Page 68 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

If Lord Gloushire is vanilla, what flavor would His Grace be?Penelope sighed, slowly playing with the tiny ice mound that remained in her bowl.

Perhaps iced lemon.She chuckled to herself.As he is both a sweet and a sour companion.

Regrettably, the duke wasn’t present to approve or refute her conclusion, but knowing him, he’d likely argue against her for the sake of doing so.

Once everyone had had their fill and Lord Gloushire declared that it was now time to go home, he was met with whiny protests from both of his children.

“Please, Father?” Lucy whined, “We’re having so much fun!”

“Yes, dearest, but I’m afraid that I still have some urgent errands to run,” he grimaced, “and Ladies Punton and Penelope need to go about the rest of their day as well.”

“We could watch them on your behalf if you like, Lord Gloushire,” Mother suddenly offered.

Penelope looked at her in surprise—it wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy spending time with the children, but it was the first time in months that Mother had decidedagainstrushing straight home.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to trouble you both, Lady Punton.” The viscount waved a sheepish hand. “I’ve taken more than enough of your time already.”

“It’s no bother,” Penelope piped up. “Perhaps you can drop us at the park for a short stroll and then come collect us once you’re done with your errands.”

“Yes! The park! Let’s go to the park!” Reggie exclaimed.

“Are you absolutely sure, Lady Penelope?” he double-checked with worried eyebrows. “These rascals can be quite the handful.”

“I’ll have Mother here to help,” Penelope answered. “My only request is that you leave a footman at our disposal in case anything comes up.”

The viscount’s hazel eyes flitted around the table between his children’s pleading eyes to Penelope and Mother’s reassuring ones.

After a moment, he acquiesced with a limp smile. “Very well, then, to Brydon Park we go.”

As they rose from their chairs, he immediately scooped Reggie up in his arms once more and held onto Lucy with his other hand.

Penelope raised an amused eyebrow as she realized that this time he appeared to be doing so because he needed to stop them from scampering off down the street rather than because he wanted to be affectionate.

After allowing the children to board first, the viscount extended a hand towards Penelope to help her up onto the coach. “I promise I’ll make it up to you,” he whispered to her as she ascended the steps.

“There’s no need,” she whispered back. “They’re wonderful.”

Brydon Park was just a short trip away and soon enough, Lord Gloushire was reminding his children to behave themselves with Penelope and Mother.

“I won’t be long,” he promised—though it was unclear whether he was assuring his children or their keepers for today. “I shall do my best to be back in two hours or less.”

Fueled by the ices they had just consumed, the children eagerly pointed toward the water fountains and begged to get closer.

And how could she possibly deny such an innocent request?

“Don't touch the water!” she gently warned as Reggie attempted to lean forward into the fountain, earning a hurt look from the little boy.

“Sometimes the birds and other animals use it to take baths,” she added, hoping he would understand.

The small boy let out a disappointed huff as he settled his chin against the fountain’s stony edge, contenting himself with simply observing the water’s shiny surface.

In the meantime, Mother carefully trailed behind Lucy, whose fascination was now captured by the colorful, blossoming flowerbeds.

“Don’t wander too far!” Penelope called after them, but the young girl didn’t seem to hear them.

Hoping she would have better luck with the younger child instead, Penelope extended a hand towards him, “Reggie, why don't we go have fun with Lucy? Hmm?”

But the boy stubbornly shook his head and returned to remaining transfixed by the water.

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