A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 46

Phillip shrugged. "I do not owe anyone an apology, Westbrooke. I refuse to allow her trap me this way."

"Oh for God's sake! You are quick to accuse the lady of deceit. You are hardly blameless in this. Surely you must have known that spending any amount of time with a lady will result in this. You cannot plead ignorance. You wounded the lady's pride, and you should do the responsible thing and make amends."

"If I want your opinion, Henry, rest assured I will not hesitate to ask for it. But I certainly do not recall asking."

"Very well. But know this, Duke. If you cause Penelope any more distress, I will not hesitate to put a bullet through your thick skull."

Phillip's mouth lifted in a sardonic smile. "My! How touching. Tell me, since when did you become an advocate for lady's rights?"

Henry frowned and placed a firm hand on Phillip's shoulder, shrugging when Phillip stared at the hand in disdain. "Your antics do not scare me, dear friend. I care about Penny's happiness because when she is happy, then my beloved is equally happy. Now, tell me, why are you so against this marriage? It is obvious that had we not interrupted your little love scene, you were well on your way to seducing the lovely Miss Inglewood. And she appeared to be a most willing participant. You like her. You desire her and have shown more feeling for her than you have ever shown towards Jane."

"That is none of your business."

"Cease being such an idiot. If Jane is wed to Edward, what do you intend to do then?"

Phillip had enough of this talk. He fixed his friend with a cold look and stepped away from the fireplace. "While I appreciate the insight into my personal life, we have two people who must be found at once. I want to leave this godforsaken place as soon as possible." Without waiting for a reply, he spun around and left the room.

Penny lay slumped over the uncomfortable chair, her thoughts in turmoil. Marriage to Phillip would be a torment if they were forced into it. She shuddered at the thought of spending the rest of her life with a man who did not love her. In fact, if his actions were anything to go by, he despised and blamed her for trapping him into a forced offer for her hand. She sighed and shut her eyes, feeling the throb of a headache drum across her temple, fighting the urge to give in to the self-pity that struggled to overwhelm her. It would be so simple to give in to those emotions, wallow in that self-pity and allow it to sweep her into a maelstrom of darkness.

"Penelope...I must apologize for my prolonged absence." Sir Inglewood's voice floated into her thoughts. Her eyes fluttered open, and she angled her body to face him. He looked weary, and for the first time, she noticed fresh lines around his eyes and mouth-signs of age and strain. Once, those had been laughter lines, but after the death of her mother twelve years ago, Edward Inglewood had devoted his time to going on wild adventures, leaving his tender family behind.

"Are you all right, Papa? You look tired."

"Papa...don't," Penny broke in, casting him a pleading look. "Please?"

Phillip sneered but said nothing more. He snatched up his coat hanging off a chair and strode out. The minute the door shut, Penny let her shoulders slump.

"Papa, I do not wish to marry him," she muttered, "You see how he treats me now. He will surely drive me to destruction if I have to put up with this for a longer length of time."

"He is a most ill-mannered young man, I admit, but it is to be expected. In time, he will come to accept his fate."

"Are you even concerned about Eddie?" she cried out, close to pulling her hair out in frustration. "All you have talked about since arriving here is trying to put me together with that...distasteful man. Right now, I would choose to endure society's scorn than be joined in a miserable marriage."