Page 48 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“Absolutely nothing at the moment,” he answered, turning away from her once again. “I made sure of it. Just get some rest and forget about the pair of those wretched-”

Penelope chased after him and grabbed his arm. “Where else are you hurt?”

His blue eyes looked back at her in confusion. “I’m not hurt.” he insisted, rolling his sleeve up to prove it, “See?”

She looked at his arm closely and suddenly remembered how shocked she had been by its muscularity the first time she had locked arms with him.

It’s no wonder he doesn’t have a scratch on him,she mused, looking up at the duke.Punching him must be like trying to punch an ash tree’s trunk.

“Satisfied?” he asked, dropping his arm.

“I suppose so,” she sighed, “but your demeanor isn’t typically what one would expect from the unscathed victor in a fight. You still seem... angry somehow.”

He let out a bitter laugh and then confirmed her hunch was right as he shook his head, “Am I really so transparent?”

“Not at all,” Penelope assured him, “but friends can always tell.” She nudged his side attempting to lighten his mood. “And friends stick together. So, tell me who it is that's upset you and I’ll go give them a piece of my mind as well.”

His Grace had been rubbing his neck as she said this, but paused as he tilted his head, “Are you saying that you... would side with me? But you don’t even know what the conflict’s about.”

“But I know that whatever it was, it was disturbing enough that you saw it fit to draw blood.” She nodded at his sleeve. “I still disagree with you on many things, Your Grace. But I also know you’re not the type who resorts to violence at the first chance he gets.”

“How can you be so sure?” What about that scrap you witnessed between Fairhaven and I in the morning room?” he reminded her with a grin.

“Please...” Penelope rolled her eyes, “you clearly weren’t trying to hurt him, otherwise you would have knocked a tooth out before he had the chance to drag you to the floor with him.”

He acquiesced with a nod.

A short pause followed before he began again, “Do you know what I just realized?”

“What is it, Your Grace?”

“If someone ever askedyouto put together a list of practice suitors for her and—for whatever reason—you chose to include me on it along with everything you knew about me...”

“Yes?” Penelope prompted him, unsure where he was going with this.

“I’d guarantee that you would be the only person in this world—besides Harlington and Fairhaven—who’d get it right.” He smiled to himself, before looking directly into her eyes, “And for that, I thank you, Lady Pen.”

Penelope couldn’t explain the warm sensation she felt knowing that he trusted her so. She wished that she could reciprocate by expressing equally meaningful sentiments.

But she found herself slightly embarrassed by his sudden sincerity and settled on teasing him instead, “Goodness, just how much brandy have you had, Your Grace?”

“Not nearly enough.” He grinned, “If you want, I have some in my- Oh. That’s right.”

Penelope placed a hand on her chest as she feigned shock and horror, “Your Grace! Were you trying to invite aladyto drink with you in your study?”

“That’s not how I meant it!” he shot back defensively. “The only other people I usually spend this much time with are Harlington and Fairhaven, so obviously offeringthema tipple wouldn’t-”

“I know what you meant, Your Grace.” Penelope chuckled, “And...” she fidgeted with her hands, “I trust your counsel, so I shall do as you have advised and stay away from Lords Direpeak and Newshore.”

“Thank you.” The duke exhaled. “Believe me, you won’t regret it at all. Say, I’ll be out all of tomorrow, but what if we had our next lesson the day after? How does that sound”

Penelope chewed her lip as she contemplated his offer. After all, the previous two lessons hadn’t exactly gone as either of them had expected.

But I trusted him enough to agree to forget about Direpeak and Newshore...she reminded herself,So I should be able to trust him enough for another lesson.

“That sounds lovely, Your Grace,” she said and smiled.

CHAPTER16

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