Page 7 of Her Sinful Duke

“… could have refused the offer of marriage, and then where would we be?” Her father’s voice reached her only in snippets of his monologue, while Penelope was still focused on the carriage.

Occasionally, it would creak and groan in protest as it navigated a particularly rough patch of road, the sound mingling with the soft rustle of the curtains as they swayed in the gentle breeze. Outside, the world passed by in a blur of color and motion, the murmur of distant voices and the occasional trill of birdsong drifting through the open windows.

“… did deceive the man…” Penelope heard through the haze of her own thoughts. “But Penelope’s assurance was so… unexpected.”

This time, Penelope was brought back to the present moment. She could feel everyone staring at her. Her cheeks flushed red as she gathered the courage to speak.

“I did not do anything,” she told them. “I merely assured him that he would still get what had been promised to him. A wife. Seeing that he obviously is not marrying Vanessa for love — he can’t be if he hasn’t even seen her — then it doesn’t matter which wife it will be as long as she will be a good one.”

For the first time since Penelope could remember, her father looked upon her with approval. He was even smiling at her. She hoped maybe for praise, but that was too much to expect of either of her parents.

“Tomorrow will be a good day,” he told the ladies around him. “I can feel it.”

Penelope wished she shared his confidence, but she refrained from saying anything. As soon as the carriage made a halt before their home, Penelope announced that she would remain in the garden for a little while. Her desire was to be alone, away from everyone and everything, but much to her surprise, Adeline exclaimed that she would be joining her.

“If you don’t mind, of course, dear Penelope,” Adeline added innocently.

“No, why would I?” Penelope asked a little awkwardly then allowed Adeline to lock arms with her and lead her away from the front of the house, down a beautiful cobblestoned path that led straight to the garden.

“Are you all right?” Adeline suddenly asked when the two girls had gotten out of both eyesight and earshot.

Penelope had to admit that she was taken aback by that question. No one in her family had ever asked her that. Her feelings were simply never taken into consideration, and everyone assumed she agreed with everything they placed before her.

Penelope smiled before replying. “I am fine, thank you for asking.” She looked around as they continued to stroll languidly. “You know, this place is much nicer than I remembered.”

“Father has hired a new gardener,” Adeline revealed.

“Oh, what happened to Phillip?” Penelope wondered, remembering the old man with kind eyes and rough hands who would see her for the lonely girl that she was and allowed her to remain by his side, helping him plant flowers.

“Well, to him, nothing,” Adeline explained as the garden sprawled out before them like a tapestry of green, a sanctuary of tranquility. Lush foliage framed winding pathways, adorned with colorful blooms that danced in the gentle breeze. “His daughter’s husband died in the war, and she was left alone to tend to three children. He told Father that he was very grateful for all the years he had spent here, but that he had to quit, so he could go and help out his daughter and his grandchildren.”

Something tightened inside Penelope’s chest.It must be wonderful to have a father like that,she thought to herself.

“That is noble of him,” she said instead. “And this new gardener?”

“Mr. Black,” Adeline introduced the man who was not there but whose skill was evident all around them.

“Mr. Black?” Penelope chuckled. “How mysterious!”

“Indeed,” Adeline joined in that conspiratorial chuckle as they continued to stroll.

The air around them was alive with the hum of bees and the sweet scent of blossoms, mingling with the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their cheerful chirping adding to the symphony of nature’s song. However, Penelope could see that Adeline had suddenly gotten serious.

“Adeline, is something the matter?” Penelope wondered.

“Oh… I am just sad, that’s all,” Adeline divulged, wringing her fingers in her lap.

“Why?” Penelope wondered.

“Well, you just returned, and I was hoping that we might have a chance to make up for the lost time,” Adeline said hopefully. “But that will be impossible with your new life as a duchess.”

Penelope thought about it for a moment. “Do you know what a duchess does?”

Adeline shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“A duchess, my dear Adeline, does whatever she wants,” Penelope stated. “And this duchess will want to have her sister visit very often, so they can catch up on all the time that they have missed.”

Adeline’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Do you really mean it?”

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