Page 6 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
“Oh, I just missed home and needed a piece of the wonderful ton but not to worry, I will be paying you my proper respects come morning and we can catch up more thoroughly.” With that, Rupert walked into the ball without even the curtsey of bidding the duke good night.
This concerned Theo greatly, for he had no desire tocatch upwith Rupert, but if the scoundrel were there, it was best to see what he was scheming and be done with it rather than be caught unawares. As Theo headed home, he decided he would talk this matter over with Alexander when he returned from the ball. If he was still awake at that hour of the morning, that was.
Chapter 3
When the lark began his morning tune, he alerted Penelope that it was time to get up. She knew that even though she would have enjoyed sleeping in, Phoenix would not forgive her for missing their ride after she had been unable to for so long, aside from yesterday morning. It was colder this morning and looked as though the sky had plans to rain on and off for the entirety of this day.
However, in some ways, Penelope liked those days just as much as the sunny ones because they seemed to hold an air of mystery and adventure about them. As she donned her riding boots, her poor feet objected intensely, but she knew that once the wind was in her face and filling her lungs, she would forget about the pain in her feet.
After Penelope had groomed and tacked Phoenix, they set off in the opposite direction from the previous day, attempting not to encounter the duke once more and face his disapproval for not heeding him. Penelope had no intention of stopping her morning rides as they were her only time in which she was truly free and could be herself, out there on the dewy moors, as though anything was possible for her, and she treasured it all!
Not long into her ride, though, she found this plan faulty because, once again, she and the duke crossed paths on each of their horses. Penelopedid her best to keep calm and not allow her nerves to take over and appear intimidated by Theo. In all actuality, when he looked at her with his serious and straightforward gaze, he set her entire body on fire and gave her tingles all over.
“I had thought you would have listened to me yesterday when I warned you about riding alone. The proper and safe place for you would be to be at home with your loved ones rather than placing yourself in a situation where you would have to explain why you are riding alone at such an early hour,” the duke admonished.
Usually, a comment like this would have annoyed Penelope, but once again, she saw that he was attempting to look out for her best interest.
“I was going to, but the morning was calling to me, and sweet Phoenix here insisted we go out again today,” Penelope replied as she patted her mare’s neck.
“And to be completely truthful with you, I had thought that taking this direction, I would not run into you so as not to ruin your morning, but obviously, that was folly,” Penelope said with a small laugh.
Theo did not laugh at this, but he softened his expression towards her and answered, “Ms Ainsworth, you have not ruined my morning at all; on the contrary, seeing your lovely face is a pleasure. I just worry that it is not safe out here alone for you.”
“While I appreciate this, Your Grace, it is just that I love riding and have been going out early in the morning since I learned to get on horseback and sincerely cannot see myself stopping,” Penelope replied meekly.
“Please call me Theo. I feel no need for such formality in such a setting as this. And your father is not opposed to this kind of behaviour?”
“Well, he and my mother tried for years to keep me from going out on my own but have long since given up changing my mind. It simply proved fruitless for all their efforts. It may be best for you to do so as well. If we are to be friends, you will soon learn that one of my greatest faults is my stubbornness. Mamma often jests I should have been born a redhead,” Penelope remarked lightly.
After this comment, Penelope and the duke stared one another down as if testing the will of the other, but eventually, what started out as a stare of wilfulness between the pair shifted.
At the same moment, Penelope noticed how Theo gripped his stallion rein so tightly and wondered what it would be like to have his strong manly hands caress her. Only when he looked away did she snap back to reality and flush bright red at her bold and unladylike thoughts.
“Well madam do try to stay safe!” And with that, Theo tipped his hat to her, dug his heels into General, took off down the way, and Penelope went the opposite direction.
***
Theo whistled one of his favourite tunes as he walked into the music room. He was surprised to realise what a merry mood he been in throughout the entire day after his morning ride. He had decided not to tell Alexander about his meeting with Penelope, but when Alexander mentioned seeking the viscount’s permission to take Ms Penelope and Ms Georgina out riding, with a chaperone of course, Theo agreed to the idea.
As Theo thought back on his encounter with Ms Penelope this morning, he recalled how the sight of her had made him feel.
(Theo had felt his heart pounding within his chest and found himself looking at her supple lips, and when she subconsciously bit her lower lip, it caused him to have to look away so that he could maintain his composure and not pull her off her saddle and explore those lips for himself.)
The day took an unpleasant turn when James, the butler, announced the arrival of Mr Lancaster. Both Theo and Alexander gave each other a knowing look before standing up to greet Rupert as he walked into the sitting room.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace, Mr Davenport. I hope your day has been a pleasant one so far. I tell you I may have overindulged last night, for I have been dealing with a splitting headache all day. I just am not the young lad I once was,” said Rupert.
“Mr Rupert, what did you want my assistance with today?”
“Ahh, Your Grace, straight to the heart of the matter. I have always liked that about you just like your father. God rest his soul.”
Theo stiffened at the mention of his father, knowing Rupert was inferring that he would descend into madness like his father had.
“Well, I will tell you the truth. I want to talk to you about coming to an agreement on returning back into business together as I did for your father for so many years,” Rupert answered.
“I told you all those years ago when we severed ties that we would never enter into any such arrangement again, and I meant it heartily. If that is all you come for, you may take your leave now, for I will not discuss the matter further,” Theo remarked sternly.
Not only had he meant it, but on top of that, he never trusted Rupert, for he had the persona of a viper.
