A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 17

She opened her eyes once more and found him watching her intently, all traces of coldness gone to be replaced by a fiery heat in his eyes that seared right through the fabric of her dress to pierce her skin. Her breath caught in awe. No man had ever looked at her quite in that way before, as though she were an object of desire.

He continued to stare at her, the fire in those blue eyes drawing her close as though it were a magnet, and she found herself taking a step towards him, then another until she stood so close to him, her bosom brushed against his shirt. His head began to descend towards her upturned mouth, their eyes locked, smouldering blue with fiery green and everything else ceased to exist.

"Penny!" Lucy's voice called out from somewhere within the house, and the moment was shattered.

His eyes fluttered and grew cold once more, and he took a step back before whirling around and striding away without a word, leaving Penny standing there immobile with shock.

The back door opened, and Lucy came barrelling through the opening, looking excited. "He's here! Lord Westbrooke is here. He finally came. Oh, you must come quickly...why on earth are you standing there staring at the empty air for?"

Penny shook her head to clear it and turned to face Lucy, though, her mind was in turmoil over what had just happened. Would he have truly kissed her if they had not been interrupted? What on earth was going on?

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Affections

"Newbridge!"

Phillip, who was about to mount his steed by the side of the Inglewood's house, paused and glanced behind him. Lord Westbrooke was striding down the path leading to the front door, his legs eating up the distance in as few strides as possible.

"What the devil are you doing here, man?"

Phillip scowled at the man. Was it the man's business what he was doing here?

"I should be asking you the exact same thing, Westbrooke." Henry simply laughed, too accustomed to his friend's brusque nature to be put off by the rude question . "I have come to pay a visit to Miss Inglewood. I find her quite fascinating company and would like to know more about her."

The Earl of Westbrooke was seated in her father's favorite armchair in front of the fireplace , Lucy seated close by on the chaise, hanging onto his every word. He leaped to his feet when he noticed Penny and executed an elegant bow.

"Miss Inglewood!" he murmured, stepping forward to take her hand, raising it to his lips for a brief kiss. "Such a delight to see you again. You look well."

She swept into as deep a curtsy as her leg would allow. "Thank you, my lord. It is a pleasure to have you in our home. Please sit."

He waited till she had taken her seat before resuming his own. "I trust that you are well? I saw Newbridge leaving just as I arrived."

Oh, stuff and blast! Penny thought, feeling her cheeks heat up again in remembrance of what had taken place in the yard.

"Oh?" she replied simply, wishing desperately for a fan to hide behind and avoid the worried look Lucy was currently throwing her way. "He simply wished to discuss a have a word on a personal matter. Desperate to change the topic, she asked. "Would you like some tea?"