Page 95 of The Good Duke
“That is a rule of Polite Society, Your Grace,” she reminded him.
“But our familial connections—”
Our fake familial connections.
Persephone quickly interrupted him. “Would still require we refer to one another by our proper forms of address.”
A muscle rippled along his jaw. Then Simon gave his head a terse shake, an adorably boyish nod that conveyed a wealth of regret and annoyance and stole a corner of her heart.
Yap-yap-yap.
Simon glanced away first, turning his attention to Lady Chloe.
The dog panted and pranced restlessly back and forth in canine excitement.
“You have been remarkably patient, my dear,” he crooned, affectionately stroking Chloe between her ears.
Persephone stilled and took in that exchange; she struggled and fought—to no avail. Another piece of her heart fell away, lost to tender, dog-loving Simon.
She stared wistfully while he stroked Lady Chloe’s ears in a way the dog favored so much, she leaned into his petting. And how very glad she was that when she left, he’d have the loving dog still part of his life.
There’d been a lifetime of years since she and Simon had seen one another, but when Persephone leftthistime, a part of her would remain with him still.
As if he felt Persephone’s gaze upon him, Simon glanced up.
A gold curl fell across his brow. His lips tipped up in a sheepish grin.
“I told you so,” she said good-heartedly. “Lady Chloe will make you the most wonderful companion.”
His expression grew serious, and his sudden frown chased away the sun of this moment.
Simon stood, claimed the leash from Persephone, and led them onward.
Worrying at her lower lip, she stared after his retreating form.
He stopped in his tracks and glanced back to where Persephone remained.
Simon instantly doubled back. “With the lessons you just schooled me on regarding the peril a lady faces on her own, you’d stay back?” he chided with a gruff concern that sent another wave of welcome heat to her chest.
“I was woolgathering,” she explained.
“Should I fear you’re plotting and planning some next scheme, Miss Forsyth?”
The teasing glimmer in his eyes lightened the seriousness of that question.
Persephone smiled softly. “I’ve already told you, no more games.” With the tip of her index finger, she marked anXacross the middle of her chest. “I’ve always been a woman of my word.”
Simon considered her with an indecipherable look she couldn’t make sense of.
Yap-yap-yap.
His new pup saved the day once more.
“Come,” Persephone said, motioning Simon along. “Chloe has been more than patient with us.”
Only, he remained rooted to that spot near the brick column. That same somberness had fallen over his features.
Simon fiddled with Chloe’s leash. “Per—Miss Forsyth,” he began.
