Page 19 of Her Sinful Duke

“Family is very precious,” Charlotte said — wise words for someone so young. “If there is any chance of it, you should hold onto them for as long as you can. Because, after they are gone, you will miss all the moments you didn’t have.”

Penelope nodded. She agreed with every single word, only she never felt that closeness with her parents. Not even Vanessa. When she grew up, Adeline had always been there, but Adeline was younger. Adeline didn’t understand as much of what had been taking place in their household. Perhaps now that she was of the age to understand, she would see, and she would decide for herself whether having a loving relationship with her sister was worth rekindling. Penelope hoped she would decide affirmatively.

Little by little, Penelope swayed the conversation to less difficult topics for them both as they exchanged interests, hobbies and pastimes.

“I have very little free time, but when I do have some, I like to do gardening,” Charlotte noted. “It is something that me and my father always shared. He is too old to work in the garden now, so he mostly oversees what I do with his flowers!” Charlotte burst into a chuckle, and Penelope couldn’t help but join in.

Once again, she felt that onslaught of sorrow for moments that she would never share with her own father or her mother although they were both still there, still healthy enough to partake in any activity they might wish to share in together. However, that was not to be, and Penelope tried not to be too sad about it, especially in light of her sister promising to come soon for a visit.

The two ladies continued their conversation, relishing each other’s company, and Penelope was glad to be reminded that in absence of a loving family, sometimes, loving friends were more than enough.

* * *

Penelope hadn’t seen James since the morning, but that didn’t mean that she managed to banish him from his mind. Having breakfast with his grandfather distracted her some, and her teatime with Charlotte helped as well, but now, she found herself restless once more. Wanting to calm herself down, she found her way out to the garden.

Just as she was strolling through the perfectly manicured path, her heart quickened to see James riding back to the stables, alongside a few other men. He seemed so perfectly at ease on horseback, completely captivating her attention. She couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles tensed under the fabric of his crisp, white shirt, the sunlight catching on his tousled hair as he dismounted.

She wanted to leave him be. After all, he didn’t even greet her that morning. Yet, she found herself drawn to him in a way she couldn’t quite explain. Perhaps it was his rugged charm or the way his eyes sparkled with warmth whenever he smiled. Whatever it was, she couldn’t deny the pull he had on her.

Promising herself that she would only approach him to greet him, she headed in his direction. As she drew closer, she noticed that the other men had left the stables, and he was there alone. She watched him attentively as he began to brush down the horse, his movements fluid and purposeful. There was a quiet strength about him that she found undeniably attractive, and she couldn’t help but admire the way he handled the animal with such care and skill.

“Hello,” she said a little awkwardly as she approached him.

He turned around to face her. He smiled upon seeing her, his eyes lighting up in a way she wasn’t expecting.

“Penelope,” he said instead of a greeting. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she stood there, facing him, only then realizing just how deeply she was drawn to him. “How was your morning?”

“Lovely,” she replied, watching him then the horse which obviously enjoyed the attention it was getting. “I had breakfast with your grandfather.”

“Ah, yes,” James grinned. “He can be… well, a handful. Perhaps I should have warned you about that.”

“Handful?” she asked. “I thought he was very kind and endearing.”

He frowned for a moment then his face lit up again. “He must like you then. Usually, he isn’t very kind or endearing.” He chuckled to his own words, delighted that she joined him.

“What about your morning?” she inquired with a curious chirp. “I was told that you do not take your breakfast in the dining hall.”

“Yes, another thing I probably should have mentioned,” he nodded. “I have a routine. I don’t like straying from it.”

“I see,” she replied, wondering if she would be allowed to settle into his routine, or if she would be considered a distraction. However, she didn’t have the courage to ask that question aloud.

“There were some trespassers hunting on my property,” he explained. “So, I had to go and deal with them.”

“How did you deal with them?” she wondered inquisitively, yearning to find out more about the man who had so suddenly and unexpectedly become her husband.

“There is only one way to deal with such people,” he shrugged, petting the horse which nickered in response. “You punish them.”

“Punish them?” she echoed with a disapproving frown. “But they haven’t really done anything wrong.”

He lifted an eyebrow, and she could see that her response amused him. Not to mention that he obviously didn’t agree with her.

“They haven’t?” he repeated.

“Well… no, not really,” she replied with less conviction this time but still with firm belief that it wasn’t a punishment-worthy crime.

“So, you think it is all right to just allow anyone on my property?” he asked then he added with a hint of mischief. “Onourproperty?”

The fact that he called ittheirproperty didn’t change her conviction. “They were just hunting.”

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