Page 9 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
This, however, was not a major concern of Penelope’s at the moment. She was more interested in ensuring that Georgina and Alexander had another opportunity to get to know each other better. And as if fate were also willing this to happen, the perfect solution revealed itself when Penelope’s mother announced that they would be hosting a musicale that week.
Although Penelope did not enjoy the fact that she would be forced to play at this event, her mother also mentioned that the duke would be invited to the affair, and with that piece of information, Penelopeoffered to extend his invitation personally.
Her mother had given her a puzzled look but apparently chose not to question the matter, since normally Penelope would have strongly objected to performing. Besides, Ms Brown would accompany her to make sure Penelope was safe.
Penelope wasted no time accomplishing this task, so her father would not have time to learn of it and forbid her from delivering the invitation. So just a short time later that same day, she and Ms Brown arrived at the duke’s estate. Upon closer inspection, the home was even more impressive than she had previously realised, and the interior was so stately it took a person’s breath away.
The butler led them to the drawing room and told them the duke would be with them shortly thereafter. True to his word, it was only about fifteen minutes before he arrived to greet them, and even so, Ms Brown was already asleep in the chair.
“Good morning, Ms Ainsworth. I must say it is quite a surprise to see you here. Is there something I may assist you with madam?” asked the duke quietly. The deepness of his voice made Penelope ache, and she wished he would speak to her for hours in such hushed tones as he looked into her eyes. Perhaps his hands would wander across her body to more intimate areas than her gloved hand.
“As a matter of fact, you may. The reason for my visit is threefold. Firstly, my mother is hosting a musicale at our estate come this Thursday morning, and she wished me to extend you a personal invitation. I know such things are not exactly to your taste, but …”
“I would be honoured to attend the musicale, Ms. Ainsworth,” stated the duke. This took Penelope by great surprise, and she struggled to hide this.
“Oh, well … I am pleased to hear it. I also wanted to apologise for the way my father treated you the other day. I beg you to forgive him and not hold it against him. Unfortunately, when it comes to me, he is overly protective. On a different subject, please ensure that Mr Davenport will be attending the musicale with you,” stated Penelope.
“Think nothing of it. In truth, I would be just the same if I were a father,” said Theo. Penelope got the sense that he was annoyed somewhat by her mention of his friend, almost as though the duke thought that Penelope was interested in Mr Davenport.
“Well thank you, Your Grace, and thank you for your time.” At this, she stepped over and tapped Ms Brown gently to alert her to their departure. They both said their goodbyes and left.
***
The day of the musicale arrived, and the viscount’s estate was flooded with numerous people eager to take in Penelope’s musical talent. Penelope had fanned intense nerves about the upcoming musicale and had asked Georgina to practice with her so that by the time of the musicale, Georgina was just as proficient at the pieces as Penelope.
One of the first gentlemen to arrive was Henry, and Penelope greeted him warmly and promised they would find time to chat before the end of the day after all the guests had been properly greeted. Soon after, the Duke of Winchester and Mr Davenport came into the estate, and Penelope’s jumped at the sight of the duke.
He made her feel as though she were being set ablaze, but Penelope did her best to push those feelings to the side and focus on her true mission of securing the match for Georgina with Alexander.
“Gentlemen, I am so pleased you decided to attend today!” greeted Penelope warmly with all her charm. It was a challenge to ignore how the other guests remarked that it was entirely strange to see the duke there. Others stated how he was rarely seen twice in one season.
Mr Davenport bowed to both ladies and said, “Thank you for the invite. I am so eager to take it all in!”
“Mr Davenport, Georgina told me about how you were so kind as to pluck every flower you saw while on your ride together the other day and then made a gift of them for her at the end,” Penelope remarked.
“It was nothing. Ms Georgina said she loved flowers, so I retrieved those we came across. The true kind one was Ms Georgina, for she was the one that was thoughtful enough to bring along a small bottle of wine and then shared it with me when I mentioned how parched I was that day.”
Mr Davenport, looking sweetly at Georgina, who by this point in the conversation was beaming and blushing hopelessly. Through all of this, the duke said nothing, and as much as Penelope tried to keep her eyes off the man, she constantly found herself peeking back at him.
Not once did he smile then, but she wondered what his full smile would look like or even a full hearty laugh from him. Or what it would be like to have him do those due to something she had said, like how Mr Davenport smiled and laughed with ease now.
Penelope’s mother announced that it was time for everyone to find a seat and that the entertainment would begin shortly. As everyone migrated towards the other room, Penelope tripped on the hem of her gown and fell, causing her to land on her wrists. She had tried to catch herself.
Although Penelope had entirely planned this accident from the very beginning, she had not actually intended to injure herself, but unfortunately once she hit the marble floor, the pain in her left wrist told her that the injury was real. Penelope’s face flushed with embarrassment, but very few guests saw her fall.
Those who witnessed the accident came to help her, but the duke was the first to her aid.
He knelt to the ground and said, “Ms Ainsworth, are you alright?” The worry in his voice was clear, and the way he was so close to her and hovered over her caused Penelope to wish that no one else was around so that he would pick her up and carry her away. How he looked at her again sent chills up and down her spine and pleasure throughout her body.
At that moment, Penelope’s mother came over and helped her up. And before she could say anything, Penelope informed her mother that she was too injured to perform but that she should have Georgina play in her stead.
“Georgina has been practicing with me all this time, and she will do marvellously, Mamma. I simply cannot play with the pain in my wrist right now,” Penelope explained. Penelope’s mother gave her a look of complete frustration.
“Alright, I suppose that will have to do. Georgina, prepare your pieces, and I will turn your pages for you. Penelope, be sure that you do not further strain your wrist. I will have the doctor attend to it first thing tomorrow if it is still ailing you.”
And with that, the viscountess strode up to the front of the room and began to explain to the rest of the guests that Ms Georgina would be the first to preform today.
While Penelope’s mother did this, Georgina gave her a look of sheer terror.
