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Losing his Baby
Last Updated:
2025-01-13 09:19:10
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Punished by the Duke Hunted Down
~Penny~Pain stole my breath. A sob tore through me as I stared at the crimson, sickening stain spreading across my pale dress. I pressed my forehead against the cold sliding glass pane, praying for the sharp, stabbing pain to soften.Lucy's comforting words were a distant hum, unable to reach me through the wall of my pain. My hand instinctively went to my stomach again, resting protectively over the baby bump that would never be. Would it have been a girl or a boy? My breath caught in my throat as I pictured a tiny Leo with eyes as gray as the storm clouds.I stared at the gloomy winter skies as the train chugged away. Weariness settled over me, and I welcomed the sleep. I could do anything to escape the guilt and grief I felt at the moment. The darkness I saw when I shut my eyes was no match to the darkness my heart was overcome with. As I floated between wakefulness and sleep for what seemed like an eternity, the train lurched to a halt."Penny, this is our stop. Wake up," Lucy sai
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Punished by the Duke Worst Case Scenario
~Penny~My chest tightened to the point that I couldn't breathe in terror. Out of all the possible ways it could have played out with Lawrence, this was the worst case scenario. I fled from Leo and Mountbatten to protect my baby, only to lose it within hours. I jeopardized Mabel's safe return, still had no idea if Ben was alive, and even Lucy's life was at risk now.Lucy tried to free me from Lawrence's relentless grip, but he sent her stumbling over onto a large boulder that jutted out from the side of the path. My heart raced as I watched her arms flail over the moss-covered dark rock. Please, God, please... I cried, praying desperately to keep her unharmed. Her kindness toward me could cost her her life today. She would have never come to Grafton if not for me. As she attempted to stand, one of the guards slapped her hard across the jaw.She pressed her lips together in defiance, glaring at Lawrence. Releasing me from his cruel grasp, he sneered at her. She was unbothered by his int
Last Updated : 2025-02-09Punished by the Duke A Desperate Ride
~Leo~"Numbskulls!" I hissed, my fingers clenching the guard's collar. "Did I say she could leave?"I sucked in a breath when something flashed in my mind. The other guard, where was he? When he said earlier if it was okay to meet Alice, did he mean if it was okay for Penny to meet Alice?"Fuck!" A growl ripped from my throat. "Where the hell is Talbot? Did he---""Leo..." My dad's voice cut through my rage. He stepped into the hallway, and Talbot trailed behind him, his downcast gaze fixed on the floor."The gatekeeper found him lying on the Knight's Path trail. He was drugged and pushed off a moving carriage." Dad told me, signaling Talbot to join the other guards."Was it a Campbell carriage?""Yes, but a stolen one. No valet. The driver wasn't in his uniform. Anyway..." Dad was not interested in finding out who took Penny. He waved dismissively, turning away to leave. "I have more pressing things to do, boarding the two o'clock train, for example. I'm going to tear that thickheaded
Last Updated : 2025-02-16Punished by the Duke Embers & Echoes
~Leo~ Meeting Penny awakened a feeling I had never known before. Fear. The fear of losing her and living in a world without her. It was an all-consuming feeling that fogged my brain and stopped me from thinking rationally. Lawrence wasn't expecting me or Dad until another two hours. I used this time to look for any clues that could lead me to Penny or her brother. While I was away iceberg hunting, I found out she had a brother. I tasked my men with finding him, but they had nothing to report upon my return. Now I knew why. He had fled a few weeks ago. His uncle was too terrified of Lawrence to say a word to me. I gripped his arm, my fingers tightening until he winced in pain. This was the man who had made Penny's life a living hell. He had abused his right to guardianship. I wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled. But he looked like a cornered animal, his defeated eyes the same shade of blue as Penny's. Despite the strong desire to inflict pain, I released his arm. "Where's yo
Last Updated : 2025-02-17Punished by the Duke Love & War
~Leo~I was late. By the time I rounded up a reluctant Trevor and some men to cover as much ground as possible, I was too fucking late! Her screams cut through my heart. Lawrence's filthy hands were on her. Tears streamed down her face from the pain of being dragged by her hair. The sight of her stance was so full of pain, it tore apart my soul."No, Leo, wait!" Trevor grabbed my arm as I dismounted my horse. "We can't shoot any of the royals without---"I cut in. I didn't need a voice of reason at the moment. "Who said anything about shooting? That would be too quick of a death." I could feel my pulse as it thudded through my body."We can't hurt them!""I don't fucking care, kill all his guards and take their horses." I peered through the haze of red fury, growling at the motherfucker whose blood was going to be on my hands."Lawrence!" I charged toward him, my hand closed around the concealed weapon I was carrying, ready to shoot his hand if he attempted to reach for his pistol. The
Last Updated : 2025-02-22Punished by the Duke The Dark Revenge
~Leo~Penny's desperate shot, a near miss, barely grazed Lucian's shirt while Lucian's bullet slammed into her chest. The sight ripped a piece of my soul away as the shot sent her gasping to her knees. Even as she dropped to the ground, she mustered the last of her strength to put a bullet in his thigh.Before the echo of the shots faded, I leaped to grip my weapon instantly and unleashed two thunderous shots at Lucian, right between the eyes. Ignoring the spray of blood as his body crumpled to the ground, I ran to Penny's side, sweeping her broken form into my arms."Penny? Baby... please, look at me." This couldn't be happening for real. I pulled her to sit crosswise on my lap and cupped her tear-streaked face. She was gasping for breath. Fuck! I ripped a length of fabric from her gown and attempted to seal the wound with the material. The warm, slick feel of blood stained my trembling fingers through the cloth. "Trevor! Carriage, now!" I yelled, scooping Penny into my arms and rush
Last Updated : 2025-02-24Punished by the Duke The Dirty Secret
~Leo~"A slight detour?" Dad repeated my reply in a murmur as I removed my hat and bowed my head to the envoy. "Your Excellency."The envoy, Sir Llyod, was a tall, imposing man with a shock of silver hair and piercing blue eyes. His gaze swept across the room, looking for Lawrence and Lucian. The gripping tension in the room was palpable as I took a seat."I see I'm not the last one to show up," I said, faking my surprise. "The princes are delayed, perhaps?" I exchanged a glance with the King, whose face was laced with suspicion.The envoy also turned to the King, his gaze probing, "Any idea what might have happened? We lost fifteen minutes of our meeting time already.""I can only speculate, but His Grace and his father might have a better idea." His voice was almost accusatory.Acting clueless, I waved at the footman. "All I see is tea here. Fetch me a good cup of coffee, please." I tucked a napkin into my collar and got busy eating breakfast."Oh, pardon me, Your Majesty. I assumed
Last Updated : 2025-02-26Punished by the Duke The Endless Delirium
~Penny~My eyes fluttered open, trying to adjust to the dimly lit hospital room that smelled like antiseptic and smoke. "Leo? Where's Leo?" My words sounded like a croak. I tried to sit up, but the bandages around my chest tightened, spreading a dull ache across."Hello there, good afternoon," a nurse rushed to my side. "You can't move like that. You've been shot." How could I forget the searing heat of the bullet that tore through my chest? But I needed to know if Leo was okay. Was he shot too? Lucian had pointed his gun at Leo once he was done with me. I tried my best to stop him but failed."Is... Is His Grace----""Penny! You are up," Lucy cried out, her head peeking through the curtains before she stepped forward and occupied a chair by the bedside. "I was getting worried about you.""Lucy, thank the heavens! I am so relieved to see you fine and alive. You fell unconscious---""I feel all good now. It was just a minor contusion, either from the fall or the hard blow.""No concuss
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
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Punished by the Duke Author's Note
Characters and events in most novels are fictional, but they are usually deeply rooted in the experiences and emotions of real people.The inspiration for this story comes from people who hold onto past relationships a little too tight and for far too long. They pour so much of their wonderful selves into keeping a relationship alive, even if it makes them question their self-worth. Only a few fortunate ones move past it and meet the kind of love that feels like a safe place, a love that accepts all the scars of the past.I did not fully explore this theme by drawing a contrast between Lawrence and Leo because Leo is far from perfect, but, at its core, the idea is to be able to tell the difference between red flags and imperfections before investing our hearts and souls into someone.
Punished by the Duke Epilogue
Eighteen Months Later (Mountbatten, Summer of 1862) ~Penny~ A tear escaped my eye as I gazed at the bright blue skies stretching above the moorland. The wild open space of the moorland opened up to a meandering river. Walking down the gentle slope of the well-worn path to the gushing water, I settled onto the bank. The low resonant hum of the water currents did little to calm my mind. Laying against the comforting heat of a sun-warmed stone, I fondly placed my hand on my stomach, trying to fight the tight knot in my throat as tears pricked at my eyes. It's gone—eight long weeks of emptiness. After carrying a baby for close to six months, I lost it. Just like the first time, but much further along. The pain was so much worse, both emotional and physical. And the bleeding lasted for days. I didn't want to dwell on the loss. But it was a persistent ache that lingered like a shadow. The day was too beautiful to be sad today, and I was here for a mental reprieve. I blinked back the t
Punished by the Duke A Deluge of Love
~Leo~ Long after we settled into bed, I lay awake and restless, my gaze fixed on her sleeping face. I rubbed the red spot on her neck where a hickey had begun to form. What was she dreaming about? I leaned in to graze my lips over the delicate curve of her lashes but stopped myself. What the hell was I doing?She had looked so reluctant to stay with me but wouldn’t tell me the reason for wanting to leave. I think I knew the reason. All that violence, bloodshed, and the Campbell asshole deaths were too much for her to handle. She could have died if I was late even by a few minutes. I almost lost her. It was the price she had to pay for falling for me.Even when she was in my arms, here, in this quiet space, I was consumed by a sense of failure. What was the point if I couldn't make her feel safe and protected? I didn't want to be the guy who just made her toes curl with orgasms. I yearned for her absolute trust that I'd raze the world to keep her from harm."Ready?" I asked her when sh
Punished by the Duke Beg for Pleasure
~Penny~He was punishing me for wanting to leave him. A week had passed since I got discharged from the hospital in Grafton, but he hadn't uttered a word. We were back in Mountbatten, in some tiny town with a strange name, Fludir. I wondered why he wasn't back at the castle.I had no complaints about the town or the lavishly comfortable and cozy log cabin we were staying at. But the warm scent of pine and the soft crackles of the fireplace could only offer so much comfort against his chilling silence.Every night, I watched him return after dark and go straight to his room. I received updates through Lucy, which was infuriating. She told me he was trying to locate Ben.I wanted to be part of this search. I hoped to help ease his workload as he juggled managing his Duke duties and covering up the mess we created in Grafton. With the Campbell Princes gone and the King under probation, their kingdom's succession and the future of the ambitious railroad project hung in the balance.As he e
Punished by the Duke The Tempting Seductress
~Leo~ She melted into my embrace as I pulled her closer. I tightened my grip around her waist and dipped my head, breathing in her sweet scent. “Oh, Leo, I missed you terribly!” she whispered, her words thick with longing as her fingers dug into my back. Her voice was like a soft balm to my heart. But I needed to hold her close for a while to stop the ache in my chest. Stroking her chin with my thumb, I lifted it to make her look me in the eyes. "Did you just lock Lucy up? Who's helping you escape this time?" Her cheeks bloomed a delicate shade of pink as she averted my gaze. Her tongue ran along her bottom lip, tempting me to devour her mouth with an uncontrollable hunger. “Don’t,” I growled, leaning in to cover those delicious lips with mine. She slipped her tongue between my lips, making my breath catch. I clung to her like I would die if the kissing stopped. Lucy's persistent knocking forced me to pull back for a moment. Breathing hard, I rasped out, "Penny is with me, Ms.
Punished by the Duke The Endless Delirium
~Penny~My eyes fluttered open, trying to adjust to the dimly lit hospital room that smelled like antiseptic and smoke. "Leo? Where's Leo?" My words sounded like a croak. I tried to sit up, but the bandages around my chest tightened, spreading a dull ache across."Hello there, good afternoon," a nurse rushed to my side. "You can't move like that. You've been shot." How could I forget the searing heat of the bullet that tore through my chest? But I needed to know if Leo was okay. Was he shot too? Lucian had pointed his gun at Leo once he was done with me. I tried my best to stop him but failed."Is... Is His Grace----""Penny! You are up," Lucy cried out, her head peeking through the curtains before she stepped forward and occupied a chair by the bedside. "I was getting worried about you.""Lucy, thank the heavens! I am so relieved to see you fine and alive. You fell unconscious---""I feel all good now. It was just a minor contusion, either from the fall or the hard blow.""No concuss
Punished by the Duke The Dirty Secret
~Leo~"A slight detour?" Dad repeated my reply in a murmur as I removed my hat and bowed my head to the envoy. "Your Excellency."The envoy, Sir Llyod, was a tall, imposing man with a shock of silver hair and piercing blue eyes. His gaze swept across the room, looking for Lawrence and Lucian. The gripping tension in the room was palpable as I took a seat."I see I'm not the last one to show up," I said, faking my surprise. "The princes are delayed, perhaps?" I exchanged a glance with the King, whose face was laced with suspicion.The envoy also turned to the King, his gaze probing, "Any idea what might have happened? We lost fifteen minutes of our meeting time already.""I can only speculate, but His Grace and his father might have a better idea." His voice was almost accusatory.Acting clueless, I waved at the footman. "All I see is tea here. Fetch me a good cup of coffee, please." I tucked a napkin into my collar and got busy eating breakfast."Oh, pardon me, Your Majesty. I assumed
Punished by the Duke The Dark Revenge
~Leo~Penny's desperate shot, a near miss, barely grazed Lucian's shirt while Lucian's bullet slammed into her chest. The sight ripped a piece of my soul away as the shot sent her gasping to her knees. Even as she dropped to the ground, she mustered the last of her strength to put a bullet in his thigh.Before the echo of the shots faded, I leaped to grip my weapon instantly and unleashed two thunderous shots at Lucian, right between the eyes. Ignoring the spray of blood as his body crumpled to the ground, I ran to Penny's side, sweeping her broken form into my arms."Penny? Baby... please, look at me." This couldn't be happening for real. I pulled her to sit crosswise on my lap and cupped her tear-streaked face. She was gasping for breath. Fuck! I ripped a length of fabric from her gown and attempted to seal the wound with the material. The warm, slick feel of blood stained my trembling fingers through the cloth. "Trevor! Carriage, now!" I yelled, scooping Penny into my arms and rush
Punished by the Duke Love & War
~Leo~I was late. By the time I rounded up a reluctant Trevor and some men to cover as much ground as possible, I was too fucking late! Her screams cut through my heart. Lawrence's filthy hands were on her. Tears streamed down her face from the pain of being dragged by her hair. The sight of her stance was so full of pain, it tore apart my soul."No, Leo, wait!" Trevor grabbed my arm as I dismounted my horse. "We can't shoot any of the royals without---"I cut in. I didn't need a voice of reason at the moment. "Who said anything about shooting? That would be too quick of a death." I could feel my pulse as it thudded through my body."We can't hurt them!""I don't fucking care, kill all his guards and take their horses." I peered through the haze of red fury, growling at the motherfucker whose blood was going to be on my hands."Lawrence!" I charged toward him, my hand closed around the concealed weapon I was carrying, ready to shoot his hand if he attempted to reach for his pistol. The
