Page 70 of My Cruel Duke

Even if she did not want to be with him anymore.

He mounted the horse he had returned from Scotland with. A black horse, named Cally. The beast was not nearly as big or sturdy as Lord, Rhysand's horse, but he was good enough. The ride from Scotland had not tired him yet as he had taken care to make the necessary stops for rest.

Rhysand sighed and wondered in what direction he should go. Could Penelope be at her family house? Perhaps Patrick hid her there.

He would not. Patrick could not have known he had returned to town in such a short time.

So where could she be?

Rhysand started in the direction of his wife’s family house anyway. He had the urge to check there first. He remembered he had questioned the footman who drove her out on the day she returned sick. The young lad told him he had driven Penelope to her family house twice, and each time she returned, she was deep in thought and released frequent heavy sighs.

There was something in the house that kept her returning to it. Perhaps he would find her there, and find out what was happening with her.

“Your Grace?” It had not been long since Rhysand’s return to London, but by God, he was tired of hearing his title from every person he rode by. He refused to look at the man on the horse opposite him.

“Did you just return? I guess you did. It is no wonder I saw the duchess entering Thornbury Hall today,” Rhysand turned to the man immediately, pulling the reins of his horse. The beast turned her neck and slowed down, alongside the man on the other horse.

“Are you certain you saw her at Thornbury Hall?” Rhysand asked and the man nodded. Ralston.

“Yes, Your Grace. I saw her about an hour ago. She rode in a carriage.” Ralston raised his chest, as though he was proud he could be of whatever help the Duke of Huxton seemed to need.

“Thank you,” Rhysand said and turned the horse in the opposite direction from where he was headed.

He should have stopped by Thornbury's house when he arrived, but the only thought in his mind was to see Penelope, and he did not think he would find her in Thornbury Hall, especially after what transpired there.

“Hiya!” Rhysand beat the horse to run faster. He did not want to miss seeing Penelope. The beast ran faster than he had been running all morning, as though he preserved his energy for that moment.

In less than ten minutes, Rhysand jumped down from the black horse and ran toward the heavy black doors.

“Where is she?” Rhysand barked as soon as he pushed the doors open, earning Rufus’s attention. The smaller man ran to his master with a smile on his face.

“Your Grace, you have returned!”

“Where is she?” Rhysand could not be bothered by his butler’s excitement. He wanted to know where his wife was.

“The duchess?”

“Yes, Rufus. Where is my wife?” Rhysand demanded.

“Last I saw her; she was in the gardens.” Rufus tilted his head, and Rhysand was on the move.

She was not in the garden like Rufus claimed, and it seemed she was not in the main house either, but he knew she had not left because the carriage she rode in and the rider were present. He passed by them when he dismounted from his horse.

Rhysand looked over the area, his eyes settled on the lake. There was no way she would be there. He doubted Penny still feared water, but he knew her; he knew she would not just go to the lake without reason. He knew it, yet he dragged his legs in the direction of the water. It was quiet, or as quiet as it could be with birds chirping amongst other animals and insects. Rhysand got closer; his eyes locked on something on the top of the water.What is that?He wondered.

His eyes took in the fabric, peach-colored and rich in quality, something fit for a duchess. His heart sank.

Penelope!

Without warning, he took off his coat and jumped into the water, eyes wide and searching for his wife while saying a little prayer in his heart for her safety.

The lake water was not clear, which made it quite difficult for him to see underwater, but he made out the floating fabric of her dress first. He swam to her quickly and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Her eyes were closed and her body felt a little heavy from all the water that her dress had accumulated.Yes, that was the reason for her heaviness. Rhysand would not believe that she was dead. He would not even think about it.

He pushed Penelope’s body out of the water and then himself.

“Rufus!” he yelled at the top of his voice as he laid Penelope’s unconscious body on the ground. It was just like the last time. How did she find herself in such a situation again? Was she trying to swim? It did not seem like the case. Penny was pregnant, she would not just jump into the water, and in this heavy dress of hers to swim.