A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 40

Gretna Green

The carriage ride seemed endless, and it seemed the wheels found every single rut on the road, the result being a constant jarring that set her teeth on edge and caused a headache of the most agonizing proportions. She envied Phillip for being on horseback; at least he would not have to put up with this agony like she was forced to. They had left the inn just as the sun was beginning to rise higher in the sky, and Phillip had set a gruelling pace, and they had not stopped since setting off. She sighed and shut her eyes, but the action only seemed to make matters worse, for the rolling motion set off flutters in her belly, threatening to expel the morning meal in a most unladylike fashion. With a tired sigh, she leaned over to jerk back the lace curtains, permitting the sunlight to stream into the dim vehicle. Looking out, she could see the terrain had changed subtly, from lush fields filled with daisies to a breath-taking sight of rolling green hills and the occasional sparkling stream that called out to her.

She sighed again and leaned back against the soft cushions, praying the journey would soon come to an end. She wondered what was going through Phillip's mind at the moment. Was he plotting some way to gain retribution against Edward? She wondered what he had in mind. Nothing that bode well for the lovers, if the fierce expression on his face was anything to go by. Well, whatever he planned, she would not let him harm a hair on Edward's head. She would fight him with whatever strength she had in her body, she vowed silently, balling her hands into fists.

The carriage suddenly lurched sideways, taking her unawares, and she was thrown, gasping as her shoulder came in contact with the hard edge of the seat. She could hear the horses whining loudly and Colin's softer tones trying to calm them even as the contraption drew to a halt.

"What on earth is going on?" she muttered to herself, rubbing at the stinging in her upper arm. She heard voices outside, strange voices, and her alarm increased. Had highwaymen beset them? She could hear the voices coming closer and realized they were speaking a language that was quite foreign to her ears, the sound of boots crushing stones and sand causing her to shrink back against the seat. A minute later, the door was flung open, and a florid faced man peered in, squinting in her direction. Penny suddenly realized the dim light momentarily blinded him and quickly chose that moment to strike. Quickly lifting her skirts, she struck out at the man with the tips of her boots, hitting him square on the nose. She heard the sickening crunch of bone breaking, and her would-be assailant let out a blood-curdling howl and disappeared through the door.

She did not wait for another second, lurching out after the man hastily, tumbling through the doors to crash rather unceremoniously on the mercifully soft earth. Dazed from the fall, she took a moment to realize she was hearing something strange: the sound of hearty laughter. What on earth?

She shook her head to clear her befuddlement and looked around, squinting against the light. There were several men-she counted five- gathered around staring down at her with varying expressions of amusement. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Phillip a little way off leaning against a beech tree, watching her in amusement. She hastily got to her feet and ignoring the men, started towards him, her fists clenched in fury.

"Border guards," he replied with a grin she wanted to slap away. "We are on the stretch of land that divides England from Scotland. These men have orders to search every vehicle that attempts a crossing."

"Well, they were very rude about it," she muttered, guilt filling her as she recalled the man she had unwittingly attacked. "They should have announced their intentions before barging in that way. He gave me quite a fright."

Phillip pushed off from the tree and came to stand close. Instantly, her senses went on full alert, and she caught her breath at his nearness. "Yes, of course," he replied softly, his eyes darkening with some emotion she could not put a name to, but it only served to heighten her awareness of him. "I offered to inform you, but they were insistent, probably thought I had some guilty secret to conceal within the carriage. Fools."