Page 102 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“Your Grace, the Viscount of Gloushire is here to see you.”

Duncan looked up from his desk in amusement. “Really? Tell him I shall be there in a moment, thank you.”

Duncan lightly blew on the latest page he had been working on to help the ink dry faster before he carefully gathered the pages together and slipped them into his top drawer.

Straightening his coat, he made sure to quickly check his reflection in one of the hallway mirrors as he walked towards the parlor.

“Good day, Gloushire. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

The viscount rose from the sofa, ignoring his greeting as he remarked, “So this is the infamous lair of the Duke of Blackmoore, hmm? What happened, did Lady Penelope finally get sick of you and force you out of Blackmoore Manor?”

Duncan rolled his eyes but remained unfazed as this was hardly the first time he had heard his house be referred to as a lair.

He had bought this house shortly after his father passed away as a safe haven where he could work without disturbing his grieving mother in the process. But of course, with the reputation that Duncan had garnered, people assumed he had purchased the house purely for the sake of accommodating his trysts.

As Duncan sat down, so did the other gentleman.

“First of all, I think it worth reminding you that I have always preferred to spend my Seasons here, I just happened to stay at Blackmoore Manor this year because I had quite a few renovations to complete here.”

The viscount nodded along politely, but his expression clearly showed that he still had his doubts.

“Second of all,” Duncan continued, pouring himself a cup of tea from the tray on the center table, “it would hardly be appropriate for me to live under the same roof as my fiancée now, would it?”

The viscount swallowed the biscuit in his mouth before answering, “Well, it was hardly appropriate for you to interrupt my wedding and steal my bride away, but that didn’t stop you at all, did it?”

Duncan chuckled as he reached for a biscuit of his own. “Penelope and I already profusely apologized for that. Besides, the scandal that it caused worked out quite well in your favor, didn’t it? With everyone feeling so sorry for you, you practically have debutantes throwing themselves at your feet.”

The other man looked away sheepishly. “Admittedly, that has been the one silver lining in the middle of all of this.”

“Just make sure you don’t become a rake after all,” Duncan clicked his tongue.

“I wouldn’t even think of such a thing,” huffed the viscount defensively, before reaching behind him to reveal a wrapped wine bottle. “Here… your wedding present.”

“It’s not poisoned, is it?” Duncan teased, gripping the bottle carefully as he accepted it.

“Please…” Lord Gloushire rolled his eyes, “you’re hardly worth going to prison for.”

The men continued their conversation for a few more minutes, but since the viscount had accomplished the aim of his visit, he soon rose from his place so he could take his leave.

“You’ll be good to her, yes?” asked the viscount, his hand extended.

“With all my soul and then some,” Duncan answered, accepting the other man’s handshake. “Take care, Gloushire.”

“You too, Your Grace. My warmest congratulations again.”

* * *

Everything about today is amusingly familiar.Penelope thought to herself.

Once again, she found herself dressed in white in front of a mirror as Mother smoothed out her dress and made finishing adjustments to her hair.

“You don’t seem as nervous this time,” remarked the older woman.

“I am nervous…” Penelope confessed, “but this time it’s outweighed by my excitement.”

“I’m pleased to hear it, darling.” Mother chuckled, “But hopefully this wedding won’t have quite as much excitement as the last one, hmm?”

“Mother!” Penelope blushed, before assuring her, “It won’t. This time is different.”

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