Page 39 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

As Duncan strode away, he looked over his shoulder one final time. “Thanks for returning my pipe. I know you probably remember that it was a gift from my father.”

Upon rejoining the garden party, Duncan completely immersed himself in polite conversations, slices of cake, and cups of tea.

Every once in a while, he stole a glance at Lady Penelope, but she seemed to be handling herself quite well with the other guests.

Not wanting to disrupt the rapport that she was building, Duncan decided to keep his distance for the remainder of the party—lest his wretched reputation ruin it for her.

CHAPTER13

“We’re off now, darling!” his mother excitedly announced, sticking her head through the study room’s door. “Now it’s my turn to ask you if you’d like us to get you anything before we return.”

Duncan looked up from the documents he was reading and shook his head. “No, thank you, Mother. You three just enjoy your day.”

“The two of us certainly will,” his mother corrected him. “Lady Penelope pulled me aside earlier and said that perhaps she would be able to speak and behave more freely if she wasn’t around. Naturally, I tried to assure her that that couldn’t possibly be true but-”

“Are things between them still… awkward?” Duncan furrowed his eyebrows worriedly.

Mother ducked her head out to check that no one was in the hallway before answering, “As you know, Lady Punton is hardly speaking at all these days, including to her own daughter. Even so, I’ve just about managed to persuade her to help me pick out some sewing supplies and material.”

“I wish you well on your endeavor, Mother.” Duncan smiled.

“Thank you, darling,” she replied, “and I trust you’ll stay out of trouble until we return?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he chuckled, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, at Lord Steepwharf’s garden party the other day, I spied you glancing over at Lady Penelope quite often. Were you perhaps… uncomfortable with all the attention she was getting?”

“Mother…” Duncan rolled his eyes, “if I didn’t know you, I’d be inclined to say that you’ve begun reading gossip pages now.”

“It was just an observation, darling.” She shrugged. “Either way, there’s no harm in a mother reminding her son to be careful.”

Duncan waited for their coach to depart before he leaped up from his chair and began making his way upstairs.

“Ah, Rowley!” he exclaimed, passing the butler in the hall. “Could you please have a tray of tea and biscuits prepared and have it brought to the drawing room? Ah! Some fruits as well would be nice and whatever else we have on hand.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

Upon reaching Lady Penelope’s room, Duncan knocked three times. “If all you’re going to do is sob and sulk, I have a suggestion for a much more productive way to spend your free time.”

A few moments later, the door swung open to reveal a red-nosed Lady Penelope.

“How did you know?” she sniffled.

“With your heart of gold and consuming fear of hurting those around you?” He shrugged, “It just seemed like the sort of thing you would do.”

She let out a dry laugh at this remark. “I see. So, what did you want to suggest instead?”

“How about another lesson?” He offered her his arm. “I mean, the exercise at the garden party went splendidly, but there’s still much more to learn—and four other gentlemen to get through.”

Lady Penelope contemplated his suggestion.

Now that he had spent so much time with her, he recognized the way her rosy lips pursed whenever she was deep in thought, the way she tilted her head to the left—and ever so slightly backward—when she was struggling to decide.

“Come on, Lady Pen.” He winked. “Give me an excuse to step away from my work for a little bit.”

Her eyes softened, letting Duncan know that he had successfully convinced her.

“All right then, Your Grace,” she chuckled. “Where shall we hold our next lesson?”

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