Page 105 of The Good Duke
She lowered her eyes demurely and sank into a deep, deferential curtsy.
“My name is Miss Forsyth,” Persephone murmured, by way of greeting to the young woman. “I am personal secretary to His Grace, the Duke of Greystoke, and the ward of his late father, the Earl of Primly.”
The lady’s pale-to-the-point-of-white eyebrows flared ever so slightly, and then, having clearly ascertained Persephone was, in fact, no threat to the duke’s affections, she offered a radiant smile.
“We’ve already exchanged introductions, Miss Forsyth,” she said in nauseatingly sweet, dulcet tones.
He’d already performed introductions? She swung her gaze Simon’s way.
His face remained an inscrutable mask.
It soon became apparent the young woman had also deemed Persephone unworthy of her name.
Given Simon’s failure to introduce Persephone, the duke was of a like opinion. That realization wrenched her heart and hit her like a kick to the belly.
Persephone hated with her whole heart those truths should hurt so.
She found herself swiftly forgotten by the beautiful pair and made herself step several paces away to allow them some privacy, while still shielding them with her reputation and maintaining an air of respectability over the exchange.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar position to find herself. In fact, it was one she’d come to know and expect.
But that this was Simon…
Persephone bit the inside of her lower lip brutally hard until pain drove out the threatening tears.
“What is this beautiful girl’s name?” the young woman crooned as she petted Lady Chloe in that spot the dog so favored, behind her ears.
“Forgive me. I’ve been remiss with introductions,” Simon murmured.
Persephone’s heart jumped, and her slightly drooped shoulders lifted. She’d unfairly judged him. Hedidintend to include Perseph—
“May I present my beautiful and more loving than I deserve pup,Astrid.”
Persephone, feeling like an audience member watching some great scene unfold before her, did not move.
His dog.
Persephone stared blankly through Simon and the exquisite beauty who’d ensnared him.
He’d…introduced not Persephone but—
She stilled. His pup, whom he’d given a new name.
“Astrid,” Persephone whispered. Her middle name that she’d so often lamented and which he’d forever insisted was perfectly lovely.
Simon glanced her way. He flashed a sheepish, almost shy grin that wrested free another piece of her heart. In that moment, everything else faded away, so only Persephone and Simon existed.
They exchanged smiles.
“Astrid?” the Diamond’s slightly pitched query put a swift end to the moment.
Whining, Astrid squiggled to escape her master.
“I believe she wishes for your company, my lady.” Simon held the smiling dog toward the lady.
Persephone suppressed a snort. The young woman no sooner wanted to cuddle a dog than Astrid wanted to be held by—
Making a cooing sound, Lady Perfect eagerly gathered Astrid into her arms and rocked the pup the same way she might a babe. “I have always loved dogs,” she said softly. “I’ve missed having one of my own.”
