Page 57 of My Cruel Duke

“Quit your jokes, boy. Wilson Hislop remains in prison.”

“You do not get to make that call, Uncle. I put him there, and I can take him out whenever I please.”

Uncle Harold chuckled darkly. “You put him there for a reason, after years of patience and planning. It seems you have forgotten all your values and thirst for revenge, all because of a woman.”

“Was this not what you wished for me?”

“I never wished for you to marry the daughter of the man that murdered my brother!”

Rhysand took a deep breath to calm himself.

“Forgiveness is the right step to take as I do not wish to live with the hate for the rest of my life. I plan to have an heir soon. It is my dream that he is brought up in a home without hate, to have the life I did not get to live–”

“Do whatever you must, but heed my warning. I will drive a bullet into Wilson Hislop’s skull if I have to, for him to pay for his crimes. That man will not walk a free man after what he did!” Uncle Harold grabbed the neck of the bottle with ice force and headed out of Rhysand’s study, closing the door with a loud bang behind him.

It was the first time Rhysand experienced this side of his uncle. Even when they planned for revenge against Wilson Hislop, Uncle Harold had been the one who claimed some of the measures were too extreme, and they should settle on locking him behind bars. Rhysand had been ruthless and bloodthirsty, but now his uncle seemed like the cruel one.

Chapter28

“Good morning,” Penny’s cheerful voice rang through the walls of the drawing room. She was not in a better mood than she was days before but she promised she would not let anyone worry about her, and so she plastered a bright smile on her face.

The supposed recipient of Penny's jolly greeting, Uncle Harold, raised his eyes from the newspaper in his hands to meet hers, and then he looked away as though Penny did not speak and was invisible.

Penny tilted her head at his behavior, confused as to why he acted like that. Penny parted her lips to ask him if anything was the matter, but it was as though Uncle Harold sensed she was about to speak; he pushed himself up from the couch with a frown and passed by her without saying a word.

Well, that was awkward.

Penny had heard from Aunt Augusta and Lydia about how rude Uncle Harold had acted toward them two days ago. Still, she did not think it was a serious affair until now. Uncle Harold had not staggered, and there was no stench of whiskey on his breath when he passed by her, so what was the reason for this attitude?

She had been dealing with a severe case of mood swings since her visit to her family house. Her nightmares had been frequent, resurfacing even when she took a short nap, but Penny had tried, for the sake of her family and everyone around her, to put a smile on her face even when she did not feel like smiling. So, her feelings had been genuinely hurt when Uncle Harold passed by her as though she were a stranger in the house.

Penny had not been hurt like Aunt Augusta, who could not make sense of his new-found attitude toward her. Aunt Augusta sniffled, and Penny rubbed her back.

“There must be something in the air. Do you not think so, sister?” Lydia asked, and Penny nodded slightly.

Indeed, there had to be something in the air. Penny felt sicker by the minute, but she knew it was because of the ring and the portrait. Penny had mulled over it for hours, still trying to make sense of everything.

According to her father, her mother had tried to drown her, but according to her memories, however faint, it was her father’s hands she saw even in her nightmares now. The hands had changed from slim and smooth to thick and hairy.

With a signet ring.

Had the memory of her father rescuing her muddled with her mother drowning her? She had to go back to her family's house. She had to uncover this mystery. She had every right to know what happened to her that day. Either her father was lying to her, or her mind was playing tricks on her.

Whatever it was, she had to go and find out for herself. For now, she had to focus on her aunt.

“Don’t you think I am worth an explanation for his recent behavior?” Penny felt the pain in her aunt’s voice. “I was foolish to think we shared something sweet!”

Lydia immediately sat beside their aunt and held her hand. “Oh Aunty, you are worth everything and more. It just shows he is not the one for you. The one for you will never leave you feeling confused.”

Penny was stunned at her sister’s wisdom. Indeed, Lydia was a woman now, not a girl.

“I know what will uplift your mood, Aunty,” Penny rubbed Aunt Augusta’s back. The older woman raised her head and turned to Penny.

“Mama’s Diary. You always go through it when you feel sad.”

Aunt Augusta smiled. “You are right, but how do we get it? You forgot to bring it along the last time you went there.”

“I can stop by the house on my way. I plan to visit Eleanor today.”