprise.

“Goodnight, Penelope,” he said softly, turning around and walking out of her chamber, knowing that his promise would linger behind him long after he had gone.

CHAPTER8

Penelope thought she would forget all about the kiss by the time she woke up. But she was wrong. Just as it was the only thing on her mind when she fell asleep the previous night, it was also the first thing on her mind when she woke up that morning, reluctantly emerging from the depths of sleep.

She could still remember with what passion she kissed him back. She did not hesitate even for a single moment. It was as if a part of her had been expecting that kiss all along and knew exactly how to reciprocate. That realization made her blush and thank heavens that she was alone in her chamber with no one as a witness to her shame.

Refusing to acknowledge the intensity of her feelings, she tried to bury them deep within, determined to maintain the façade of indifference that had shielded her heart for so long.

She had learned this strategy at home. It was easier not to show anyone how hurt she was by their lack of affection, lack of care, not to mention lack of love. She thought she was invisible, so one day, she started acting like she was. She spoke less and less, only acting out when her emotions were unbearable, and she had no idea how to handle them in any other way. But with James, it would be different. She would wait to shield her heart from him until after eventually providing him with what he wanted, and that was an heir. He did not state it specifically, but?—

At that moment, a knock on the door interrupted her troubling flow of thoughts.

“Yes?” she said eagerly, not even certain who she was expecting to see.

Him?

The door opened, and the cheerful face of her lady’s maid appeared.

“Lottie!” Penelope greeted, throwing the blanket off of herself and jumping to her feet.

“I was afraid that I would wake Your Grace up, but I see that you are already awake,” Charlotte replied, closing the door behind her. “I am here to help you get ready for breakfast. Lord Dunlop said he would be down shortly, wishing to join you for breakfast.”

Penelope immediately recognized the name as James’ grandfather.

“And the duke?” she inquired, against all better judgment.

“Oh,” Charlotte spoke as she walked over to the window, pulled the curtains to the side, and opened it to let in some fresh air. “His Grace never has breakfast. He has tea in his study a bit later on and then an early lunch. That is his habitual morning.”

“I see,” Penelope nodded.

Charlotte opened the wardrobe in the corner of the room and selected a gown of soft ivory silk, adorned with intricate lace detailing that shimmered in the sunlight.

“Ah, a perfect choice!” she gushed, turning to Penelope to show her the gown.

“Yes,” Penelope agreed. “I like that one.”

“They were all ordered by the duke himself, you know,” Charlotte pointed out, setting the gown nicely on a chair then turning to Penelope.

“Really?” Penelope wondered.

“Yes,” Charlotte noted. “He sent for the best tailor in all of London to come to the mansion, and His Grace selected the fabrics himself. He wanted the finest ones and the most beautiful designs for his wife-to-be.”

Penelope swallowed heavily. That was still when he thought that he would be marrying Vanessa. A cold talon of fear appeared, grazing gently against the back of her neck. Was he regretting marrying her and not Vanessa?

He could not be. He did not even know her back then, just like he doesn’t know her now,she reminded herself of a simple truth. He was ordering it for his wife, whoever she was.

“Well, that’s nice,” Penelope replied.

“I mentioned it because most other gentlemen would not bother themselves with such things,” Charlotte stated, and Penelope knew that to be the truth. “They would just send for a few gowns to be purchased, if even that. But His Grace had really put in the effort.” Charlotte looked at Penelope somehow, apologetically. “You know, he is not a bad man, no matter what they say.”

Penelope frowned. “What do they say?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise, almost as if she was not expecting to hear those words. “Oh, don’t mind me,” she urged hastily, grabbing the gown. “Now, let’s make you pretty, Your Grace.”

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