Page 31 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“But he’s of low rank and only a small fortune.” His Grace pointed to the sheet where he had written that same remark down. “Are you saying you would have considered him regardless?”

“Why, certainly!” Penelope shrugged. “From your notes, I received the impression that he may not have much, but he’d have enough for Mother and me, which still makes him ideal.”

His Grace clicked his tongue. “This isn’t the main point of tonight’s lesson, but I once again feel the need to beseech you, Lady Pen: Please do raise your standards.”

“You’re one to talk, Lord Rake.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And by the way, weren’t you warning me against wasting time earlier? Yet here you are bringing up points that—by your own admission—bear no relevance to tonight’s ‘lesson’.”

“Very well!” His Grace chuckled, gathering the papers together.

Penelope straightened in her chair, ready for her test. But to her surprise, the duke simply placed the papers under a stack of books on his desk and rose from his chair.

“Where are you goin-”

“Your test shall be as realistic as possible, Lady Pen.” He gestured for her to get up. “I shall pretend to be Lord Steepwharf, and you may utilize everything you’ve studied about ‘me’ while also applying the main principles of your first lesson: body language.”

As he spoke, the duke led her towards the center of the room. Hearing about what he had in store for her, she suddenly regretted saying that she wasn’t nervous.

Standing opposite her, he explained, “Body language in relation to flirting consists of three main aspects: proximity, eye contact, and physical touch. Is that clear?”

Penelope nodded her head.

“With these three alone,” her instructor continued, “one may communicate everything in their heart and mind without uttering a single word.”

Penelope nodded once more, but this time with some hesitance. “You truly have a penchant for exaggeration, Your Grace. Surely it wouldn’t covereverythingon one’s mind?”

In response to her skepticism, a mischievous grin spread across the duke’s face. He slowly raised her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, causing a tingling trail to shoot up her arm.

Locking his eyes with hers, he slid his hand up to her forearm, and with a gentle tug, he pulled her close. His other hand found its way to her waist as he whispered hoarsely, “How else would you like to be persuaded?”

A deep shiver rippled through her and Penelope had no choice but to shove him away from her.

“Do you believe me now?” he laughed, straightening his jacket.

“That hardly counts.” Penelope pretended to scoff. “You still had to ask me a question in the end.” she reminded him, desperate to distract him from the blood that had rushed to her face.

He shrugged. “Even so, I trust you now understand the potency that body language holds when wielded correctly.”

Still irritated, Penelope couldn't bring herself to look at him.

I can’t take his ‘test’ while so scatter-brained. Imust find a way to delay it for the time being.

“My throat feels a little itchy,” she lied. “May I please have some water, Your Grace?”

“Of course, you should have said so earlier.”

Penelope watched him walk towards a decanting table tucked away in the far corner of the room. But to her surprise, when the duke turned around, he had a tray carrying tea, biscuits, and yes, a water jug.

After setting the tray down on his study desk, he began pouring her a glass. “I noticed you didn’t eat much at dinner earlier, so I had these prepared just in case.”

“T-Thank you, Your Grace,” she stuttered, accepting the glass from him.

“Again, don’t flatter yourself.” He wagged a finger at her, before tossing one of the biscuits in his mouth. “If you collapsed from hunger on my study floor, it’d be rather difficult to explain to the rest of the household.”

Penelope swallowed her water before replying, “If you warn me to not flatter myself one more time, I shall march back upstairs without a second thought––regardless of my fear of the dark,” she warned him.

“I'm just making sure!” He raised both hands innocently. “I know women who have gotten their hopes up for much less.”

Penelope returned her glass to the tray. Having regained most of her composure, she explained that she was ready to get properly started this time.

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