by Oliver Queen
"Shall I fetch more brandy Your Grace?" The waiter's voice broke into his musings. Phillip shook his head in the negative.
"Bring the whole damn bottle," he replied, "be quick about it."
The waiter bowed and went to do his bidding leaving him once more to his brooding. He uttered an expletive, drawing the attention of some gentlemen seated nearby but he paid them no heed. He was in no mood to socialize. What he needed above all else was the oblivion he was sure to find in downing as much brandy as he could stomach. Perhaps then his thoughts would turn to something else other than her. Where was the damned waiter and his brandy?
"I say Newbridge!" A florid faced beefy fellow plunked down on the seat opposite and laid a hand on his shoulder, "I heard you were back from the boorish countryside."
Phillip turned and levelled a withering stare at the lad who was beaming at him, oblivious to the murderous intent in his mind. "Unless you have a fond wish to lose your limb, I suggest you remove your hand at once Bascombe." he said coldly.
A look of utter confusion crossed Lord Bascombe's florid face as he beheld the withering look on the duke's face. He dropped his hand and settled back into the seat. He was well aware of how dangerous and evil minded the Duke of Newbridge could be when crossed.
"Apologies, I admit I got ahead of myself." Lord Bascombe replied quietly. "When did you return?"
Phillip gritted his teeth in barely suppressed fury. The idiot apparently could not take the hint and leave him alone. "Go away Bascombe." he forced out between his clenched teeth.
The heavy set viscount rose and hurried away, quite unwilling to put himself in danger of getting a fistful in the face.
"Where the bloody hell is that damned waiter?" Phillip exploded, pushing to his feet and glancing about. He spotted the idiot hurrying towards him with his order and sank back into the chair.
"I apologise for the delay Your Grace," the waiter murmured as he set down the tray bearing the brandy.
"Oh do shut up and get away you bumbling fool."
The man hurried away. Phillip poured himself a large helping and was just about to drink when another hand clapped on his shoulder. He snarled. Why the bloody hell couldn't he be left alone?
"Drowning your sorrows I see." Lord Henry observed dryly, moving to take the seat Bascombe had vacated a few minutes ago. He grinned at the surly look on Phillip's face and proceeded to help himself with the drink.
"Go away Hensley," Phillip growled, snatching back his bottle. "Find yourself another seat and get your own damned drink."
Henry chuckled, not in the least deterred. He regarded his friend, noting the stubbly unshaven jaw and the bloodshot angry eyes. "My my, we are in a snit aren't we? Pity. I quite like this seat. It is as close to the fire as possible and above all, there is a free bottle of brandy with my name on it."
"Watch your tongue Hensley," Phillip snapped, "I am not in the mood for wise cracks."
"What is the matter with you? I admit you are usually foul tempered even on the best of days, but this is quite in the extreme."
Phillip shot the earl a withering glare. "Mind your own damn business," He muttered, taking a gulp of his drink, "I thought you were at Millcote anyway? How is it you are plaguing me with your unwelcome presence?"
"Come now Farnsworth, admit you are happy to see me. And you should be offering congratulations for my suit was quite successful"
"What the devil are you on about?"
Henry gave him a pitying look. "I do believe all this drinking has quite addled your brain. I am talking of my courting the younger Miss Inglewood. That went quite well, and I believe the elder sister approves of me. By the way, what the devil where you doing at their house the other day? I had no idea you were acquainted with either of them."
"You ask too many questions. Do be quiet for once?"
Phillip refilled his glass, well aware that the earl was studying him quite intently. He raised an eyebrow at the curious look on Henry's face and took a deep sip from his glass.
Suddenly, Henry guffawed and slapped his thigh in amusement. "By heavens! I believe I have got it. You sly devil...that warning you sounded back there...christ lord almighty, why did I not see it before?"
Phillip stared at him in astonishement. "Have you gone mad?"
"You fancy her, the elder Miss Inglewood." Henry burst into laughter, cutting off quickly when the duke lunged for his throat.
Phillip's fingers curled around Henry's cravat and he tugged viciously, bringing his face close to the earls. "If you value your life, you will cease that ridiculous notion." He let go, sending Henry crashing back into the seat.
Henry straightened his cravat, a thoughtful gleam in his eye. He was not in the least bit intimidated by Phillip's antics, if anything, the reaction had confirmed his suspicions. "The violence was quite unnecessary Farnsworth. You forget that I gave you a sound thrashing the last time we were in the boxing ring together."
"That was a fortunate encounter on your part." Phillip replied cooly, "I have beaten you soundly as well."
"True." The earl conceded and withdrew a pocket watch. "By Gads! I must be off to collect Bertha if we are to arrive in Millcote in time for the soiree."
"What soiree?"
Henry grimaced and replaced the watch in his pocket. "It is Mother's birthday today and she's insisted on throwing a private party. Ah yes, that reminds me..." He reached into the pocket of his jacket and withdrew a slim gold embossed envelope. "You should come Phillip old chap, Lady Rosebury will be in attendance and so will the two Misses Inglewoods."
Phillip had been about to toss the card into the fireplace, but stilled on hearing the earl mention Penny's name. She would be there? He studied the card intently, a million thoughts coursing through his mind. Finally, he looked up at Henry. "When do you leave for Millcote?"
Shades of purple and red tinted the sky by the time Penny, Lucy and Edward arrived at Falcon Hall in the carriage Lord Henry had sent to fetch them. A long line of carriages already lined the extensive brightly lit driveway so they decided to dismount and walk the short distance to the front door. Penny bit her lip as she adjusted the neckline of her green gown, already regretting allowing Lucy to convince her to wear the dress. The neck line was cut daringly low and the corset underneath pushed up her breasts, and she was certain they would spill if she was not careful. Fiona had syled her hair, piling the thick curls in on top of her head and artly sweeping down past her bare shoulders. She blushed as she remembered the reason she had allowed herself to be dressed thus...how shameful of her indeed.
A footman showed them to the magnificent gardens, lovingly designed in the most beautiful manner with an artificial stream flowing at one end and a huge maze in the other. The musicial entertainment for the evening where stationed in a small pavilion right in the centre of the stream itself. The minute they entered, Lord Henry hurried up to them, taking Lucy's hand and placing an adoring kiss upon it, before turning to welcome Penny, his eyes widening slightly at how different she looked.
"Miss Inglewood! May I say you look particularly stunning this evening? I almost did not recognise you."
Penny blushed and opened the matching embroidered fan, wielding it energetically. "Thank you Lord Henry, your garden is lovely."
"Oh Mother takes care of it, with the help of the garden staff of course," He nodded to Edward, who had stood silent, scanning the crowd of guests intently. "Good to finally make your acquaintance Mr. Inglewood. You were not present when I called to visit the other day."
"I was engaged elsewhere my lord." Edward replied, executing a bow. "Thank you for inviting us."
"It is a pleasure to have you. Come, I will show you to your seats, then Miss Lucy, you simply must meet Mother."
Lucy blushed and looked to Penny. Penny nodded and allowed Lord Henry to lead Lucy away after ensuring she and Edward were seated comfortably.
"I must go and explore the maze," Edward declared and rose hastily. "You don't mind being on your own do yo
u?"
"No, it's quite all right, go."
She watched him hurry away, then finally, allowed her eyes to scan the garden, checking to see if he was here. A pang of disappointment ran through her when her search came up empty. Then she chastiseid herself soundly for her foolish hopes. He was engaged to be married. And even if he was unattached, she was hardly the type of woman to catch his attentions. More likely, that attempted kiss had been but a game to him, indeed she had not set eyes on him since then and rumour had placed him back in London.
"How come such a lovely angel sits by herself?" A voice queried and Penny's gaze shot upward to see a smiling young man looking down at her...or rather at her breasts. She leveled a him a stern look, but as his attention was focused elsewhere, he did not notice it. She cleared her throat pointedly.
His eyes shot up and he flushed in guilt. She continued to stare daggers at him until he murmured an apology and backed off. She sighed, it was going to be a long evening. A steward approached with a glass of lemonade and she took it, grateful to feel the cooling liquid pass down her parched throat.
A shadow fell across the table and she looked up and gasped. Lord Farnsworth stood there staring at her incredulously.
"Miss Inglewood?" He said in surprise as though he had expected to see someone else. His eyes swept over her, taking in the startling change, lingering on her bosom, before returning to her face. He opened his mouth to say something but shut it firmly and simply bowed stiffly.
"Your Grace." Penny replied equally stiffly, uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
"May I join you?" He asked quietly.
She frowned at him, "I do not think that is a good idea Your Grace, people might get the wrong impression,"
Just then Lucy hurried over, looking excited. She noticed Lord Phillip and curtsied before turning to Penny once more. "Penny you must come at once, the Dowager Countess wishes to meet you...where's Eddie?"
"He has gone into the maze." She replied, rising.
To her astonishment, Lord Farnsworth uttered a curse and grasped her arm painfully. His now cold eyes bore down on her. "What...?" she began, but he cut her off.
"An interesting coincidence Miss Inglewood, for you see, as soon as she arrived, Jane declared she would go exploring in the maze also."
The colour drained from Penny's face and she gasped, shrugging out of Phillip's grasp and hurrying towards the tall maze. Oh no, what did Edward think he was doing? He would compromise the lady if they were caught together and that would be...
"Where do you think you are going?" Phillip questioned just as she made to enter the maze. She had not realized he had followed her.
She paused and looked at him. "To fetch Edward of course. Just as I assume you are going to find Jane."
She made to walk away but her grasped her arm once more. "You do not even know how to find your way in there. You will only end up getting hopelessly lost."
"It can't be that difficult to navigate surely, please let go of my arm, you are hurting me."
He let go, but angled his body to halt further progress. Penny glared at him impatiently, but he reached for her arm once more. "Just follow me and don't wander off. I do not wish to go searching for you too."
He led her through the winding passage. There were not many people present and she realized the only light that filtered through was the moonlight when it came out from behind a cloud. Instinctively, she moved closer to him, feeling the heat of his body as he tightened his grip on her fingers. Several times they came up to a dead end and had to retrace their footsteps. Penny's leg began to ache from the high slippers she was wearing and soon began limping. By this time, they had not even encountered any of the other guests.
"Damnation!" Phillip cursed as they hit yet another dead end. He ran his hand through his hair and swore viciously.
"I thought you knew where we were going?" Penny asked, blushing a little at the foul words that he uttered.
"I thought I did. Henry and I used to romp around this place as young lads. Now it appears the damn thing has been changed yet again."
Penny groaned and sank down on the soft grass underneath, not caring if her gown was ruined or not. Her leg ached terribly. She slid off her shoe and rubbed at her ankle, biting her lip at the stabbing pain. Phillip moved to crouch next to her, and to her astonishment, took her sore ankle and began to rub it gently. His touch burned her deliciously until she could bear it no longer. She gasped and moved from his touch, hastening to her feet, her face heated in mortification.
He rose too and moved to stand so close. "Does my touch affect you Miss Inglewood?" his tone was slightly mocking and yet serious at the same time. He raised his hand to brush the tips of his fingers over her parted lips, the sensation at once shocking and extremely pleasant, causing her to shut her eyes as waves of longing coursed through her.
"So beautiful," he murmured, and his lips covered hers in a deep kiss.
CHAPTER 9 AFTERSHOCK
Shock coursed through Penny the instant his mouth met hers, robbing her of breath, his lips surprisingly soft and gentle as it moved over her own. The shock was quickly replaced by waves of the most pleasurable feelings she had ever experienced and she shut her eyes to bask in the touch and taste of him, intoxicating and sending logic and reason flying out of her mind. His tongue probed her lips and she opened up with a moan, her hands rising to circle his neck of their own volition. He explored the moist recesses of her mouth almost lazily, igniting a liquid fire that caused her to moan in pleasure.
His hands encircled her waist, crushing her to him even as he intensified the kiss, turning her insides to a silly mush of desire. This was heaven and yet...so wrong. His mouth left hers to blaze a trail of molten desire down her neck, to her bare shoulders and even lower.
"No!" Penny heard herself say, her voice distant and yet so familiar. The words brought her to reality with a crash. What were they doing? This was wrong...so wrong. Her eyes flew open and she pushed against him, struggling to free herself. "Stop!"
He released her abruptly. The suddenness of the motion caused her to stumble backwards, thankfully the thick hedge of the maze walls stopped her from tumbling backwards in an unsightly heap. Her gaze flew to his, but in the darkness, she couldn't read his expression. He simply stood in the shadows, a tall silent figure...staring at her and thinking heaven knew what.
"We should return to the main party Miss Inglewood," She heard Phillip say, his voice so cold and distant, it caused shivers up her arms.
She stared at him incredulously. Was that all he was going to say? They had just shared a moment of passion, albeit a very brief moment, but now he was acting so withdrawn and cold?
"Is that all you are going to say?" she whispered, hating how vulnerable she sounded at that moment.
He chuckled and took a step closer, the moonlight illuminating his features so she could clearly see the mocking smile playing across his lips. Those lips that had only moments before been locked with hers in passionate embrace.
"What do you wish to hear Miss Inglewood?" He said dryly, his tone mocking and harsh all at once, "An elocution on how enjoyable it felt to kiss you? A proposal perhaps? Surely you are not that naive?"
She gasped as his words pierced her like a sword through her heart. Unbidden, she felt the sting of tears but pushed them back angrily. She would not let him see how much his hurtful words had affected her.
She straightened and glared daggers at him, "Enjoyable?" she asked, keeping her tone as cold and disinterested as he, "Hardly. One can not call that enjoyable, merely something to be endured."
"I beg your pardon?" He replied incredulously, "What are you trying to say?"
She shrugged and turned away from him to hunt for her discarded shoe. "I asked you to stop. That should be enough to tell you how little it meant to me."
He uttered a curse and grabbed her arm, whirling her about to face him. She stared into his stormy eyes defiantly, angry at how easily he had insulted her. "Let me g
o Lord Farnsworth." she ground out frostily.
"No. Not until you explain yourself." He shot back, his words dripping with fury. He gripped her shoulders and and glowered at her. "You did not enjoy being kissed?"
"I thought there was nothing to discuss? Why do you suddenly seek my opinion about a simple kiss?"
He shook her so hard, the pins fell out of her hair, causing it to tumble around her shoulders. "You little minx" He growled at her, "Are you throwing my words back in my face?"
"Unhand me this minute." She hissed at him, "You are an obnoxious arrogant bastard Lord Farnsworth, and I do not blame your betrothed for seeking warmth and affection at the hands of another. Tell me, how do you intend to confront her about her infidelity when you are guilty of the exact same thing? You are nothing but a..."
"I warn you Miss Inglewood," Phillip cut in, his voice tightly controlled despite the blazing fury Penny could see in his eyes, "I do not tolerate being addressed thus. I have harmed people for speaking less than you have just done."
""I am not afraid of you." Penny declared, jabbing her finger at his cravat defiantly, "If anything, I feel sorry for you."
He let out a bark of laughter, "You feel sorry? Pray tell, what have I done to invoke your pity Miss Inglewood?"
"You do not need me to tell you your faults. Now let me go. Go find somebody who gives a whit about you, perhaps they will take pity on you and enunciate your faults."
They stood for a minute in silence, glaring daggers at each other. Despite her anger, she could feel herself weakening under his gaze, a part of her yearned for the feel of his lips, the fire of his kiss. Her breath hitched as she saw the anger melt away from his expression to be replaced by a smoldering heat. It would be utter folly to kiss him again, not after the way he had brutally dismissed the previous encounter.
He dropped his arms and took a step back, raking a hand through his hair in frustration. ""This is ridiculous." he muttered, casting her a black look, "You are quite an annoying woman."
