“I cannot imagine why you would feel that way, Lady Heather, but I am sorry to have given you that impression. There is nowhere else I could be – quite literally. If I wasn’t here, I am certain my sister would hunt me down, armed with a pack of wild dogs.”
Lady Heather giggled, her lips parting to say something to him, but Cecil’s attention was slipping again as he witnessed the very moment Matthias caught sight of Penelope from his side of the room. The viscount wasted no time making his way to her, his expression one of a charmed man.
The duke’s spine stiffened as Penelope smiled softly at Lord Lockwood, allowing the man to hold her hand up to his lips, his eyes practically stuck to her face the entire time.
And suddenly, Cecil was back in his room, nestled between Penelope’s legs, the taste of her fresh on his tongue and filling his senses as she told him that he was the only one who could grant her pleasure.
Something in him snapped, and he murmured rushed apologies to Lady Heather, already moving before he was aware of what he was doing. In a few moments, he was standing next to Matthias.
“– and I thought –”
“Lady Penelope. There you are. I thought you had forgotten that you had promised I would have your first dance.” Cecil interrupted smoothly, easily grinning when he noticed the all-too-familiar ire seeping into Penelope’s form.
“Your Grace,” Matthias bowed quickly, albeit a tad irritated. “I did not know –”
“That is likely because no such thing occurred, Lord Lockwood.” Penelope stated through gritted teeth.
Cecil only beamed wider, suddenly feeling as though he had shed all the disconcerting feelings he had been carrying about for days under Penelope’s stern gaze.
“Perhaps you simply need a moment to recall those events.” Cecil proposed, holding out a hand.
Penelope glanced at the viscount first, then she slipped her hand into Cecil’s grasp, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. To his surprise, she went without a fuss, and it was only when they took their place among other dancing pairs that she expressed her disappointment.
“What are you doing, Your Grace?”
Cecil’s expression morphed into one of concern.
“I know that you are not as fond of society functions as most young ladies, but surely you are familiar with the art of dancing? I know it is rather silly and I must confess that I, myself, do not understand the purpose of it. But you are rather adept on your feet for one who does not know how to dance.”
“I did not – why are you doing this?” she asked, her tone exasperated.
Cecil had to wonder as well, confused as to why he went out of his way to do this. But now that he had her in his arms, the familiar sensation of rightness that he had not noticed before suddenly started to spread through his chest.
With her this close, Penelope looked even more ethereal, her skin fair and warm beneath the lights as she moved along with his lead, her pretty dress fluttering with each twirl and sway.
Cecil was suddenly thirsty, and he knew the only thing that would quench her thirst would be to drink from her lips.
“It was hard to stay away. How can I be expected to do so when you look absolutely ravishing?”
Her eyes widened, and Cecil realized that he had said his complaints out loud. He was not particularly concerned because this was not the first time he had expressed his opinions on her beauty, but perhaps it would have been better to have kept those thoughts to himself.
Because Penelope’s expression graduated from shock to a strangely uncomfortable look. He did not know what to do, so he continued to speak.
“Besides that... I also wished to inform you that my estate repairs have been concluded and I would no longer need to take up residence at your home. Please, do not hesitate to miss my presence.”
Now, she looked utterly caught off guard, and for a moment, she did not speak. Then she inhaled deeply and smiled, but he noticed her eyes did not light up the way they did when she was truly pleased.
“Oh. Do not harbor any delusions that your absence will be felt. I cannot express how relieved this news makes me, as finally I will no longer live with a troublesome man.” She said with her nose up in the air.
Cecil chuckled, taking notice of how unconvincing her words sounded.
“Give it a few hours, angel,” he leaned in towards her ear and whispered. “In no time, you’ll begin to miss me so much, it’ll feel as though you cannot survive if you do not see my face. At that time, you are permitted to call on me, and I will graciously give you my attention.”
Her face shuttered once more, and he felt her stiffen beneath his touch. Frustration churned within him, and before he could speak up, she said,
“I do not know why you insist on being so difficult, Your Grace. Please stop this bothersome behaviour at once. I cannot believe you would be so callous as to be so inappropriate in public.”
Confusion filled Cecil, and he pondered on why her mood was so sour at that moment. But it seemed she had many grievances to air, because she spoke up to add,
