A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 45

"Stopping you two from behaving like imbeciles." She brandished the empty jug. "If you do not stop, I swear I will hit you with this."

Henry had pulled himself to a sitting position and was taking deep gulps of air. Water dripped from his head, and the front part of his shirt was soaked. Nevertheless, his mouth curved up in a delighted grin. "I like a resourceful woman. Do you really intend to hit us with that?"

Phillip snorted in derision. "I doubt that will be of much use. The water was quite effective though. You forget, Henry, that she is quite the actress. To have carried this charade this far calls for some measure of resourcefulness." He reached up and gingerly touched the bleeding wound on his left cheek, grimacing as the wound stung. He pushed to his feet, raking away the wet locks of hair that fell over his forehead as he walked into his room, shutting the door firmly.

Henry rose too and went to Penny, gently prying the jug from her tight grip. He took in her white pinched face, pain and confusion clearly written there, and slipped a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Come, my dear. See to your father. I will go and fetch a physician. Come."

Penny heard his words, but she could not make her frozen senses do as he wanted. Phillip's hurtful words reverberated in her skull. Why had he suddenly changed towards her? she wondered, every breath she took burning her insides with fire and pain. She felt Henry take her hand and allowed herself to be led to a chair, sinking in a daze.

"Why does he hate me?" she asked in a whisper, the words sounding strangled even to her ears. "What could I have possibly done to him?"

"It is not your fault, Miss Inglewood. Newbridge should have known it would come to this the moment he allowed you to accompany him."

She shook her head in confusion. "Come to what? I do not understand."

Henry sighed and drew a low stool, settling himself in front of her. He gently took her cold hands in rubbed them gently. At that moment, he felt a surge of anger towards his friend for bringing hurt to Penny. Damn Phillip. If only he had heeded his warning in the garden. He looked towards her father, noting with relief that Sir Inglewood appeared to be recovering from the shock. Colour had returned to the old man's cheeks, and he had somehow found himself a glass of wine to sip on.

He returned his attention to Penny who had a haunted look in her eyes. Those eyes that reminded him so much of Lucy. "Your father asked him to do the proper thing to redeem your honour. Of course, Phillip was none too pleased about it."

Her eyes widened in shock." Redeem my honour...Surely you do not mean Papa insisted we...marry?" Without waiting for a reply, she was on her feet and standing before her father. "Papa! The Duke is betrothed to another woman. That is the only reason he is here in the first place. You cannot be serious in suggesting he break off his engagement for the sake of redeeming my honour. We were careful to avoid scandal of any kind. Please, Papa, you must not do this."

Reluctantly, he had to admit admiration for the lady. Not once had she turned hysterical or even had a fit of the vapours-she had faced him down and given as good as she got. Unbidden, a smile lit up his face as he thought of the way those green eyes of hers had stared at him defiantly. If they did marry, he would certainly have no cause for boredom.

He growled and shook away the thought. There would be no such union. Miss Inglewood would not make a suitable duchess-he needed someone who had been bred in the ways of society-someone like Jane Rosebury. No there was no way he would be prevailed upon to marry Penelope.

"The very idea is preposterous," he muttered, staring into the fire.

The door opened, but Phillip did not take his eyes from the fire. "Perhaps I should call you out after all." Henry had entered the room. He moved to stand beside his friend and regarded the tense set of Phillip's shoulders.

Henry sighed, raking back still damp hair that clung to his forehead. "For heaven's sakes, Phillip, you owe Penny an apology. You were most ungentlemanly in speaking to her earlier."