A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 44

Sir Inglewood glared at Phillip defiantly. "She has been in your company for nigh on three days. There must have been witnesses. For heaven only knows what ruse the both of you have been travelling under. Whether you have dishonoured her or not hardly matters now. Surely you know that."

"Are you asking that I marry her to save her damned reputation?" Phillip had never felt so furious in his life. Had this been her plan all along? To trap him into marriage by disobeying his orders to remain behind at Millcote and following him knowing full well the consequences. His mind was besieged by memories...The time in the maze...she must have known they would be missed, and perhaps she had let him kiss her in hopes they would be discovered. And when that had failed...convinced the brother to run off with his betrothed, and Penny herself had shown up at his house that day clad in nothing but her night gown. What a fool he had been. He swore out loud.

"If you care about what happens to her, you will do the proper thing," Sir Inglewood replied quietly.

Henry spoke up. "He is quite right, Newbridge. No matter how well the two of you may have conducted yourselves, there are witnesses. Sooner or later, someone will talk, and once word gets out, Miss Inglewood will be ruined."

She had planned this all so well, Phillip thought, cursing himself for allowing a pair of green eyes to enchant him into an unwanted marriage. He had been deceived by a most clever Jezebel, and like a fool, he had reasoned with his loins and not his head. A rustle behind him signalled her re-entry into the parlour, and he turned to face her.

Penny returned to the parlour carrying her box, her face pale and drawn. Phillip stared at her dispassionately, despising her for tricking him thus. And to think he had even allowed himself to begin to care for her.

He laughed bitterly/ "Congratulations, madam, your hand has been well played. Very well played indeed."

She looked up at him in confusion, then at her father who was standing there looking just as furious as Phillip, then back to the latter. "I do not understand why you are offering felicitations, Your Grace."

"No?" He mocked her with his eyes. "Come now, Miss Inglewood, there is no need to keep up with the pretence. The game is up. You have succeeded in your quest."

"Newbridge," Henry murmured in warning, but Phillip silenced him with a look.

Penny could only wonder what had brought on this change in Phillip. Why was he saying those words? What game did he refer to? She looked to Henry for answers, but he merely shrugged and looked apologetic. She turned back to her father, her heart racing at the perturbed look he threw her way. "Papa? What is going on?"

"Stop it! Stop it now!" Penny heard the shrill words and realized she had spoken them.

They paid her no heed as they tumbled over each other like a pair of snarling dogs. She watched Phillip mount Henry and deliver a hard blow to the Earl's face. The Earl grunted and lashed out with his free hand, catching Phillip on the cheeks, his heavy ruby ring tearing at the Duke's skin. Penny screamed, terrified the two men would succeed in killing each other. They rolled into the chair Penny had been sitting on, Henry striking his head hard against its legs, and Phillip took advantage to wrap his hands around Henry's throat.

Penny whirled towards her father. "Papa! Do something!" Sir Inglewood still pale with shock merely groaned. He was going to be of no help at all.

She cast her eyes about for something to use, and her eyes fell on a jug of drinking water. She snatched it up and dumped its contents on the nearest man.

"Bloody hell!" Phillip reared up in shock as the icy water soaked his shirt. His hands slackened their hold on Henry's neck, and he glared up at Penny. "What the blazes do you think you are doing, woman?"