A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 48

Aftermath

The room fell dead silent as the occupants reeled from the Duke's announcement. Penny's heart slammed in her chest as she stared at Phillip in shock.

"You cannot possibly be serious!" Henry's incredulous voice broke the stiff silence. He glared at Phillip who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. "Are you joking?"

"I assure you I am deadly serious." Phillip levelled a cold look at his friend. "I never make light of issues regarding my honour, which this mere boy has turned into a joke. Surely you do not expect me to smile and pretend?"

Penny felt her jaw slip open. So this had been his plan all along, even though he had given her his word not to harm Edward. "You promised me you would not hurt him," she accused him, pain and betrayal evident in her tone. "You gave me your word."

Those ice blue eyes settled on her filled with disdain and something she could not quite identify. "I changed my mind the minute I discovered your deception, Miss Inglewood. I do not make promises to untrustworthy people."

"I am untrustworthy?" she exploded, unconsciously taking a step towards him. She glared up at him, her hands balled into fists at her side, fighting the urge to box his ears soundly. "Do not lie and say this was a spur of the moment decision, Phillip. You have been planning this all along...You hinted as much several times."

Phillip shrugged. "Perhaps...perhaps not."

Edward finally found his voice. "Leave him be, Penny. I will gladly fight him." Beside him, Jane cried out in dismay and grasped his arm.

"Edward! No please no..." she pleaded, eyes wide in fright. "You cannot do this."

He turned to his wife and took her hands in his, giving her a tender smile. "My love, I will not have you in constant fear of him. If I fight him and win, then our union will be free of his menacing shadow."

Jane drew herself up and cast a defiant glance at Phillip. "I am not afraid of him."

What more could he possibly want her to say? she wondered. Did he want her to plead for his mercy the way Jane was doing? Then he was dreaming, for she would not so much as utter a plea to him in this matter. He had broken his promise to her, and she had nothing further to say to him.

Keeping her voice cold and distant, she replied him. "No, I have nothing to say."

He frowned at her words, and she felt a stab of satisfaction that she had discomfited him at least. "How odd then, for in the last few days, you have always had something to say...an opinion or chastisement."

"You broke your word," she retorted, her green eyes shooting daggers at him. "If you must have my opinion, that makes you less the man I thought you were."

An eyebrow rose in surprise at her vehemence. "Indeed? And what makes you say that, Miss Inglewood?"

"You dare ask me such a question? You lied to me, Newbridge. Do you recall that moment in your house when you promised you would not do any harm to my brother? Why then, pray tell, do you challenge him knowing full well that some measure of harm will come to him if you two should fight?"