Page 44 of A Duke's Wicked Secret
Alexander laughed and said that he had as well. So the pair of them mounted their horses and rode off towards Theo’s estate. This ride was filled with excited conversations about what their futures would be like with each of their new brides and joking about looking forward to the honeymoon and wedding night most of all.
***
When Penelope finally awoke, she was still drowsy and sluggish, feeling the effects of the medicine she took last night before bed. However, her mind flashed when she looked at the time and realised that the duel had long since taken place.
Penelope rang the bell, and Bessie came in just a few minutes later carrying a tray of food for her mistress. After setting the tray on her lap, Bessie opened the heavy curtains and the windows to let the warm sunlight and gentle breeze in.
“I am so happy to see you looking so much better this morning! How are you feeling my mistress? How is your head?”
“My head feels much recovered, and I cannot say I feel any pain in my ankle now, so long as I do not move it. But Bessie, please tell me has there been any word this morning from the duke,” Penelope said.
“Well, in fact, yes, there has,” Bessie answered as she pulled a sealed letter from her petticoat pocket, “but I would really prefer you read it after you eat some, mistress …”
“I will eat, but I could not begin to swallow a single bite before I have read that letter!”
“Hmm, I feared you would say that. Here, you are mistress.” Bessie relented and handed over the letter.
Penelope tore it open and impatiently read its contents:
My Darling Penelope,
First, I want you to know that I am perfectly well and I did as I promised you. I did no serious harm to Mr Carlton, but we will never have to concern ourselves with him or Mr Lancaster again, as they will be going to France and shall not return here forever more.
I hope that you slept well and are recovering rapidly. I have thought of you constantly since I left your sweet presence, and my heart has ached for the moment when I can hold you in my embrace once more! So that you know, my love, even injured laying there in bed, you looked so stunningly beautiful!
Your father came to the place of the duel after it was done. He watched from a distance, and once it was over, he came down and spoke with me. He gave his blessing for you and me to marry! I cannot tell you how blissfully happy I am. Although I detest the way it came about and that you were injured in the process, I am so very grateful you will be all right soon, and we will be able to be man and wife soon!
Take the day easy and do not exert yourself. Try to rest as much as possible so that you may make as speedy a recovery as possible.
I am so looking forward to seeing you tonight at dinner, if you are feeling up to it.
All my love,
Yours ardently Theo
Penelope read the letter with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She was so relieved that her perfect man was not harmed, and that Henry and Mr Lancaster would not be in the ton any longer to spread rumours about her and Theo.
She could not wait for the evening to come so that she could see Theo again, and she did not want anything to ruin her chance to see him tonight, so she asked Bessie to request that the doctor come and check on her. Bessie said of course she would do this and left to have the doctor sent for. After she left the room, Penelope sat in her bed and ate as much of her meal as she could, but not all of it, because it was enough for three women to eat.
After Penelope had finished eating, she sat there wishing she could write an entry in her journal, but she could not get up from her bed to retrieve it. So, there was nothing for her to do but lay there and dream of her wedding day. Just as she began to drift off into a happy dream, Bessie returned to her chambers, and she had the doctor with her.
“Hello, Ms Ainsworth, you are looking much improved this morning. I am glad to see you resting, so I will not be long. How is the pain in your ankle today?”
“I do not feel any pain at all unless I put pressure on it. I would like to attend dinner tonight with my family and be allowed to leave my chambers if you will approve of this, Doctor,” Penelope said.
“Ahh, I would prefer you stay in bed for at least a few more days, but I suppose if you have someone to help move you downstairs, there is no harm in having dinner outside your chambers.”
“Thank you so much, Doctor!” Penelope said.
“I do not want to find out that you have been overexerting yourself, however.”
“Yes, of course. I will not do anything of the sort, I promise.”
“Good, now let me check you over.”
The doctor checked that she did not have a fever, and her pulse, and then gently examined her ankle. He saw that it looked slightly better, and he even told her that it may not be sprained but rather an extreme twist. In which case, her healing process would be much faster. He then bid her a good day, and shortly after, Penelope did drift off for a couple more hours.
When she woke up, Bessie gave her a midday meal and then asked if she would like to be taken out to the balcony and enjoy the outdoors. Penelope said she would love to and took her books with her to read and try to pass the time.
