Page 103 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

All Penelope could think about was how excited she was to see Duncan. Living in Blackmoore Manor these last few months without him around had taken some getting used to but after today, it would all be worth it.

When they were finally ready to leave, Penelope had to stop herself from bounding down the stairs and out the doors to where the coach awaited her.

Once again, Mr. Rowley helped her into the coach and she chirped a thanks as she and Mother carefully scooped up her skirt—this one even fuller than the last as Duncan had insisted on giving her money for a completely new one, arguing that it was a necessary measure given that he had already seen her original one.

“Don’t worry about the cost,” Duncan had assured her. “Everyone knows that sort of thing is bad luck. So please stop worrying about trying to save money and go buy a new one.”

“I never thought you would turn out to be the superstitious sort,” Penelope had teased him at the time.

“You are correct, I am not that superstitious,” he had admitted, leaning into her ear to whisper. “But I am indeed that jealous.”

Even just remembering the discussion brought goosebumps up Penelope’s gloved arms. She had assumed that the longer they courted each other, she would slowly grow more resilient to his sly charm and coy remarks, but instead, only the opposite seemed to come true.

At last, the coach arrived at their destination. And once again, Penelope found herself dwarfed by the large and looming church doors.

As she entered, her eyes went straight to the altar, searching for Duncan. She saw him before he saw her, and her heart quickened at how striking he looked—long legs standing at attention, broad shoulders thrown back, and a pleasant heartfelt smile on his lips.

When he finally spotted her, his chest lifted with a gasp. Penelope couldn’t fight against the giddy grin that spread across her face at his reaction as she steadily made her way towards him.

He took a few steps down the altar stairs and extended a gentlemanly hand.

“I take it that you like the new dress, then?” she whispered as he helped her climb.

“It’s perfect,” he murmured back with a smile. “And I imagine it shall look even prettier on the floor later.”

The salaciousness of his remark pulled a gasp from Penelope’s lips and a blush furiously pushed its way up her cheeks.

“I hate you,” she whispered just as they neared the top.

“Well, you have a strange way of showing it.” He winked, jerking his chin to gesture to their joined hands—and by extension, the fact that they were right on the cusp of getting married.

Duncan appeared rather pleased with himself for managing to get the final word in before the priest began speaking. For her part, Penelope decided that she had no choice but to kiss that insufferable smirk off of his face.

* * *

“And the wind over there is harsher, darling.” Mother squeezed Penelope’s hands. “So even if it’s a sunny day, make sure that you wrap up tight.”

“I will, Mother, I promise.” Penelope laughed, briefly locking eyes with Duncan as he helped the servants load their luggage into the coach. “We’ve had this exact conversation several times since His Grace suggested Bechdalla for our honeymo-”

“We’ve been married for all of seven hours now, darling,” Duncan grunted as he and a footman lifted a chest into the coach, “so I believe we can dispense with the formalities now, don’t you agree?”

Penelope tilted her head in confusion before realizing what he was referring to, “Oh!” she rolled her eyes playfully, “My deepest apologies then,Duncan, it was but a force of habit.”

“That’s better.” He smiled, before running his eyes over their luggage once again. “I do believe that’s everything. Shall we?” He nodded invitingly towards the coach, the late afternoon sun’s rays casting long shadows on the ground beneath them.

Penelope hugged Mother tight one more time. “Make sure you continue to eat well,” she reminded her, “and I shall write you the moment we arrive.”

Mother choked back a sob as she nodded, her eyes somehow managing to well up despite having spent the entirety of today overflowing with tears of joy. “I love you, Penny.”

“I love you, Mother.” Penelope exhaled, allowing herself to be pulled in for yet one more hug.

A yelp behind them suddenly caused them to break apart.

Penelope cupped a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.

“Ou-ouch!” Duncan protested, leaning sideways as the older woman continued to twist his ear. “All right, all right! I promise, Mother!” he hissed out.

The dowager duchess gave a satisfied nod before finally releasing his ear.

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