A Penny's Worth of Affection novel Chapter 70

"I am fine," she snapped at him, the throbbing in her ankle getting even worse. "I would not be in this position if you had not insisted on sneaking up on me. Why do you always do that?"

He shrugged and turned away from her. "I assure you I have much better things to do than to try to take you unawares."

"Then why did you follow me?"

"That is not important," he replied dismissively. "I am going to fetch Mr. Lachlan."

"I told you-"

"I know what you said. And I choose to ignore it because I think it is a foolish decision."

Penny glared at his retreating back in irritation. It was his fault she was in pain, and he could not even deign to agree to her wishes. Why had he followed her in the first place? To make her life miserable? Well, he had certainly succeeded because the pain was indeed enough to make her miserable.

She studied her ankle, wincing at the angry red bruise already forming. In truth, the pain was nearly unbearable, and all she wanted to do was to return to the Westbrooke mansion so she could put her feet up and take some laudanum. Her other leg had begun to ache too, and she rubbed at the old wound in an effort to relieve the pain.

The music coming from the main stage poured into the hall, and she did not hear Phillip's footsteps until he was near. She frowned when she noticed he was still alone but now carried his great coat and hat. "Where is Mr. Lachlan?" she asked him, checking down the hall expecting the doctor to appear at any moment.

He raised an eyebrow at her, his expression sardonic. "I thought you did not wish him disturbed?"

"You said you would call him anyway."

"I lied." He shoved his arms through the sleeves of his coat and donned his hat. "I am taking you home instead."

Penny's mouth fell open in amazement. What was he talking about? "I cannot go home without the rest of my family," she protested. "It will raise scandalous questions were I to leave with you."

He bent to retrieve her discarded slipper, completely ignoring her protest. "I had no idea you cared much for your reputation." He moved towards her determinedly and before she could utter another word of protest, slipped his hands under her, lifting her into his arms as though she weighed nothing.

Penny flushed in mortification, stifling a scream. Her hands clutched the lapels of his coat for dear life. "Put me down, Phillip. This is preposterous. Put me down, for God's sakes."

Phillip's carriage pulled up, and he set her gently on the plush seat. Penny would have flown out just as fast, but her ankle prevented her from making a run for it. She glared as he took his seat next to her after giving the driver instructions as to their destination. Someone had placed a small lamp inside the carriage, lighting the interior with a soft golden glow.

"Let me out at once!" she ordered.

He merely gave her a chiding look and ignored her. The carriage set off, and Penny resigned herself to seething in fury, glaring daggers at him. "You hate me. That can be the only reason you always choose to make me miserable."

He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "I do not hate you, Miss Inglewood."

"Then why are you trying to ruin me? What have I done to deserve this treatment from you?"

In the dim light, she saw Phillip grimace, then he leaned close to her his eyes glittering in the lamplight. "I assure you, Penny. I do not hate you...Quite the contrary, in fact. I want to take you in my arms and make love to you...Make you mine in every sense of the word."

Stunned into silence, Penny could only stare at him as his words sank in, each syllable igniting a rush of desire such as she had never felt before. His raw words aroused rather than shocked, quickened her need until she was gasping for breath. The atmosphere inside the carriage became charged with passion, the very air sparked with the need of the two people within. Phillip wanted her! She stared at him, remembering the intensity of his kisses, the feel of his heat against hers and suddenly realized the truth. She wanted him to make love to her. She needed him.