A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 41

Phillip lifted his hand to her face, and her heart slammed against her ribcage. What was he going to do to her? "You look so enchanting when you are furious."

She gaped at him in wonder, even as she felt her cheeks heat up from his proximity. Was he actually...flirting with her? Had his fever returned due to the hard ride? "W–what?"

He touched her cheek, the contact kindling a burning desire, eliciting a gasp from her lips. "Has anyone ever told you how expressive your face is? It is like watching a play enact itself on your features...enchanting to watch."

Her face was expressive? That information did not settle well with Penny as she wondered in mortification if he could also detect the effect he had on her? She shook her head and took a step back, suddenly unwilling to have him so close to her. "Please don't," she whispered softly, clenching her hands into fists as she struggled to gain control of her emotions. "Do not say such things to mock me, Your Grace."

Phillip's eyes flashed angrily, and he dropped his hand to his side. When he spoke, his voice was cold and detached. "My apologies, I stepped out of line."

She lowered her gaze and nodded. Just then, someone cleared his throat, and they both turned to see two of the guards approaching. Penny flushed as she saw the swollen and disjointed nose of the guard she had assaulted. She owed him an apology.

"'Cuse us, yer lawdship," the other soldier, a freckled fellow with carrot-coloured hair, bowed and spoke in barely recognizable English. "But yer best be movin' along. Apologies fer the delay. We jus' be doing whas asked of us."

Penny stared at the man and wondered if Phillip had understood a word he had spoken. Her question was soon answered when beside her Phillip nodded brusquely and slipped a hand under her elbow, intending to lead her back into the carriage. Penny hesitated and turned to the swollen-nosed guard.

She smiled charmingly, hoping to soften her apology. "I am truly sorry for assaulting you," she said contritely. "I thought you were a highwayman come to rob us."

The man gingerly raised a finger to touch his nose, wincing as he did so, which earned him a grin from his companion. He turned to glare at him briefly before turning back to Penny. "Aye, 'tis nae trouble a' awl. 'Tis me own fawlt. Shoulda called outta warning. Didnae know yer were alarmed."

"I'm sorry," Penny said again, feeling rather wretched for over reacting.

In truth, she had acted out of a mere sense of self-preservation, justifiable after listening to so many dreadful tales of the atrocities committed by highwaymen; most of which had left her shuddering in revulsion. She stole a glance towards Phillip to find him paying close attention to the line of vehicles waiting to receive permission to pass into Scotland, a thoughtful frown on his dark features. As though he felt her scrutiny, his eyes moved to stare at her, his frown deepening.

Penny allowed herself to be led and nodded at his words. "I certainly hope so. I worry they may have run out of funds, or perhaps something has happened and they..." Her voice choked off, and he stopped to place his hands on her shoulders and turn her to face him.

"Edward will be foolish indeed to have embarked on a journey without ensuring his companion will be well provided for," he said, his tone gentle and soothing. He brushed a tendril of loose hair from her face, and when she flinched, he offered up a wry smile and dropped his hands.

"We should be on our way," he informed her, helping her into the carriage. "It will be dusk soon, and we must seek shelter for the night."

Penny suddenly found herself loathe to sit alone in the carriage. Before she could think about it, she turned to him. "Please stay with me." She blushed crimson when his eyebrows rose in surprise, suddenly wishing she had never uttered those needy words. "Never mind. I do not know what came over me."

She cursed herself for her foolishness and busied herself with arranging her skirts so as to avoid looking at him for fear of what expression he would have on his face. Mockery perhaps? She heard him leave and choked back tears. What sort of a fool had she become? She cringed in distaste. Begging a man she disliked for company?