Page 5 of His Wild Duchess
Nothing sounded better than remaining a spinster, living out life alongside the animals she lovingly raised as her own. Alicia’s life was not one she yearned to live. And yet, it felt closer with every passing minute.
Owen began to pace again, arms twisted behind his back. “There is a contract,” he muttered. “A well-written one, at that. And since the Duke is asking for it to be honored, refusing outright could mean legal trouble.”
Penelope inhaled sharply. “Really? The law could be involved?”
“The courts just might if we refuse.” He took a few steps towards her. “This has to do with paying off a debt, Penny. That is serious business. Sometimes, it can ruin a family.”
Penelope looked away, knowing that he referred to their father.
“To avoid it would mean to gather the attention of the law if the Duke wished it so.” Owen looked away, seemingly growing paler. “And that could mean…”
Penelope didn’t need him to finish the sentence to know where he was heading. Owen’s betrothed was the daughter of a Duke, which inherently put their marriage on higher standards. Not only that, but the Duke was conservative and traditional, and the Caneys’ past already caused skepticism about their marriage. Despite the Ton no longer referring to their father’s scandal, it couldn’t erase it all from history. To that very day, Owen still fought to please his future father-in-law and prove the Caney’s worth to London’s bustling society. Owen spent years working towards the marriage, repairing the finances their father left behind, all the while caring for his sisters and aging mother.
No one deserved a happy ending more than Owen.
“Do you trust me, brother?”
He stopped pacing, eyeing her suspiciously. “Why?”
“Don’t you?”
“Yes, Penny, of course, I trust you.”
She sighed, looking over his tired face. “You know I love you, do you not?”
“Penny,” Owen laughed, turning away from her in an embarrassed way. “What’re you getting at?”
“Wait here, Owen.”
“But, we -”
“Trust me!”
Still barefoot, Penelope marched back down the way they came, turning to reenter the drawing room.
The Duke no longer sat on the sofa. With his hands behind his back, the Duke looked over sketches of the decorations Penelope’s mother planned to put up around the Manor. There were bouquets in extravagant vases, folded-up curtains, and even a few new portraits in wooden frames. He leaned down, getting a good look at the painting of Alicia and her growing family.
“Your Grace,” Penelope called out.
He flinched, surprised at her presence. Turning, he faced her, eyes once again drifting to her dirty bare feet. He looked to be holding back a laugh. “Lady Penelope.”
“Why would a man of your stature wish to be wed to a stranger?”
The Duke frowned, raising a brow at her. If he was taken aback by her blunt directness, he worked hard not to show it. He left the table of decorations, slowly crossing the room. “My lineage calls for it.”
“I won’t lie and say I’m not surprised,” she said.
“That I marry to befit my status?”
Penelope scoffed. “Of course not. That you’re so willing to admit it.”
“Were you expecting a different answer?”
Shaking her head, Penelope held back her relief. She allowed herself to take some comfort in his words. The last thing she needed was an attachment she refused to have. That being said, she went in expecting the worst possible outcome.
“I suppose not,” she fibbed. “So, this would be a marriage of convenience for you? Nothing more?”
“If I were looking for a love match, I surely would not be here.”
