Page 32 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

With a nod, the duke began their rehearsal.

“Ah, Lady Penelope,” he said in a pretentious voice—prompting her to roll her eyes, “It’s lovely to see you here, how are you finding the Season so far?”

“It’s lovely to see you too, Lord Steepwharf,” she answered, seeing an opportunity to work in one of his interests she had read in the sheets. “The Season has been wonderful. I’m personally looking forward to the opera this year. I hear it has been exceptional.”

“It is!” came ‘Lord Steepwharf’s’ eager reply. “I can't even count how many times I’ve been to see it this month alone.”

This lighthearted conversation carried on for about two more minutes or so and appeared to be going quite well seeing how Penelope was able to weave in more and more about what she now knew about the viscount.

But the duke soon raised a hand to stop everything. “Lady Pen, why aren’t you using any of the body language tenets I gave you?” he asked bewilderedly.

“I beg your pardon?” She blinked at him. “Lord Steepwharf and I have been talking for two minutes! I can’t just suddenly jump into-”

“Two minutes is an eternity!” he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide for emphasis. “You should be using your body language to draw him in before you even greet him.”

“But that’s so-”

He let out a deep exhale and gently grabbed her wrist. “You want to get married, right?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Thenactlike it,” he urged her, gently tapping her wrist. “You aren’t shopping at the grocer’s, you arehunting,” he reminded her. “Watch for signals he may be giving you, and be deliberate in the manner in which you return them.”

In hindsight, it seemed very much like common sense. But in truth, his words were eye-opening.

“I understand, Your Grace,” she answered with a nod.

“Very well,” he exhaled, releasing her hand, “then let’s begin again.”

“Turn away for a second,” she demanded, shaking out her hands. “I need to compose myself.”

With a chuckle, he obliged, allowing Penelope a chance to loosen her limbs and set her apprehension aside,

“All right, I’m ready,” she called out.

She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath to help her concentrate. Once she opened them, 'Lord Steepwharf’ stood before her again.

“Ah, Lady Penelope, it’s lovely to see you here. How are you finding the Season so far?”

His greeting was exactly the same, but this time Penelope noticed the upturned corner of his mouth and responded in kind. “The Season has been going well enough, Lord Steepwharf.” She lowered her eyes. “But I'm hoping it gets even... better.”

“I’m sure that could be easily arranged.” He stepped towards her, running a hand through his hair. “Personally, I’ve been rather enjoying this year’s opera.” His eyes flitted away for a second before he asked, “Have you been to it yet?”

“Not yet,” she sighed, stepping closer towards him as well, “I’m afraid such things are never as enjoyable without...” She reached a hand out to pick a speck off his coat, “...the right company.”

Before she could retract her hand, he took it in his own and brought it up to his lips. “A lady so lovely should never be lonely.”

Almost like it had a mind of its own, Penelope’s hand freed itself from his grasp only to then cup his face. “I’m inclined to agree,” she whispered, “...Lord Steepwharf.”

Hearing this, the duke appeared to essentially snap out of a trance, practically jumping away from her.

“That was-” he cleared his throat, “Of course, it wouldn’t progress quite so quickly, but I think you- well, you know-” he quickly crossed the room to his study desk, “you now clearly understand just how er, crucial body language is.”

“Yes, of course, Your Grace,” she answered, still in the same spot where their little rehearsal had taken place. After a moment of hesitance, she opened her mouth to apologize, “Your Grace, I’m sorry if I pushed it too far-”

“Not at all.” He waved a dismissive hand. “The accelerated pace of our rehearsal was necessary since it’s hardly practical to reenact several hours’ worth of conversation to arrive at the same conclusion.”

“I see,” she managed to squeak out.

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