Page 16 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
“I feel the same way. I have spent countless hours in this very spot, especially in my father’s final days; this is where I would escape to.”
“I know that must have been a very trying time for you. I am so sorry you went through such sorrows, Theo,” said Penelope.
“It was very challenging, but the worst part was how the ton treated my family and me. My father had always been highly respected, and then just like that, they all turned on him and judged him. They have done the same for me because I refuse to fit into their box,” stated Theo with pain and anger in his voice.
After a pause in which he took a few deep breaths, he told her the entire sad tale of how his mother had died, his father’s drinking, and eventually, his madness and death.
“I have never understood how people can be so cruel! Oh, Theo, this must have pained you so terribly to go through all of that,” stated Penelope.
“I have never told anyone this, but my greatest fear is that I will one day lose my wits just as my beloved father did.”
“I do not believe you need worry about that. I am not an expert by any means, but from what you have told me, it does not sound like the kind of thing that would be passed down from one generation to the next.”
Penelope put her hand on his back and rubbed it to comfort Theo. When she did this, he looked at her and said, “Thank you for all your kindness to me, Penelope. You truly are a saint.” Penelope blushed at his statement, and before she could refute it, he leaned over to her and kissed her forehead. She seemed hesitant at first, but she lifted her head to him so that her lips could meet his.
She pulled him closer into her and with her hands explored his chest, back, and muscular arms. They kissed this time much less shyly than this morning, and when they started to pull back so they each could take a breath, Penelope gently bit Theo’s lower lip and then lightly licked his cheek with her tongue, making her way to his right ear.
Then she took his soft earlobe into her mouth and sucked on it while breathing her hot breath into his ear.
As she did this, Theo groaned in ecstasy. She lit a fire in him that could not be doused no matter how many kisses he planted on her smooth sweet skin. He knew the only way to tame these flames was to explore her wondrous body entirely, but Theo would not allow himself to go that far with her. Not here, not today!
This time it was Theo who pulled away, but it was more gently and less abrupt than this morning.
“Although I have nothing to compare it to, the way you kiss is like that of a Greek god … or at least how I imagined they would kiss from the books I have read when I am alone late at night,” stated Penelope as she attempted to catch her breath and ease the heated passions inside her body. This made Theo throw his head back and laugh heartily, and she meekly laughed as well.
“Well, that is definitely something I have never been told before. You know, the first time I saw you, I thought you looked like a Greek nymph, so I suppose we are two peas in a pod!” answered Theo.
Penelope sighed with disappointment and stated, “Hm, it is the last thing I wish to do at the moment, but it is beginning to get dark, and if I am gone much longer, it will cause concern, so sadly I must go now. Thank you for meeting me here and confiding in me with your past, Theo.”
“I wish you could stay for hours more, but you are right. It is growing late. I will accompany you for a way down the road to ensure your safe return, though.”
“Thank you so much,” said Penelope.
Chapter 7
“Penelope, wake up! Come on; you will never guess what I have! Come on, please open your door, Pen,” Georgina pleaded, who stood outside Penelope’s chambers.
It was just barely dawn, and even though Penelope usually would already be up and preparing to ride by now after the events of yesterday evening, she had found sleep an elusive thing last night once she got into her bed. Her mind had been filled with the events of the day, and it was not until she had taken matters into her own hands did she finally achieve relief and, shortly after, the slumber she needed.
“I am up, Georgie; just give me a moment. I will open the door.” Penelope yawned as she stood with a stretch, slipped into her robe, and walked to the door where Georgina waited impatiently. It was hardly open a fraction of a moment before Georgina had burst into the room holding a letter that she waved joyfully in Penelope’s face.
“Read it, read it! Oh, you will never guess what it says! It is so perfectly perfect, Pen. I could just fly into that lovely sky.”
Georgina danced around the room, having bestowed Penelope with the letter. Penelope looked out the window and saw heavy rain clouds and inwardly smiled, knowing her sweet friend was obviously not looking at the same sky that was currently present but rather the bright rainbows in her mind. Penelope had never seen Georgina so elated, so she was quite interested to see what this letter held. Inside the letter, it read:
“Dear Ms. Georgina,
I t would be my great pleasure to accompany you this afternoon for your daily promenade if you are not otherwise engaged today. My mother and aunt will serve as chaperones and perhaps we might go for a hot beverage afterwards as the day appears to be a chilly one ahead. I look forward to your gracious company!
Kindest Regards,
Mr Alexander Davenport
After she had read the letter, Penelope looked up at Georgina and smiled at her.
“Isn’t it just the sweetest, most lovely letter you have ever read? And I justadorehis penmanship. I have always felt that you can tell a lot by a person’s penmanship. Do you not agree, Penelope?”
“It is a wonderful letter. Have you answered him yet?” asked Penelope.
