Page 13 of My Cruel Duke
Lydia whipped her head to the door at the sound of her sister's voice. She smiled. “Oh, Penny, I must say, your husband is a strange one.” With a laugh, Penny entered the room and joined Lydia on the already-made four-poster bed. It was just like hers. Black walls with slightly lighter drapes covering the windows. The bedding was the only substance of color in the room save the heap of Lydia’s clothes on one side.
“He is indeed strange, but I am happy that this strange man has made it possible for you to have a chance at having a perfect match.” Lydia’s lips twitched, and Penny did not miss her concern. “What is the matter, Lydia? Is something not to your liking? Surely, the maids have asked that whatever we do not–”
Lydia shook her head, cutting Penny short.
“Everything is well in the room. I only feel a lump of guilt in my throat whenever I look at you, Penny.” Penny went still. “You gave up your freedom and married that cruel man just so I would have a chance at a happier life, and for this, I am entirely grateful, but I still cannot help the sadness that follows…”
Penny placed a hand on her sister’s thigh.
“I promised you, did I not? I would do whatever it takes to see that you marry a kind man and live a happy life because that would make me happy. You are yet to find a match, but I feel so fulfilled because I know that with the backing of the duke, you would get just that and perhaps more.”
Tears glistened in Lydia’s eyes.
“Your happiness is my happiness, my dearest Lydia.”
“And your happiness is mine also.”
“If it is as you have said, then you will wear your brightest smile while being smart and find a gentleman whom your heart speaks for. You have the entire Season to make your decision. You have earned that right as your sister is now a duchess!”
“Indeed. Penelope Patterson, Duchess of Huxton.”
The little talk was all Penny needed to feel like herself again, and so when Aunt Augusta summoned her to tell her what was expected of her on her wedding night, she was more receptive, albeit embarrassed at the detailed explanation of it all. An unwelcome blush had crept into her cheeks at the memory of the kiss they shared at the altar. The sweet sensation of it had caused her to ache for more, but it quickly disappeared the moment she sat in the carriage. She could not believe that the man who had kissed her passionately was the same man who sat opposite her. No, they had been different people; the look in his eyes was proof.
Nearly two hours later, they sat at the long oak table for dinner.
* * *
Red. Yellow. Blue
It looked like a darn rainbow in his house. The Hislop sisters and their aunt had infested the one place that was void of colors that he could manage. Would it kill them to wear less… color?
He would surely find out as he made a mental note to speak to Penny on the matter. But yellow suited her, he noticed; it made her look like every bit of the nickname she claimed to loathe.Sunshine.
He hated it and hated her for making him contradict himself. No, he did not hate her. If he did, it meant he cared, and he did not care about her or anything about her. He felt no emotion toward her, and he planned to keep it that way for as long as their marriage lasted.
At least she was not tardy.
Since the death of his parents, Rhysand never had dinner with more than two people, one being his uncle, the other being Hayes, his man of affairs, and even that in itself was a rarity because he made it clear to him that dining at the same table did not make them friends. Rhysand had even found a way for Hayes to work without visiting Thornbury Hall as often as he should. But at his table now sat three new faces, talking loudly about things that did not matter to him: balls, parties, theaters. They talked as they chewed, and it caused Rhysand to wonder how they had not choked on their meal yet. It annoyed him.
“I feared we would miss the festivities this year,” the aunt said, and he felt their eyes bore holes into his head. He said nothing, finding his meal more appealing.
“I should formally thank you, Your Grace, for the kindness you have shown my family,” they were baiting him. He responded with a grunt and a nod. He wanted to dine in peace, not respond to three excited women who did not know when to stop.
How could one man be so… cold?Penny wondered with narrowed eyes directed at him. They had been at the table for nearly fifteen minutes, and she tried at different topics that might interest him because, though their marriage was strictly business, she still wanted to get to know him, and it was their wedding day, but Rhysand had not responded. He sat there, only opening his mouth when he wanted to put food in it.
“I must say, my heart broke a fraction when I did not see your uncle at the ceremony today. I have heard many things about him, and I wish to meet him soon…” Penny said, hoping he would respond.
No response.
“Pray tell, when will he return?” She asked, looking directly at him. Rhysand stopped chewing, but he did not raise his head to meet her eyes.
“I would also like to know.”Heavens.
“Father always said you were a meticulous businessman, but I fear I do not know a thing about what you do,” Penny tried again. Her brashness always seemed to get to him.
“I fail to see how that concerns you.” This was the only response he offered her. Penny nibbled her lower lip, and for the first time, she regretted accepting this man’s offer. It was no wonder he cornered her into the union, for he knew that despite his title, he would not find a lady willing to marry him with such an attitude.
Lydia and Aunt Augusta exchanged worried looks, but Penny was oblivious to it all. All she wanted was a light conversation with her family, but Rhysand would not even award her with that.