A Duke’s Wicked Secret (Preview)

Chapter One

Exhilaration filled Penelope’s entire being as she and her horse, Phoenix, a beautiful sorrel mare, galloped across the countryside surrounding London. The morning was bright and clear, which was unusual for that time of year. Usually, in early March, it would be damp and misty out, but today the sun was out in all its glory, and Penelope was drinking it in hungrily. Her chestnut brown curls bounced gracefully as they rode over the green hills, and all the while Penelope’s eyes flashed with the brilliance of their bright blue hue. 

There was nothing in the world that Penelope loved so much as her early morning rides. Her mother and father had long since given up convincing her that it was improper for a young debutant to “gallivant around” as they put it. For no matter how much they fussed, she still found time to sneak out and ride. In consideration of their unhappiness about this, she made sure to rise early before the rest of the household and come back before it was time to break their fast. It was a kind of unspoken agreement she and her parents had. If she went without them explicitly knowing and returned before her absence was taken note of, they would all pretend that it had never happened. 

Penelope and her family had just settled in her father’s new estate because his father had lived to a very old age, and with his passing, the estate had finally gone to her father. Usually, she would go for a more peaceful ride, but since the move, she had been unable to sneak away for those precious hours with Phoenix, and instead of proceeding with caution so that they could avoid anyone else riding, they continued at full gallop.

As they passed a small meadow, Penelope noted the sounds of the presence of another rider, and due to the speed she was currently riding at, she barely managed to manoeuvre so that she and this rider did not collide. Penelope struggled to stay seated in her saddle, so she called for Phoenix to slow down to a gentle trot, and in doing so, she saw that the other rider was a tall gentleman with dark wavy brown hair. He looked to be no more than four and thirty, but Penelope did not dare to take in more not to appear completely uncouth. The moment she averted her gaze from this man, she found herself curious to look at him again. He was so intriguing, not to mention exceedingly handsome, and as of yet, Penelope had not been introduced to him or even seen him at any of the events this season. It was obvious that he was a man of great wealth and being that she had never seen him made her all the more curious. She was sure she had been dragged in front of all the eligible bachelors of the ton. With his brooding demeanour and the deep scar on his chin, she thought he could only be one man, the one known as the Mad Duke. 

The thought of meeting this man here in such a precarious manner sent a chill through her body. Much of the ton spoke of him, how his father, the late Duke, had been stark raving mad, and now he was also following in his father’s footsteps. Though his case was not as severe, it was only a matter of time before he was just as utterly insane. Insane or not, this man had thighs so evidently toned underneath his britches, and he was incredibly alluring to Penelope.

Both she and the gentleman pulled their horses to a stop, and upon realizing that he was not going to speak first, as he should, being a man and her senior by ten years, Penelope gave a polite smile and spoke.

“I am so sorry, sir. I truly did not see or hear you until the last moment. I do hope you and your horse are both alright!”

Again, there was an awkward pause, and he looked as though he might not respond to her, but finally, he curtly told Penelope, “Madam, do you realise how unwise it is for you to be riding out here by yourself with no chaperone? The safest course of action would be for you to turn back for your home and refrain from such reckless actions in the future.” He said this firmly, but under the seriousness of his voice, Penelope detected a note of genuine concern for her well-being.

“Oh, of course, sir. I would never stray far from home, and I can assure you I am perfectly safe,” Penelope answered him gaily to ease the tension in the air. However, the man said nothing to this, which only increased Penelope’s nerves towards him, so she bid him adieu, stating the hour was growing late and it was time for her to return home. 

All the way home, the tall stranger danced across her thoughts. His piercing deep blue eyes and how he looked directly at her caused her to feel chills of delight course through her as she rode. Penelope had never met a man that made her feel this way, and she could not even sort how she felt in her mind, only that it was definitely excitement. As she arrived home and began to dismount, she whispered into Phoenix’s ear and ran her hands through her mane saying, “Wasn’t that a strange adventure girl! And goodness what a man … Oh, he never even told me his name, so how am I to be sure if he was indeed the one known as the mad Duke?”

***

Theo rode swiftly home, annoyed at that young lady for being so reckless as to almost cause a collision with their two horses, but truthfully, he was much more frustrated with his harsh demeanour towards her. He was so surprised to come upon anyone else riding at such an early hour. One of the main reasons that Theo chose to ride at sunrise was because most of the ton preferred to sleep in, and he could enjoy the solitude of his ride without the interruption of gawkers. 

Thinking on his interaction with her, he silently scolded himself for admonishing her, even though she was alone. The gentile thing to do would have been to ensure that she was all right and possibly even escort her safely to her estate or, at the very least, introduce himself to her. But, of course, he did none of that. “Well, she probably thinks I am mad as everyone else in the ton does, so what is the difference?” thought Theo, trying to convince himself that he did not care and should forget about this nagging feeling eating away at him. As was the memory of her lovely curls streaming through the wind and her dazzling blue eyes, not to mention her lovely bosom that he could not help noticing was rising and falling rapidly even once they stopped. Furthermore, a single droplet of sweat was making its way down the centre of her chest of creamy white skin. God, she was a vixen! Even if she was reckless, something about that also caught his attention. She was of a different cut from the other debutants of the ton. Just the mere fact that it was clear that she was not afraid of him though slightly shy also set her apart. As for her shyness, it made sense that she would be such; for one, he was not amicable towards her, and she did not know him, but he could not help wondering if she “knew of him.” 

The whole ton saw him as mad and the only reason he still had a place in high society was his title of duke. Even so, this did not keep the ton from gossiping about him behind his back and making up lude and obscene stories about him. In truth, he was not mad at all, though he was reserved, straight forward (usually, he found the fewest number of words possible to get his point across), and rarely went to social outings if he could avoid it. Although he could not be sure if this was his born nature or if he had adopted this persona to fit into the ton’s perception of him. Although he was not mad, it was one of his greatest fears that he would succumb to madness someday. This was because his dear father had truly gone insane in the last few years of his life.

The slow demise of his father had begun after Theo’s beloved mother had died of consumption. Watching her slowly suffocate had simply been too much for his father and his only relief was found at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. After she finally succumbed to her illness, his father lost all reason for living and eventually all his wits. Theo hated thinking about these things and all the terrible memories he usually kept locked deep in the recesses of his mind. Being around the ton only served to have those memories flooding back to the surface because of how everyone acted around him. On the other hand, Theo almost encouraged the rumours by doing nothing to contradict them but rather allowed the ton to think what they liked of him, only letting his closest friends know the real man he was. 

Arriving home, Theo was now thoroughly famished, and the smell of breakfast wafting in from the breakfast parlour caused him to quicken his stride. On reaching the breakfast table, Theo found Alexander already finishing his first helping of ham and reaching for another slice of buttered toast. Normally this would have been considered rude to start before the master of the house sat down, but Theo and Alexander were like brothers to each other in heart, if not blood, and the rules of decorum did not apply between them. 

“So, are you prepared for tonight?” asked Alexander between mouthfuls.

“What about tonight?” responded Theo.

“Don’t play that with me, Theo. You are perfectly aware that tonight is the ball being thrown in honour of the arrival of Viscount Ainsworth and his wife and daughter. 

Theo let out a deep groan. His eventful ride had completely pushed the ball out of his mind. 

“Oh no! You are going to this ball; besides, it is March, and you have not attended a single ball this entire season and promised to attend at least one this year! The season is halfway over now, and you are not about to slide your way out of it. Also, I have to find a wife this season so that I can get my mamma off my back, and I want your help choosing one.” 

“Alright, all right. I said I am going, and I am, but don’t expect me to dance or anything of the sort. I will do my duty and introduce myself to Viscount Ainsworth and his family, but that is all,” said Theo emphatically.

“Fine, but in between your sulking, could you help me look for the woman to be my wife?” asked Alexander.

 “How am I supposed to do that? You are acquainted with every eligible lady of the ton and always have them wrapped around your finger. Just pick one!” retorted Theo.

“I don’t want just any pretty girl that can smile and dance. I want a woman that is a good match for me and whom I can love the way I saw your parents. Their love for the other was so genuine, and they fit each other like a hand and glove. I refuse to have a marriage like my parents have. They hate each other and only married because it was a profitable match to further their social and economic status.”

“Alexander, the mere fact that you see this will ensure that you will not end up in a marriage like the one your parents share. I do not think you should worry about this too much,” said Theo.

“Thank you, Theo, but more to the point, I know you want the same thing someday, and don’t deny it. I’m sure you could find the right future duchess if you just try and not shun every woman that looks your way,” said Alexander.

“Sure, who would want to marry the made duke? The only woman signing up for that would be mad or just in it for the wealth and power that comes with the title. No thank you.” remarked Theo, barely concealing the pain in his voice. 

At this, Alexander changed his tone from one of annoyance to compassion. “Theo, you know there is a woman out there who will see you for the man you really are if you only give someone the chance.” 

“Speaking of meeting a woman, I did meet someone just this morning,” said Theo with a smirk. 

At this piece of information, Alexander looked up from his plate in utter surprise. “What? Whom did you meet, and how did you this early in the day?”

“Well, I met or, more accurately, almost got knocked off my stallion, General, by this young woman I have never seen before. She was riding at a fast gallop as we came out of the Evergreen Meadow and just barely managed to stay in her saddle herself.” 

“OK, enough about the horses; who was she?” Alexander said. 

“Oh, well to be honest, I do not exactly know. In truth, I did not introduce myself or allow her to tell me who she was before barking at her to go home,” Theo said sheepishly, suddenly very interested in perfecting the amount of marmalade on his toast. 

“Theodore Winterbourne, how could you be so rude?” Alexander said, taking on his favourite persona of behaving as though he were his older brother, even though Alexander was but two years Theo’s elder.

“Well, yes, I mean, what was she doing out in the countryside unaccompanied by a proper chaperone and barely after dawn?” 

“And you are sure you have never seen her before? Was she part of the ton or the working class?” Alexander asked. 

“I am certain, and she definitely appeared to be a woman of fine breeding judging by the fineness of her mare and the quality of her riding frock. Not to mention the way she spoke.”

At this, Alexander had Theo start from the beginning and tell him everything about his encounter with the lady, and by the conclusion of the tale, Alexander stated that it very well could be Penelope Ainsworth, the viscount’s daughter. The whole ton had been talking about her and how she was considered the catch of the season due to her great beauty and status. 

Although Theo was not about to admit this to Alexander, he was hopeful that he might see the beauty from this morning at the ball. Finally, there might be someone of note at one of these dreadful things; for now, it was time for business. 

 

Chapter Two

The chaise rattled down the cobblestone streets of London as Penelope, Georgina, and their chaperone, Ms Brown, headed towards the ball. Ms Brown was Georgina’s aunt who had never married and had been charged with looking after Georgina for years. The two girls had always secretly whispered when they were alone that the last name Brown suited her well because she was as dull as dry, hard, brown dirt and dressed the same. Still, she was a kind woman, a lenient chaperone, and not as overbearing as other girls of the ton had the ill luck of having. As was the norm, the chaise had lulled Ms Brown to sleep, and she sat there with her chin resting on her chest and gently snored away. Penelope’s mother and father were in the chaise behind them, giving the girls a moment to speak freely but in hushed tones to not rouse Ms Brown. Georgina was not related to Penelope, but they were as close as sisters and shared everything with each other. 

“I am so excited for this night. Just think of it, Pen! Our first ball, I mean, yes, we have been to countless other balls, but that was back in our small town and must be ever so different from here. I have always heard that the balls held in London are the most decadent and luxurious events one can ever hope to experience. I certainly never thought I would actually be able to go to one. Oh, thank you so much for taking me with you and your family this season.” 

This was how Georgina always spoke. Like a spring chicken that had just hatched and was eager to tell her friends everything she had been thinking while cramped inside her tiny eggshell. That is not to say that Georgie, as Penelope liked to call her, was dim. On the contrary, she was very smart and always got better marks than even Penelope, who worked very hard at her studies at the finishing school they had attended together. Georgina was also quite pretty but felt a bit like a delicate bunch of baby’s breath next to a crimson rose when she was around Penelope. Her hair was a straight sandy blonde, and her eyes a nice hazel colour, but her figure could not compare with Penelope’s luscious shape. Penelope never seemed to notice, though, and often complimented Georgina on how lovely she looked or how she wished her studies came as easily to her as they did Georgina. 

“I know, I am excited about this ball, but truthfully, I am exceedingly nervous more than I am excited. I just feel like I will be out of place at such a grand affair, and everyone will have their eyes on me,” Penelope said. 

“Oh, it is going to be wonderful, Pen. You know it will! The ball is in your honour. Well, your father’s honour, but you know the one that everyone will be craning to get an eye full of is you! Each time my handmaiden has returned from the market, she tells me about all the questions she gets about you. And do not fret; the entire ton will love you, and why would they not? This is you we are speaking of, and with that gown you are wearing tonight! How could they not?”

“It is quite stunning. I feel as though I am walking around in a gown made of delicate lily petals covered in diamonds from how it shimmers. And I adore yours! That soft purple really highlights your gorgeous eyes!” Penelope remarked. Speaking of eyes got Penelope thinking back on the rider from this morning and how she went hot and cold under his gaze when he looked at her.

“I do like it a lot. Thanks, Pen. I wonder if many gentlemen will ask us to dance. I so want to meet them all and see what they are like. They must be so fascinating!”

“Goodness, I hope I do not have to do too many dances. My feet already hurt in these new slippers Mamma purchased for me. I really should have heeded Ms Brown’s advice and broken them in yesterday. However, I am hopeful I will encounter that gentleman from this morning,” Penelope whispered, but not before checking to ensure Ms Brown was still snoring. 

“Lord, I cannot fathom why you would wish such a thing! I already told you that he most likely is the mad duke. Who else could it have been? Every other eligible bachelor has already come to call on you at the house and make the proper introductions, aside from Theodore Winterbourne. I sincerely think that you should do your best to stay far away from him. You should hear the things my handmaiden says she has been told of him. He is absolutely insane, and if he is there tonight, I would suggest you make an excuse to end the interaction as quickly as decorum allows,” Georgina stated emphatically. Although it was not in her nature to be judgmental, she was worried about her dear friend from the stories she had heard of this duke. 

At that moment, the chaise hit a bump in the street, waking Ms Brown from her nap. This came as a relief to Penelope because like herself, Georgina was very stubborn, and once she had made her mind up about something, there was little a person could do to change her view on the matter. Aside from not wanting to argue with her friend, Penelope did not really have any proof to counter against what was said of the duke. Only that in her encounter with him, brief though it was, he appeared perfectly sane to her, and underneath his serious countenance, he also struck her as kind. There was a gentle sweetness in his eyes and the overall feeling she got in his presence that did not bode of a man who had lost control of his wits. Penelope knew what a person suffering from such things was like because, in her old age, her grandmamma had got to where she did not know who she was, where she was at, or even her own son, Penelope’s father, at the end. The family had kept it hushed up so as not to tarnish the family’s image. 

At long last, the chaise came to a halt, and the party climbed the steps to the ballroom entrance. The servants relieved them of their coats, and the girls picked up a dance card and slipped it on their satin-gloved wrists. Soon after being greeted warmly by their hosts, Penelope was surrounded by young men bowing and craning for an opportunity to save a slot on her card. Penelope stood on her tiptoes in hopes of catching her father’s eye so that he might rescue her, but he merely smiled and continued his conversation with a lord. So, Penelope put her best foot forward and attempted to see the rest of what looked to be a long night of dancing with all the grace her family name required. It was not that Penelope disliked dancing; in fact, she quite enjoyed it when her shoes were not striving to torture her toes. It was just that these men all so evidently looked at her as a prize to be won. While on the dance floor with them, they would mostly fill up the moments in her presence by trying to impress her with their masculine prowess. None seemed to genuinely be interested in getting to know her or seeing if a love connection could be built between them. No, it was all a game to them, and she hated it. Penelope longed in her heart to find someone who would love her for her, even if she was just a poor milkmaid. Someone she could build a life and a loving family with, and sadly this longing seemed ever more unlikely. It was clear to her that she was expected to accept an offer of marriage this season, and if she did not, her father would see to arranging a suitable match for her. 

Georgina had stayed close to Penelope’s side as much as she could, and when she finished the latest dance and saw the drained and concerned look hidden behind the sweet smile on her dearest friend’s face, she said, “Penelope, I am parched. Can we please go avail ourselves of a glass of that delicious-looking punch on the table there?” 

Penelope smiled gratefully and agreed. As they stood near the table, a man approached them, and Penelope took one more sip of her punch, hoping it would steady her for yet another suiter, and was ever so relieved to see an old childhood friend, Henry Carlton. Henry bowed, and Penelope extended her hand for him. 

“Henry, I am so pleased beyond words to see you again. You do, of course, remember my good friend Miss Georgina Stuart. Her father is my father’s business partner and lifelong friend. She came with me on many of my trips here in London when we were young and visiting my grandfather’s estate.” 

“Yes, miss, I do remember you, and it is an honour to see you again and looking in such good health.” Henry bowed towards Georgina.

“Penelope, I was greatly grieved to hear of your grandfather’s passing, though I am pleased it has finally brought you and your family here to London permanently. The ton life simply is not the same without you present! Would you do me the great honour of dancing with me this evening?” Henry stated, his voice dripping with flattery. 

“I would be delighted. I have but one dance left on my card. The second to the last dance of the evening.” 

“I will count down the moments until then.” And with that, Henry bowed and took his leave of the ladies, though not before kissing Penelope’s hand and gazing into her eyes as he did so. 

This concerned Penelope greatly. She and Henry had been close friends as children, and she cared for him as such but nothing more. And the way he had just spoken and looked at her made Penelope worried that he had intentions other than mere friendship between them. Penelope was not in the slightest interested in Henry romantically, and on top of that, she was not attracted to him. He was barely taller than her, his hair was mostly gone from his head even though he was not one and thirty, and he liked to flirt with every woman he saw. Simply put, Henry was not the man she wished to marry. 

While surveying the room, Penelope noted that almost everyone was staring at her, and in this perusal of the room, Penelope locked eyes with the tall, handsome man from her morning ride. Penelope instantly felt her heart jump and her cheeks flush. 

***

Theo stood on the opposite side of the room, giving himself as much distance from everyone else as he possibly could, and hardly anyone approached him unless they wished to speak with Alexander, who stood beside him. The pair had arrived early to the ball and now all that was left of his obligations for the evening was to introduce himself to his new neighbours, the viscount, and his family. Then he could end this tortuous affair. He did his best to avoid making small talk, as it only seemed to further the rumours about him when he left. So why should he try to converse with any of them? 

Having seen Ms Ainsworth arrive, it was clear who she was and that she was indeed the woman from this morning. He had secretly been taking note of her all evening. She looked like the perfect model of what a good debutant should be, graceful, polite, elegant, and charming, often making those around her laugh while conversing with her. She also smiled very sweetly and seemed to put those around her at ease. Though what he found most curious about her was that when she was finally given a moment of quiet with her female companion, he saw relief wash across her face. Every other unmarried lady of the ton would have traded their best jewels to have the unrivalled attention that this girl had held the entire evening, but it was clear to him that she was not basking in it. 

When she noticed him, Theo could not bring himself to look away. He saw her smile again, though this smile appeared a bit less practiced compared to the one she had been flaunting the entire evening with all her suitors, and he also saw, even from the distance that he was, that she was blushing. This only served to make her look all the more enrapturing. 

Alexander noted that Penelope and her friend were free, and he nudged Theo in that direction so that he could leave, as Theo had been waiting to do all evening. When the men were finally in front of the two ladies, Alexander as usual made the introductions.

“Ladies, might I have the honour of introducing myself to you? I am Mr Alexander Davenport, and this is my good friend, Theodore Winterbourne, Duke of Winchester.”

As Theo bowed, he saw Penelope’s eyes grow larger upon realizing who he was, but she hid this almost instantly, made a polite curtsy, and kindly responded. 

“It is my pleasure to meet you, sir, and Your Grace. This is my friend Miss Georgina Stuart.”  As she said this, Theo saw that with closer examination, she was even more attractive than he had before realised, but he pushed it from his mind, telling himself that it made no difference to him how attractive she was. He was not interested in anyone. 

Another awkward lull passed as Alexander pulled Georgina into a conversation, and Theo realised that Penelope was waiting for him to say something. For the life of him, though, he could not think of a thing to say to this woman smiling at him, so once again, she kindly filled in the spaces he had left empty. 

“Your Grace, if I may say so, you have a very beautiful estate. We passed it on the way into London, and its incredible architecture took me away.”

“Thank you, my great-grandfather had it built,” Theo answered. Usually, he would have found a reason to exit the conversation by now, but the way that this girl seemed so kind and yet not overly so that it was overwhelming, Theo was not in a rush to take his leave of her. 

“So, have you always loved horses and riding, Your Grace?” Penelope asked with a twinkle in her eyes. This greatly surprised Theo. He would have never anticipated a lady of her status to mention the unseemly manner in which they met this morning. Simply put, it was downright scandalous and could put her reputation at risk if the wrong people had seen her with the mad duke. But before he could even respond, she added, “I met your stable hand while out with my father as we were in want of the best place to find items for my horse, and he said that you were an avid horseman.”

At this comment, Alexander stepped in for Theo because clearly, he thought that Theo would not do himself justice. 

“His Grace is an excellent horseman. He always bests me in our hunts and races. The way he is with the beasts is truly incredible. We should all go for a ride someday if you ladies would oblige?”

Theo gave Alexander a side look of irritation for volunteering him for an outing with these ladies when Alexander knew perfectly well how much he disliked being around people he was not already close to. On the other hand, the prospect of seeing Miss Penelope atop a horse with the wind pulling her petticoat tight against her body was exceedingly enticing.

“Oh, that would be lovely! Though I am not nearly as skilled on a horse as Penelope, I enjoy a good springtime ride,” Georgina exclaimed. 

Before Penelope could say anything in agreement about the idea, the young man from earlier in the evening approached Penelope and reminded her of the dance she promised him, and she politely went with him, nodding to the others as she took leave of the group and headed for the dance floor. 

As Penelope left, Theo relished the last look she gave him. Once again, this girl filled him with strange and unfamiliar sensations. In some regards, he was relieved to see her walk away because her interest in him was not something he was accustomed to, especially when it so clearly came from a place of kindness as opposed to judgement. On the other hand, Theo found himself irritated that this man interrupted their conversation and seeing her on his arm gave him a twinge of jealousy that was entirely unexpected. More importantly, it was high time he made his introduction to the viscount and viscountess so that he could end his time at this ball and return to the comfort of his home. 

***

Penelope and Henry danced across the floor to a pleasant melody and reminisced on old times together as children. 

“Do you recall when your shoe got stuck in the mud when we were playing tag, and we had to fish it out with a stick, and then when I had finally almost retrieved it, you pushed me into the mud?” Henry asked. 

“I do remember that time, and I certainly did not push you into the mud; you lost your balance and fell!” Penelope exclaimed merrily. 

“Well, that is not how I remember it or ever tell the story.” Henry laughed. “But I suppose there probably will not be any more games of tag now that we are both all grown. Also, Penelope please take me at my word that you really should not put yourself in the path of the Duke of Winchester. Do you not know that he is mad and can be quite dangerous to a chased and kind girl such as yourself! It is fortunate that our dance came at the time that it did, and I was able to rescue you from his clutches.”

“Henry, I can assure you I was perfectly safe, and although I appreciate your concern for me, my friend, the duke was merely being a respectful neighbour and introducing himself,” Penelope answered, hopeful Henry would drop the matter from there.

“Oh, sweet naive Penny girl, you are too kind-hearted as you have always been. The whole ton knows that the duke is crazy. Why I once heard that he locked a group of his servants in the stables for two whole days, and when asked why he would do such a thing, he simply laughed and said that was where they wanted to stay for holiday!” Henry said.

“Oh, that is terrible, but Henry, you know how tales can get so twisted as they go through the ton that they end up so far from the truth of the matter,” Penelope stated. 

“Well, I also once saw him at my favourite club, and he was gambling, and then he proceeded to eat some of his coins at the table and remarked how delicious they were. And that is just a couple; I could tell you countless more. All of which are true!” Henry stated with disgust. And with this, he proceeded to tell Penelope about the duke’s father and that he had also been mad and passed the sickness to His Grace. 

With that, the dance was finally at an end, and Penelope went to the powder room for a few moments of peace before the final dance of the ball. Shortly thereafter, they would finally be returning home. It had been a wearisome night, and Penelope now had blisters on her feet, and she just wanted to have Bessie, her handmaiden, soak them in hot water and put a soothing salve on them. She thought of her large feather bed with her silk sheets and warm cotton quilts and ached to fall into it and dream sweet dreams. Penelope thought back on her dance with Henry and how he had pulled her in closer to him than she preferred, and at a few points, she felt his fingers quickly brushing against the bare skin slightly above the hem of her dress on her back. It frustrated Penelope greatly that Henry would take such liberties. 

 For now, though, it was time to go and dance the final dance. As she left the powder room, the duke crossed her mind again, and she wondered if he were still at the ball and if perhaps they would get to speak once more before the night was done. 

After that dance, Penelope went to find somewhere she could sit quietly and not be disturbed by anyone else until it was time to head back home. Penelope decided that the balcony overlooking the gardens would be the best place for her to find the sanctuary she sought, and she made her way out there after donning her shawl since it was slightly chilly that night. 

That night, a cool breeze fluttered about and sent a lovely aroma from the flower beds, and the clear moonlight gave everything a peaceful ambiance. 

Penelope sat on a bench surrounded by flowering vines that provided enough cover to lean back, look up into the stars, and breathe easily for the first time that night. Moments later, Penelope realised she was not the only one who had thought to seek solitude outside and saw that Theo stood at the edge of the balcony. Penelope began to get up, but at that moment, he turned and saw her sitting there.

“My apologies, Your Grace. I did not mean to disturb you. I will not impose on your privacy further.” 

The moonlight framed his chiselled jawline so perfectly that Penelope hated to have him exit her view.

“No need, Ms Ainsworth, please stay. You are not disturbing me, and I was just about to leave the balcony. I just needed some fresh air,” the duke answered. With this, Penelope relaxed again and expected him to leave, but the duke seemed to have little interest in returning to the ball. Instead, he made his way closer to where Penelope was seated. 

“It is much nicer out here than in there, is it not? I can only imagine it must be overwhelming for you to be here,” Penelope stated, hopeful that this would break the silence. The duke gave her a quick look, and she soon added what she meant by that not to be misunderstood and offend him. “Being a duke, everyone must want your attention, which can get tiresome quickly.”

At this statement, the duke gave her a small smile, and Penelope was surprised that she had managed to say something that pleased him. That smile gave Penelope an unexpected thrill down to the base of her womb. 

“In truth, I have never been much for balls, but I wanted to respect your family’s arrival and welcome you as my new neighbours,” the duke said gently. 

“That is very gracious of you. It has been a pleasure to make your acquaintance officially,” Penelope answered, reminding him covertly of their morning. After Penelope made this statement, there was a shift between them, and Penelope felt her stomach flutter with excitement as he appeared to be considering sitting on the bench beside her. Although it was clear Theo was a man of few words, he was not as intimidating as she had thought at first. At that point, he appeared something of a mystery to her and one that she wanted to discover in more depth. 

***

But instead, he bowed to Penelope and wished her a good night. After Theo retrieved his coat, top hat, and gloves, he made his way to exit the ball, and once he was halfway down the steps, Theo came face to face with Rupert Lancaster. Rupert had been his father’s business partner and managed his many properties and tenants in his absence. They had been very close, and Theo’s father had trusted Rupert implicitly. Because of this, in the last few years of his father’s life, he had relied almost solely on Rupert to handle his business affairs. 

Theo girded himself for an unpleasant encounter and donned his most stern facial expression. Theo had not seen him since his father had died, and Theo had ended his business dealing with Rupert, and he had left for France in an attempt to grow his wealth there. Rupert was not pleased about losing the business with the Winterbournes, even though Theo had given him pieces of land and investments and took some losses in doing so. However, Theo did this so that Rupert could never come back claiming he had been unfairly treated by him. Still, Rupert made it clear to Theo that he was unsatisfied with his decision to cut ties. 

“Well, this truly is a surprise to see you here, Your Grace!” Rupert stated. 

“As you can see, I am leaving. The greater surprise is that you are back in London. I did not think you to ever return from France. Especially since you were so at home with the French by all reports,” Theo retorted. 

“Oh, I just missed home and needed a piece of the wonderful ton but not to worry, I will be paying you my proper respects come morning and we can catch up more thoroughly.” With that, Rupert walked into the ball without even the curtsey of bidding the duke good night. 

This concerned Theo greatly, for he had no desire to catch up with Rupert, but if the scoundrel were there, it was best to see what he was scheming and be done with it rather than be caught unawares. As Theo headed home, he decided he would talk this matter over with Alexander when he returned from the ball. If he was still awake at that hour of the morning, that was. 

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As soon as Penelope Ainsworth arrives in London, she sets tongues wagging. During a solitary ride, a near collision with a melancholic stranger known as the “mad Duke” leaves her breathless with intrigue. Despite her friend’s warnings, Penelope is drawn to the Duke’s enigmatic past and imposing presence. As she navigates the dangerous waters of London’s elite, their eyes meet again at a ball, and she feels powerless to resist his devilish charms…

Will Penelope choose to risk everything for her wicked Duke?

His facial scar and troubled past have earned Theodore Winterbourne the title of the mad Duke, a reputation that sometimes works to his advantage by keeping the nosy ton at bay. Yet, beneath his brooding exterior lies a man tormented by family trauma and a fierce determination to avoid his father’s tragic fate. Swearing never to marry, he is totally unprepared for the fiery Lady who ignites a flame within him. As their mutual love for riding blossoms into a friendship, Theo finds himself on the brink of breaking his own rules to pursue his passion for her.

Yet, will he ever denounce the wounds of his past that continue to haunt him?

In the scorching London summer, Penelope is swept away by the alluring Duke. As their scandalous romance blossoms amidst the glittering world of high society, a simple horseback ride turns into a thrilling and dangerous escapade, igniting a passion that threatens to consume them both. With secrets and betrayal lurking at every turn, will their sinful love survive the storm, or will it be crushed under the weight of scandal and prejudice?

“A Duke’s Wicked Secret” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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