My Cruel Duke Bonus Epilogue

Bonus Epilogue

Five Years Later

Penelope hummed softly under her breath as she walked to the nursery.

Today was a day she had been planning for quite a while now, and it was imperative that all went well without a hitch. When she arrived at the nursery, Penelope opened the door a little at first and took a peek, smiling as she watched the nannies fuss over the youngest two – Sally and Elise. Her oldest child Thomas was a wonderful little helper, encouraging his sisters as they were undoubtedly prepared to meet their mother.

She felt blessed, extremely so, to the point she wondered if it was all right to be so fortunate. Things were not always perfect, but they sorted it out together every time. Even after five years, she was still Rhysand’s Sunshine, and he was still her Darling. Their children made their love for each other grow and expand and not a day went by that she did not feel loved and whole.

“Mama!”

Penelope grinned as she realized she had been caught, opening the door fully and bending low to receive Thomas’ hug. Whenever she held him lately, she teared up at how fast he was growing, wishing he could remain her little boy forever.

“You came.” He grinned at her adorably.

“I did like I always do.” she nodded, gently pushing some of his curls away from his forehead and pressing a kiss there. “Good morning, my precious little angel.”

Thomas giggled, his cheeks pink. “Good morning, Mama.”

He was really a perfect proof of the love between Penelope and Rhysand, and it was obvious if one took a single look at him. He had his father’s hair, and his mother’s eyes and was quickly developing a pout similar to Penelope’ and excitement like Rhysand’s these days. Sally and Elise looked like their parents too, but they looked more like one and less like the other, whereas Thomas seemed to be a perfect balance between them both – a fact that always filled Penelope with joy each time she recalled it.

“Where is Papa?” Thomas questioned, standing on his tiptoes to look over his mother’s shoulders.

“He is in his study, trying to see how much work he can get done before I find him and ban him for the day. Would you like to come with me so I can fetch him for breakfast?”

Thomas nodded enthusiastically and held out a hand and Penelope took it with a little chuckle as she rose, stepping further into the nursery.

“Let’s fetch your sisters first, darling. Your father would love to see you all.”

“Right.” Thomas nodded seriously as if he had just been offered some grand revelation that was quite dire, even for his five-year-old mind.

Penelope grinned down at him and moved forward, nodding at the nannies, cooing when Sally saw her and immediately held her arms out to be picked up.

“Sally! My little sunflower.” Penelope sighed, lifting her into her arms. “How are you?”

Sally pulled back a little, held both sides of Penelope’s face with her little hands, and leaned forward to press a wet kiss to her mother’s cheek. Only that she missed and it landed more on the duchess’ jaw, but it filled Penelope’s heart with delight anyway.

“Aw, thank you love! Now, would you like to walk with Thomas or do you want me to take you with me on our way to see Papa?” Penelope asked, bouncing the girl on her hip as she reached out to gently stroke Elise’s cheek lightly with a finger.

Sally seemed to have already decided on what to do before her mother even asked, twisting in Penelope’s arms and making grabby hands at her brother.

She had begun to walk only recently and Thomas would hold her hand and guide her wherever she needed or wanted to go, taking little, small steps so his sister could set the pace. It was one of the sweetest things Penelope had ever witnessed – to the point that she had shed tears over it the first time she saw it. 

Very carefully, she set Sally down next to her brother, smiling when Thomas held onto her hands as she found her balance and then began to lead her out of the nursery. Penelope watched them set off, smiling as Thomas softly told his, “Little steps, Sal. I am here,” and she replied with, “Thomas, here!”

Suddenly eager to see her husband even more now than ever, she lifted her last child into her arms, grateful that Elise was a very quiet baby who seemed to prefer staring competitions as opposed to crying, thanked the nannies for their work and then joined her children on their way to meet their father.

They stopped at the heavy double door, and Penny crouched down to give them a very important instruction;

“At the count of three, we shall all say ‘Happy birthday, Papa!’ Am I clear?” Penny asked and Thomas nodded eagerly while the girls pouted like they could not be bothered by her. The plan had been simple and was supposed to go without a hitch, however, when Penny counted to three, the doors to Rhysand’s study were pulled open and he appeared, as charming as ever.

“Happy Birthday, Papa!” Thomas yelled at the top of his lungs, while his sisters yelled whatever they felt was right.

“Thank you, my loves,” Rhysand took Thomas in his arms and placed soft kisses on both Elise and Sally’s faces. The girls giggled while Penny frowned.

“What about my kiss?” She pouted and Thomas laughed, clearly finding the exchange amusing.

“I have nothing for you,” Rhysand turned his head with a pout of his own, making Thomas laugh harder, showing off his dimpled smile.

“When the sun sets and the party is over, I hope you hold onto what you have just said.” Penny narrowed his eyes at him, and he laughed a full hearty laugh.

“Good morning, Sunshine.” Rhysand pulled Penelope, with the two girls hanging on either side of her, toward him like they weighed nothing. He then leaned forward and placed a small soft kiss just below Penny’s lips. She smiled.

“Happy birthday, My Darling.” A bright smile appeared on Penny’s lips.

“Breakfast is ready,” she announced to him. Rhysand leaned toward her again, his lips stopping by her left ear as he whispered,

“If you are not on the menu, I shall skip breakfast.”

Penny colored fiercely and pushed him away. It had been five years since their union, and yet Rhysand still made her blush with his tongue.

“And yet you claim I have a foul tongue,” she laughed and they made their way to the dining area.

***

Originally, Penny had planned a huge party, but the Season had just ended, and though she was widely known among the Ton for hosting one of the best balls each season, Penny was exhausted, so she opted for an intimate dinner party with friends and family instead.

Little by little, the guests started arriving, and as Penny predicted, Lydia and Philip arrived first, with their little girl, Pen. They named the little girl after Penny, and every time Penny saw the little girl, it filled her with joy.

Penny joked that Lydia and Philip arrived early because Lydia missed her so much, but everyone knew the couple arrived early because Philp had missed Rhysand dearly and he wanted to speak to Rhysand without Patrick interrupting.

Patrick arrived nearly ten minutes later and rushed up to Rhysand’s study without exchanging pleasantries with Penny. 

“It seems our brother loves Rhysand more than he loves you,” Lydia whispered and laughed.

“He is shameless about it. I contemplate locking Rhysand away from your dear husband and our dear brother, daily,” Penny added and they laughed some more.

Aunt Augusta and her husband, William, an old businessman she met at a ball the year before, arrived shortly after. Aunt Augusta had been skeptical to heed his advances, but the man proved he was completely smitten by her, and at the end of the Season, he proposed to her and they got married. Penny could not be happier that her aunt had finally moved on from Harold Patterson, who was busy rotting with his partner in crime, Wilson Hislop.

The dinner started a little after Rhysand’s man of affairs arrived with his wife. The table was jolly and full of childlike excitement. Talking and making light jokes over past occurrences that led them to where they were presently, Penny especially.

She stifled a giggle as Rhysand hoisted up her skirt and rubbed her thigh. They had been joking with the others when she excused herself from the table. Rhysand followed after her claiming he wanted to offer a helping hand. Now that helping hand slid between her warm folds, setting her entire body ablaze. The involuntary tremors of arousal began.

A golden wave of passion and love flowed between them as Rhysand pushed her back against the wall in his study—the place where it all started.

The feel of his fingers inside her exalted her, and she squirmed. Rhysand’s strokes grew quicker and more urgent, and an even brighter flare of desire sprang into her eyes.     

“It has been five years and your taste has not changed,” Rhysand said as he positioned two fingers inside Penny.

“Rhysand! We have guests,” Penny scolded but she parted her legs even wider for Rhysand to continue with his work.

“I shall be quick,” he smiled, stroking deep into her. Rhysand found he loved having her like this; gasping for breath and completely shattering her revolve under his fingers.

“You have to hold in your moans, Sunshine, if you do not want our guests to know what we are up to…” Rhysand warned before working his breeches to take out his hard cock which he slipped into her. She was always ready for him. 

“Oh, Rhysand, I…” Penny moaned, unable to hold it in.

His fingers then went between their joined bodies, resting on her sensitive nub, which he caressed wickedly with each thrust. Penny was roused to the peak of desire and she parted her lips. 

As if sensing her moan, Rhysand covered her mouth with his free hand. A proud smile on his lips as his thrusts went deeper. She breathed in deep, soul-drenching drafts at his pace, and after a few pumps, she felt shattering. Passion pounded the blood through her heart, chest, and head with each thrust.

Penny’s body melted against his and the world was filled with him. Her whole being flooded with desire as they reached their climax.

Without warning, Penny dropped to her knees before Rhysand. His eyes widened as he watched her. 

“Sunshine,” he warned, but Penny paid no mind to him as she wrapped her slender fingers around his cock. It sprang back to life immediately, and Rhysand sucked in a sharp breath. She gripped the base of his hardness and lowered her head, stroking and pumping him with a steady rhythm. 

The blunt head of his erection pressed urgently against her palm, and she guided it to her lips, placing a soft kiss there. 

Rhysand stifled a hungry growl. His duchess, his sunshine knew just how to drive him mad with want. Rhysand bit down on his lower lip in anticipation of what was to come.  Rhysand fought his own release, straining his body and mind against the rush that built within him, but he was no match for her. He quickly picked her up and placed her face down on his desk once more. 

He entered her swiftly, and with a loud growl, he emptied himself in her. Penny stood up and he took her in his arms.

“It has been five years, and I still love you so deeply, my darling…”

The End