Page 62 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“But how long do you think Gloushire’s interest in her would last if he realized she was close to the infamous Duke of Blackmoore?” Harlington reasoned, giving him an apologetic look. “We get to have our fun, Blackmoore, but it does come at a price.”

Being spurned by the people around him was nothing new to Duncan. But after how Lady Penelope had stood up for him time and time again, how she sided with him against Direpeak and Newshore with almost no questions asked, after the way she-

No, there must be a deeper reason.Duncan reasserted to himself as it was more in line with what he knew about her, wasn’t it?

“It doesn’t matter now,” he finally answered—both to Harlington and himself as he nudged his way through the crowd, “The next session is about to begin.”

CHAPTER21

The wind was so strong it almost knocked the easel over the second time in the last ten minutes. On days like this, Penelope would have spared herself the irritation and done her painting indoors.

But the air in Blackmoore Manor felt heavier these days. Every time His Grace would walk into the dining room or pass her in the hallways, her breath would catch in her throat and seemingly stay there until sufficient distance was put between them once again.

So, Penelope continued to throw herself into her paintings. However, the dowager duchess expressed some concern at how long Penelope locked herself away in her room, so she tried to carry on in the rear gardens of the manor, under the cloudy skies, occasionally being teased and tormented by the wind.

Setting her palette down, Penelope reached for the top of the easel and pushed it deeper into the dirt—with a tad more vexation than she would like to admit even to herself.

“Are you all right, Lady Penelope?” asked a man’s voice, momentarily deepening the frown on Penelope’s face.

“Oh!” her eyebrows relaxed when her eyes landed on the Viscount Gloushire and the footman behind him. “Good day, Lord Gloushire. What a pleasant surprise!”

The gentleman returned her greeting before explaining, “Her Grace mentioned that you would be out here and advised that I join you.” He cleared his throat sheepishly.

Penelope looked past him, squinting her eyes to better focus on the house. Sure enough, she caught sight of Mother and the dowager duchess eagerly waving to her through one of the corridor windows—enthusiastically indicating their approval for this match.

So that’s why they sent a footman to chaperone instead of joining us themselves,she chuckled to herself.

“Please have a seat, Lord Gloushire.” She gestured to the bench to her left. “Would you care for any refreshments? I can send for them right away.”

“The dowager duchess actually said they would already be on the way.” He beamed at her, accepting her offer and dropping himself onto the bench. “Your work looks lovely. May I ask what place this is?”

“Pelshead,” she answered, picking up her palette and brush once again. “At least, this is how I remember it while I was growing up. I’ve been in a more sentimental mood these days,” she confessed.

“I read in a treatise once that such moods are often brought on by one’s desire to escape the present,” remarked her companion. “But it is my sincerest hope that that isn’t the case right now?”

Penelope’s brush hovered over the canvas as she breathily asked, “What if it were?”

“Then I would offer my sympathies and ask if there was anything I could do to help change that,” the viscount replied matter-of-factly.

Penelope gave him a smile of thanks for his compassion.

Marrying me tomorrow would be the best way to change everything,she Thought.

As promised, two maids arrived bearing their refreshments. But to Penelope’s dismay, so did the Duke of Blackmoore.

“Good day, Your Grace!” Lord Gloushire leaped to his feet, extending a polite hand towards the other man. “Awful weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

The duke returned his greeting with a firm handshake and an unreadable expression. “Quite right, Lord Gloushire. But pleasant visitors are a bright spot wherever they go,” came his cordial reply. “To what do we owe the pleasure of welcoming you today?”

Without waiting for an invitation, His Grace sat down on the bench and gestured for the viscount to do the same before he answered the former’s question.

“I had some free time today and thought I would make the most of it by speaking to the most wonderful lady in theton,” Lord Gloushire answered with a wink.

Penelope rolled her eyes. “You’re so polite that I’m certain you say that to all the women to whom you speak, Lord Gloushire.”

“Preposterous!” the viscount clicked his tongue before jovially bringing a hand down on His Grace’s shoulder. “If anyone’s a smooth-talker to the ladies, it’s the Duke of Blackmoore. Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”

Penelope felt the smile drop from her face at this uncharacteristically backhanded comment.

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