Page 8 of His Wild Duchess
“I wish you spoke of them better. They are wise creatures, Owen. They can understand your frustration just as well as I can.”
“Forget about the dogs for a moment, won’t you?” he hissed, despite being the one who brought them up. “There is a new chapter of life on the horizon that is very special for…women.”
“Owen,” Penelope said, unable to stop herself from laughing. “Perhaps you can leave it up to my imagination!”
“Goodness, I’m not talking about–- " He grew flustered, waving a hand between them. “that!Just give me a moment without interjecting!”
Penelope shut her mouth, leaning back in her seat. Laughter still bubbled in her stomach, a heartbeat from filling the space between them with giggles. The look on Owen’s face, however, was enough convincing to keep her quiet.
“Once your engagement was confirmed, I sought out some information about the new Duke of Yeats.”
“Brother,” Penelope mused, “a gossip!”
He shot her a glare.
She shrunk, mumbling, “I’m sorry.”
“As I was saying,” Owen continued, “your betrothed has had a past that might interest you.” He leaned forward as if someone was nearby and could overhear. “Before his father's death, the Duke left England to spend ten years in the New World.”
Penelope couldn’t stop herself from gasping. “You mean the colonies?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Apparently, the Duke resided in New York before working his way out west.” He looked away, looking rather smug. “Explains his outright lack of standards.”
“I can’t believe I’ve met someone who has gone to the New World!”
“Calm down, Penelope. I didn’t tell you this for you to grow excited over it!”
She huffed, taken aback. “Why not? It’s spectacular! I wonder what kind of beasts call it home! Can you imagine how large the -”
“Enough!”
Penelope stilled and pulled back. Brutus lifted his head, casting a wary glance in Owen’s direction. Titus displayed the same shift, turning to put a steady eye on him.
Owen sighed. “Penny, you must see the bigger picture here. The colonies offer bachelor men a different sort of life than what London does.”
“Of course,” Penelope said with a shrug. “I’m not a fool, Owen. It is the New World, with unexplored wilderness and untamed beasts. Am I wrong to consider it a forbidden dream?”
“Yes.” He shook his head at her, obviously disappointed. “Penelope, you are going to marry a man who does not take heedof the proper manners and etiquettes we teach here. A decade is enough time to change a man. We cannot presume he returned because he wanted to take over his father’s Dukedom.”
Penelopy wasn’t entirely sure of why the Duke returned to England. She knew only as much as the Duke would let her know. While she was nowhere near the station of a Duchess, even Penelope knew that opening a stud farm had nothing to do with running a duchy. She gazed out the window solemnly.
Two months was all it took. Two months, and she’d be off in the country, living in a kind of new world of her own. Till then, Penelope needed leverage. For now, she would refrain from telling her brother of the Duke’s actual plans. Besides, it wasn’t as if Owen needed another thing that was out of his hands to worry about.
“It is unlike you to become so quiet,” Owen said, watching her closely. “Are you well?” A teasing smile peaked out across his face. “Wedding day nerves?”
“Very funny.” Penelope stuck her tongue out at him.
They entered a comforting silence, one that Penelope didn’t realize she needed. Thoughts raced tumultuously through her head. Did the knowledge of the Duke living in the colonies truly change things? It couldn’t. Besides adding a factor that Penelope did not expect, it didn’t mean anything had to be different. Perhaps it was a good turn of events, one that allowed the Duke to be a more lenient man, as he was not bound to society’s etiquette.
Though…Penelope chewed on her lips, nervously dragging her hands through Titus’ long fur.
Penelopedidknow that the Duke intended to look more favorable in the Ton’s eye. That could very well indicate the Duke’s possible future actions: become more like London’s standard aristocratic gentleman.
“Oh, devils,” Penelope muttered.
“Penny!”
She looked up, gaping. “Sorry, Owen, I honestly forgot you were there.”
