The carriage ride seemed endless, and it seemed the wheels found every single rut on the road, the result being a constant jarring that set her teeth on edge and caused a headache of the most agonizing proportions. She envied Phillip for being on horseback; at least he would not have to put up with this agony like she was forced to. They had left the inn just as the sun was beginning to rise higher in the sky, and Phillip had set a gruelling pace, and they had not stopped since setting off. She sighed and shut her eyes, but the action only seemed to make matters worse, for the rolling motion set off flutters in her belly, threatening to expel the morning meal in a most unladylike fashion. With a tired sigh, she leaned over to jerk back the lace curtains, permitting the sunlight to stream into the dim vehicle. Looking out, she could see the terrain had changed subtly, from lush fields filled with daisies to a breath-taking sight of rolling green hills and the occasional sparkling stream that called out to her.
She sighed again and leaned back against the soft cushions, praying the journey would soon come to an end. She wondered what was going through Phillip’s mind at the moment. Was he plotting some way to gain retribution against Edward? She wondered what he had in mind. Nothing that bode well for the lovers, if the fierce expression on his face
was anything to go by. Well, whatever he planned, she would not let him harm a hair on Edward’s head. She would fight him with whatever strength she had in her body, she vowed silently, balling her hands into fists.
The carriage suddenly lurched sideways, taking her unawares, and she was thrown, gasping as her shoulder came in contact with the hard edge of the seat. She could hear the horses whining loudly and Colin’s softer tones trying to calm them even as the contraption drew to a halt.
“What on earth is going on?” she muttered to herself, rubbing at the stinging in her upper arm. She heard voices outside, strange voices, and her alarm increased. Had highwaymen beset them? She could hear the voices coming closer and realized they were speaking a language that was quite foreign to her ears, the sound of boots crushing stones and sand causing her to shrink back against the seat. A minute later, the door was flung open, and a florid faced man peered in, squinting in her direction. Penny suddenly realized the dim light momentarily blinded him and quickly chose that moment to strike. Quickly lifting her skirts, she struck out at the man with the tips of her boots, hitting him square on the nose. She heard the sickening crunch of bone breaking, and her would-be assailant let out a blood-curdling howl and disappeared through the door.
She did not wait for another second, lurching out after the man hastily, tumbling through the doors to crash rather unceremoniously on the mercifully soft earth. Dazed from the fall, she took a moment to realize she was hearing something strange: the sound of hearty laughter. What on earth?
She shook her head to clear her befuddlement and looked around, squinting against the light. There were several men—she counted five— gathered around staring down at her with varying expressions of amusement. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Phillip a little way off leaning against a beech tree, watching her in amusement. She hastily got to her feet and ignoring the men, started towards him, her fists clenched in fury.
“What is the meaning of this?” she demanded angrily the minute she reached him. “Why did you allow those men to come into the carriage? Who are they?”
He raised an eyebrow in that annoyingly familiar way of his and chuckled. “I warned them you would not take kindly to being disturbed. They would not listen…I am quite proud of you.”
She gaped at him in astonishment. This was so unlike Phillip, and who were they? She stole a quick glance back at the men who were still clustered around their injured comrade. As she watched, a buggy rolled up the steep hill, slowing to a stop when it came alongside the men. They began issuing orders and commenced a search of the vehicle. She noted for the first time that they seemed to be clad in the same sort of attire, apparently a uniform. Were they guards of some sort? she wondered.
Turning back to Phillip, she frowned at him crossly. “Who are
they?”
“Border guards,” he replied with a grin she wanted to slap away. “We are on the stretch of land that divides England from Scotland. These men have orders to search every vehicle that attempts a crossing.”
“Well, they were very rude about it,” she muttered, guilt filling her as she recalled the man she had unwittingly attacked. “They should have announced their intentions before barging in that way. He gave me quite a fright.”
Phillip pushed off from the tree and came to stand close. Instantly, her senses went on full alert, and she caught her breath at his nearness. “Yes, of course,” he replied softly, his eyes darkening with some emotion she could not put a name to, but it only served to heighten her awareness of him. “I offered to inform you, but they were insistent, probably thought I had some guilty secret to conceal within the carriage. Fools.”
Phillip lifted his hand to her face, and her heart slammed against her ribcage. What was he going to do to her? “You look so enchanting when you are furious.”
She gaped at him in wonder, even as she felt her cheeks heat up from his proximity. Was he actually…flirting with her? Had his fever returned due to the hard ride? “W–what?”
He touched her cheek, the contact kindling a burning desire, eliciting a gasp from her lips. “Has anyone ever told you how expressive your face is? It is like watching a play enact itself on your features…enchanting to watch.”
Her face was expressive? That information did not settle well with Penny as she wondered in mortification if he could also detect the effect he had on her? She shook her head and took a step back, suddenly unwilling to have him so close to her. “Please don’t,” she whispered softly, clenching her hands into fists as she struggled to gain control of her emotions. “Do not say such things to mock me, Your Grace.”
Phillip’s eyes flashed angrily, and he dropped his hand to his side. When he spoke, his voice was cold and detached. “My apologies, I stepped out of line.”
She lowered her gaze and nodded. Just then, someone cleared his throat, and they both turned to see two of the guards approaching. Penny flushed as she saw the swollen and disjointed nose of the guard she had assaulted. She owed him an apology.
“’Cuse us, yer lawdship,” the other soldier, a freckled fellow with carrot-coloured hair, bowed and spoke in barely recognizable English. “But yer best be movin’ along. Apologies fer the delay. We jus’ be doing whas asked of us.”
Penny stared at the man and wondered if Phillip had understood a word he had spoken. Her question was soon answered when beside her Phillip nodded brusquely and slipped a hand under her elbow, intending to lead her back into the carriage. Penny hesitated and turned to the swollen-nosed guard.
She smiled charmingly, hoping to soften her apology. “I am truly sorry for assaulting you,” she said contritely. “I thought you were a highwayman come to rob us.”
The man gingerly raised a finger to touch his nose, wincing as he did so, which earned him a grin from his companion. He turned to glare at him briefly before turning back to Penny. “Aye, ’tis nae trouble a’ awl. ’Tis me own fawlt. Shoulda called outta warning. Didnae know yer were alarmed.”
“I’m sorry,” Penny said again, feeling rather wretched for over reacting.
In truth, she had acted out of a mere sense of self-preservation, justifiable after listening to so many dreadful tales of the atrocities committed by highwaymen; most of which had left her shuddering in revulsion. She stole a glance towards Phillip to find him paying close attention to the line of vehicles waiting to receive permission to pass into Scotland, a thoughtful frown on his dark features. As though he felt her scrutiny, his eyes moved to stare at her, his frown deepening.
He appeared struck by a realization, and he turned to the guards. “You do inspect everyone who passes through this border, don’t you?” he asked, his tone sharp and direct.
Swollen nose nodded assent. “Aye, yer grace.”
Penny immediately understood the reason for his enquiry and felt a wave of excitement sweep through her. Please, God, she prayed silently. Please let these guards remember them.
“Do you happen to recall, by any chance, if a young fair-haired lad and lady went by here on horseback?” Phillip asked. “Maybe not today, but yesterday and the day before?
The two men exchanged thoughtful glances then shook their heads in unison. “Nae, yer lawdship,” the red-haired guard replied. “In truth, we get lotsa people seeking entry. I will ask the lads if any cannae recall such.” He turned and walked back towards the other guards, swollen nose in tow. Returning a moment later, he reported that no one remembered seeing a couple fitting their description.
Penny felt the excitement die within her. The man was right; they must see a dozen faces each passing day, and to hope someone would
remember a couple traveling alone was folly. Her shoulders drooped in defeat.
“We will find them,” Phillip murmured reassuringly, his mouth mere inches from her ear as he steered her towards the carriage. “Gretna Green is a small village. There can’t be many places for them to stay without notice.”
Penny allowed herself to be led and nodded at his words. “I certainly hope so. I worry they may have run out of funds, or perhaps something has happened and they…” Her voice choked off, and he stopped to place his hands on her shoulders and turn her to face him.
“Edward will be foolish indeed to have embarked on a journey without ensuring his companion will be well provided for,” he said, his tone gentle and soothing. He brushed a tendril of loose hair from her face, and when she flinched, he offered up a wry smile and dropped his hands.
“We should be on our way,” he informed her, helping her into the carriage. “It will be dusk soon, and we must seek shelter for the night.”
Penny suddenly found herself loathe to sit alone in the carriage. Before she could think about it, she turned to him. “Please stay with me.” She blushed crimson when his eyebrows rose in surprise, suddenly wishing she had never uttered those needy words. “Never mind. I do not know what came over me.”
She cursed herself for her foolishness and busied herself with arranging her skirts so as to avoid looking at him for fear of what expression he would have on his face. Mockery perhaps? She heard him leave and choked back tears. What sort of a fool had she become? She cringed in distaste. Begging a man she disliked for company?
Outside, she could hear the shouts of the guards and other wayfarers going about their business, oblivious to the way she had shamed herself before the Duke. She heard the crunch of boots approaching and looked up, curiosity turning to astonishment as Phillip climbed into the carriage and settled down in the seat opposite hers. Penny was certain her mouth was hanging open but somehow could not muster the will to close it.
He looked thoroughly amused at her surprise and reached over, thrusting a hand beneath her chin to shut her mouth. “Why so surprised, Miss Inglewood? I happen to find the carriage quite comfortable. Thank you for the offer.”
Penny stared at the man before her, but he simply grinned at her and stretched out his long legs, settling more comfortably into the seat and shut his eyes. “Wake me up when we arrive at Gretna Green, will you?”
“Why you…” Penny muttered crossly, but Colin had already set the horses in motion, and she was thrown back against the seat, the words she had been about to utter stolen in a rush of breath. She contented herself with glaring at his sleeping form, planning all sorts of evil things she could do to him if she had the means to do so.
***
The carriage came to a halt, jolting her awake with a start. The interior of the carriage was dark, but there was a soft glow trying to penetrate the curtain. She rubbed her eyes tiredly and leaned over to peer out the window. Dusk had fallen while she slept, but the glow of lanterns showed some sort of coaching inn yard and a small but well-kept building, which she surmised must be the inn itself.
“Have we arrived?” Phillip’s voice startled her after the long
silence.
“Yes, I think so,” she replied, still peering out. He leaned forward and opened the door, admitting the cool evening air into the carriage.
“Wait here a moment,” he instructed and alighted. She sat patiently, watching him walk up to Colin, and after conferring with the young lad, he strode into the inn. Suddenly restless, Penny stepped down from the carriage and stood to take in the refreshing air. There were a few passengers milling about the yard, stable boys leading tired horses to the stables, but the atmosphere was quiet. Colin had busied himself with unfastening the horses from the carriage, and even in the dim light, Penny could see how tired the boy was. He lifted his gaze and saw her looking at him, offering up an uncertain smile that transformed his face, and Penny understood why the girls of Millcote fawned over him.
Phillip returned, looking extremely pleased with himself. “I have secured us three rooms and a private parlour,” he announced. “We will dine as soon as possible, and I will begin the search for the two of them.” “Do you think they might be here in this very inn?” Penny asked
as they started towards the inn.
Phillip shook his head. “I have made the necessary inquiry. The owner swears he has no guests matching their descriptions, but he supplied me with a list of possible places to begin our search. I will commence tonight. However, it is imperative you rest from the journey. You must be hungry?”
Even as a denial left her lips, Penny had to admit she was hungry. Hungry, tired, dusty, and badly in need of a bath. She shuddered to think how dishevelled she must appear.
***
Penny watched as Phillip’s strong lean fingers curled around his wine glass, recalling how just hours before, those same hands had touched her face, and he had declared her enchanting. She tore her gaze away and focused on her nearly untouched food. Anxiety curled up and twisted inside her, robbing her of appetite as she thought of how close they actually were to finding Edward and Jane. Perhaps at this very moment, the two were having supper, just like she and Phillip were, cosily ensconced in a private parlour close to a cheery fire. She desperately hoped so, for it had occurred to her that the couple may have run out of funds and were currently facing some hardship.
She closed her eyes, fighting to stifle a yawn as exhaustion swept over her. Even with her eyes shut, she could still feel his burning gaze upon her and knew he must be studying her as intently as she had been studying him earlier. Did he still think her enchanting, or had his words been empty flattery? Why did this one man get under her skin, fill her thoughts constantly till every waking and sleeping moment did not pass that she was not plagued with a thought of him?
“You are not eating. Is the meal not to your liking?” Phillip asked. “I can order something else brought up if you do not like this.”
Penny shook her head. “No, no, don’t bother, please. I am quite satisfied.”
He studied her for a moment. “You are worried then. That is why you will not eat. Do not worry, Penny. We will find them.”
She smiled at him tentatively, setting down her plate. “I know. It’s
just…”
He set his wine glass down and rose, crossing to her in quick strides. Penny looked up at him in surprise, wondering what he was up to. His eyes had darkened, and there was a determined glint in his them, something that excited her. “Penny,” he murmured, reaching out to pull her up, and they stood so close there was not a hair’s breadth between them.
He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs tracing over her smooth cheeks, even as her eyes drifted shut as she waited for what she yearned to come.
“Look at me,” he ordered, and she obeyed, immediately losing her senses in the pools of desire that were his eyes. His lips met hers, taking her mouth in the sweetest of kisses, the fires of their mutual desire rising into an all-consuming flame that devoured them both. This kiss was gentle and exploratory, seeking to discover every hidden place in her mouth, taking and giving. As one, they both moaned and pressed even closer, sweetness turning into passion, a need for fulfilment.
He broke the kiss but only to trail soft, tantalizing kisses down her neck and shoulders, and Penny willingly gave herself over to him, arching her neck to give him access to her skin, moaning each time he sucked at her soft flesh.
“I want to make love to you,” she heard him whisper through a haze of want. “I want to give you pleasure.”
“Yes!” she breathed, feeling her knees weaken, clutching onto him to stay upright. “Yes!”
He growled and moved, suddenly sweeping her into his arms and striding towards the connecting door leading from the parlour to his room,
laying her down upon the bed. He looked at her as she lay there and felt his lust increase.
Just as he lowered his head to take her mouth once again, there was a frantic knocking coming from the main room. For a moment, he was tempted to ignore it, but Penny gasped and rolled away from him.
“There’s someone…” she began, but he cut her off.
“Yes.” Furious at whoever had intruded upon their private moment, Phillip swore under his breath and strode to the door. He yanked it open, prepared to scour the fool with the force of his words.
“Newbridge!” Lord Westbrooke strode into the room, an older white-haired man in his wake. “Thank heavens we got the right room.”