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The Letter
Last Updated:
2024-11-28 12:10:58
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Punished by the Duke The Dinner
~Penny~A deep sense of dread and anxiety took over me as I slowly turned around to face Mr. Rolfe. His scrutinizing gaze seemed to freeze my blood, making my mouth dry and my knees weak and shaky."Pardon me, My Lady, I think the purser was holding five letters addressed to His Grace. Did you by any chance happen to see the fifth one?""Um, letters? For me?" I asked, hiding my sweaty palms behind my back and slowly crumpling the thick paper. The blue envelope I had opened so carefully to glue it back later was still sitting on the wooden railing. I used my body to block it from him."Letters for His Grace, My Lady, did you---""Oh, there they are," I said, quickly throwing the crumpled letter into the water as he turned to look at the approaching guards. "Just when I was wondering if I would ever get a minute away from them to appreciate these gorgeous views, here they are..." I waved my arm at the rolling hills draped in snow, gusty winds howling across them.Feigning my disappointme
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke Caged In His Arms
~Penny~"Get my bath ready," he ordered, stripping off his shirt without caring to look at me. I stepped into the bathroom quietly to do as he said. Once I got the sponges and soap ready, I stood awkwardly by the large vanity, rubbing my palms on my thighs. He walked in wearing nothing but a towel, sending a warm tremor of heat straight to my core."Fetch me some new towels and change my sheets." He glowered at me, shutting the bathroom door to my face. Someone was in a terrible mood, probably because his torture didn't work on me. I wondered what else he would do to make me talk tonight. It was so strange that I wanted him to push my sexual boundaries to the extreme, even when the thought scared me.I changed the sheets and cleaned the room, picking clothes off the floor. Did he get physical with Hannah today? The thought bothered me as I clutched his cream-colored shirt, looking for any lipstick marks or strands of rose gold hair.Pushing his shirt to my nose, I sucked in a deep bre
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke I Hate Him
~Penny~By sunrise, we were about four hours away from our destination—a cold coastal town named Glacier's Edge. But where did the sun go? Even at nine in the morning, it was so frigidly cold and foggy. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the ship sailed really close to the North Pole overnight. As I walked into the open deck area, I saw that the crew wore heavy wool coats, hats, and gloves. The steward seemed to have used a hammock by the wood-burning stove at night to keep warm.Alice was serving alcohol to everyone on board while Lucy and Marie were busy getting the breakfast ready. Leo was probably still in bed. I dared to snuggle up to him once he passed out last night, but he wasn't a deep sleeper, apparently, since I woke up in my bed this morning."Good morning, My Lady," Lucy said, beckoning me to join them in the galley kitchen. "His Grace likes these added to his eggs." She passed some cold smoked herring and cheese to me without explaining much.I wasn't very helpful in t
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke The Cold Coastal Town
~Penny~ As the ship touched land and everyone rushed to get offboard to the freezing Tundra, Mr. Rolfe walked to me with a stack of letters. The one on the top was in Lawrence's handwriting but with Ben's address. So, Lawrence somehow knew we were going to stop at Glacier's Edge for a few days. “For me?” I asked, snatching it from Mr. Rolfe's hand before he attracted Leo's attention with his deep, ringing voice. For Ben's safety, it was best that Leo never knew about his existence. I was still upset with Leo and didn't want to talk to him. After that slap, he also avoided me. "How is this water not frozen?" Lucy exclaimed, covering her face with a scarf. "I wanted to say goodbye to Marie before she left, but I can barely see in this fog." "I know, it's crazy! Not even three in the afternoon, and the sun is setting already." And I thought Mountbatten was cold. This place was surrounded by impressive snow-covered mountains just like Mountbatten, but that gorgeous pale wintry light
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke His Burning Jealousy
~Penny~How could I be so irresponsible? I cursed under my breath, the chill of the late night air seeping through my coat. At two in the morning, after tossing and turning for hours, the realization suddenly struck me–where did the letter that Mr.Rolfe had handed me go?It must have slipped out of my dress at some point. But where? I forgot all about it when I got off the carriage and settled in the cottage for dinner. It was snowing lightly now, and the moon was out while I looked as suspicious as ever, tracing my way back to the garden and lawns I had walked through earlier in the evening. Dawn was approaching soon. I glanced up at the second story window where Leo's room was. He must be fast asleep, maybe with Hannah curled in his arms. As I turned away, I thought I saw a flicker of movement.Was he awake? Could he see me out here in the cold? I had to hurry back to my room, hoping no one else stumbled upon the letter once the snow melted. The next morning, we set out to the oce
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke The Claiming
~Penny~I shook my head in refusal. "I hate you after what you did with Hannah. Your touch disgusts me.""My touch? You get wet just looking at me." He whispered, his breath warm against my ear. As he traced his fingers down my spine, I shuddered against him, hating how soaked he was making me. "I don't have to feel your pussy to know how wet you are for me."I took a deep breath, desperately shaking my head in a no, denying the truth in his words and the caressing strokes of his fingers against my lower back. My nipples hardened under my dress, yearning for him to fondle my breasts."You let that handsy fucker touch you. You forgot who still owns this pussy, didn't you?" His fingers reached my folds as he buried his face in the crook of my neck."It's not yours. I'm NOT yours. I hate you!"I scrambled against his hold, refusing to acknowledge how shaky and breathy my voice was. He wrapped his hand around my throat and pulled me closer, tugging me into a wild kiss while using his other
Last Updated : 2024-11-28Punished by the Duke Caught Red Handed
~Leo~The Night Before:What was she looking for so desperately? It was so late at night, and she was freezing her ass in this biting cold weather. I waited for her to find whatever she was looking for so that I could run downstairs and confront her.Minutes turned to hours, and she was still out there, her delicate frame shivering under the thick layers of wool in which she was bundled up. Her long, flowing hair was no longer tucked under her cloak. It danced wildly against the icy breeze as she started scraping the snow off the flowerbeds, looking even more distraught as she peered into the hedges and shook a bunch of shrubs.Was it jewelry that she lost? Maybe something precious or a souvenir from her family? I had no idea if she had any family left. Whoever appointed her to ruin me had done a pretty good job wiping out all her records. I had sent my men to find out more from her aunt before we left on this trip, but her aunt went missing.Penny could feel my gaze. She suddenly peer
Last Updated : 2024-12-01Punished by the Duke No Mercy
~Penny~My body was still twinging from a sweet ache, and I savored every bit of it silently on my way back to the cottage. I stroked my arms where his fingers had dug into my flesh, thinking about how he was able to make me come so hard."I think His Grace is waiting outside for you, My Lady," Alice said, straining her eyes to see through the falling snow as the cottages loomed closer.He was probably going to ask me if I touched myself. As I stepped down the carriage, I made sure not to look his way, in fear that he would withhold my orgasms again for pleasuring myself without his permission."Penny, Hold up!" Ice spread through my chest when I heard his voice. I was frozen in place with terror.If he could kill me with just one look, I'd be already dead on the ground right now. I didn't need to ask him what was wrong. The murderous expression on his face, with Lawrence's letter in his hand, was enough to make me run for the hills. My heart went into overdrive, and my feet took off b
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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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
