Page 40 of Her Sinful Duke

“Yes, yes, of course,” Penelope nodded quickly. “That one would be perfect.”

The two ladies proceeded to do their usual morning routine with Charlotte helping her out of her undergarments, carefully unfastening the buttons and ties with gentle hands. Then, she helped Penelope into the gown, assuring that every seam and fold fell just right. She adjusted Penelope’s neckline, smoothing out any creases and tied the sash at the waist with a neat bow. With delicate movements, Charlotte helped Penelope into her sheer chiffon sleeves, making sure that they sat perfectly on her shoulders. She proceeded to fasten the tiny buttons at the cuffs, adding the finishing touches to the outfit.

“There,” Charlotte said, taking a step back. “I do believe that His Grace will be mesmerized.”

Penelope couldn’t say anything. Not at that moment. All she could do was gaze at her reflection in the looking glass as a sense of awe washed over her. She saw herself transformed, not just into a woman of elegance but into a vision of royalty. The gown draped her figure with such grace and refinement that she felt as if she’d stepped out of a painting from a bygone era. Every detail was perfect. Every seam expertly crafted.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” she finally managed to murmur.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Charlotte chuckled. “Your charm speaks more than words ever could.”

Penelope locked gazes with Charlotte. She couldn’t believe that she had found such a good friend in such a short period of time and in the place where she expected to be not only alone but also lonely. The pathways of fate had a tendency to stray from the plan one made for themselves, but one thing was certain: fate always knew where one needed to end up.

“Well, I’d better go downstairs for breakfast.” Penelope smiled, feeling like a fairy in her gown and wondering what other surprises the day would bring.

CHAPTER20

“My, my, my!” James’ grandfather said the moment Penelope entered the dining hall. “What is this stunning vision of ethereal beauty, gracing us with her presence?”

He immediately got up, rushing over to her and grabbing her by both hands. He then proceeded to twirl her around, as if to take a look at her from all sides. He was grinning from ear to ear, much to her delight.

“Good morning, Grandfather,” she greeted him with a warm smile, her voice tinged with the soft lilt of morning charm and her inner sense of joy and anticipation at the surprise that was yet to be revealed. “You are too kind.”

“No, no, no,” he quickly shook his head. “You are too beautiful for these old eyes, my dear. I fear, if I keep looking at you, I might go blind!”

“Oh, no, please, don’t do that,” she chuckled, and he couldn’t help but join in.

“You are right,” he nodded, leading her to her seat. He pulled her chair back, waiting for her to sit down, then he took a seat opposite her, saving the seat next to her for James, who still hadn’t come downstairs for breakfast. “I still need these eyes, my dear. If for nothing else, then to look at your beautiful face every morning. It brightens my day, you know, your smile and your eyes.”

“Thank you, Grandfather.” Penelope’s heart swelled with love for this old man who had been showing all the fatherly qualities she had ever wished for in her own father.

“But do tell me, my dear,” the man leaned closer to her across the table, in a conspiratorial manner, “Where are you off to looking so resplendent this morning?”

Penelope thought about it for a moment then she said playfully, “Well, to tell you honestly, I do not know.” She chuckled softly, a blush gracing her cheeks.

He frowned in confusion. “You don’t know?”

“No, not really,” she was quick to clarify. “You see, my lady’s maid has informed me that I am to be taken somewhere for a surprise, and therefore, I needed to wear something special.”

“You don’t say!” Grandfather’s eyes widened in surprise. “I am glad to hear that, my dear. It is high time that these old walls were graced by something other than tragedy. You have brought joy into this old house and to this old man as well. Your presence brings light to even the dullest of days.”

Penelope felt awash with tenderness, touched by the man’s genuine affection. “Your kindness warms my heart, Grandfather. You…”

It was at that moment that she felt completely overwhelmed. Her emotions bubbled to the surface, realizing that the love and acceptance she had been craving from her family her entire life would never come from them. However, they would come from somewhere else, from the most unexpected sources. She couldn’t suppress the single tear that rolled down her cheeks. She hastily wiped it away, hoping that he didn’t see it, but she was wrong.

“My dear, what is the matter?” he inquired tenderly, his voice full of compassion.

“Oh, nothing,” she quickly shook her head, smiling through the pain. “You all are so kind and patient with me, I could not have imagined being welcomed anywhere like this. You have welcomed me with open arms, and I will never be able to repay you for that. You… you don’t know how much that means to me.”

“Come now, my dear,” he assured. “We are a family. A family treasures each and every member of it. You may not have been born into this family, but you have earned your place in my heart through your kindness, your grace, and your unwavering spirit. You are loved more than you know.”

Family. Loved.

Those two words were something Penelope had never spoken in a single sentence. For her, family didn’t mean love. It meant responsibility. It meant burden. That was all she was ever to them, except for Adeline. Her sister was the only one who had ever shown any interest in Penelope’s life. Vanessa was always the favorite one, the one who carried all the hopes of the family in herself. Running away meant dashing those same hopes, and the burden fell upon the most unlikely candidate: Penelope herself.

“Thank you for that,” Penelope managed to muster. “Truly.”

“For what?”

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