Page 13 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
Perhaps he would even finish what he started yesterday and kiss her. Penelope had never been kissed by a man, aside from on her forehead by her father and grandfather before he passed away, and she longed to know what it was like.
“Alright girl let’s see what this morning brings for us, hm?” said Penelope to Phoenix, who nuzzled her face against Penelope as if in agreement. They took off leisurely since Penelope’s wrist was still slightly tender, and she did not feel up to an all-out gallop this morning. After just a short twenty-minute ride, there he was at the bottom of the hill.
Theo was riding towards her. As soon as Penelope laid eyes on his handsome face, her heart flew up into the clouds, and she struggled to hide the huge smile he caused to spread across her face. How could he look so good on top of his steed that Penelope had to force herself not to stare at his sculptured form?
“Good morning, Ms. Ainsworth. I did not think you would have been out riding with your hurt wrist this morning,” greeted Theo.
“Ah, I was dying to get out into the fresh air and ride with Phoenix, but I am taking it easy today since it is still a bit sore. I am happy to see you out this morning. Did you finally conclude all your business keeping you so late from your slumber?” asked Penelope with a sweet smile.
“Yes, I decided to leave it to rest and deal with that problem later since I have concluded the source of the matter. I am glad to hear your wrist is not troubling you too much. Do take care not to injure it further, though please.”
“I will do that.” Penelope laughed. “I think I am done playing matchmaker for the time being.”
In an attempt to change the subject, Penelope remarked about the countryside, how lovely this area was, and that she had not been able to explore in this direction until this morning.
“I favour this bit of land; in fact, a particularly beautiful spot near here is a bit of a hidden secret. If you like, I can show you it?” suggested Theo.
“I would love to; that is so kind of you to offer to share your secret place with me!”
“Well, you are sworn to a solemn pledge that you will never reveal the magic of this spot if I take you there, of course!” answered Theo with a glimmer of mischief.
“Alright, but it had better be worth it!” answered Penelope. Theo smiled back at her, and they took off towards this secret place. As they rode side by side, each took turns sneaking a look at the other’s profile, and if they happened to look at the same time, one of them would bashfully smile and look away.
***
Ten minutes later they came to a place where a few old trees stood guard near a babbling creek entirely surrounded by wildflowers, which blanketed the ground. Clusters of snowdrops sprang up and danced in the gentle breeze, along with happy cowslips, bright euphorbias, and countless other blooms in every direction.
The sight seemed to take Penelope’s breath away, and she quickly dismounted from Phoenix. Theo watched her explore this beautiful glen further, and he did the same. After taking it all in, she turned around to face him.
“Oh, I have never seen such a marvellous place in my life. How did you know I would love wildflowers? Theo, thank you so much for sharing this place with me. It truly is as magical as you said!”
Theo simply smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgement of her praise. In truth, he was struggling to contain his wild beating heart because there, surrounded by all of nature’s lustre, Penelope looked like a Greek nymph, and he longed to take her into his arms.
After enough time had passed for him to calm down, Theo tried to engage her in a topic of conversation. “I am sorry for the encounter you had yesterday with Rupert Lancaster. If I had known he was going to show up there, I would have stayed so that you did not have to engage with the man.”
“It is not your fault. I am not afraid of him. He reminds me of the old bulldog one of my grandfather’s servants had long ago. Full of bark with no power, but still he saunters about as though he owns the world and everyone is there to serve him,” commented Penelope. At this analogy, Theo laughed outright, and Penelope joined in with him.
“I have always described him as a snake the way he slithers about. He hates me and anyone that has anything to do with me because I broke business ties with him after my father passed. He has never forgiven me for taking away his golden goose, but I never trusted him.”
“I would have done the same thing in your position. I hardly know the man, and it is clear that he is not trustworthy and not worth believing a word he had to say.”
“Do you mind if I ask you to explain further about how you were so certain from the start that I am not mad, Ms. Penelope?” asked Theo.
“Not at all, so I do not usually share this with anyone, but my grandmamma lost her mind in her old age. It was terrible, and I saw for myself what an insane person was like, and that just simply is not you.”
“I am so sorry to hear that. That must have been very painful for your family to go through. My father also lost his mind in his final years, which is why the ton assumes I am also mad.”
“On a different note, I will also say how refreshing it was to meet you, Your Grace. Although I am well-liked by the ton, I am not liked for who I truly am but for who they think I am, which is not the real me.”
“How so?” asked Theo.
“I am merely a prize for suitors to claim the victory of because I am the daughter of a viscount. You, however, were not treating me like the queen to capture in a game of chess but were interested in me as a person genuinely!”
“You continue to surprise me, Ms Ainsworth. In earnest, I have never met anyone quite like you!” said Theo as he leaned down, picked a flower, and offered it to Penelope.
As she slid the purple bloom in her hair, she responded and said, “As have you, Theo.”
Penelope’s voice was quiet and breathy. Finally, she looked up into Theo’s eyes, and when she did, he moved closer and leaned into her. Penelope blushed but held his gaze as the moment's intensity grew between them. Theo tipped her chin back with his hand and leaned in to kiss her sweet lips.
