“What was I thinking?” she muttered, pressing a hand to her forehead in a bid to fight the dizzy spell threatening to take over her. “I must have taken leave of my senses.”
But the burning sensation in her chest told her that wasn’t all it was.
Although she would never admit it out loud, she had been curious about the subject after Cecil had brought it up. It hadnever concerned her before, nor had she ever entertained such notions previously.
The way he had said it... presented the idea to her like it was a mystery that made her hungry to solve... it piqued her interest in a way nothing else ever had.
His instructions on how to achieve the sensation had seeped into her mind, muddying her senses until she was hanging off his every word.
Despite the danger of discussing such a topic with Cecil of all people, she was enthralled. His touch had held her captive as he whispered directions to her, and his gaze made her feel as though he was peering into the depths of her being.
And that kiss... oh, that kiss had turned her insides to ash. She felt whatever reservations she had go up in smoke, and against all that was right and sensible, she found herself leaning into it.
“I must retire for the day at once,” she whispered fiercely. “I will not be helping myself by staying here.”
It was vital she put some distance between herself and everything that reminded her of that outrageous man.
Quickly, she left the library, hoping to sneakily head to her room without anyone seeing her. However, it would seem her luck for the day had been squandered, because when she turned downthe hallway leading to the wing where guests were staying, she nearly ran into someone.
“Oh, my apologies –”
“There you are!” Nora sighed, relief gracing her lovely features. “I was worried when I noticed you had left dinner early. I went to your room to find you but you weren’t there.”
“Ah –” Penelope swallowed nervously. “I was not feeling well... and so I thought I'd take a short walk.”
“Are you feeling quite ill? You look rather flushed,” Nora noted, worried.
Penelope’s fingers darted to her face, twitching beneath the heat of her skin, and she shook her head.
“I am fine. I suppose I moved around a lot more than I had thought and exerted myself more than I should have.” She said quickly.
Nora nodded with a gentle smile. “All right then. Get some sleep, and let me know if you need anything. The servants are at your beck and call.”
“You are too kind, dearest. I will be fine,” Penelope promised, lightly ushering her away. “Off you go now – before your husband turns this house on its head in a bid to find you.”
Nora laughed, like the notion was utterly ridiculous, but the blush on her cheeks told Penelope that she wasn’t too far from the truth.
“Sleep well, Penelope.” Nora bid with one last smile.
“And you, Your Grace.” Penelope teased.
Nora huffed, sending a heatless glare over her shoulder as she walked off, and Penelope sighed in relief once the duchess was out of sight.
Quickly, she made her way to her room, hoping not to cross paths with anyone else once. Soon, she was safely in the chambers that had been given to her upon her arrival at the estate, and it was as though she could finally breathe properly.
Her heartbeat was echoing in her head as she tried to suspend all thoughts of Cecil in favor of getting ready for bed.
“Forget about it all, Penelope,” she told herself sternly. “It’s all hogwash, things you have no business discussing with a man of his shameful habits.”
But as she stripped off her evening dress and slipped on her nightdress, her mind replayed his words. His instructions had been so clear and simple then, but now they set her ablaze, from the crown of her head to the sole of her foot.
His whispers, which had urged her to pay attention to the feel of her nightwear on her skin, suddenly highlighted the soft, smooth slide of the silk.
A shiver ran down her spine, and for a moment, she considered recalling the rest of Cecil’s prompts.
And then she smacked her cheeks simultaneously with both hands, only hard enough for the sharp sting to bring her back to her senses.
“Go to bed, you fool. And forget that man’s ridiculous behaviour at once!” she scolded herself as she marched to her bed and slipped under the sheets.
