Page 42 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
“Bessie, will you ask Ms Stuart to come to my room, please?”
“But mistress, you need your rest. You really should wait to see her till tomorrow. You have had more than enough excitement for one day.”
“Bessie, please. I promise after I see her, I will take that awful medication you wish me to take and sleep the rest of the day. Please!” Penelope begged.
“As you wish, mistress.” Bessie bowed and left to go and find Georgina.
Just a few minutes later, Georgina came bursting into Penelope’s chambers.
“Oh, Penelope, I am ever so relieved that you called for me! I have been begging to come and see you ever since I heard of your accident, but they said that you were still not yet awake and would need your rest when you did!”
“I only woke up a little while ago, but I appreciate your concern, sweet Georgie.”
“How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do for you or get for you? I hate seeing you in bed like this. Is the pain just terrible for you?” Georgina prattled on.
“I am all right. My ankle hurts a good bit, but I promised Bessie I would take the medicine for that if she let me see you. Now please hush for a moment, so I can tell you what my news is!” Penelope said, biting back a smile.
“Oh of course! I shall be as silent as the grave. What is it, my dearest friend?”
“The duke has told me that he loves me, that he received Papa’s permission to court me … and best of all, he has asked for my hand in marriage, which I, of course, accepted eagerly!” Penelope explained full of delight.
Georgina’s mouth dropped open, and for the first time in her life, she was utterly speechless—for a few moments at least—and when she finally was able to form words she stumbled all over herself, “Oh my goodness! That is incredible … but how? And your father … It is perfect! I am so confused. Please start at the beginning of all I have missed.”
Penelope did as Georgina requested, starting from her ride this morning with Theo and how he had filled her in on how his hunts with her father had been very successful, and that he was invited to dinner tomorrow night.
That they had started racing, and when she finally reached top speed, her saddle had come off, and she fell. How Theo had learned of Henry’s plot to harm her and make it look as though Theo had done this, and that tomorrow dawn, Theo was going to duel him but would not kill him.
“Oh, my, this is all too much! I am so happy, scared, and excited, all at once. I do not know how I shall ever sleep tonight! But Penelope, I am so very pleased that you and the duke will be able to court and get married soon. It will be so much fun planning your wedding!”
“Well, he still has to ask my father’s blessing officially, but I am sure that is more of a mere formality at this point. I know Papa would never have agreed to him courting me if he would not then allow him and me to marry,” Penelope added.
“Oh, I wish Mr Davenport would hurry up and ask me to marry him, I want …” Georgina complained, but before she could continue, Bessie entered and interrupted her.
“I am sorry, mistress, but I must insist now that you rest. If anyone finds out that I allowed you so much excitement tonight, it will be my job on the line!” Bessie said.
“She is right. I should let you get your sleep! There will plenty of time to talk about this very soon. Oh, I can barely wait! Goodnight, Pen.” Georgina agreed and kissed her friend’s cheek goodnight.
“Thank you, Georgie. I will see you in the morning. Sleep well.”
Georgina quietly left Penelope’s chambers, and as soon as the door was shut, Bessie had a large spoonful of an amber coloured liquid ready and waiting for Penelope to fulfil her end of their bargain. The medicine tasted terrible and made her want to throw up, but very soon after, Penelope found herself extremely drowsy and drifted off to sleep, not to wake until very late the next morning.
Chapter 17
Theo and Alexander were on their steeds long before the sun even began to rise, so that they would be at the old mill by the time dawn arrived. Mist hung thick in the air and gave everything a cold and dangerous feeling about them.
Neither of them had much to say, as Theo was filled with his own inner thoughts and concerns for the outcome of this duel. Theo did not like the idea of aiming wide and allowing the rat to live after what he had tried to do to Penelope, but he also was not about to break his word to Penelope.
As they reached the old mill, they saw that Old Man Philips was already there waiting for them. Theo had asked Alexander if he would secretly get word to him about the duel at dawn this morning. Although duelling had been outlawed, they were still very common as a way of dealing with issues among the ton.
All someone had to do was make the arrangements with Old Man Philips with the money that would be required for his fee, and that to keep the authorities from intervening, and it would all be fine.
Once Theo and Alexander dismounted their horses, Mr Carlton and Mr Lancaster also arrived. All the men nodded tersely at one another, and Old Man Philips explained the rules of the duel.
“There will be a coin toss to decide who shoots their pistol first. Mr Carlton, since you were the challenged party, you may have the privilege to call heads or tails while the coin is in the air.”
Old Man Philips tossed the coin high in the air, and as it fell, Henry squeaked out, “Heads!” He looked terrible, and the smell of the pub was all over him. It was common knowledge that the duke was a highly skilled marksmen and never missed, so it seemed clear to everyone present that he was terrified and would have rather been anywhere but there that morning, if he had not been forced within an inch of his life if he did not arrive.
The coin dropped, and Old Man Philips caught it on his hand with his other hand covering the coin. He removed his hand, and everyone leaned in closer to see which side the coin had landed on: it was heads. A look of relief spread across Henry’s face that he would be the first to shoot.
