A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 67

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Phillip turned from the window when she entered the room, his smile disappearing when he noticed what she was wearing. "You are not dressed," he scowled at her, crossing the room to stand before her, his demeanour forbidding. "I asked that you be ready at noon. Why are you not ready yet?"

Penny refused to let herself be intimidated. She thrust her shoulders back and stared at him in defiance.

"I told you, I do not want to go anywhere with you," she calmly replied, even though her pulse raced faster than a speeding carriage. "I even sent you a note to that effect this morning."

He looked particularly handsome today. As usual, his clothes had been chosen with impeccable taste. The dark blue coat contrasted nicely with the icy blue of his eyes, and his broad shoulders looked even more impressive beneath the exquisitely tailored garment. He had let his hair grow unheeded, and now it curled just past his neck, barely brushing his shoulders. In her faded yellow morning gown, Penny suddenly felt drab, and she wished she had taken the time to change.

The look Phillip levelled at her could freeze an elephant. "Indeed, you did. That cryptic note politely informing me you had been unable to find a chaperone? You are a terrible liar, Miss Inglewood."

She blushed, a bright red, suddenly wishing she had not sent that damned note after all. "It is hardly a lie, Your Grace," she retorted sharply to cover her mortification. "Who could I ask to accompany me after all? Lucy is seventeen and busy with her wedding plans, and you certainly do not expect me to ask your ex-fiancée now, do you?"

Phillip surprised her by chuckling in amusement. "You are quite the little schemer, aren't you?" He moved even closer, robbing her of the ability to breathe by his nearness, his eyes filled with a sudden mischief. He placed a hand beneath her chin, lifting her face to his, even as his head lowered till it was mere inches from hers. "I like how stubborn you get sometimes...Your eyes turn a most delightful shade of green, and you thrust your shoulders back as though offering me your breasts..."

Penny jerked away from his touch, glaring daggers at him. How dare he speak to her in such an uncouth manner? "You are the most ill-mannered creature I have ever had the misfortune to come across," she declared. "Now, I will never go anywhere with you even if you offered me a fortune in gold."

He sobered immediately, and once more, she was shocked to see him genuinely remorseful. "I apologize, Miss Inglewood. I was out of line to say such things."

Penny's mouth dropped open in astonishment. Was Phillip actually apologizing? She searched her mind for an appropriate response but could not come up with anything. She was accustomed to his rude, obnoxious nature, but Newbridge actually apologizing was a surprise.

He grinned, the action giving him a rakish look. "Go put on something appropriate, Miss Inglewood. I give you my word: I will be on my best behaviour."

"But I don't have a chaperone!" she protested.

"Oh, I have taken care of that."

Penny blushed in pleasure, grateful once more to the countess for giving her the dress.

"Thank you," she replied. Her gaze swept over the busy London street, wondering what Phillip had in mind for the afternoon. She had assumed they would go for a walk, but it appeared he had different plans.

And what was this about a chaperone? "You brought along a chaperone? Who is it?"

Phillip offered her his arm, and she slipped her gloved hand through his. "My aunt, Lady Farnsworth. She will be waiting for us at the tea shop."

"I did not know you had an aunt," Penny replied, staring up at him in surprise. "We are going to a tea shop?"

"Yes and yes." Phillip grinned down at her, the action sending warm shivers down Penny's spine. "I told you we needed to talk, and we might as well fill our stomach while we discuss." He let go of her arm for a moment to pull open the door to the tea shop, allowing her to proceed him inside.