by Oliver Queen
"We should be on our way," he informed her, helping her into the carriage. "It will be dusk soon and we must seek shelter for the night."
Penny suddenly found herself loath to sit alone in the carriage, before she could think about it she turned to him. "Please stay with me.." she blushed crimson when his eyebrows rose in surprise, suddenly wishing she had never uttered those needy words. "Never mind, I do not know what came over me."
She cursed herself for her foolishness, and busied herself with arranging her skirts so as to avoid looking at him for fear of what expression he would have on his face. Mockery perhaps? She heard him leave and choked back tears. What sort of a fool had she become? She cringed in distaste, begging a man she disliked for company?
Outside, she could hear the shouts of the guards and other wayfarers going about their business, oblivious to the way she had shamed herself before the duke. She heard the crunch of boots approaching and looked up, curiosity turning to astonishment as Phillip climbed into the carriage and settled down in the seat opposite hers. Penny was certain her mouth was hanging open but somehow could not muster the will to close it.
He looked thoroughly amused at her surprise and reached over, thrusting a hand beneath her chin to shut her mouth. "Why so surprised Miss Inglewood? I happen to find the carriage quite comfortable. Thank you for the offer."
Penny stared at the man before her, but he simply grinned at her and stretched out his long legs, settling more comfortably on the seat and shut his eyes. "Wake me up when we arrive at Gretna Green, will you?"
"Why you..." Penny muttered crossly, but Colin had already set the horses in motion and she was thrown back against the seat, the words she had been about to utter stolen in a rush of breath. She contented herself with glaring at his sleeping form, planning all sorts of evil things she could do to him if she had the means to do so.
The carriage came to a halt, jolting her awake with a start. The interior of the carriage was dark, but there was a soft glow trying to penetrate the curtain. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and leaned over to peer out the window. Dusk had fallen while she slept but the glow of lanterns showed some sort of coaching inn yard, and a small, but well kept building which she surmised must be the inn itself.
"Have we arrived?" Phillip's voice floated out and she recalled he was inside with her.
"Yes, I think so." she replied, still peering out. He leaned forward and opened the door, admitting the cool evening air into the carriage.
"Wait here a moment," He instructed and alighted. She sat patiently, watching him walk up to Colin and after conferring with the young lad, he strode into the inn. Suddenly restless, Penny stepped down from the carriage and stood taking in the refreshing air. There were a few passengers milling about the yard, stable boys leading tired horses to the stables, but the atmosphere was quiet. Colin had busied himself with unfastening the horses from the carriage, and even in the dim light Penny could see how tired the boy was. He lifted his gaze and saw her looking at him, offering up an uncertain smile that transformed his face, and Penny understood why the girls of Millcote fawned over him.
Phillip returned, looking extremely pleased with himself. "I have secured us three rooms and a private parlour." He announced. "We will dine as soon as possible and I will begin the search for the two of them."
"Do you think they might be here in this very inn?" Penny asked, as they started towards the inn.
Phillip shook his head. "I have made the necessary inquiry, the owner swears he has no guests matching their descriptions, but he supplied me with a list of possible places to begin our search. I will commence tonight. However, it is imperative you rest from the journey, you must be hungry?"
Even as a denial left her lips, Penny had to admit she was hungry. Hungry, tired, dusty and badly in need of a bath. She shuddered to think how disheveled she must appear.
Penny watched as Phillip's strong lean fingers curled around his wine glass, recalling how just hours before, those same hands had touched her face, and he had declared her enchanting. She tore her gaze away and focused on her nearly untouched food. Anxiety curled up and twisted inside her, robbing her of appetite as she thought of how close they actually were to finding Edward and Jane. Perhaps at this very moment, the two were having supper, just like she and Phillip were, cozily ensconced in a private parlor close to a cheery fire. She desperately hoped so, for it had occurred to her that the couple may have run out of funds and were currently facing some hardship.
She closed her eyes, fighting to stifle a yawn as exhaustion swept over her. Even with her eyes shut, she could still feel his burning gaze upon her, and knew he must be studying her as intently as she had been studying him earlier. Did he still think her enchanting or had his words been empty flattery? Why did this one man get under her skin, fill her thoughts constantly till every waking and sleeping moment did not pass that she was not plagued with a thought of him.
"You are not eating, is the meal not to your liking?" Phillip asked, "I can order something else brought up if you do not like this."
Penny shook her head. "No, no, don't bother please, I am quite satisfied."
He studied her for a moment. "You are worried then. That is why you will not eat, do not worry Penny, we will find them."
She smiled at him tentatively, setting down her plate. "I know Phillip. It's just..."
He set his wine glass down and rose, crossing to her in quick strides. Penny looked up at him in surprise, wondering what he was up to. His eyes had darkened and there was a determined glint in his them, something that excited her. "Penny.." he murmured, reaching out to pull her up and they stood so close there was not a hair's breath between them.
He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs tracing over her smooth cheeks, even as her eyes drifted shut as she waited for what she yearned to come.
"Look at me." he ordered, and she obeyed, immediately losing her senses in the pools of desire that were his eyes. His lips met hers, taking her mouth in the sweetest of kisses, the fires of their mutual desire rising into an all consuming flame that devoured them both. This kiss was gentle and exploratory, seeking to discover every hidden place in her mouth, taking and giving. As one, they both moaned and pressed even closer, sweetness turning into passion, a need for fulfillment.
He broke the kiss but only to trail soft tantalizing kisses down her neck and shoulders, and Penny willingly gave herself over to him, arching her neck to give him access to her skin, moaning each time he sucked at her soft flesh...
"I want to make love to you.." She heard him whisper through a haze of want, "I want to give you pleasure."
"Yes!" she breathed, feeling her knees weaken, clutching onto him to stay upright. "Yes!"
He growled and moved, suddenly sweeping her into his arms and striding towards the connecting door leading from the parlor to his room, laying her down upon the bed. He looked at her as she lay there, and felt his lust increase.
Just as he lowered his head to take her mouth once again, there was a frantic knocking coming from the main room. For a moment, he was tempted to ignore it but Penny gasped and rolled away from.
"There's someone..." she began but he cut her off.
"Yes." Furious at whoever had intruded upon their private moment, Phillip swore under his breath and strode to the door. He yanked it open, prepared to scour the fool with the force of his words.
"Newbridge!" Lord Henry strode into the room, an older white haired man in his wake. "Thank heavens we got the right room."
CHAPTER 18 CONFRONTATION
"Hensley!" Phillip looked startled for a moment as Henry walked into the parlor, looking immensely pleased with himself. "What the devil are you doing here?"
"Looking for you old chap." Henry replied, shooting Phillip a wide grin which only served to deepen Phillip's scowl. "I couldn't very well allow you to go after the couple on your own. God only knows what you plan to do to them and I brought..." He caught sight of Penny standing frozen in the doorway to the
room. "Miss Inglewood!"
Phillip swore under his breath and moved quickly, placing himself between Henry and Penny. But it was too late. Henry's eyes narrowed as he took in her face still flush with desire and the tell tale swell of her mouth.
"What the hell!" Henry exclaimed and faced Phillip, his grin quickly replaced by an angry scowl. "I trust you have a reasonable explanation for the lady's state?"
"That is none of your damned business." Phillip growled, his eyes glinting dangerously. "And I do not care for your tone Hensley. I have no idea what you consider reasonable or not. Nor do I particularly care. At the moment you are intruding and Miss Inglewood is exhausted so you better start talking."
"Miss Inglewood is soon to be my responsibility, so it is damned well my business. I warned you about this beforehand Newbridge, but fool that you are..."
"What is going on here?" Sir Inglewood cut in, his tone hard and demanding. He took a step forward, his gaze fixed on his eldest daughter who stood transfixed in horror.
Penny's face drained of every ounce of color. She had not noticed her father's presence until now. A wave of dizziness hit her and she swayed on her feet. She was vaguely aware of Phillip's arm snaking around her waist to steady her, but she could not tear her eyes from her father. "Papa? W-what...how did you...?"
"I set sail the minute I received your letter. Now tell me what is going on here? Has this man...taken ad.."
"No!" Penny cried, with a desperate shake of her head. She looked quickly at Phillip, heart sinking at the look of cold fury he leveled upon her. "Phi...Lord Farnsworth has been the utmost gentleman, Father."
"I still do not like this. It is scandalous for an unmarried lady to have remained this long in the company of a man, however well behaved. If word gets out, your reputation will be severely compromised." Sir Inglewood folded his arms across his rather massive chest and frowned down at his daughter. "You must leave this place at once. Go get your things."
"Stay where you are Miss Inglewood." Phillip ground out. Penny had turned to do her father's bidding but his voice stopped her cold and a dreadful shiver ran down her spine.
"Phillip! What do you think you are doing?" Lord Henry exclaimed in astonishment. "Have you gone mad?"
"Penelope, do as I say at once!" Sir Inglewood repeated harshly.
Phillip stared coldly at the man."May I remind you sir, that you are in the presence of a duke. Barging in here and suggesting that I have dishonored your daughter is an insult I will not take lightly."
Penny gaped at Phillip in shock. What was trying to do? Her father had made no such accusation, all he was simply trying to savage what was left of her already ruined reputation. Unless...Phillip was actually insulted because of the assumption that he would ever have anything to do with a woman such as she. The thought burned her heart and she gasped as the real truth sank in. He was not doing it for her...how could she have been so stupid to assume he had any true feelings for her.
She choked back a sob. The passion they had presumably shared just a few minutes ago was nothing but a lie, his words had been false, simply a means to get her to consent to his lovemaking. What a fool she'd been to believe him..if they had not been interrupted...she cringed to think about what might have happened.
She could feel three pairs of eyes trained upon her person, but at that moment, she did not care, feeling the sting of hot tears but she blinked them back and turned hastily, going into her room to retrieve the box which had thankfully not been unpacked.
Sir Inglewood glared at Phillip defiantly. "She has been in your company for nigh on three days. There must have been witnesses, for heaven only knows what ruse the both of you have been traveling under. Whether you have dishonored her or not hardly matters now. Surely you know that."
"Are you asking that I marry her to save her damned reputation?" Phillip had never felt so furious in his life. Had this been her plan all along? To trap him into marriage by disobeying his orders to remain behind at Millcote and following him knowing full well the consequences. His mind was besieged by memories...the time in the maze...she must have known they would be missed and perhaps she had let him kiss her in hopes they would be discovered. And when that had failed...convinced the brother to run off with his betrothed, and Penny herself, had shown up at his house that day clad in nothing but her night gown. What a fool he had been. He swore out loud.
"If you care about what happens to her, you will do the proper thing." Sir Inglewood replied quietly.
Henry spoke up. "He is quite right Newbridge. No matter how well the two of you may have conducted yourselves, there are witness. Sooner or later someone will talk and once word gets out, Miss Inglewood will be ruined."
She had planned this all so well. Phillip thought, cursing himself for allowing a pair of green eyes to enchant him into an unwanted marriage. He had been deceived by a most clever Jezebel and like a fool he had reasoned with his loins and not his head. A rustle behind him signaled her reentry into the parlor and he turned to face her.
Penny returned to the parlor carrying her box, her face pale and drawn. Phillip stared at her dispassionately, despising her for tricking him thus. And to think he had even allowed himself to begin to care for her.
He laughed bitterly "Congratulations madam, your hand has been well played. Very well played indeed."
She looked up at him in confusion, then at her father who was standing there looking just as furious as Phillip, then back to the latter. "I do not understand why you offering felicitations Your grace."
"No?" he mocked her with his eyes. "Come now Miss Inglewood, there is no need to keep up with the pretense. The game is up. You have succeeded in your quest."
"Newbridge.." Henry murmured in warning but Phillip silenced him with a look.
Penny could only wonder what had brought on this change in Phillip. Why was he saying those words? What game did he refer to? She looked to Henry for answers but he merely shrugged and looked apologetic. She turned back to her father, her heart racing at the perturbed look he threw her way. "Papa? What is going on?"
"Don't you dare pretend innocence Miss Inglewood." Phillip cut in before her father could offer up an explanation. "It quite sickens me to realize all this while you have merely been playing a part. Tell me, your leg...is that injury real or something you fabricated like the rest of your lies?"
His words hit her heart and even though she still did not understand fully what was going on, it was quite obvious he despised her for something she had supposedly done. She schooled her face to betray none of the pain she felt and stared at him coldly. Her next words were pure ice.
"I do not know what has come over you Lord Farnsworth. You make accusations of which I know nothing about. In truth, I should be your accuser for you have deceived me with your words."
He looked incredulous and took a step towards her, eyes blazing. "I have deceived you Miss Inglewood? How dare you accuse me of deceit? Have you not planned this whole farce from the very beginning?"
"What are you talking about? I have not planned anything. It is you who had planned to take me to your bed by coating your lust with sweet honey and I almost fell for it."
"If you had not offered yourself up to me, I would never have considered bedding you!"
She heard her father utter a strangled oath and whirled around quickly, just in time to see him clutch at his chest, his skin completely drained of color. "Papa!" she cried out hurrying to him. She caught a glimpse of Lord Henry just before he launched himself at Phillip with a snarl. They both went down, crashing into the table, sending it and its contents to the floor.
"Stop it! Stop it now!" Penny heard the shrill words and realized she had spoken them.
They paid her no heed as they tumbled over each other like a pair of snarling dogs. She watched Phillip mount Henry and deliver a hard blow to the earl's face. The earl grunted and lashed out with his free hand catching Phillip on the cheeks, his heavy ruby ring tearing at the duke's skin. Penny screamed, terr
ified the two men would succeed in killing each other. They rolled into the chair Penny had been sitting on, Henry striking his head hard against its legs, and Phillip took advantage to wrap his hands around Henry's throat.
Penny whirled towards her father."Papa! Do something!" Sir Inglewood still pale with shock merely groaned. He was going to be of no help at all.
She cast her eyes about for something to use and her eyes fell on a jug of drinking water. She snatched it up and dumped its contents on the nearest man.
"Bloody Hell!" Phillip reared up in shock as the icy water soaked his shirt. His hands slackened their hold on Henry's neck and he glared up at Penny. "What the blazes do you think you are doing woman?"
"Stopping you two from behaving like imbeciles." she brandished the empty jug. "If you do not stop I swear I will hit you with this."
Henry had pulled himself to a sitting position and was taking deep gulps of air. Water dripped from his head and the front part of his shirt was soaked. Nevertheless, his mouth curved up in a delighted grin. "I like a resourceful woman. Do you really intend to hit us with that?"
Phillip snorted in derision. "I doubt that will be of much use. The water was quite effective though, you forget Henry, that she is quite the actress. To have carried this charade this far calls for some measure of resourcefulness." He reached up and gingerly touched the bleeding wound on his left cheek, grimacing as the wound stung. He pushed to his feet, raking away the wet locks of hair that fell over his forehead as he walked into his room, shutting the door firmly.
Henry rose too and went to Penny, gently prying the jug from her tight grip. He took in her white pinched face, pain and confusion clearly written there and slipped a comforting arm over her shoulders. "Come my dear, see to your father. I will go and fetch a physician. Come."
Penny heard his words but she could not make her frozen senses do as he wanted. Phillip's hurtful words reverberating in her skull. Why had he suddenly changed towards her? She wondered, every breath she took burning her insides with fire and pain. She felt Henry take her hand and allowed herself to be led to a chair, sinking down upon in a daze.
