Deena shook her head. “I almost ruined you. I almost?—”
“But you didn’t.” Penelope’s voice cracked. “You married a man who chose to help me because of you. He said—” Her voice broke. “He said you would want me safe. That even now you think about me.”
Deena sobbed. All this time, Austin planned to help her despite everything.
“I am so sorry,” Deena choked. “I could have done more.”
“You did everything you could,” Penelope whispered fiercely. “You did more than anyone ever has. You gave me time and hope.And…you gained quite a dashing Duke, too!”
Deena laughed through her tears. “He is impossible but wonderful.”
“He istoowonderful andtoohandsome.” Penelope grinned, wiping Deena’s cheeks with her thumbs. “Although he does swear like a sailor when he thinks no one is listening, he never once made me feel like a burden, and he treated me like family. I thought to myself that he is just like you.”
Deena’s breath shuddered; she never thought that she and Austin were similar in anyway but looking back, she realized their fierceness when it came to protecting their family and the constant battle to hide their true feelings.
“I owe him my thanks,” Deena whispered.
“You owe him more than that.” Penelope raised a brow at her, and they laughed in comfortable camaraderie.
“I’m just glad that you are safe now.”
Penelope smiled through her own tears. “That is not the only good news. I am going to Scotland tomorrow.”
Deena gasped and grinned at her friend. “To Edward?”
Penelope nodded exaggeratedly. “Yes! My love is waiting. We will be married by the week’s end. And the baby—” Her hand drifted to her stomach. “The baby will have a home. Because of you. Because of your Duke.”
Deena’s heart felt content. “Oh, Penelope! This was all I wanted for you!”
“I know.” Penelope hugged her again.
They clung to each other, crying and laughing at once. The relief was so sharp it hurt.
When they finally drew apart, Penelope’s smile was soft and certain.
“You are lucky, Deena,” she said quietly, “to have someone like the Duke of Windemere.”
Deena looked down at her wedding ring. The plain gold band held a whole new meaning to her.
“I am lucky,” she quietly agreed.
For a moment, Austin simply observed them from the doorway of the drawing room, silent and still, as though he were witnessing something sacred. An unfamiliar and disarming warmth spread through his chest. He had seen his wife in many states, defiant, guarded, and even furious, but he had never seen her like this. So open, so vulnerable, and so alive with compassion.
He cleared his throat gently, causing both women to startle and rise quickly from the couch. Penelope dipped into a curtsy, but Austin raised a hand.
“Please,” he said quietly. “There is no need for that.”
Miss Grande straightened, her cheeks flushed. Deena turned towards him with shimmering eyes; her lips curved into atrembling smile. Austin’s gaze lingered on her, and for a heartbeat, the rest of the room ceased to exist.
I would do anything for her.
The mere thought scared him. He had never cared that deeply for someone.
“Your Grace,” Penelope’s soft voice pulled him to reality, “I owe you more than I can ever repay.”
Austin shook his head. “You owe me nothing, Miss Grande. What was done was necessary, and I would do it again without hesitation.”
Miss Grande’s eyes glistened. “Still, I must thank you. You gave me back my freedom.”
