Page 37 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

Her companion shot her a look of concern. “I’m sorry, was I being too forward, I didn’t mean to-”

“Not at all,” Penelope hastily clarified. “I merely happened to lose my train of thought,” she said with a sheepish smile.

“Perhaps it’s a sign that we should get you some food soon.” Her companion grinned. “Everything should be ready within the next few minutes.”

As they carried on with their walk, the pair shared more about their lives with each other. But it wasn't long before Penelope slipped up.

“Yes, I've heard. For you see my father also attended the University of Midlington. So, I endeavor to kee-” she gasped, catching herself too late.

“Oh.” The viscount blinked at her. “Did I already tell you that I went to Midlington?”

Penelope froze with her mouth open as she scrambled inwardly for a response.

“Ah!” Lord Steepwharf snapped his fingers, “The Duke of Blackmoore must have told you, didn’t he?” He shook his head, “He really is a typical Louxbridge man.”

Penelope let out a sigh of relief. “His Grace may have mentioned you once or twice on the way here,” she lied.

“You must have a heart of gold, Lady Penelope.” Lord Steepwharf lowered his voice. “In truth, I admire you for being so willing to acknowledge the Duke of Blackmoore so openly.”

Penelope furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “But of course, I mean, His Grace and I were only very recently formally introduced, but our families have always been-”

“Yes, that much I understand, but...” The viscount shifted his eyes, ensuring that no one else was close by, “to be perfectly honest, our family was rather close to His Grace’s parents as well.”

“Oh, is that so?” Penelope raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I didn’t realize that you and His Grace were that clo-”

“We aren’t—at least, we haven’t been for a while,” the viscount clarified, “and even if he hadn’t-” he sighed, “Never mind.”

Penelope decided not to pry further. “At least you both still have one thing in common, Lord Steepwharf.” She gently elbowed his side. “You’re both rather mysterious.”

Her attempt to lighten the discussion’s mood worked and they managed to make perfectly pleasant conversation until Lady Belmere announced that their food was served.

As Penelope rejoined the dowager duchess and His Grace at their assigned table, she noted that the latter was still behaving somewhat strangely.

For public events like this, he usually puts on an unbearably bubbly and affable temperament. What on earth is he even thinking about now?

* * *

The garden party had been going smoother than Duncan had initially expected—but of course, it was still far from perfect.

As he conversed with Lady Amelia and her mother, the Viscountess of Haybrooke, his eyes kept wandering towards the desserts table where Mother and Lady Penelope stood conversing with Tresney and Larkspur.

What could they possibly be saying to make Lady Penelope laugh so much?He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Snapping himself out of his daze, he attempted to return his full attention to Lady Amelia, who had been dropping some rather conspicuous hints of her interest.

Ordinarily, he would have jumped at the opportunity for some fun—after all, with her rosy cheeks and pretty curls, Lady Amelia would be quite the catch.

But after a handful of half-hearted attempts to reciprocate Lady Amelia’s attention, Duncan decided to stop wasting the poor lady’s time and excused himself.

Looking over his shoulder one last time, he confirmed that Mother and Lady Penelope were content where they were. So, he slipped away, hands in his pockets, and searched for a quiet spot for a smoke.

Thankfully, he discovered that the western gardens of the house appeared deserted—at least for now. Taking refuge beneath a sturdy tree, he retrieved his spare pipe and a match to light it.

He hummed to himself as he raised a hand to strike the match, appreciating the stillness he was surrounded by—the trees, the battered stone wall, the-

“Trying to burn our house down?” a voice joked behind him.

Duncan spun around quickly but relaxed upon seeing that it was only Steepwharf.

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