Page 52 of My Cruel Duke
“Madeleine does not know what she is talking about. Yes, I have had several meaningless relationships in the past, but this…” he fetched her left hand. “This hand is where my ring sits. You are my wife, and what we share is special. I have an insatiable need for you. Even now, I have a hard time containing myself around you even after all we have done all night and all morning.”
Penny colored fiercely.
“You know, you never told me why the celebration I planned for you angered you so.”
Rhysand licked his lips. He had never spoken about the tragedy that befell his family, the tragedy that he narrowly escaped to anyone. Not even to his uncle Harold, who had stayed by his side all this while.
“If it is too difficult to speak about, you do not have to tell me.”
“I will tell you.” He did not want to hide anything from her, not even what her father did.
“It is no secret that my parents and sister died on my birthday.” Penny nodded. “The real secret is how it happened.”
Penny tilted her head sideways. “I was told it had been an accident.”
Rhysand shook his head. “It was not an accident. It was murder.” Penny stilled. Rhysand chuckled bitterly. “I shall spare you all the gruesome details so you can stomach your breakfast.”
She held his hand tightly in hers for comfort.
“My mother prepared a little picnic for my birthday in the garden. The weather was nice, and the flowers bloomed beautifully. Everyone seemed happy since I was excited about the stallion my father had gotten for me. Just when we were about to begin the picnic, we received a guest for my father who claimed that he needed to see him for it was urgent…” Penny swallowed, not liking where this was going.
“Wilson Hislop. He came in demanding to see my father. My father welcomed him into the house and took him to his study. Minutes passed, and my father had not returned to the garden,” he paused.
“Worried, my mother sent me to check on him. When I went up to the study, I found him lying in the pool of his blood, with Wilson Hislop nowhere to be found. Scared, I ran back to the garden, only to find two masked men slicing the necks of my mother and sister mercilessly.”
A tear fell from Penny's eyes before she knew she was crying.
“Their blood stained everything in the garden. All the beautiful flowers, the grass, the food. Everything,” Penny instantly felt horrible for forcing the flowers and decorations on him when she did not know why he detested them so much. She had been insensitive and thought it was just his nature to refuse everything and anything that made other people happy.
“How old were you when this happened?”
“I was twelve.” A sad smile graced his features, and more tears spilled from her face. He had been so young and alone. She could only imagine how scared he must have been after losing his family in one day, on his birthday.
“I am so sorry,” Penny lacked words to say. Her apology was meant for all the times she made him revisit his past with every little thing she did in opposition to him.
“I grew up with one goal, and that was to see the fall of Wilson Hislop. I did everything I could; I befriended your brother and visited your house to learn about his business and how to take him down since it was clear how much he loved his business and wealth.” Rhysand sighed. “Even after going through with my plan for revenge, I did not feel fulfilled, and I struggled with the feeling of emptiness in my heart…” he paused. “Until I met you.”
Penny sucked in a breath.
“I did not want to admit it then, but… ever wonder why I call you Sunshine?”
Penny parted her lips in realization. She initially thought he came up with the sobriquet to offend her.
“Nothing makes me feel alive or content with the life I have like when I am with you,” he leaned in and claimed Penny’s tender lips.
Chapter26
It had taken over two hours or more for Rhysand to let Penny out of his bed. It had been months since their marriage, but one would think they were a week into the union with how inseparable they had been.
Penny spent every morning and night in Rhysand’s room, in his arms, in his bed, going on and on, trying– but failing– to quench his insatiable need for her, even after two weeks. At this time, their relationship had changed for the better. Rhysand smiled more, stole kisses at every possible moment when he thought no one was looking, and showered her with enough affection as he was capable.
When they were not in bed, he followed her around, helping her make changes to Thornbury Hall as though he did not have estate matters to attend to, ignoring his uncle Harold, the Marquess of Angleton, and the business he had with them. Rhysand had taken Penny’s swimming lessons more seriously than Penny had. He swore he would see to it that Penny did not go through such pain again, and he meant it.
On their third lesson, Penny had been a little reluctant to step into the lake, but Rhysand had taken her hand.
“I shall pull you in slowly, tell me when you have reached your limit,” Rhysand had said and Penny melted at his words. Using his words as her motivation, she made it all the way into the water. Rhysand had been soft, and kind–much different than she originally thought he was.
“Remember what I taught you about floating?” Penny nodded, but she doubted she could do it. Rhysand smiled through the process until Penny floated all on her own. Out of excitement, Rhysand pulled her out of the water and awarded her with a soft kiss that spoke of his pride in her newfound skill.