Page 12 of Saved By the Rakish Duke

“I’m not known for my patience,” he confessed. “Besides, with my schedule, you should consider yourself fortunate I’m bothering to make this time at all.”

With his hands in his pockets, he let his eyes wander around the room, her dresser, the books on her nightstand, and so forth. Penelope suddenly realized that letting him in was a huge mistake.

“Stop looking at everything!” She jumped in front of him, arms spread. “I can see the judgment in your eyes.”

But her reprimand appeared to fall on deaf ears as he was too busy amusedly looking her up and down.

The blood rushed to Penelope’s cheeks, she had completely forgotten that she was in her nightgown. With a gasp, she turned away from him.

“So shall I take this armchair?” he asked.

“Yes,” she answered through gritted teeth, throwing on her robe.

She took her place on the bed, making it a point to sit as far away from him as physically possible.

At last, he broke the silence. “Right then, what’s this favor that you seem so sure my ‘skills’—whatever you mean by that—would enable me to successfully carry out for you?”

Penelope straightened her back.

There’s no need to be embarrassed.she reminded herself.After all, he owesmea favor.

Lifting her chin, she declared, “You must find me a husband.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Er... that’s- well, I have so many questions, but perhaps it would be best to save them for after you’ve elaborated.”

“What’s there to elaborate on?” She shrugged. “It goes without saying that he needs to be kind, of good social standing, not too-”

“No, no.” He waved a hand. “Not that, I mean, why the sudden interest in finding a husband?”

“I don’t believe my reasons bear any relevance to your success in repaying your debt,” she answered drily. “Just know that I need a husband who’s permissive and kind and will take in and my mother as well, preferably before the end of this Season. Do you think you can handle that?”

“It’s straightforward enough.” He shrugged. “But why enlist my help at all? You’re pretty enough to turn heads all by yourself.”

Penelope felt her face grow hot once more, so she stared at her hands to hide it. “It’ll be faster this way,” she replied, before meeting his gaze again. “Please?”

Perhaps he could hear the desperation in her voice, or maybe he noticed it in her eyes, or maybe it was even in the way she sat. But for whatever reason, to her relief, he said, “All right. I’ll get started tomorrow.”

Penelope clasped her hands in delight. “Thank you, Your Grace! I know someone as well-connected as you are will-”

“On one condition...” He cut her off, bringing his hands together as though he were deep in thought.

“All right...” She hesitantly nodded, “what is it?”

“You’ll follow my lead, and doexactlyas I say,” he smirked.

“In that case, I don’t think I will be requiring your help after all,” she retorted.

He sat up in disbelief. “What? You don’t even know what I might ask for!”

“Exactly.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Hence my response.”

“Relax, Lady Penelope,” the duke chuckled, “I just meant that you better not embarrass me in front of the gentlemen I recommend you to.”

“How couldIpossibly embarrass you?” Penelope scoffed, “You’rethe one with a reputation so ghastly that you quite literally have people conspiring against you,” she reminded him.

He waved this remark away. “Clearly, we’re starting to lose sight of why we're here. I owe you a favor, and you want the favor done, yes?”

She nodded.