The next morning
As Penelope awoke to the soft filtering through the curtains, her gaze naturally drifted to the figure of her husband beside her. Thomas Debling lay there, still lost in the depths of sleep, his features relaxed in peaceful repose. She could not help but admire the strength and grace of his form, the way the morning sunlight danced across his chiseled features, highlighting the rugged lines of his jaw and the gentle curve of his lips.
Feeling a surge of affection welling up within her, Penelope leaned in closer, her heart swelling with love for the man lying bare chested beside her. With a tender touch, she brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead, marveling at the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips.
"Good morning, my love." She whispered, her voice barely a breath as she leaned in to press a soft kiss against his lips.
Thomas stirred at the gentle touch, his eyes fluttering open to meet hers with a sleepy smile. "Good morning, my darling duchess." He murmured, his voice husky with sleep. "What a pleasant way to wake up."
Penelope returned his smile, her heart full with happiness at the sight of his warm gaze. "I could not resist." She confessed, her voice filled with affection. "You looked so peaceful, I could not help but steal a kiss."
Thomas reached out to draw her closer, wrapping her in his arms as he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I'm glad you did." He replied softly, his eyes sparkling with love. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be than here with you, my dear wife."
"How did you sleep, my love?" His voice filled with warmth as he reached out to caress her cheek.
Penelope's smile widened at her husband's endearing words. "I slept wonderfully, thank you." She replied with her soft and tender voice. "Especially knowing that I woke up next to you."
Thomas' heart swelled with love at his wife's words, and he pulled her closer, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "I feel the same, my love." He murmured, showering her lips with soft kisses. "Every morning with you is a blessing."
Penelope nestled against Thomas' bare sturdy chest, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her as they shared this intimate moment together. "I could not agree more." She whispered, her voice filled with love for the golden haired man beside her. "I am so grateful to have you by my side, Thomas."
"As I am, Penelope. You could never imagine how thankful I am that you have agreed to become my wife. I feel like the luckiest man in all of England." The new duchess just giggled with Thomas' cheesy lines.
As they lay entwined in each other's embrace, Penelope gently broached the topic that had been on her mind since the dawn of the day.
"Thomas, do you think our plan to go to town today will proceed?" The redhead inquired, her voice tinged with anticipation as she glanced up to see his ocean blue eyes and his handsome face.
Thomas considered her question for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. The outings they had planned, disguised as a normal couple, held a special significance for both of them. It was their way of staying connected to their constituents and understanding the challenges they faced, while also cherishing moments of normalcy amidst their noble duties.
"I do not see why not, my love." He replied, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. "The weather seems fair, and I believe our schedule is clear for the day." He added with his thoughtful expression.
Penelope's eyes brightened at his words, her excitement palpable. "Oh, wonderful!" She exclaimed, a smile spreading across her face. "I do so look forward to our outings together."
The Duke of Northumberland returned his wife's smile with one of his own, his gaze warm with affection. "As do I, wife." He replied, reaching out to take her hand in his. "It's important that we stay connected with our constituents and ensure their well-being, but I must admit, I also relish the opportunity to spend time with you as a normal couple, away from the demands of our duties."
Penelope squeezed his hand gently, her heart swelling with love for her husband. "And I, you, Thomas." She replied softly. "Shall we make preparations to depart?"
With a nod, Thomas Debling rose from their bed, his hand still clasped firmly in Penelope's. "Indeed, my love." He said, his tone filled with determination. "Let us don our disguises and embark on our journey to town, as partners in both duty and love."
The redhead duchess giggled as her husband mentioned the word disguise. Whenever they go out to different towns on their territory, the couple make it a point to dress less formally like that of a common folk, as to not garner much attention as they stroll along the whole town. With this, they are able to enjoy and roam freely around without the feeling of inhibitions coming from the town folk. But still, there are times that the two get recognized by the townspeople. After all, it is not a common occurrence to see a couple consisting of a redhead lady and a golden-haired gentleman. More so, the Duke of Northumberland has been widely known among his territory for his accomplishments and dedication to the duchy.
With their breakfast concluded and their preparations complete, the duke and duchess emerged from the grandeur of Alnwick Castle dressed in plain day clothes, their noble status concealed beneath the guise of common attire.
Opting to forego the family's luxurious carriages, they instead chose to travel using a single horse, embracing the simplicity of their outing and the opportunity to blend in with the common folk they sought to connect with.
As they stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sun casting its golden rays over the sprawling estate, Penelope felt a surge of excitement mingled with a hint of nervousness. Though they had undertaken similar excursions before, each journey held the promise of new encounters and unforeseen challenges.
Thomas, ever the epitome of gentlemanly composure, offered his arm to his wife with a reassuring smile. "Shall we, my love?" He asked, his voice filled with warmth and affection.
Penelope nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for the man by her side. With that, they set off, the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse's hooves echoing against the cobblestone path as they made their way towards the town, their spirits high and their hearts united in their shared purpose.
As the couple made their way through the bustling streets of the town, their spirits soared with the thrill of adventure. They blended seamlessly into the crowds, their true identities hidden beneath the guise of anonymity.
Penelope's eyes sparkled with delight as she took in the sights and sounds of the day market, the vibrant colors and enticing aromas filling her senses with wonder. From the stalls selling fresh produce to the merchants hawking their wares, there was a sense of excitement in the air that was infectious.
With a smile on her lips, Penelope paused at a stall piled high with colorful fabrics, her fingers tracing the soft textures with reverence. "Oh. Thomas, look at these beautiful fabrics!" She exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement. "I simply must have a few yards for my next sewing project."
The Duke of Northumberland watched indulgently as Penelope selected her chosen fabrics, his heart swelling with pride at the sight of his wife's enthusiasm. "Of course, my love." He replied with a smile, reaching into his purse to pay the vendor. "Choose whatever you like. You deserve everything you want."
As Penelope continued to explore the market, Thomas walked beside her, his hand clasped on hers. His gaze never leaving her for a moment. Together, they sampled the local delicacies, mingled with the townsfolk, and reveled in the simple joys of life away from the constraints of their titles and responsibilities.
As they perused the bustling market stalls, Penelope's eyes sparkled with delight at the array of goods on offer. From vibrant fabrics to gleaming trinkets, there was no shortage of treasures to be found amidst the throng of merchants and shoppers.
Lost in the excitement of her purchases, Penelope could not help but notice the subtle presence of two men who seemed to be shadowing their every move. Sensing her husband's protective instincts kick in, she discreetly nudged Thomas, drawing his attention to their covert followers.
"Thomas." She murmured, her voice low with concern. "Do you see those men? They have been following us since we arrived."
Thomas Debling's brow furrowed with realization as he glanced in the direction his wife indicated. With a rueful smile, he reached out to gently squeezed her hand, his eyes soft with apology. His expression softened with understanding as he realized Penelope's distress. "My love, I apologize for not informing you sooner." He said, his tone gentle with reassurance. "Those men are likely guards assigned to protect us while we are in town."
Penelope's eyes widened in surprise as she processed her husband's words, a mixture of relief and gratitude flooding through her. "Guards?" She echoed, her voice filled with astonishment. "But why would we need guards?"
Thomas' jaw clenched with the weight of unspoken burdens as he explained. "As the Duke and lord protector of the Northern England borders, there have been attempts on my life in the past." He admitted, his voice heavy with the gravity of his words. "It is my duty to ensure your safety at all times, especially when we venture beyond the confines of our estate."
"But I promise to make sure they keep their distance so we can enjoy our time together without feeling too scrutinized." He added.
Penelope's heart constricted with worry as she realized the dangers that surrounded them, even in the midst of their seemingly ordinary lives. But she also felt a swell of pride knowing that Thomas had taken every measure to protect her and their family.
"I understand, my love." She said softly, reaching out to caress his cheek. "Thank you for keeping us safe." She gave her golden-haired husband a warm smile that melts his heart with affection. Despite the presence of their guards, she was determined not to let it dampen their outing.
With a nod of gratitude, Thomas gave a quick kiss on Penelope's forehead, his eyes filled with love and determination. "Always, my love." He vowed, his voice unwavering with conviction. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you and our family safe, no matter the cost."
With that, they resumed their exploration of the market, the presence of their unseen protectors a silent reassurance amidst the bustling crowds. As Thomas and Penelope mingled with the townspeople, they listened attentively to their concerns and issues. They heard stories of struggling farmers facing crop failures due to harsh weather conditions, artisans struggling to make ends meet in the face of economic downturns, and families struggling to afford basic necessities.
Moved by the plight of their constituents, Thomas and Penelope made mental notes of the issues they encountered, determined to find ways to address them and alleviate the hardships faced by the people under their care.
"It's heartbreaking to see so many of our people struggling." Penelope remarked, her voice filled with empathy. "We must do everything in our power to help them."
Thomas nodded in agreement. "Indeed, my love. We have a responsibility to our people, and we cannot just ignore their suffering. We must work together to find solutions and offer them the support they need to overcome these challenges."
With renewed determination, the couple continued their conversation with the townsfolk, listening to their stories and offering words of comfort and reassurance. Not all things were bad after all, the two were heartened to hear some positive news amidst the challenges. They learned that half of the farmers were still expecting a bountiful harvest for the season. Additionally, the landed gentry expressed their appreciation for Penelope's efforts in addressing their requests and concerns, noting the positive impact she, as the Duchess of Northumberland, had made in the community. All her efforts had been met with approval and gratitude, much to her delight and humility.
Penelope could not help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction at the praise from their constituents. Though she was initially nervous about taking on her role as duchess, she was grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Seeing the positive outcomes of her efforts filled her with a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that she was able to contribute to the well-being of the people under her care.
Thomas smiled warmly at his blushing wife, squeezing her hand affectionately. "You're doing an excellent job, my love." He said softly. "I'm proud of the work you're doing as our duchess."
As they made their way back to Alnwick Castle, the echoes of laughter and gratitude ringing in their ears, Thomas and Penelope felt a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving their community, and a renewed determination to uphold the values of duty, honor and compassion that guided their every action. Smiles never left Penelope's features as she continues to feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. The warm reception from the townspeople and their happy expressions of gratitude filled her heart with warmth and happiness, knowing that her effort as the new Duchess were making a positive impact on their lives.
Thomas, sensing his wife's silent joy, reached out to take her hand in his, his touch a comforting reassurance of their shared accomplishments. "You've done well, my wife." He whispered, his voice filled with pride. "The people respect and admire you, just as I do."