A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 66

"We were hoping you would tell us." Jane laughed, perching on the corner of the table eagerly. "Lucy seems to think they are from Newbridge, but I don't think so. I believe it is Mr. Lachlan who sent them. Phillip would never send anyone flowers."

Penny stared at the envelope, even as she listened to the two girls argue about the sender. It had to be Alasdair, she surmised, studying the plain white card. Jane was right; Phillip would never send her flowers, and besides, the envelope did not carry any seal.

"Well, open it already!" Lucy demanded, dancing from one leg to the other in excitement. "Aren't you dying to know who sent them?"

Penny smiled at her sister and carefully pried open the cover, extracting the gold embossed card within. Her pulse raced as she stared at the words written on the card.

Be ready at noon. P

Her hands shook as she read the words over and over again, even as her mind refused to absorb the reality of what she read. Had Phillip sent her the flowers? There must be some sort of mistake. He was far too arrogant to do anything other than to order her about and expect her to jump to do his bidding every time. Of course, he had completely disregarded her letter as expected, but never in a million years had she thought he would do something so blatantly out of character.

She started in surprise when Jane snatched the card from her hand, coming back to reality with a start. She watched as Jane read the contents and opened her mouth in shock.

"Oh my goodness! He actually sent you flowers?" The girl stared at Penny in astonishment, while Lucy let out a triumphant crow.

"Hah! I knew it was him!" Lucy shrieked, snatching the card from Jane's limp fingers. "Oh, this so exciting. It's just like a romance novel. He is being such a romantic hero."

"No, it's not. Phillip is as far removed from being some sort of romantic hero," Penny pointed out, picking a single rose from the bunch and holding it to her nose, the sweet scent filling her nostrils, drawing a wistful smile to play across her lips. How had he known white roses were her favourite? She could not recall ever mentioning it to him, or was it a mere coincidence?

Jane plucked another rose, inhaling as Penny had done, then frowned in puzzlement. "These must be freshly picked just this morning. There is not even the slightest sign of wilting."

"What do you intend to wear for your outing?" Lucy asked. Penny shrugged and replaced the stem. "I am not going."

Lucy and Jane gaped at her in astonishment. "What do you mean you are not going?" Lucy demanded, planting her hands on her hips, glaring at Penny in indignation. "Have you gone mad?"

Sally, the parlour maid, peered inside with an apologetic look. "Pardon me, Miss, but Lady Westbrooke sent me to inform you that the duke of Newbridge wishes to see you. He is waiting in the drawing room." Penny was startled. "Is it noon already?" She rose and crossed to the east window, pulling aside the drapes, wincing as a flood of sunlight poured through the window, lighting up the dim library.

No wonder she had been oblivious to time's passing, she observed thoughtfully, turning away from the window. Her gaze fell on the bouquet, now safely in a glass jar filled with water, and she grimaced. Phillip would not accept her refusal to go out with him without some sort of argument; she could bet her non-existent fortune on that, but she had to prove to him that she was not a toy to be trifled with at his whim. Otherwise, he would continue to torment her state of mind.

"Miss?" The maid looked askance at her.

Penny shook herself to reality. "Yes, I will be down in a minute. I just need to replace these books." She began to gather up a sheaf of papers and the almanac, but the maid hurried to take them from her.

"I can do that, Miss. Not to worry."

She smiled at Sally and moved aside to allow the girl to clear up. "Thank you, Sally." Those words elicited a surprised smile and a blush of pleasure from the maid, and Penny surmised the girl must not often get thanked for her efforts.