Page 29 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
It was as though someone had taken a candle into a dark, cold dungeon and used it to light a blazing fire spreading from cell to cell until the entire fortress was ablaze and this lovely king had emerged from the ashes.
“So, Theo, please tell me what the plan is you and Mr Davenport have decided upon. I have been so eager to hear it since you mentioned it last night at the opera,” enquired Penelope.
“Oh, right. I apologise. Your delicious kisses caused my mind to set adrift anything that was not you and your love,” Theo stated and was happy to see Penelope roll her eyes but at the same time blush with pleasure at his compliments of her.
“Well, the plan is quite simple really. We had thought that if Ms Stuart asked Alexander to dinner, he could accept the invitation and state in his acceptance correspondence that I would be accompanying him.”
“That is brilliant, Theo, really it is! My parents would never be brazen enough to deny you the dinner invitation outright, so they will be forced to spend time with you and see for themselves that you are a wonderful and charming man.”
“Exactly. That is the thought, at least. Hopefully, it will work. I am a bit nervous about how I can show your father that I am not mad.”
“Oh, do not be, Theo. I know he will not take long to see the truth about you. My concern is if I will be able to hide my affections for you until you can win him over completely,” replied Penelope.
“I have thought about that. I think the best way to avoid this is to do our absolute best to keep from each other’s presence, especially one-on-one, as much as possible at dinner, not to alert anyone to our feeling until the time is right.”
“I suppose that is the wisest course of action, but it will be so difficult to be with you but not be with you at the same time. I truly cannot wait until we can be as Georgina and Mr Davenport are and court openly.”
“Yes, I feel the same way. Soon though, my darling, we will be able to share our love for all the world to see, but for now, we must practice patience if this is to be successful.”
“Yes, just do your best to engage my father in conversation as much as possible. Though it would be wise to stay away from politics that concern America. He has had a bad bit of business in the new world and is still a bit sore about it,” Penelope advised.
“Noted, thank you for the tip, and I will pass this along to Alexander so that he does not accidentally take the conversation negatively.”
“Well, I think that is enough plotting for one morning. How about we fold up this lovely blanket you so kindly brought and go ride through this meadow before the weather turns against us?”
“I think that is a wonderful idea. Come on; I can show you one of my favourite old trees in here that I used to climb as a young boy with Alexander … where we almost broke our necks a time or two, according to my mother.”
Penelope laughed and said that she was quite glad that he did not break his neck or Mr Davenport’s because then both she and her dearest friend would be left without the two men they ardently loved now.
After riding for no more than ten minutes, Penelope and Theo halted in front of an old oak tree covered in moss, whose branches hung wide and low to the ground so that it was easy and welcoming to climb.
“How do you fancy one more chance at breaking your neck in this lovely old tree with me?” Penelope questioned with a mischievous smile.
“I do not think that wise. I know I would be perfectly fine, but I am not sure a lady such as yourself should take such a risk.”
“Oh, please, I am an expert climber! I dare say I have climbed just as many trees, if not more than you in my childhood,” Penelope retorted as she began taking her riding boots off. Theo saw that she was having trouble with this and came to assist her.
“Here, allow me,” said Theo with a seductive tone in his voice as he pulled the boot from its hold on her delicate little foot. Theo slid his hand up her leg and felt the warmth of her thighs, wishing he could take her right then and there, but he knew that this was not the time or place for such things. So instead, Theo slowly retracted his hand and kissed her sweet ankle after removing her boot. Then he followed the same procedure with the left foot.
Once Penelope was free of her boots and barefoot, she thanked Theo and gave him a look that clearly said she yearned for him to have continued his exploits under her dress. But since he seemed to have decided to stop, she started up the old tree. Theo stepped back to ensure she had a successful start to her climb, but suddenly, he pulled Penelope down from the first branch she clung to.
“Damn it all! I cannot keep myself from you; come here!” With that declaration, Theo carried Penelope over to General and sat her in his saddle. He pulled the blanket out and quickly whipped it onto the ground under the tree, and then he returned to pick her up in his arms again.
This time facing him, she wrapped her slender pale legs around his waist and kissed him as she strode towards the blanket. Once they were at the blanket, Theo laid her gently down, pulled up her skirts, dove between her open thighs, and kissed and licked until Penelope moaned with euphoric sighs.
He lapped all of her lovely juices as though he was a man starved and continued even as she reached her climax and would not stop until she begged him to say it was too much!
As Theo finally began relenting, he noticed that the weather had turned from misty to raindrops that tinkled like small bells around them.
“Well, I suppose I will have to see your climbing skills at another time. I think this rain is only going to get more intense, so I should see you home, my love,” Theo said as he helped Penelope up from the quilt after she had put her shoes back on.
“The time always seems to fly when I am with you, my perfect man. I find myself always wishing we had more time together.”
“I know; I feel the same way Penelope,” responded Theo.
The pair rode silently for the first few minutes of the journey home until Theo broke the silence with an unexpected question for Penelope.
“Can I ask you something, Penelope?”
