Page 25 of Her Sinful Duke

This time, he laughed loudly, more freely than he had ever before with her. The more he was getting to know her, the more he liked her fiery spirit. He had no idea how on earth she ended up in a nunnery. He doubted that such a free spirit could ever follow those strict rules. He also wondered how she handled it all. But it seemed like something too personal, something she might not be willing to share with him yet. So, he reverted to playful teasing once again.

“Well, I will tell you then,” he said. “Grandfather urged for a great-grandchild, and I am taking you to my bedchamber, so we can start on it.”

She stopped immediately, letting go of his arm. She turned to him, her eyes wide and doe-like in shock as the silvery glow of the moonlight spilled through the adjacent window.

“W-what?” she asked, barely managing to muster.

“Yes,” he nodded, going to great lengths to remain grave looking. “Grandfather is very serious about great-grandchildren, you know. He wasn’t just saying that in jest.”

“Wait, I… I wasn’t listening,” she finally admitted. “I… I didn’t think we’re going to do… that…”

Once again, he burst into a mirthful laughter, unrestrained and completely without control. It took him a moment or two to calm down, and then he smiled softly.

“Finally, you’ve confessed,” he teased her. “And don’t worry, Grandfather wasn’t talking aboutthat.Although I could make a safe bet that he is looking forward to the pitter patter of little feet running about the manor house. But not even he is that indiscreet.”

He could see a tidal wave of relief wash over her then she smiled back. “That was really mean of you, you know.” She said it without any reproach, and with a hint of a smile.

“I had to get you to admit it somehow,” he smirked. “I asked nicely at first, didn’t I?”

She pouted a little, and he felt a sudden desire to kiss her again. But he felt that something else was happening between them. They were getting closer in a way he wasn’t expecting. A kiss might change the flow of the magic, and he wanted it to continue in the way that it was heading.

“You did,” she admitted.

“All right,” he replied. “Since you’ve confessed that as well, I will tell you. Grandfather was talking about a hobby of mine which is clock repair. And you, Penelope, just told him that you are also knowledgeable on the subject and that you will help me repair an old pocket watch which is a family heirloom.”

“Oh, no!” she gasped, pressing her hand to her lips. “Did I really say that?”

“Not in those exact words, but yes.” He laughed so loudly that his voice reverberated through the old, forgotten corridors.

“Goodness me,” she wailed playfully. “You mustn’t let me touch that pocket watch. I will ruin it!”

This time, she laughed as well. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I wouldn’t dream of it. However… I could show you a few tricks, so Grandfather can’t tell that you know nothing of watch repair.”

“Can you really?” she asked as they continued walking slowly.

“Of course,” he nodded. “There’s nothing to it, really. You just have to be really patient and attentive to detail. The watch tells you itself what’s wrong with it.”

She frowned. “How can it tell you anything if it’s broken and not ticking?”

“Well, now you are just being nitpicky,” he teased, much to her delight. He noticed that throughout their entire conversation, she was smiling, and it made him strangely hopeful. “I was merely saying that it’s not something that can’t be learned.”

“But you were trying to be philosophical about it, I see,” she replied equally playfully.

“Something like that,” he grinned, stopping in front of a door. “Well, here we are.”

* * *

Penelope had to admit that she actually believed him for a moment. But then, she realized how odd that would be. To have his grandfather talking about great-grandchildren, urging them at the same time to go and start on them. It was all rather silly, but he caught her believing it for a moment.

Now, he was urging her into a room that seemed to hold a special meaning to him. As she stepped inside, a sense of awe washed over her like a gentle wave. She found herself enveloped in a world of intricate beauty and timeless craftsmanship. Her eyes darted from one marvel to the next, each piece telling a story of skill and dedication.

The soft glow of lamplight illuminated the room, casting a warm ambiance that danced across the walls adorned with shelves of antique clocks. The air was heavy with the scent of polished wood and aged brass, mingling with the faint ticking of the timepieces that filled the space.

“I feel like I’m in another world,” she gushed, turning to him. He smiled back, but he didn’t say anything. He just watched her as she took in the sight in front of her.

Her gaze lingered on a vintage clockmaker’s lathe nestled in one corner, its gleaming brass fittings catching the light in a mesmerizing display. She couldn’t help but reach out to trace the delicate contours of the tools, marveling at their craftsmanship. Moving further into the room, Penelope felt a sense of reverence wash over her as she approached a majestic grandfather clock standing tall against the wall. Its intricate carvings told a story of centuries past, each detail a testament to the skill of its maker.

“How did you discover… all this?” she asked, intrigued.

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