A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 27

He took the paper and merely gaped at her. "Who is gone?" "E–Edward, Jane...they have run away to get married!"

He grasped her arms, pulling her close to stare into her eyes; the panicked look he saw in them convinced him she was not joking, "Come and sit down."

He led her to a sofa, but she resisted him, shaking her head frantically. "No...must go...after them...need...horses..."

"Sit!" he ordered firmly. Startled by the hard tone, she immediately complied. "Now, you will tell me what has happened and do so slowly." He turned to the butler who was still hovering by the door, unsure of what to do. "Leave. Prepare my horse. I will be leaving soon."

The butler hurried away. Phillip retrieved his glass of whiskey and thrust it into Penny's hand. "Drink. It will help calm you."

She peered into the cup, wrinkling her nose in distaste at the foul fumes, and handed it back to him. "I don't want it."

He sighed and went on his haunches before her, grasping the glass, his hands covering her own and lifted it to her mouth. "Just a sip. You must be freezing."

She took a small sip and gagged, thrusting the glass away. "Oh, Lord! It tastes awful."

He set it aside and moved to sit beside her. "Now, talk."

She nodded and took a deep breath, folding her hands on her laps. "I...woke up...went to use the...never mind that." She blushed when she realized what she had been about to say and cleared her throat. "The barn door was open, so I went to investigate. Thought it might be a burglar, but Bessie...our horse...was gone...Called for Eddie and Lucy, but his room was empty. Found the note...said he was on his way to Gretna Green to be married...Came here so you could lend me a fast horse..."

He unfolded the note and perused the contents. "How long ago did you find this?"

She thought for a moment. "I...woke early, still not light outside...Took maybe twenty minutes before...I saw the note."

He nodded and rose to pace the room, while she followed his every move with her eyes; he rubbed his jaw, feeling the rough stubble of overnight growth. "That does not help to know how long they have been gone."

She pressed a hand to her lips to stifle a sob. Phillip ceased his pacing and turned to her, noting how vulnerable and frightened she looked.

He crossed to her and gathered her up into his arms. She melted against him crying, her soft body begging him for comfort and help. He stroked the silky cloud of her hair, inhaling its lemony scent, wanting to drown his senses in her and never let go. What the hell was the matter with him?

He released her abruptly, the movement causing her dressing gown to part slightly, revealing the very light night rail, the outline of her left nipple clearly visible. He felt an overwhelming surge of lust, completely inappropriate considering the fact that his fiancée had just run away with another man.

She pursed her lips in disapproval. "You will kill him if I let you go on your own. I cannot risk that."

He smiled at her for the very first time since she had burst into his study. "I promise I will not harm a hair of your brother's head, regardless of how much I wish to wring his neck at times. He will be delivered to you safe and sound."

She sighed. "Very well, I will wait, but I do not like it one bit." "I did not expect you to. Good day, Miss Inglewood." He pulled the door open and strode out.

***

An hour later, an unmarked, black carriage dropped Penny back at the manor. Lucy ran up to meet her.

"Well? What did he say? Is he going to help?"

Penny led Lucy into the house. "He has gone after them, and I intend to do the exact same thing. Help me pack a bag. I will change, and together, we will go to Fiona. Her son works as a stable lad, doesn't he?" Lucy nodded and hastened to do as instructed. Penny changed into riding clothes, her mind working rapidly. There was no way she would sit back and let Phillip go after the two lovers alone; God only knew what he would do despite his promise to her. She would ask Fiona to look after Lucy for a few days then borrow a horse with the help of her son. Hopefully, she would be on the road to Scotland within the hour.