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“Do you know it is a crime in itself to accuse a person without proof?” It was the first time since the day started that Penelope raised her voice. Although Rhysand was pleased to hear her voice as loud as he knew it to be, he did not like that she raised her voice to defend a criminal.

“It is also a crime to push a person into a lake and leave them to drown.” Lydia threw her arms over her head.

“The Lady did not push me into the lake!”

“I saw her do it, sister! I am not as naive as you think I am. I would never accuse a person falsely–”

“Lydia…”

“You should protect yourself and not the Lady who tried to harm you.”

“Is there any truth to your claim?” Rhysand asked Lydia, to which she nodded her head once in response.

“The marquess and I were on our way back from our stroll when I saw my sister taking a stroll with the lady toward the lake. Knowing Penny has a fear of water, I followed behind them and caught sight of when the Lady set her foot out for Penny and disappeared when Penny fell into the lake. I ran to look for help because I cannot swim.”

Rhysand bit the insides of his mouth.

A slender, well-dressed lady with black hair?Rhysand thought. There was only one well-dressed, black-haired, slender lady he had seen his wife with. A face crossed his mind: Madeline.

“Very well then.” Rhysand adjusted his black shirt with a slight nod.

“Where are you going?”

“To make sure the criminal pays for her crime.”

Chapter22

If bewilderment had a face, it sure would resemble Penny’s as she stared at her husband after his declaration. Aunt Augusta and Lydia had quickly run out of the room, sensing the couple needed some privacy, which they did.

“Surely you do not mean that, do you?”

“I am a man of dignity; I never go back on my words, Sunshine. You should know that by now.”

She did, for her family had been on the receiving end of his wrath. Penny could recall his cold gaze when she came to him that morning. He had proudly told her that her father deserved the punishment he had gotten without an ounce of remorse in his voice. He was the cruel duke, after all.

I should be happy.Penny told herself, seeing as Rhysand was willing to put aside whatever relationship he had with Lady Madeline and make her pay for her crimes, especially after what the lady had unashamedly suggested at the lake. But the idea of Rhysand hurting Lady Madeline, or anyone in fact, left a bitter taste in her mouth. She could not imagine Rhysand hurting anyone at her expense. She would not allow it.

“I am well. I do not wish for this to become an issue,” Penny knelt on her bed with pleading eyes.

“It already is an issue. I shall tolerate no disrespect!” Rhysand retorted stubbornly, slowly marching toward her as he spoke. Despite kneeling on the bed, Penny’s height was no match for the duke as he stared down at her with bright anger in his eyes.

“Perhaps I should also work on draining out the Serpentine,” his grey eyes narrowed. Penny stared at him in disbelief.

“It is impossible to drain out the Serpentine!”

“Nothing is impossible for me. If I desire it, I will happen.” At that moment, Penny knew she had to do everything and anything she could to stop Rhysand from following through with his words.

She grabbed his hands, held them to her chest, and sighed.

“Thank you.” She smiled up at him. A faint light twinkled in the depths of his dark eyes. “But I do not want you to do all of that for me.”

He merely stared at her as though he had never seen her before and was fascinated by her. Then he parted his lips to speak, but Penny had sighted his protest from a mile away.

“Sunshine, I–”

“–do you promise?” he considered her words for a few seconds.

“What would you have me do?” He asked with a defeated sigh.