A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 65

He bowed. "I am glad you gave me the chance to teach you. You are a marvellous student."

Penny laughed, settling back in her seat, careful to avoid creasing the gown. "I hardly did a thing, Mr. Lachlan."

"That is not true at all. A teacher is only as good as his student, and I am lucky to have such a lovely student. Not many a teacher can boast of having such loveliness to hold."

Penny reached for her fan, grateful to feel the warm air blow over her. Thankfully, the chair was quite close to one of the open doors leading to the garden, and she felt the cool air caress her bare neck. She found she was quite thirsty.

"May I have a glass of lemonade please?" "Of course, I will fetch it at once."

She watched him hurry away, a wistful smile on her lips. He really was the most perfect gentleman.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Phillip's mocking tone startled her from her thoughts, and she turned in her seat to find him propped against the doorway leering down at her.

She groaned aloud. "Why are you tormenting me thus?

"We need to talk."

"There is nothing I wish to discuss with you."

He reached out to stroke the back of her neck, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "Oh, I think there is, Penny. You cannot hide from it." She jerked away, causing him to chuckle in amusement. "I will call for you at noon tomorrow. Be ready and try to find a chaperone this time."

"I will not..." Her voice faded away as she realized he had disappeared. "Meet you," she finished in a whisper.

*********

The Outing

Penny studied the letter she had written once more, twirling the quill between her finger tips as she read. Finally satisfied that all was in order, she folded it carefully and rang for a maid. While she waited, she crossed to the window, breathing in the cool morning air.

A knock announced the arrival of the maid, and she handed her the letter. "Please make sure this is delivered to the Duke of Newbridge's residence before noon."

"I will have a look at it as soon as I finish eating," Penny replied, biting into a hot buttered scone.

"Surely you have something else to occupy your time other than looking through dusty old tomes. I can easily have a servant do that, my dear."

"I have made no pressing plans for the day." Penny hastened to assure her friend. "It will give me something with which to engage myself."

***

An hour later, she was ensconced in the library, checking off names from the invitation list against those in the voluminous almanac when Lucy burst in nearly tripping in her apparent excitement, carrying an enormous bouquet of roses. Jane followed more sedately behind.

"Look, Penny! You have got flowers." Lucy squealed, setting the bouquet on the mahogany table, the scent of the roses filling the room with a pleasant odour. "Aren't these the most adorable roses you have ever seen? Someone is smitten, dear sister."

Penny stared at the bouquet in surprise. She had never gotten flowers before, certainly not after a ball. "Who are they from?" she asked, rising from the high-backed chair to touch a delicate bloom. The roses were exquisite, and she sniffed at the fragrance appreciatively. Could Alasdair have sent them? she wondered, searching for the envelope that had surely come with the gift. She found it still tied to the piece of string that held the bouquet together, her fingers trembling with excitement.