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“I am honored to have found favor in my lord’s sight, but it seems we have different values, and we do not make a fine match,” Lydia had said to the man. Penny suspected the flowers had been the icing on the cake for Lydia.

“I told him countless times, sister, that I do not like daisies. He claimed his grandmother loved them, and I would grow to love them with time, as I would grow to lovehim,” Lydia agonized. Penny and Aunt Augusta had retired to Lydia’s bedroom to catch up on the things they missed during the day, and Lydia had a lot to say about the baron’s visit.

“I imagine the daisy also represents him. He knows you detest him at the moment, but he hopes with time you will grow to love him,” Aunt Augusta blushed.

“If only he had approached me with such sentiment, I would have been more accommodating. Instead, he came to me with talks about the many babies he wants to have with me.”

“It is safe to say that our dearest Lydia is sad because the one she longs for has not paid call to her,” Penny joked. Lydia huffed while Aunt Augusta laughed.

“It is not so. I long for no one,” Lydia tried to defend her honor.

“So you say, but if that gentleman were to walk in here right now, your entire face would light up in excitement.” Lydia tried but failed to hide her smile.

A knock distracted the ladies.

“Dinner is served,” Rufus announced when Lydia opened the door, but he did not make a move to leave.

“Is something the matter, Rufus?” Penny arched a brow in question. Rufus smiled awkwardly and cleared his throat.

“His Grace has returned.”

Lydia and Aunt whipped their heads to Penny. She swallowed and got up immediately.

“Returned?” She had heard Rufus and Besty say the same thing earlier in the hallway while she passed. She had thought Rhysand was locked up in his room all the while.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Rhysand has not been home?” It was then Rufus realized that the duchess knew nothing about the duke’s working habits. It was not new to the staff how the duke would go missing for days. Sometimes he returned late at night and left at the very crack of dawn, but he did not return until he was done with whatever kept him away.

“Forgive me, Your Grace, I assumed you knew about the duke’s departure.”

Penny licked her lips and rubbed her temple; she could feel a headache brewing. “We shall be down soon.” She passed Rufus a smile, and with a bow, he disappeared.

Penny adjusted herself and squared her shoulders, ignoring the frightened looks she got from her family.

Everything will be fine!She chanted within her.

There were over twenty staff in Thornbury Hall, and though they always spoke in hushed voices, there was no time the house was completely silent. Tonight was the exception. Penny was convinced if she dropped a pin, it would echo. The journey down to the dining room was quiet, and it was even more horrifying when she saw that all the staff had lined up in the dining room with their heads hung low as though they had all been scolded while Uncle Harold sat at the table with a glass in hand. Penny swallowed.

Rhysand had his back to her, leaning on the slab that held his uncle’s bottles of whiskey. His massive shoulders filled the coat he wore, his aura, dark and angry. Even from where she stood, Penny saw the muscles at his back tighten at her arrival.

“Rhysand, you are home,” Penny cleared her throat and plastered a bright smile on her face. He whirled to stare at her, quick anger rising in his eyes.

“Indeed I am.” His tone was relatively civil in spite of the anger in his eyes that roamed over her face and body, making her very conscious of the presence of the company they had.

He scoffed and grabbed the half glass of whiskey he had been drinking and sent the burning alcohol down his throat in one gulp.

“I suspect you have something to say to me regarding…” she paused. Penny could not cower in the presence of their staff and her family. Rhysand raised a brow. She squared her shoulders.

“We should speak after dinner,” Penny stretched her lips and urged her family with her eyes to take their seats.

“Rufus, Besty, I will take care of everything. Go and have your dinner,” Penny licked her lower lips, managing to quell her annoyance at the situation. No one moved.

“The Duchess of Huxton has spoken.” His smile was without humor.

Chapter14

“What the hell has happened to my house?”