Page 20 of Her Sinful Duke

“But onourland. Why don’t they hunt somewhere else?” he asked amusedly.

“Maybe they couldn’t,” she suggested, painfully aware that she was losing that argument.

“Couldn’t?” he chuckled. “Or didn’t want to?”

“Well, what if they were hungry?” she asked, pouting slightly but enjoying their banter as much as he was.

“Hungry hunters,” he mused. “They were hunting foxes, Penelope. Not hares. They hunt them for their pelts and for sport. No one really eats foxes, do they?”

“Well, no… but…” she started then bit her lower lip in confusion. Of course, he was right. She just didn’t want to admit it.

He smiled, approaching her. “I can see that you have a more compassionate view than I, and it pleases me. You consider the circumstances of others. Not everyone has the capacity for that.”

“I simply believe in understanding and forgiveness,” she said softly, blushing a little as she spoke.

“Forgiveness,” he nodded, that word bringing out a subtle flicker of some long-lost hope in his eyes. “Not everyone knows how to forgive, even though they tell you they forgive you. But in fact, it is just an empty statement while judgment is still rooted deeply in their hearts.”

“I don’t want to judge anyone,” she assured him. “It is not my place.”

He smiled at those words. He was a complex character, her husband. But strangely enough, she was only titillated to learn more about him, and she wanted to learn everything there was to know about him.

“That is why I’ve always preferred the company of animals to the company of people,” he revealed, turning to his horse. “They don’t judge. They either love you, or they don’t, and they show you how they feel without hiding it.”

She didn’t say anything to that. That was when he turned to her and offered her the brush. “Would you like to brush him a little?”

She smiled, intrigued—although there were some animals around the abbey, Penelope was rarely allowed into the stables for fear of escaping. “Yes, please,” she nodded, accepting the new assignment.

“Like this,” he said, pressing his hand on hers and standing behind her so close that she could feel his hot breath spill on her neck.

A million little goosebumps ran down her back awakening every single sense in her body, making her painstakingly aware of his presence behind her and of his touch on her hand. It burned. It scorched. Yet, it felt more thrilling than anything else. Her insides were on fire, her cheeks burning a poppy red. Her knees became slightly wobbly, and she did her best to keep her balance.

“Like so?” she asked, gently stroking the animal with his hand still on hers.

A part of her thought of naughty romance novels she had only heard of with a lord and a lady rolling in the hay with her skirt lifted and his trousers pulled down, claiming each other with kisses and touches. The very thought made her blush even more fervently, and she thanked heavens that he was behind her and not in front of her.

She felt the gentle stubble of his beard against her neck, and something inside of her exploded in heat. She resisted turning around and offering her lips to him because she remembered his words.You will be begging me.He was right. She hated that he was right.

Almost as if he could read her mind, he suddenly pulled away, taking a step back. The magic of the moment was broken although she was still breathing heavily as if she had just run a race.

“Perhaps we could go riding one morning?” he asked. “Have a race?”

“Why not?” she asked, swallowing heavily, trying to focus on the horse’s glistening mane.

“I shall hold you to that,” he grinned, grabbing another brush and proceeding to brush the horse’s tail when a servant rushed over with instructions from his grandfather to come inside.

“You go on ahead,” she urged. “I shall stay here a while longer. This brushing is calming.”

“It is, isn’t it?” he agreed. “All right then, if you need me, I’ll be back in the house.”

She nodded, watching him leave until she was alone with the horse. She glanced at it, at the fathomless depth of its dark eyes, wondering how come this man she barely knew had such an undeniable effect on her.

CHAPTER11

“Ah, James, my dear boy!” Grandfather exclaimed the moment James entered the cozy parlor of his sprawling estate. “You’re here. Do take a seat.”

James did as he was bid, taking a seat opposite his grandfather, who leaned forward with a gentle smile as he broached the subject with him. “I find myself in a bit of a conundrum and could use your assistance,” he began, his voice, as always, carrying a hint of playful curiosity.

“What is it, Grandfather?” James inquired, eager to hear what task his grandfather had in mind this time.

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