by Oliver Queen
Alasdair leaned forward to detain Penny as she made to climb from the vehicle. "Do try and visit Scotland again soon?"
Penny nodded. "I will, I promise."
"Good luck then."
She watched the carriage until it disappeared, her trunks by her side and took a deep breath as apprehension suddenly overwhelmed her. What if Phillip turned her away just as she had earlier? What if he was not in residence now? Her heart began to race and she slowly turned towards the door which was held open by the butler.
As if in a dream she took one step after the other until she stood in front of the man. "Is-is Lord Farnsworth here?" She asked, resisting the urge to wipe her clammy hands on the skirt of her traveling cloak.
The butler regarded her curiously for a moment, before he nodded and stepped aside. "His Grace is in his private study. Shall I inform him of your presence?"
One hurdle crossed. She thought, stepping into the tastefully furnished hallway. He was here. "I know this may sound unusual, but could you direct me to the study? I would prefer to meet him without any formal announcement."
Like all good butlers, this one merely raised an eyebrow then nodded, motioning for her to follow him. He had seen the lady before of course, and had heard the rumors of a love affair between them so her presence came as no surprise.
The drapes were drawn in the study and a sluggish fire burned in the fireplace, doing little to ease the gloom and shadows. Penny's eyes strained to see, searching for Phillip before she finally spotted him seated behind his desk, his head down on his arms.
"I thought I left instructions not to be disturbed Graves?." His voice was muffled but nonetheless she could detect it was lacking it's usual authority. He did not raise his head however, so she quietly dismissed the servant, waiting until the door shut behind him before she spoke.
"Phillip?" She whispered shakily. His head shot up and he stared at her in stupefaction, disbelieving his vision.
"What the hell..." In a flash he was off his seat and before Penny, grasping her arms to ensure he was not dreaming. His bleak eyes filled with hope. "Penny, what are you doing here?"
She drew in a deep shaky breath. If he turned her away now, her life would be over and she would simply waste away from grief. "I want to ask you a question. Please be truthful Phillip, don't lie to me."
"Ask me anything."
"Do you love me?"
He looked deep into her eyes and she could see his soul bared to her as he replied. "I love you Penelope Inglewood. More than I have ever allowed myself to feel. You have captured my soul, taken my heart prisoner. I love you and I will go to the ends of the earth if only to prove my love for you."
"Oh Phillip!" Penny cried, moving into his arms. He caught her up and crushed her to him. "I love you too. I love you so much!"
The kiss they shared was filled with love and passion, amidst little cries of love and laughter. Finally, Phillip drew away and took her hand, leading her to sit on the window seat and promptly pulled her on his lap. "I thought I had truly lost you my love." he murmured, trailing soft kisses over her lips and neck. "I was such a fool. Will you ever forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive darling. It was meant to be..you and I were meant to be."
"Mine!" he growled, taking her mouth once more in a searing kiss. Penny surrendered willingly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her bosom against his chest. He groaned and pulled away once more. "We must stop...I do not want to make love to you without becoming my wife first."
She pouted up at him. "I do not want to wait Phillip, please?"
"Very well. Say you will marry me first."
"Are you blackmailing me Lord Farnsworth?"
"Yes. Now say yes."
She laughed and kissed him deeply. "Yes, I will marry you Phillip Farnsworth." she said when they broke apart again.
He grinned wickedly and rose, cradling her in his arms and striding out the study. "I love you."
In his bedchamber, Phillip carefully set her on her feet, kissing her passionately. He slowly pulled out the pins holding her hair, gasping in admiration as the thick dark curls tumbled past her shoulders to the middle of her back. "You are so beautiful, utterly breathtaking." he murmured in awe, threading his fingers through her hair.
Penny shut her eyes in pleasure as words deserted her. Phillip's mouth came down on her bare neck, setting her pulse racing with need. Her secret place dampening in anticipation of his touch. He slowly undressed her until she stood naked before him, exultant at the adoration and desire in his eyes. She shivered as he took one nipple in his mouth, gently teasing the other between his fingers, then moving down, over her navel to the thick curls that hid her womanhood.
Her knees buckled as he eased a finger inside her, but he was ready, catching her and laying her on the bed, all the while murmuring words of love. He continued doing wicked things to her until she was an arching, pleading mess...begging for completion. She watched as Phillip hastily undressed, then came over her...shocking her when he lowered his head to her womanly places. She reached peak after peak beneath his mouth and just when she thought she could bear it no more, he moved over her and entered her, the two lovers setting a rhythm as old as time itself until they shuddered in completion.
Phillip wrapped his arms around her and drew her against him. "Are you satisfied my love?"
"Yes, god yes! I love you. Is it going to be this wonderful each time?"
He grinned and took hold of her hand, guiding it down to touch his already swelling length. "Of course not. It will get better each time." He lowered his head to capture her mouth in a kiss once more and Penny felt her heart swell with joy as she lay in the arms of the man she loved.
CHAPTER 30 WEDDINGS AND EVER AFTER.
Penny paced the length of the parlor nervously, pausing every now and then before the stairs leading up to her father's study where he, Edward and Phillip had been shut in for over an hour. What was taking so long? She wondered, nervously wringing her hands. Did her father have any objections to Phillip's proposal? She sighed and pushed tendrils of her disheveled hair away from her face, a wistful smile crossing her face as she remembered the exact circumstances that had brought about her dishevelment. Who knew such bliss existed from intimacy between a man and a woman? Making love with Phillip was the most wonderful thing she had ever done, being in love with him and knowing that he returned her love once more caused her spirits to soar in ecstasy.
Penny had been more than ready to spend the rest of the day and night cuddled up with Phillip, listening to the sweet tender words he whispered in the aftermath of their lovemaking, but he had been insistent on seeing her safely home and seeking permission for her hand before the day ended.
Oddly enough, Sir Inglewood had not shown the least bit of surprise when the Newbridge carriage rolled to a halt before the farmhouse, rather had merely raised an eyebrow when Phillip had asked to have a word with him and led the way to his study. Now the men had been in there for over an hour. She paused once more by the stairs and looked up, expecting the door to open at any moment.
Finally, she whirled around to face Jane, who sat by the fireplace calmly reading a book. "Do you think my father will grant us permission?" Penny asked, barely restraining herself from biting her fingers to the quick. "They have been in there for a dreadfully long time."
Jane smiled and set aside the book. "I don't see why not. Perhaps they are simply discussing other matters?"
"What on earth is there to discuss?" Penny cried, throwing up her hands in despair. "It has been an hour!"
Jane rose and gently took Penny's arm, guiding her to a nearby chair. Penny allowed herself to be led and sank down on the chair with a sigh. "I am sure everything is going well." Jane said reassuringly.
Penny sighed and buried her face in her hands. "I certainly hope so."
The two women heard the study door opening and Penny shot to her feet, hurrying up the stairs. She encountered Edward first, and he returned her
anxious look with a reassuring smile and a nod towards the open study. She paused at the entrance and took a deep breath then walked in.
Sir Inglewood stood by the window overlooking the barn but he turned and motioned for her to sit down.
Phillip was seated in front of her father's desk, his very presence seeming to shrink the entire room. He met her gaze and smiled, his eyes filled with love and affection. Penny returned his smile, her heart near to bursting as she took the seat next to him. He reached for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze, the contact igniting fires of desire within her, and Penny could hardly believe this man seated next to her loved her. It felt like a fairy tale, one she didn't want to wake up from.
Sir Inglewood cleared his throat and moved away from the window to take his seat behind the desk. "I must say, I quite expected this." He grinned at Penny who blushed and lowered her head, then turned to Phillip. "And I am more than pleased my daughter has finally found happiness, though I had my doubts but it has all worked out fine."
Penny felt relief flow through her at her father's words, and she exchanged a glance with her beloved. "Thank you Papa." she replied softly.
He nodded and leaned back against his seat. "I however have one request, and after a long deliberation, Lord Farnsworth has finally agreed with me."
"Indeed." Phillip said, his tone dry.
Curious, Penny looked at Phillip askance, and he gave her a wry grin and replied. "Your father wants us to have a slightly long courtship before we wed. He suggests we wait for five months."
"Five months!" Penny gaped at Phillip then at her father in astonishment. "But why on earth Papa?"
"I feel it will be best if the both of you got properly acquainted before making such a tremendous commitment. Marriage is a life time affair and it would do well to be completely comfortable with each other first."
Phillip shot Penny an amused look, a wicked light dancing in his eyes. Penny stifled the giggle that threatened to spill out of her. What would her father do should he know how 'properly' acquainted they had already become? No doubt he would threaten to throw Phillip out through the window or something equally vicious. Then her face heated as she recalled some of the things Phillip had done to her only this morning...good heavens! She shook her head to clear her mind of sinful thoughts and forced her mind back to the present.
"Papa, I can assure you, Phillip and I are sure this is what we want. It is what I want. I love him and I would love nothing more in this world than to be married to him as soon as possible."
Phillip leaned toward her and shook his head softly. "I don't mind waiting for you my love. It will be damned difficult but if it will prove just how true my love for you is, I will wait...not for five months though. I am patient...but not that patient." His last words were directed at Sir Inglewood, and Penny saw a flash of steely determination in his eyes.
Sir Inglewood stared at Phillip thoughtfully for a while, then finally nodded. "Very well, four months is appropriate."
"Two months." Phillip said. This time his voice brooked no arguments. "That is more than enough time to get acquainted and discover if we wish to go through with the wedding or not, though I do not believe there will be a change of mind."
Penny nodded in affirmation and looked earnestly at her father. "I love him Papa."
"You young lovers these days...always in a terrible rush. Two months it is then."
Outside her father's study, Phillip drew her close and pressed a quick kiss on her mouth. "Two months is a dreadfully long time to be without you, and I am not a patient man."
Penny stood on tiptoe to slip her arms around his neck and gave him a deep kiss, all too aware of the danger of being caught. "I know darling, but we don't have to stay away...after all we have already..."
He chuckled and gently removed her arms from his neck pressing a kiss on her knuckles before releasing her and taking a modest step back, regret and longing in his blue eyes. "Your father is right, it will be appropriate of me to court you properly. You deserve as much my love."
Penny stared at him in wonder, taking in the beloved angles on his face. "Oh Phillip!" she whispered, barely restraining herself from jumping into his arms. "I really do love you."
"And I love you too Penny." He took her arm and led her down the stairs. At the front door he paused and kissed her knuckle once more, his lips lingering on her skin, eliciting shivers of desire down her spine. "May I call on you tomorrow?"
"Need you even ask? I cannot wait to be with you!" Penny exclaimed and was rewarded with a broad smile and another kiss on her cheek.
"Till tomorrow my love." Phillip gave a courteous bow and turned to jump into his carriage.
Penny stared at herself in the looking glass, disbelieving her reflection. Her lady's maid had done an excellent job in piling her hair into a loose knot at the top of her head, artfully letting a few tendrils loose to curl around her face and neck, softening her face. Her brows had been given a delicate arch that emphasized the green eyes, cheeks and lips stained with just a hint of rouge that emphasized the glow of happiness seeming to emanate from every pore of her skin.
"You look wonderful." Lucy whispered beside her, reaching out to squeeze her fingers. "Phillip will be blown away when he sees you."
Penny dragged her eyes away from the mirror and looked at her sister, a nervous smile playing across her lips. "I look different." She cast another glance at the mirror and rose, the wide graceful skirt of the white gown falling gracefully in a shimmer of white silk with gold lace and blue trimming just under fitted bodice. It was the most exquisite dress she had ever worn and she loved the feel of the silk against her skin.
Lucy lifted the sheer lace veil from the bed and draped it over Penny's hair then stepped back to admire the result. "Oh Penny!" she sighed dreamily. "You look like a fairy princess."
Penny glanced once more at the mirror and had to agree with Lucy. She looked ethereal. "I never thought myself beautiful before." she murmured. "It feels like a dream, a wonderful dream!"
She felt a sudden attack of nerves at the realization that today, she would not only become Phillip's wife but a duchess. Penny Inglewood would become Duchess of Newbridge, and the weight of this responsibility weighed down on her. She could only pray and hope she would not prove a disappointment to Phillip.
Penny took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. In less than an hour, she would be marrying the man she loved, the culmination of a two month courtship that had been nothing but pure bliss. Phillip had spent every moment showering her with love and affection, so utterly different from the man he'd once been, showering her with gifts and love till she had protested. The days had been long, but each day had been made bearable by her beloved Phillip. He had more than kept up with his promise to court her properly, and had never once acted improperly with her. Rather Phillip had been the perfect gentleman, delivering her safely home each day with a chaste kiss on her cheek, though his gaze had revealed a burning desire that matched her own, much to her increasing frustration. Thank heaven the long wait would be over soon.
The door to her bedchamber opened, admitting Jane and her dear friend Fiona. The two women took one look at Penny and dissolved into raptures of delight over her dress. Penny took the compliments with a smile, though her every focus was on the effect it would have on the man she was to marry. She listened with half an ear to the lively chatter, laughing at their subtle teasing about the wedding night, though she couldn't help a small smile of mischief at the thought that she already knew exactly what awaited her...a shiver of anticipation raced down her spine.
Finally it was time to leave for the chapel at Newbridge. An elegant carriage emblazoned with the duke's coat of arms waited by the front door and Penny climbed in, carefully arranging her gown around her when her eyes caught the single white rose on the seat opposite, a plain white envelope under it. A wide smile curved her rouged lips as she reached for it, bringing it to her nose to catch the fragrance, eyes closed in bliss. Phillip ha
d given her a rose every single day for the past month, but this was the first time a note had accompanied the flower. She opened the envelope and read the content.
Always and Forever Yours, P.
Lucy climbed in and settled in next to her, her pink bridesmaid dress setting off her skin to perfection. She saw the note and squealed in delight, snatching it from Penny's fingers.
She sighed dreamily when she read the contents. "How romantic of Phillip. Isn't it amazing how silly he gets with you?"
Penny plucked the note from her sister's fingers as the carriage set off. "You're one to talk, Henry gets much the same way with you." She studied the words once more, her heart filled with joy. Indeed it was amazing how romantic Phillip could be..so different from the cold, dangerous man he had been. How she looked forward to spending the rest of her life with him.
Lucy giggled. "Even more so now..." She let her voice trail off and cast Penny a coy look from beneath her lashes.
"What ever are you...Oh my lord!" Realization dawned and Penny could only stare at her little sister in astonishment. "You are pregnant?" she said in a dazed whisper, her eyes unwittingly straying to Lucy's still flat stomach. "Oh! This is so wonderful Lucy! When did you find out?"
"I suspected about a two weeks ago, but I am more certain now." Lucy placed a maternal hand over her stomach with a wistful smile. "I am so nervous Penny, what if I fail to be a good mother?"
Penny took her free hand and squeezed it gently. "You will be a wonderful mother Lucy, you have a wonderful heart and I am more than certain you will be more than up to the task."
Lucy threw her arms about Penny. "Everything is so wonderful! You are getting married, I am having a baby and Edward is happily married."
The carriage drew to a halt and Penny's nerves returned sevenfold as a footman hurried to open the door. Lucy grinned at her and slid out, clutching the bridal bouquet while Penny carefully alighted and allowed herself to be fussed over once more. They walked into the mansion and into the small anteroom where her father waited to escort her in. Penny stole a glance at the open door of the chapel itself, aware that Phillip waited for her at the altar.
