A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 39

"Who are you? And where are the occupants of the house?" he demanded, his gaze sweeping through the yard but finding no one else present.

The boy shrugged his thin shoulders; his eyes fixed on the ground as though there was something that held his interest there. "I don't know, yer lordship. Sir Inglewood has gone in search of them."

Henry started at this bit of information. When had the father returned? And was he aware of what had happened with his son? "Sir Inglewood? The father is he here?"

The boy looked up briefly then resumed his communion with the dirt, but not before Henry caught a flash of something in his strange violet eyes. "He has gone in search of his family...yer lordship."

"I see, and when did he arrive?"

"Just this morning, sir. We found the house deserted." "And you are?"

The lad shifted uncomfortably, moving from one foot to the other, the pitchfork still resting on his left shoulder. "Jack, yer lordship."

Henry studied the boy for a few more minutes, then nodded and turned to walk back towards the front of the house. He worried about Lucy and hoped she was alright. The sound of hoof beats filled the still morning air, and a lone horse and rider appeared over the slope, coming to a halt close to Henry. He could see the rider was an elderly gentleman with a full head of snowy white hair dressed in rather eccentric clothes. The man dismounted and approached, his expression curious yet wary. As he drew closer, Henry could see he bore a rather close resemblance to the younger Edward Inglewood and surmised that this would be Sir Inglewood.

He bowed, feeling the man's eyes on him. "Good day, sir. I assume you must be the master of the house?"

Sir Inglewood nodded slowly, his gaze taking in every inch of Henry. "Indeed, I am, and who might you be, young man?"

"I am Earl Westbrooke. I have the pleasure of being acquainted with your family, sir, and I just learned you have recently returned?"

"You know Penelope?" Sir Inglewood edged closer, his face anxious for information. "Do you know where she has gone?"

At that moment, Henry realized it was possible Miss Inglewood had gone after her brother, perhaps taking Lucy with her, or leaving her in the care of someone. He seemed to recall the first time he had been introduced to Penelope; she had been in the company of another woman who appeared to be a close friend. What was the woman's name?

"Have you heard the news, sir?" he asked Sir Edward.

"What news? What has happened?" The man's face turned ashen with worry, and he came even closer. "Has some tragedy befallen them that I do not know?"

He smiled at her, reaching for her hand and lifting it to his lips. "I was worried about you, Miss Lucy. I am glad to find you in excellent health."

"Oh!" she murmured, blushing even more if that was possible, "Thank you. But how did you know about..."

"Perhaps we had better retire indoors where we can discuss this matter away from prying ears?" Mrs. Ingram suggested lightly. They all agreed and moved indoors.

Once they were seated in the tiny living room, Lucy chose a seat next to Henry, which earned her a fond smile from the latter.

Sir Inglewood leaned forward. "What really happened?" he asked. Henry cleared his throat and narrated what he knew, with Lucy supplying details every now and then. At some point, he surreptitiously reached for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze, letting her tiny hand rest in his warm, large own. When he wound to a stop, the entire room was silent, each one lost in thought.

Finally, Sir Inglewood rose. "I must go after them. Something has to be done at once. I am apprehensive about this duke and his intentions." Henry released Lucy's hand and rose, straightening his jacket. "I will accompany you. It will be best if we set off at once."

An hour later, Henry set off for Gretna Green in the company of Sir Inglewood. He sincerely hoped Phillip and Penny had not caught up with the eloped couple yet.