A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 24

"I must commend you, Miss Inglewood," Lady Westbrooke said kindly as Penny took the offered seat gratefully. She looked up at Lucy and beamed. "You have done an excellent job in raising Miss Lucy. I can only begin to imagine how much effort you put into this, and your sister is such a delight!"

Penny smiled gratefully and nodded. "She is indeed, but that is because Lucy is of a merry disposition. I cannot take credit for that, my lady."

"Posh! You are too humble." The Countess waved away the comment perilously. "I have raised a daughter, and I know how one must be blessed with endless degrees of patience especially when they are of a certain age. And to do it when you are so young. That is an achievement of the most splendid proportions."

Penny smiled, already warming to Lady Westbrooke. It was heart-warming to be appreciated in this manner by an esteemed lady of the peerage. "Thank you, my lady. I am grateful for the compliment."

"Oh, it is not a compliment, merely a fact. And now, we will dispense of this 'my lady' nonsense. You are to call me Bridget, and I shall address you as Penelope...That is quite a mouthful. How do you manage?" This invoked cheerful laughter among the little group gathered around. Lord Westbrooke shook his head at his mother in exasperation. "Mother, honestly..." He began in protest, but Penny hastened to reassure him she was not offended by the Countess's words.

"It is not a bother at all, my lord." She smiled up at him then turned back to the grinning countess. "Yes indeed. It is quite tiring to be called Penelope the entire time, so I prefer Penny."

"Ah! Now that is much better." Bridget leaned over to pat her arm in approval. Her gaze shifted to focus on something above Penny's head, her smile widening even more. "Phillip! My dear duke! How delightful to see you here."

Penny stiffened and felt a blush creep up her cheeks at the mention of his name. She hadn't still quite fully recovered from their clandestine encounter, and she surely wished he would just stay away till she had regained some modicum of self-control. She heard the crunch of his boots as he came up behind her. She could feel the heat from his body so close to hers. She looked down and pretended studied interest in the perfectly trimmed grass.

Phillip came around to stand before the Countess, taking her outstretched hand and pressing a kiss upon it. "Felicitations, my lady, and might I say you look entirely resplendent today."

The Countess laughed. "Oh, you unrepentant flatterer! Where have you been by the way? I heard you had arrived earlier."

He chuckled, looking down at Penny who was still earnestly studying the ground as though her life depended upon acquiring some sort of knowledge. "I was diverted by a guest. My apologies."

Henry guffawed but quickly turned the sound into a cough when Phillip shot him a withering glare. Penny groaned and shut her eyes, hoping that by some miracle, she would magically reappear in the sanctuary of her bedroom, the night turning out to be nothing but a bad dream.

"I had no idea you needed any further education, but I will happily oblige you with a quick lesson if that is what you prefer."

Realizing the real challenge behind the Duke's words, Penny rose and hastily slipped an arm through Edward's. He turned to her, and she silently pleaded with him to refrain from offering a scathing rejoinder. It would not do to arouse interest, certainly not in front of the Countess, who would certainly disapprove of any match between her son and Lucy if the truth were discovered. Thankfully, he seemed to understand, squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"No, Your Grace," he replied quietly. "I consider myself suitably educated."

"Good. Let us hope you keep it that way," Phillip replied and turned away abruptly. The three watched him lean down and murmur something to the Countess, who promptly protested.

"Leave? But we have hardly begun the festivities." Lady Westbrooke stared at him in surprise. "Come now. I shall be highly offended if you leave."