A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 16

"Hah!" she scoffed. "The great Duke of Newbridge waits patiently for a mere peasant. Why do I find that doubtful?"

His lips twisted into something close to a smile. "I see you are prepared to think the worst of me. I assure you, Miss Inglewood, I am not here to argue with you."

She stopped again, tilting her head back so she could look up at him, distrust written clearly on her face. He stared down at her in amusement, enjoying the conversation immensely.

"Why are you here then, Your Grace? Why did you send for me in the first place?"

"After giving the matter some careful consideration, I eventually reached the conclusion that perhaps I was too hasty in assuming you were somehow in cahoots with my errant fiancée. I requested your presence because I believe we can come to some sort of arrangement on how to deal with the current nuisance."

Penny's mouth fell open in astonishment as she doubted if she had heard his words correctly. Oh dear Lord, could this be an answer to her prayers? If what he said was true, then perhaps he would not be so willing to bring harm to her brother after all, and they could sort out how to keep those two lovers apart.

But despite all these thoughts, a part of her still doubted. He was obviously not aware of the tryst on Sunday, for she was certain that he would not be here offering to make peace if he knew his betrothed had spent the afternoon wrapped in another man's arms. She prayed he would never discover the truth.

"Pray, tell me, Your Grace, what I could possibly have done to make you change your opinion of me?" she managed to ask, still in shock at his words.

Phillip shrugged those expansive shoulders. He stared at her, seemingly deep in thought before he replied, "Your reaction the other day at that damned ball convinced me you were quite innocent of my unfounded accusations."

Penny shook her head slowly. She failed to understand this man indeed!

He took a step closer, the move startling her out of her reverie. She stared at him in alarm as she watched him lift a hand towards her face. What was he doing? Had he gone mad?

"What do you think you are doing?" she shrieked, attempting to take a step back only to find herself up against the walls of the house. She had not realized they had come so close. He leaned closer, much to her mortification; then rather than kiss her as she had feared, he merely brushed his hand over her cheek.

"You have got mud on your face." He took a step back, holding out his stained hand for her to see. She gasped, and her hands flew to her face. He chuckled and shook his head. "Now you have simply rubbed more of it. Hold still."

He reached into the pocket of his coat for a pristine white handkerchief and applied himself to the task of cleaning her face. Penny forced herself to stand still, even though shivers raced up and down her spine with every brush of his fingers on her skin. Her nostrils were inundated by the scent of him, so familiar from the other night in his arms. For several moments, the torture continued until she could stand it no longer. With a small cry, she took a step back, her entire being shaking at the overload of desire that ran through her.

"I was referring to your shrewish tongue. Did you fail to learn some decorum whilst growing up? Perhaps this is a reason why you have not found yourself a husband yet."

"What?" Penny gaped at him. Had he just...had he actually just insulted her?

He merely studied the sleeves of his jacket, brushing idly at a piece of lint that had settled there. "Ah! I see I have hit a nerve. Perhaps I spoke the truth?"

"You are the meanest, most uncouth man I have ever encountered. How dare you speak to me in such a manner? You...you..."

"Cad? Devil? Bastard?" He cut in coldly. "Spare your breath, Miss Inglewood. I have already heard every single insult you can think of."

Penny forced herself to take a calming breath, closing her eyes to block out the sight of him. A part of her felt guilty for her rudeness, after all, he had been trying to help, had even offered a truce rather than unleashing his fury as was expected, and all she had done was behave in a most abominable manner. She sighed, worrying her lower lip between her teeth as she pondered how to tender an apology.