A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 29

She wondered how far she would get if she simply decided to continue on foot; maybe she could get to some coaching inn and acquire a fresh horse.

The sky turned grey and overcast without warning, and Penny almost screamed in frustration. This day was the worst she had ever had. She wondered where Edward and Jane were at the moment. Had they gotten married already? Had the Duke been able to catch up with them? Her mind kept spinning in circles, filled with questions but no answers, and this delay was not helping at all.

Lifting up her skirts, she carefully descended the slope down to the bridge in hopes of seeing how much progress had been made. Her heart sank when she realized the blacksmith had not even arrived yet, and several men were standing around still arguing, and a few women had clustered at one edge of the grassy bank and were chattering together. Penny sighed and shut her eyes in despair.

"Why am I not surprised to see you here?"

Her eyes flew open, and she turned swiftly, almost losing her balance in the process. Phillip stood behind her, a sardonic expression on his face. He lifted a brow at her in inquiry.

Quickly, her gaze swept past him, heart thudding in hopes of seeing her brother somewhere behind. Disappointment coursed through her, and she looked back at him. "Have you been to Gretna Green?

He laughed shortly. "It is a two-day ride to Scotland, Miss Inglewood."

She blushed and looked down at her shoes. "Of course, how silly of me. I am just worried I suppose."

He stepped forward and placed a hand beneath her chin, raising her face till she looked up at him. "They will be safe together, regardless of the outcome." His voice was surprisingly gentle.

She sighed. "Yes, I suppose so...but...it is difficult not knowing for certain."

A drop of rain hit her forehead. Phillip gently wiped it away with his thumb and glanced up at the heavy clouds. "I'm afraid it will rain soon, and I doubt the wagon will be moved in the next few hours. You should seek shelter. I believe there is an inn just a little way from here if you are willing to continue on foot. Are you on horseback?"

Penny shook her head and gestured to where Colin stood beside the carriage. "I came in a carriage, but I don't mind walking to the inn. I will have a word with Colin then." She turned, intending to return to her carriage, but Phillip detained her.

"No need. I will speak to him and give him directions on where to meet us when the roads are cleared. Wait here." He was gone before she could protest.

Another drop hit her hair, and she retreated to the shade of a tree to wait for Phillip. She fervently prayed that Edward would have the presence of mind to seek shelter from the coming storm on time. It would be a disaster if either of them should fall ill.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, hurling dirt and leaves every which way. She heard Phillip curse, and then he was besides her, gripping her arm firmly. He took one look at her face, white and strained with the effort of walking, and he swore.

"Bloody hell, why didn't you say something, you stubborn woman!" he shouted above the sound of the raging wind. He didn't wait for a reply, simply shoved the box into her arms and swept her into his arms.

"No," Penny shrieked in alarm, feeling her face heat in utter mortification. "I can walk...re..."

"Be quiet!" he hissed, cradling her in his arms as though she weighed nothing.

Penny wisely chose to heed his command, grateful to be off her feet on the one hand and horrified to be carried thus. If anyone they knew saw them, her reputation was done for.

The storm began in earnest, heavy raindrops that drenched them both in seconds. Phillip cradled her closely, wrapping his overcoat around her in an attempt to shield her from the worst of the downpour. Penny buried her face against his chest feeling guilty at the knowledge that he was prevented from making a dash for shelter because of her. Suddenly, he halted, and she glanced up to see that they had thankfully reached the inn. He set her down gently on the wooden porch, water dripping down their bodies to pool on the floor.