Page 64 of My Cruel Duke

Of course, the marchioness had personally asked if Rhysand would be in attendance, and when Penny told her he had yet to return from his travels, her face had dropped. Still, she claimed she would be delighted if Penny attended and warned her not to take anything the footmen would pass by her with. It was a funny interaction. The marchioness claimed to have a soft spot for Rhysand as his mother was her best friend, and then she told Penny stories about the Duchess she never got to meet.

“I am certain the marchioness dislikes me.”

“Everyone dislikes you, Patrick.”

He laughed. Ever since his return, Patrick had been tagged the prodigal son. All the fake stories he came up with as his reason for leaving his two unmarried sisters to fend for themselves with an unmarried aunt went over the Ton’s head. No one believed a thing he said.

“You shall attend with me.”

Patrick did not dare protest.

The birthday ball was in full swing at the marchioness's grand estate. The Ton dressed up like the Season was in full swing and had not ended weeks ago. New dresses and sparkling pieces of jewelry were all to be seen.

Penny had attended the ball with her family for support, and they had willingly accompanied her, but she needed to be away from them for a little while. It was then she met Eleanor.

“I planned to visit you sometime this week,” Eleanor said. Penny murmured something inaudible as she stuffed her face with some cake. Everyone knew she was pregnant, and pregnant women had cravings that should never be spoken of.

“Is the cake that good?”

Penny nodded with a small laugh.

Penny watched her friend; for some reason, she looked flushed. Was she sick?No, she was not.She looked to be…concerned?

“How is your sister?” Eleanor let out a heavy sigh.

“Same old. Edna is perfectly well; she is happy in her new marriage and expects her first child.” Eleanor’s head fell. “You can only imagine the comments I have endured…”

“Oh Eleanor,” Penny fetched her friend’s hands. A sad smile sat on Eleanor’s face.

“I do not feel horrible about it anymore. I realize my mama and papa will complain and scold me no matter what I do or do not do. I just simply hope to someday get married and move as far away from them as possible,” Penny tightened her hold on her friend’s hand.

Edna, Eleanor’s sister had found a prominent gentleman and gotten married last season, and ever since then, Eleanor had been subjected to unfair treatment by her family. Penny knew of this, and also Eleanor’s refusal to speak on the matter.

“I shall keep you in my prayers, my dear friend.”

“Perhaps next Season will be my chance.” Eleanor’s smile did not hold the sadness it had earlier, instead, her face brightened up a little. Penny parted her lips to speak, but Lydia ran up to them with a large smile on her face.

“What is it, Lydia?”

Lydia said nothing at first. Instead, she purposely touched her hair with her left hand.

“Are you ever going to speak before this ball ends?”

Lydia rolled her eyes and raised her left hand. “He proposed!” She squealed. Penny’s eyes widened, and she held Lydia’s hands, staring at the ring as though she could not believe it.

True to Rhysand’s words, the Marquess of Angleton had planned to propose to Lydia on the day Patrick showed up, but his timing had been wrong then. The weeks after, Lydia had explained to him that he wanted to live with Penny for a while until she was sure her sister was doing fine, so he put the proposal off for the time being. But it seemed he finally got tired of waiting.

Penny could not contain her happiness. She had entered a marriage of convenience and got everything she wanted from the union— well, except the husband— but her sister had finally found a perfect match.

“We have a wedding to plan,” Penny said, shaking Eleanor, who could not help but pull Lydia into a hug.

“We shall use this opportunity to make up for your sister’s shabby wedding,” Eleanor joked to Lydia. Penny nudged Eleanor at the side but nodded.

Chapter31

Rhysand took a swig of the liquid, welcoming the burning sensation it came with. Whiskey had been his only friend in these trying times. It kept him from running back to London, into his Sunshine and her bright smile.

“Thank you for making one of my dreams come true, my darling.”He should be by her side, watching every step of her pregnancy. He sighed.