Page 6 of The Good Duke
The rest of Simon’s pledge went unfinished.
His father’s office door exploded open so fast and so hard it bounced against the plaster wall and sprung back to nearly hit Mr. Forsyth square in the face.
“Let’s go, Persephone,” Persephone’s father snapped, and even as he ordered his daughter to her feet, Mr. Forsyth glared at Simon. “We’re done with this abomination and his wretched excuse of a father.”
Shame—that all too familiar sentiment—made Simon shrink on the spot. Nay, this was something more, something so powerful it sucked the air from his lungs and left Simon hollow inside—despair.
Persephone came slowly to her feet.
Mr. Forsyth didn’t bother to see if she followed. Instead, without so much as a backward look, he marched off.
If Mr. Forsyth truly knew his daughter, he’d have also known Persephone had a mind of her own and never did what was expected.
But then that was what had gotten her and Simon into their current trouble.
Persephone lingered there. “You arenotan abomination. Our fathers are hotheads and proud, and the problem this day…wasme. Never you.”
“Thank you,” he said softly, his voice emerging even. Words always came easier with her. That was because he’d known her for so very long, and there was a comfort in having someone like Persephone in his life.
She frowned. “You don’t believe me, but it is true, Simon,” she said earnestly, catching her hands in his. “You’re kind and good and clever and funny and—”
“And you make me believe that.” Not even his father, whose love he never doubted, felt that way about him.
“Well, my papa is wrong for the ill opinion he has of you, Simon.”
His chest lightened.
Persephone spoke with the adamance of someone whotrulybelieved the words she spoke.
Then he recalled—she is leaving.
Despite the assurances he’d given her, he saw Mr. Forsyth’s hate-filled visage, and Simon knew in his heart this marked the end of his friendship with Persephone.
“It would also mean that everyone else is wrong too, Persephone,” he said quietly.
“What’s so hard to believe about that?” She rolled her eyes. “Society doesn’t believe I or any girl has the right or ability to study science and politics. Suddenly, we’re going to letthosepeople decide our worth?”
He managed his first grin since his world had gotten flipped upside down. She always managed to make him feel…normal. God, he’d miss that so damned much. The ache in his chest grew.
“Goodbye, Seph.” Funny his voice should be so even when he now uttered the most painful words he’d ever spoken.
“Simon!” She gave a jaunty wave.
Persephone turned to go, and he spoke quickly, not out of fear of his stutter and the need to get the words out, but rather to keep her here beside him.
“My father is wrong about you too, Seph. He’s always liked talking to you about science and art.”
“He’s not really though.” She gave an unbothered shrug. “Young ladies aren’t supposed to study the human body.”
“And normal people don’t stutter,” he reminded her.
She took a step toward him. “Of coursethey do, Simon. People aren’t simply replicas of other people. Everyone is different and has differences.”
Not amidst theton. That was a world of people who were singularly the same.
“Persephone,” Mr. Forsyth shouted; his sharp, crisp tones echoed down the halls.
Persephone’s shoulders slumped, and she started slowly after her father. She glanced back. “Simon?”
