“Newbridge!”
Phillip, who was about to mount his steed by the side of the Inglewood’s house, paused and glanced behind him. Lord Westbrooke was striding down the path leading to the front door, his legs eating up the distance in as few strides as possible.
“What the devil are you doing here, man?”
Phillip scowled at the man. Was it the man’s business what he was doing here?
“I should be asking you the exact same thing, Westbrooke.” Henry simply laughed, too accustomed to his friend’s brusque
nature to be put off by the rude question . “I have come to pay a visit to Miss Inglewood. I find her quite fascinating company and would like to know more about her.”
Unbidden, Phillip felt a hot sear of fury rip through him at the thought of Penny in his friend’s arms. “I did not think she was your type,” he snapped, stepping up to Henry and glaring at him. “Unless you have other…less amorous plans for the lady, in which case, I will strongly advise you to keep your bloody hands to yourself.”
Henry’s eyes widened in shock, and he took a step back. “What has gotten into you? I assure you I have honourable intentions towards Miss Lucy, though, I had no idea you were so interested in her. His gaze turned thoughtful, assessing the situation; “She has said nothing…”
“I was mistaken.” Now he was angry at himself for losing his temper over Penelope Inglewood. He mounted his horse and nodded a curt farewell, setting off down the winding path at a brisk trot. He was furious for losing control of his emotions. God dammit, he had certainly lost his head for the sake of a pair of huge green eyes and enchanting soft lips. Seeing her worry her lower lip between her teeth in that damnably tempting way had been his undoing. All other thoughts had vanished save for the overwhelming urge to taste those supple lips, to run his tongue over it and bite it gently…
“Bloody hell!” he growled, feeling his body tighten once more in desire. He had to get a hold of his senses before he did something foolish and compromise the girl. Digging the heels of his boots into the horse’s sides, he urged it into a gallop, needing to concentrate on something other than a certain woman.
***
Setting the basket on the kitchen table, Penny hurried to the large tub in the corner and washed hurriedly, resolutely setting aside all thoughts of what had just taken place with the Duke. She could hear Lucy’s excited voice coming from the living room giggling madly and the deeper, more subdued voice of the Earl. A quick glance at herself sent her scurrying up the stairs for a change of garments. Lucy would kill her if she dared put in an appearance looking like a scullery maid.
She changed quickly into a deep blue gown and brushed her hair into place. Glancing in the mirror, she stifled a groan when she gazed upon her flushed face. Damn the Duke and his annoying flirting. She looked like a woman who had just been thoroughly made love to even though he had not so much as…
“Stop thinking about him,” she admonished herself out loud and resolutely turned from the mirror. She made her way to the living room.
The Earl of Westbrooke was seated in her father’s favorite armchair in front of the fireplace , Lucy seated close by on the chaise, hanging onto his every word. He leaped to his feet when he noticed Penny and executed an elegant bow.
“Miss Inglewood!” he murmured, stepping forward to take her hand, raising it to his lips for a brief kiss. “Such a delight to see you again. You look well.”
She swept into as deep a curtsy as her leg would allow. “Thank you, my lord. It is a pleasure to have you in our home. Please sit.”
He waited till she had taken her seat before resuming his own. “I trust that you are well? I saw Newbridge leaving just as I arrived.”
Oh, stuff and blast! Penny thought, feeling her cheeks heat up again in remembrance of what had taken place in the yard.
“Oh?” she replied simply, wishing desperately for a fan to hide behind and avoid the worried look Lucy was currently throwing her way. “He simply wished to discuss a have a word on a personal matter. Desperate to change the topic, she asked. “Would you like some tea?”
The Earl was no fool. He recognized her need to change the topic of conversation and nodded. “Yes, of course, I would love a cup if it’s not any trouble.”
“I will make it,” Lucy announced, rising and bestowing Lord Westbrooke a shy smile then hurried into the kitchen.
Taking advantage of the private moment, Westbrooke leaned forward. “Forgive my forwardness Miss Inglewood. Normally, I would
press my suit on the head of the household, but I understand your father is away on the continent.” At her nod, he took a deep breath and rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back and he regarded her solemnly. “I will confess that from the moment I laid eyes on Miss Lucy, I knew without a shred of doubt that she was the woman I would have by my side as a companion and wife. By your leave, I would like to ask for your permission to court your sister, and eventually ask for her hand, if she will have me.”
Penny smiled at him reassuringly. “Oh, that is simply delightful, my lord. Of course, I have no objections whatsoever. I am equally sure Lucy will be happy to have you pay court to her.”
He leaned back and raked a hand through his hair. “You have no idea how relieved I am to hear those words, Miss Inglewood. Lucy is the most delightful woman, and it is a splendid honour to be able to ask for her hand.”
Penny’s heart blossomed on hearing those words. Lucy would be happy with Westbrooke; of that, she was certain even if she knew so little of the Earl. His reputation had preceded him as an honourable man.
Lucy returned with the tea tray, and Penny watched with a satisfied smile as the young man jumped to help with the laden tray, murmuring something that caused Lucy to blush and giggle shyly. Yes indeed, he would make her happy.
She rose and murmured an excuse, going into the kitchen to put away the eggs, careful to leave the door to the parlour slightly ajar open for propriety’s sake. Unbidden, an image of Phillip, complete with his mocking, supercilious smile, rose in her mind’s eye. She sighed and leaned against the wall. How would it have felt if he had kissed her? Would it be soft and sweet or hard and demanding? She shut her eyes, a wave of longing sweeping through her entire being. It had been so long since she had felt the touch of a man’s lips. Her responsibilities in looking after Edward and Lucy had so overshadowed everything else. She had hardly given thought to any form of romance whatsoever.
The door to the parlour opened, and Lucy rushed in excitedly. “Oh goodness, Penny. I believe I shall faint from so much happiness,” she gushed, hurrying over to grab hold of her sister’s arm. “Lord Westbrooke has invited us to a private party he intends to hold at his country home. According to him, there will be only twenty guests, but he seeks your approval first. Oh, please do say we can attend? Please?”
“What sort of private party, Lucy? Will there be other ladies present?”
“Of course. He says his sister will be in attendance as well as a few ladies of the ton. Oh, can you imagine how wonderful that is going to be? I shall mingle with society’s finest. Oh, I do believe I’m dreaming!”
“I assure you, you are not dreaming. Otherwise, we will be having the exact same dream which will be most unusual,” Penny replied with an indulgent smile, “Now, go tell Lord Westbrooke we are honoured to accept his invitation.”
Lucy squealed in delight, throwing her arms about her sister then hurried away to deliver the good news. Penny chuckled to herself and set about fixing lunch. Idly, she wondered where Eddie had gotten to. Perhaps she would pay her good friend Fiona a visit and invite Kate Ingram to Sunday tea. That would be the first step of her plan.
***
“Are you leaving already, Your Grace?”
Phillip paused in the act of pulling on his breeches and glanced back at the woman on the bed. She was propped up on the pillows, watching him with an arched look of surprise.
“Yes. I have work to do,” he replied shortly, resuming his dressing. He was suddenly seized with a desire to leave as soon as possible. Coming here was a mistake, he realized, for even though he had fulfilled his desires, thoughts of the very woman he was trying to purge out of his system continued to plague him.
A rustling of the bed sheets told him she had risen from the bed.
He paid no attention and focused on putting on his boots.
“Shall I see you again?” Her voice was whisper-soft and seductive. At another time, he might have found himself tempted by her charms, but not today.
“I think not. I will be going up to London tomorrow,” he replied. Finished with his attire, he rose and finally turned to face the pretty widow. She dimpled up at him and then sashayed closer to wind her arms around him.
“Ah. What shall I do whilst you are away then? I shall be immeasurably bored,” she murmured seductively, bringing her rouged lips to his. “Will you come visit when you return?”
He extricated himself from her embrace and turned to leave. “I think it would be best if you forget this ever happened. The house is yours if you want it. Other than that, I believe I owe you nothing else?” He did not wait for a reply and strode out briskly, his mind still unsatisfied.