Page 7 of My Cruel Duke
Now, Penny would be lying if she did not think the duke was handsome.
The man had the most powerful face in all of London, and he knew it. His dark hair, the compelling blue of his eyes, his high cheekbones, the firmness of his square jaw, and the confident set of his shoulders all told of his wealth and grace. A powerful man, who should not be trifled with. Her father was living proof.
The duke was the enemy, yet her mind burned with the memory from her time at his mansion; the way his fingers had played gently down the column of her neck, his rough voice that had other parts of her trembling with need she knew nothing about, and dear Lord… the way his hot breath fanned her throat for those few seconds before she accepted his offer.
The edges of his lips had tilted in a wicked fashion only he could muster as he stared down at her. No emotion on his face—no, there had been— but it was not warm or fluffy like the tales she had heard. She had no time for tales now as the duke had been clear that their match would solely be for producing an heir and nothing else.
A Business; the duke had called it, not marriage, but strictly business. It was no wonder he had not bothered with communicating with her since then, except for the letter he sent the day before, letting her know that he had made arrangements for everything she and her family would need to start the Season.
“You know, one would think you have a lover with how red your cheeks have turned,” Aunt Augusta’s voice crept upon her like a witch’s spell. Penny jumped in her seat, a round and soft cushion, that Penny found too comfortable.
“You startled me, Aunty.” Penny placed a hand over her chest and the older woman nudged her side with a smug smile.
“What vile thoughts were you thinking, child?” Penny shook her head, but her cheeks only turned a brighter red.
“I was thinking nothing of the sort. I would never think of something so improper!” Penny looked around her to make sure no one had heard what her aunt had suggested. Aunt Augusta had a sense of humor the Ton disliked, but Penny secretly loved that about her. Her scandal had burned her in the sight of the Ton, but Aunt Augusta did not let it deter her happiness. She did everything her way. Penny wished she could be like her. Perhaps with the life the duke offered, she could.
“Look at her,” Aunt Augusta returned their attention to Lydia, who had emerged in a coral evening dress, and a bright smile on her face as she stared at her reflection in the floor-length mirror. The dress, embroidered with deep gold threads, gave Lydia such an air of confidence.
Beautiful.Penny thought.
“You should wear that for the first ball!” Aunt Augusta clapped and Lydia twirled.
“I surely believe the Miss would be the talk of the town in this dress,” the modiste’s words added a chip to Lydia’s shoulders and she turned to her sister.
“Did you hear that, Penny? Imagine how pleasant that would be!”
Penny nodded. Indeed, the duke worked fast. He said he would see to it that Lydia was provided with new dresses and their appointment at the modiste proved it. The shop made the best dresses and had the best quality of fabric, and every prominent person in town knew it was the place to be if one wanted to navigate the Season at the height of fashion.
“Very pleasant. We shall take the dress.” Lydia’s eyes widened as did her smile.
Lydia tried on other dresses, one of which was a white evening dress she would wear for her debut later that evening. Her heart flowed with gratitude for her sister and their mysterious benefactor.
“You should try some too. You barely have any new dresses to wear for the Season.” Aunt Augusta tapped Penny’s arm.
“I believe I will be fine. We are here for Lydia.”
“And you also. You need beautiful dresses to show everyone, Lydia’s potential in-laws especially, that we are not lacking and we can afford more than her dowry.” Penny considered her aunt’s words. She nodded her head and got up, feeling a little intimidated by the modiste’s scrutiny of her. A while passed until Penny decided she had enough of playing dress up. She took whatever dresses the modiste and Aunt Augusta claimed were the best, and then some for her aunt, before setting out for the second agenda of the day.
Just outside the shop they had emerged from, Penny stilled while Aunt Augusta went on about the meals she craved that their new cook would prepare for her. Penny’s eyes locked on her friends, who, by the looks on their faces, were shocked to see her at the modiste’s, and at that very shop.
“Penny? What are you doing here?” It was Marina who asked. Aunt Augusta had stopped speaking by now and instead watched the exchange with Lydia by her side.
“We came to get dresses for Lydia. She is debuting tonight.” Penny beamed and her friends exchanged looks between themselves.
“Fromthatshop?” Eleanor pointed at the shop behind her and she nodded. “Has your father been released? Surely, if he was, it would be on the papers.” Penny’s smile did not falter, even as she recalled their harsh words days ago.
“He has not, but we found a way to ensure Lydia’s entry into society.”
“Has your uncle agreed to help you then with–”
“I am sure we are all quite busy with preparations for tonight, are we not?” With more exchanged looks, Penny bid them goodbye and went on her merry way with her aunt and sister, back to their home which had been empty for months but suddenly full of life with the staff the duke had employed on their behalf.
A small smile appeared on Penny’s face when she looked at her sister. The elegant white dress with ivory lace and matching elbow gloves was indeed the best choice for Lydia. It clung to her shape in the right places and showed off her curves in the most delicate and sultry manner. Her brown curls were caught in a tight chignon with tendrils cascading to kiss against her cheeks, while artificial blush marred her cheeks and she looked every bit of their late Mama. Innocent, natural beauty. Penny thought no gentleman with perfect sight would ignore her, and the thought alone placed a dimpled smile on her face.
“You look wonderful, Lydia.”
“Oh Penny, Ifeelwonderful. I would also love to extend my gratitude to our benefactor, he saved our lives.” Penny’s smile faltered a fraction, but she nodded.