Page 26 of Her Sinful Duke

“It all started when I was just a boy,” he began. “I… I needed a place to myself, to calm down and think in peace.”

He didn’t want to tell her yet about his father, especially not what had happened. He didn’t want to ruin the magic of the evening.

“I remember finding a broken pocket watch by the creek,” he reminisced. “I asked my grandfather about it, and he showed me some books on watch repair. I drank in every single word of those books, fascinated by the intricate workings hidden beneath their polished exteriors.”

Penelope listened intently, her eyes alight with curiosity as James recounted his journey into the world of clock making.

“There were long afternoons spent poring over dusty volumes in the library, studying the art of horology. I wanted to know everything there was to know, every little detail,” he continued as he got lost on the path of memory. “Then, one day, I felt ready. I repaired the pocket watch I found. It turned out to be a simple task but one that filled me with a sense of accomplishment unlike anything I had ever experienced before.”

He turned to a small, intricately carved wooden box sitting atop a shelf in the corner of the room. He reached out and carefully lifted the lid, revealing a treasure nestled within — a simple pocket watch with a polished silver casing, its surface adorned with delicate engravings that glinted in the lamplight.

“This,” he said softly, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and nostalgia, “is the very first pocket watch I ever repaired.”

Penelope’s eyes widened in wonder as she gazed upon the worn timepiece, a sense of reverence washing over her. She reached out tentatively, her fingers trembling slightly as she traced the contours of the watch with a gentle touch.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

James nodded, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips. “It may not be the most ornate or valuable piece in my collection, but it holds a special place in my heart. It was the catalyst that ignited my passion for clockwork, the moment when I realized that I had found my calling.”

In the hushed intimacy of the clock repair room, James and Penelope stood close, their gazes locked in a silent exchange charged with unspoken longing. The air between them crackled with anticipation, each heartbeat echoing the rhythm of their shared desire.

With a tender yet determined resolve, James closed the distance between them, his hand finding the curve of Penelope’s waist as he drew her nearer. Their breath mingled in a sweet, anticipatory dance, their lips mere inches apart as they surrendered to the magnetic pull between them.

As their lips finally met, it was as if the world around them faded into oblivion, leaving only the fiery intensity of their kiss. He touched her with gentle possessiveness, his lips conveying a passion that defied words. Her entire body trembled, and she still held the pocket watch in her hand, her other hand free to wrap her fingers around the back of his neck and pull him close.

The kiss was a symphony of longing and surrender, each movement a testament to the unbridled passion that burned between them. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the intoxicating whirlwind of sensation, their souls intertwining in a fervent embrace. She felt his hand gently touch her swan-like neck and travel down her exposed collar bone to the soft mounds of her breasts.

He cupped them tenderly, and she moaned against his lips. She was melting in his arms while his manhood was yearning to ravage her right then and there. Then, she remembered her condition.A whole year.How on earth was she to handle being without… this an entire year? She couldn’t imagine a single second without his lips and hands on her body.

Just as she was thinking about how much she wanted him to continue, he did exactly the opposite. He just pulled away. She almost gasped with displeasure, blushing and doe-eyed as she stared at him in disbelief that he dared to break their kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he said playfully. “I am not honoring your conditions.”

She knew that he wanted that kiss to continue as much as she did. Their bodies fitted so perfectly together, just as their lips did. Yes, he refused to grant her silent wishes, choosing instead to torment her. Fire burned inside of her, deep and raw, and she knew that nothing apart from more kissing would satiate her. But he seemed content seeing her like this, burning with desire.

“I… yes,” she said, taking a step back and clearing her throat as she did so. “Thank you.”

He smiled as he turned around. “Now, would you like me to show you the pocket watch we will be working on together?”

CHAPTER14

The following day found Penelope walking past the open door of the parlor right after breakfast when she suddenly heard a strange voice address her.

“Ah, you must be the lady of the house!”

Intrigued, Penelope paused mid-step, her curiosity piqued. Who would be addressing her in such a manner in her own home? With a gentle smile, she turned around and stepped into the parlor, her gaze meeting the warm, welcoming eyes of a young man.

“Indeed, I am,” she replied, with a polite nod in greeting. “And who might you be?”

He chuckled at her question as he bowed deeply before her. “I take it that James hasn’t informed you of our meeting. I am just waiting for him to come down.”

“Oh,” she nodded. “Well, ladies are usually not interested in business meetings.”

“True,” he grinned. “But pardon my manners, my dear lady. I am Felix Higginbottom, the Earl of Brindley, at your service.” Once again, he bowed even more deeply before her.

“My lord, it is a pleasure,” she greeted politely.

“Oh, no lord, just Felix please,” he shook his head. “I feel like my father is in the room with us.”

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