Page 24 of His Wild Duchess
To Penelope, the Duke was as much of an outcast as she was.
“We need to socialize,” George said under his breath as they passed the threshold.
Penelope swallowed, suddenly realizing how dry her throat was. “Right away?” she argued, shaking her head at him. “Why not be settled first?”
He shot her an impatient look. “There are more things important than your insecurities.”
Before she could front any more arguments, George steered them through the crowd, pushing their way past guests with his abnormally broad shoulders. Penelope glanced around, not recognizing anyone within the crowd. It wasn’t like she expected to, but a childish part of her craved some sort of familiarity. If only it were like her early years when her mother attended every ball at her side.
George slowed when they reached a drawing room. The Ton's men and women mingled around artwork and books, some brandishing fans while others sipped brandy.
“Ah,” George breathed, straightening his coat. He gave Penelope a side glance. “Round one.”
She gulped.Round one?“Gentlemen,” the Duke greeted as they came up upon them. “How are you faring on this fine evening?”
Two men, both dressed in suits and hats, turned their attention to the Duke, pausing in their conversation. The gentlemanly pair glanced at each other in a curious way, one that made Penelope’s eyes narrow in hesitation. She tugged on the Duke’s arm before they got close enough.
“Let us go to a different room,” she quickly said to him. “This one feels rather crowded.”
The Duke shot her a look before pulling her along, turning back to his charming self.
“Correct me if I’m wrong,” the man on the left said, a curled mustache resting on his upper lip, “But youarethe Duke of Yeats, aren’t you?”
“You caught me red-handed!” The Duke smiled widely, extending a hand towards him to shake. “How do you do?”
The man’s gaze flicked down to the Duke’s hand. As his lip twitched into a frown, he reached, and shook his hand. “Your Grace, might I present Lord Carnelian, Viscount of Tilbury.”
“Your Grace,” Lord Carnelian said, bowing his head rather quickly before the Duke could offer a handshake.
“And I,” the other gentleman held his hand to his chest, “Am Lord Twist, Earl of Wolverton.”
The Duke chuckled. “I appreciate the introductions. My recent time in the Americas has left me… somewhat uninformed about my good neighbors and peers.” Turning, he slippedhis arm around Penelope’s waist, bringing her closer to them. “Are you gentlemen familiar with my wife?”
Feeling the rush of heat swarm to her face, Penelope kept her gaze locked on the wall, giving them men a curtsey that slumped into an awkward step.
“Why, yes,” Lord Canelian said, his face lighting up in amusement, “The last Caney daughter, finally wed. How spectacular!” He paused, giving his companion an odd look again. “I’m sure Lord Caney is quite pleased.”
Penelope gave him a placid smile. “I’m sure he is.”
The Duke’s hand tightened on her side for a moment before pulling away, his lip twitching into a frown. “Gentlemen, if you have a moment or two to spare, I’d like to discuss something rather thrilling with you. You see, when I was -”
“You know, your Grace,” Lord Twist interjected eagerly, “We were talking the other day about your adventures in the New World. What sort of ruffians did you encounter?”
The Duke’s eyebrows shot up. “Ruffians, you say? Well, I wouldn’t call any of the fine folk I met ruffians.”
“Is it truly as scandalous as the merchants claim it to be?”
“Scandalous can be used to describe anywhere if you look hard enough,” the Duke replied in a snarky way, though the gentlemen were too preoccupied with their own thoughts and opinions to care much.
Lord Carnelian was nodding his head. “I knew of a Baron who went to the New World, seeking treasures beyond what any of us here in sorry old England could imagine.” He leaned forward tothe Duke, waving his brandy in the air. “Can you guess what the Baron came back with, your Grace?”
“I couldn’t possibly.”
“Diseases and a bastard child!”
Both of the gentlemen laughed, the noise carrying on within the chatter all around them. Penelope gazed up at the Duke. He lost his patience rather quickly, his lips pressed together in a firm line. As the Lords quieted down, turning their attention back to the Duke, he raised his hand politely.
“The Duchess and I will continue our tour through Benedict House,” he said, the snarkiness gone from his charming coo. “Perhaps we can continue our discussion later?”
