Page 30 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“But you’ve somehow still managed to find yourself in pain, Your Grace,” she reminded him. “I know you're more self-assured than most, but the deadly glares and hushed whispers that get thrown your way at events must sting even just a little bit.”

“A little, yes.” He chuckled, before his eyes darkened once more. “But then I remember that it doesn’t hurt nearly a fraction as much as it does to lose someone you love. I mean, you’re seeing it now with your own mother, right?”

Penelope looked at the clouds lazily drifting above them. “Yes,” she choked out.

“And aren’t you worried about suffering the same fate afteryou’remarried?” inquired the duke.

Penelope shook her head confidently. “After having witnessed all the terrible thingsheput her through? There is absolutely no chance I wouldeverallow myself to be so weak. I simply need a means to get away from-”

She stopped herself again.

He held up a hand reassuringly. “Like I said, I won’t pry, Lady Pen. But since you’re still determined to continue in your quest for a husband, we shall conduct your first official lesson in my study at nine o’clock tonight.”

“Lesson?” She tilted her head.

But he was already stretching his arms above his head as he walked away. “I hope you studied well,” he called over his shoulder. “I don't like to waste time.”

She watched him walk away for a little bit before chuckling under her breath, “I know, Your Grace. I know.”

CHAPTER10

Penelope debated whether to bring all of the sheets His Grace had given her or just the ones that concerned Viscount Steepwharf. The clock in the corner showed that it was five minutes to nine.

Not wanting to be mocked for her tardiness, Penelope took one last look in the mirror before folding the papers—just the ones about Lord Steepwharf—and slipping them into her cloak’s pocket.

Pulling her cloak’s hood over her head, she grabbed a lamp and then turned the doorknob.

But when the door swung open she squealed upon finding a shadowy figure standing before her.

“Shh!” His Grace placed a hand over her mouth. “Are you trying to get us caught?” he whispered, his face mere inches away from hers.

She smacked his hand away in irritation. “I could ask the same of you!” she hissed, one hand on her chest. “Why are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

He rolled his eyes. “Did you think I’d force you to walk to my study by yourself, Little Miss Afraid-of-the-Dark?”

“That’s-” she blinked at him, “That’s actually quite considerate of you, Your Grace.”

“Well, I didn't want to spend the rest of the night waiting for you to crawl your way to the study,” he chuckled, prompting her to punch his arm. “Out of curiosity, whatwouldyou have done if I hadn’t come to get you?”

“What else?” She raised her lamp higher. “I would have used this lamp and my own two legs.”

“Ah yes, because your last attempt to do so went ever so well,” he teased. Before she could protest, he offered his arm once more. “Now let’s be on our way before we really do get caught.”

Not another word was said until the pair had reached the duke’s study. To Penelope’s surprise, there were even more lamps and candles present than when they had met in the library.

“Is my fear of the dark spreading to you, Your Grace?” she teased, gesturing to the room broadly.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he answered drily. “I told you I’m used to working late, didn’t I? I always keep so many on hand to avoid damaging my eyes.” He cleared his throat to add, “But perhaps I may have added one or two more lamps for your benefit.”

“Why, thank you, Your Grace,” she half-sarcastically joked, walking to one of the chairs at his study desk. “I can tell by your tone that you were mostthrilledto make such a sacrifice.”

Rolling a quill between his fingers as he sat behind the desk with his broad shoulders and confident air, Penelope couldn’t help but wonder how many hearts of noblemen His Grace had struck fear into as they sat in this very spot.

But instead of fear, Penelope found herself filled with a sense of ease and comfort as the duke flashed her a mischievous smile, “Nervous?” he asked.

“Not at all,” she rejoined.

Upon fishing the sheets out of her pocket to return to him, she remarked, “Based on everything I've learned about Viscount Steepwharf, he seems like a great match, I’m surprised he didn’t make it into your final three picks for m-”

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