Page 28 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
Once the opera was concluded and the party got back in their chaises, Georgina asked if she could talk to Penelope in her chambers after they were ready for bed. Penelope agreed happily.
As Penelope was brushing her hair and finished preparing for bed, she heard a gentle knock on her chamber door. Knowing that it must be Georgina, Penelope called out for her to enter. Penelope was completely surprised to see that it was not Georgina at all but rather her mother.
“Mamma, I was not expecting you. I thought it was Georgina. If I had realised it was you, I would have got up to open the door for you. I am so sorry!”
“Not to worry, my darling. I know it is not usual for me to come to see you this late in the night, but I am worried about you, my dear.”
“What, why are you worried about me, Mamma?” Penelope asked.
“I do not rightly know. I cannot put my finger on it. Call it a mother’s intuition, I suppose, I just feel as though you seem different here recently.”
“Oh, well, I am perfectly all right, Mamma. You need not worry about me.”
“Dearest, you can confide in me; you know that, right? You used to tell me everything when you were a young girl. Are you sure nothing is the matter with you?” Penelope’s mother prodded.
“I am really quite well. I promise, Mamma. Thank you for asking me, though. You are the most wonderful Mamma anyone could ask for,” Penelope said as she kissed her on the cheek. Penelope’s mother did not look entirely convinced but thanked Penelope and bid her good night and sweet dreams, and Penelope told her the same.
Shortly after her mother had left, Penelope heard another tap on her chamber door, and this time she went to the door to see who it was for herself and found Georgina in her nightgown, a shawl wrapped around her petite body.
Penelope stepped to the side so Georgina could enter her chambers, and as soon as the door was closed behind her, she began plying Penelope with a laundry list of questions.
“Oh, Pen, is not this so exciting? I feel as though I am part of a secret mission in the military, except instead of trying to seek out the destruction of an enemy country, we are set on getting two sweet lovers together. Tell me everything! How did it go tonight with your dashing duke?”
At this statement and hearing her friend refer to the duke as ‘hers,’ Penelope blushed. “It was wonderful; thank you for your assistance in the effort, Georgie. It could not have taken place without you, my sweet friend.”
“Oh, hush, Pen, of course. I would never dream of doing anything otherwise! Now get to the story. Tell me what happened, please!” Georgina urged impatiently.
“Well, we could not spend long together because we did not want to raise anyone’s suspicions at my extended absence, but we had a few moments alone together, which was wonderful.”
“Oh, this is all so romantic. I just love it!” Georgina exclaimed, interrupting Penelope in the process.
“Yes, and by the end of our encounter, we decided to meet tomorrow morning on our daily ride, and he promised to tell me of the plan that he and Mr Davenport have come up with to gain my father’s favour so that the duke may court me.”
“Ahh, I am so excited. I simply cannot wait to hear all about it when you return tomorrow. I shall have ever so much trouble finding sleep tonight. Well, good night, my sweet friend. I will not keep you from bed since you have such an early and full morning ahead tomorrow.”
“You are so sweet, Georgie. Sleep well, and I will see you come morning,” Penelope said.
“Good night,” Georgina replied, and before she closed Penelope’s chamber door, she blew her a kiss, softly shut the door, and tiptoed down the hall back to her own chambers.
Shortly thereafter, Penelope had blown out her candle, burrowed under her warm covers, and fell fast asleep, eager for what the next morning would bring.
Chapter 11
Theo awoke the next morning and felt a sense of excitement at the thought that he would be holding Penelope in his strong arms just a short while from now. Instead of the plain black suit he usually wore, Theo wore a vibrant burgundy jacket with black trim. With his dark brown hair, the outfit made him look quite catching indeed, or at least, Theo hoped that Penelope would think so.
The clouds hung low in the sky this morning and threatened to sprinkle at some point, and Theo hated that. Unfortunately, this might cut his ride with Penelope short. It did not take him long after having dressed to mount General and head off towards the Evergreen Meadow.
Once he got to the Meadow, he pulled out the quilt he had put in his saddlebags and laid it on the soft forest floor that was still somewhat dry from the thick tree covering. Theo heard the welcome sound of a horse and looked up to see Penelope on Phoenix.
Penelope looked stunning as always, and the misty air had made her curls look like she had just emerged from a steaming bathe and the thought and sight of her like this caused Theo’s entire body to ache for her and his manhood to stiffen with excitement.
“Good morning, my lovely lady. Did you sleep well?”
Penelope smiled and blushed lightly. “Yes, I slept wonderfully. How was your rest? Peaceful, I hope?”
“It was, thank you. Though, to be completely honest, I would have fallen asleep easier if I had you nestled into my arms.”
“Hmmm, that would have been wonderful,” Penelope stated, and as she did so, she reached up to wrap her arms around Theo’s neck and kiss him hello. Penelope’s kiss tasted better than any cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day. At times it still amazed him how much this little woman had changed his world so drastically and in just a short amount of time.
