Page 40 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“Then I suppose I owe him a think you.”

“Don’t you dare. If he even hears you were considering it, I would never hear the end of it.”

She chuckled. “Very well, I will keep my thoughts to myself at least for the moment. How did the two of you meet?”

“Like I said, he was my solicitor.”

“True, but he isn’t that much older than you, so he couldn’t have been with the estate your whole life or anything like that. Did you meet when he inquired about the job?”

“He was studying under the man who came in to help manage the case after my father passed away. In time we became close and when his teacher was ready to retire, I kept Patrick on as my own personal solicitor.”

“It looks like it worked out well.”

“Perhaps. In the moment I was so stunned he took my silence for a yes.”

“But you must have said yes at some point.”

“I don’t recall, but I suppose I never said no.”

“Well, in this scenario it seemed to be virtually the same thing.”

“I suppose. Have you met Patrick yet?”

“Briefly, one of the first days I was here, but it was a rather brief interaction. I didn’t have time to form much of an impression of him.”

“I will have to ask him over one day.”

“Then perhaps I should do the same for Penelope?”

He hesitated. “Perhaps.”

“Then again, there is no need to rush into anything.”

“No, I suppose not. I think it might be best for us to take a few days just to get to know one another.”

“I think that sounds lovely.”

“Then I will see what I can do about making some time for you. At least a little bit every day.”

“Are you sure you have time for that? I would hate to distract you from your work.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t have time.”

“But-”

“Rebecca, why don’t you just let me worry about that,” then he hesitated. “Unless you don’t want to of course. I would understand if it is too much.”

She shook her head, a wide grin spreading across her face. “That sounds wonderful, actually. I just didn’t think you would be able to make that much time for me.”

He looked away. “As I said, why don’t you leave that to me to worry about.”

“But-”

“Please,” he couldn’t meet her eyes. “After everything, it is the least I can do.”

She looked away, a soft flush coloring her cheeks. “But you must let me thank you.”

“What is there to thank me for?”

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