A Penny’s Worth Of Affection: A Novel (19 page)

"I love London!" Lucy executed a twirl around the room, arms outstretched in delight. "It is so wonderful...so different from Millcote. Did you notice how many people we passed on the way here?"

Penny looked up from the gown she was embroidering to cast an indulgent smile towards Lucy. "Indeed I noticed."

"Lucy stopped twirling and hurried to gaze out the windows in dreamy wonder. "Henry's home is so beautiful Penny, I can hardly believe I am soon to be mistress of this place. I shall go mad with amazement."

"You should wait until after the wedding to exhibit any madness. Lord Hensley may not take too well to marrying a mad woman after all." Penny teased, returning her attention to the intricate needlework. She eyed the pale blue silk gown with satisfaction. The dress would be perfect for the engagement ball tonight, and she was certain Henry would be awed at the sight of his bride to be wearing it.

Lucy giggled, turning from the window to face Penny. "This is so exciting! I am getting married in a week to the most wonderful man God ever made. Not to mention an entire week of shopping in the most splendid city in the world!" She clasped her hands together and affected a haughty manner. "Her Ladyship, the Countess of Margrove, Lady Lucille Hensley!"

Penny laughed aloud as Lucy executed an extravagant curtsy, nearly toppling over in the process as her slipper caught against the hem of her gown. "Oh Lucy do be careful." she cautioned in between chuckles, "it will be dreadful should you break a leg."

Lucy grinned and flopped down beside Penny. "It is good to hear you laugh Penny, you have been most solemn since Edward eloped." She idly reached out and fingered the delicate fabric of the gown, her expression becoming serious. "You miss him, don't you?"

"Who? Mr. Lachlan? I hardly know him very well Lucy and have not seen him since he paid us a visit two weeks ago...too bad his sister took ill so sudden..."

"I was not talking about Mr. Lachlan, though I will admit he is quite dashing...those eyes will make a woman melt into pools of desire and..."

"Lucille Inglewood!"

"Oh for heaven's sake Penny, no need to be scandalized. But Mr. Lachlan aside, I was not referring to the luscious Laird, rather to the devilish duke."

Penny gaped at Lucy, then narrowed her in suspicion. "What are you up to?"

Her sister's eyed widened, taking on an innocent look. "Nothing. I am just curious is all. You never talk about him, but whenever his name comes up, you blush like a bride at her wedding n..."

"You must be mistaken Lucy," Penny cut in hurriedly, "I do not like the man much. Certainly not after that wretched proposal."

"But surely you must feel something for him. I know you liked him before you both went to Scotland, after all you kissed him in the maze that night and I have seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one notices."

"I do not...wait a moment, how does he look at me?" Penny set the dress aside to lean forward, a flare of hope sparked in her heart. Could Lucy be right? Could Phillip really harbour some sort of affection for her?

Lucy shrugged and rose, strolling to the window to stare outside once more. "I cannot be certain, I mean one never knows what a gentleman is actually thinking at any point in time, but there is a softening in his gaze whenever he looks at you."

Penny swallowed her disappointment and picked up the dress once more. "I assure you, Lord Farnsworth sees me as nothing but a nuisance and a deceiver."

"But Henry says..."

"I do not wish to discuss this matter any longer." Penny cut in firmly, rising and picking up the gown. "Come and try on the gown, I need to see the design."

The door opened suddenly and the dowager countess swept into the room in a rustle of fabric, a flurry of servants behind her. Penny and Lucy made to curtsy but Lady Hensley waved aside the gesture. "Now now...how many times must I ask you two to stop all this polite nonsense?" she beamed at Lucy, taking the girls hands in hers. "It is time to get you dressed dearest, is the gown ready?"

"Yes it is," Penny held up the gown, delight coursing through her when the countess gasped in amazement. "She will look wonderful tonight."

"Oh my dear, I am certain she will. I almost feel sorry for my poor son's heart." A mischievous glint entered Lady Hensley's eyes and she laughed aloud in delight. "The poor man will have palpitations when he lays eyes on you."

Lucy blushed and let out a shy giggle. "I do not wish to kill him though."

"Of course you won't." Lady Hensley winked conspiratorially, taking Lucy's arm and guiding her to sit in front of the large oval mirror at the corner of the room. "Come dear, Gertie will do your hair now, she is quite astounding at her job. When she is finished, a warm scented bath and some honey on to smooth your skin."

Penny laid down the dress and moved towards the doorway, intending to escape outside for a walk. It was quite a lovely day and she needed to clear her head for Lucy's words had affected her more than she wished to admit. Thankfully, the entire household was engaged in the final preparations for the ball and no one paid her any attention as she slipped out the main doors. It was a lovely summer day and she took a deep breath, grateful for the fresh air that filled her lungs. She set a slow leisure pace down the cobbled driveway, her thoughts on Alasdair. A wistful smile played across her lips at the memory of the surprise visit. He had only stayed an hour, much of which had been spent in conversation with her family. Even Edward who had been bad-tempered since the visit to Lord Rosebury had eventually warmed to the doctor.

Unconsciously, she caught herself comparing him to Phillip and she hastily shut the thought from her mind. Lord Farnsworth was someone she would never allow herself to think about, he had caused her nothing but pain and misery, constantly raising her hopes then dashing them beneath the heels of his expensive boots. How she had ever let herself fall under his poisonous spell was still a mystery.

Penny entered the garden only to discover it overun with servants, picking flowers to decorate the ballroom and disappointed, she retraced her steps back into the house, only to be accosted by Lady Hensley in the grand hall.

"Goodness Penny, I have been looking all over for you!" Bridget scolded, though her face was all smiles, "Where did you slip off too? We must get you ready for the ball, there's barely enough time left as it is."

Penny stared at the countess in confusion. Why would she need to get ready now? It was only two 'o' clock and the party was not for another six hours, more than enough time to indulge in a steaming bath and get dressed.

She opened her mouth to say so, but the Countess had already grabbed hold of her arm and was tugging her back upstairs, still muttering to herself. "As soon as Gertie is done with Lucy's hair, she will start on yours and I dare say yours will need quite a lot of work."

"But I don't need..." Penny protested but the words were ignored.

"You are far too thin!" Lady Hensley declared, pausing at the door to Lucy's room to cast a critical eye over Penny, her lips a moue of disapproval. "Too pale as though you have not been feeding properly. And why in god's name do you always wear these horrible black clothes?"

Penny glanced down at the gown she was wearing. It was one of her newer gowns, and she found it perfectly suitable. "There is nothing wrong with my gown, I made it myself."

"Bah! This thing should be thrown away." Bridget opened the door and all but shoved Penny through it. "For someone who makes the most delightful gowns for Lucy, you are quite an idiot when it comes to your own sense of style. A splash of colour will certainly not go amiss, like that lovely green gown you wore to my soiree for instance."

Lucy giggled, and Penny shifted her gaze to her. The maid had done an excellent job with Lucy's hair, she noted in approval, dimly aware of being ushered into a chair in front of the mirror. The style would go well with the gown, setting off Lucy's elegant shoulders and neck to full advantage. Perhaps it was time for her to change her own appearance, Penny conceded with a sigh of defeat as the maid began to unpin her hair.

*****************.

"You are late." Henry observed, an eyebrow raised as Phillip strode past the receiving line, ignoring the murmurs of protest from the other guests waiting to be received by the earl and his bride to be.

"Why am I here?" Phillip scowled at Lady Brucknell with murderous intent until the woman shrank back, then inserted himself at the head of the line. He glared at Henry for a moment, then switched his attention to Lucy, his brusqueness dissolving into a charming smile.

He grinned disarmingly at Lucy, lifting her hand to his lips. "Miss Inglewood, you look stunning tonight."

Lucy giggled, thoroughly amused at the duke's antics. "Thank you Your grace, I am honored you decided to come after all."

"I was blackmailed into coming." Phillip shot a dirty look in Henry's direction, while the latter grinned in malicious delight. "Your fiance is quite the nasty schemer, I would be wary of him if I were you."

Henry chuckled, giving Phillip a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Relax old chap, you need to learn to enjoy yourself at these things, mingle for a while before you retreat to your lair. "

"I am perfectly capable of enjoying myself without needing to dress like a fop and parade around aimlessly in the name of
mingling."
Phillip spat the last words in disdain, aiming a freezing glare at an approaching baroness effectively discouraging any attempt at conversation. "Besides, you know they are only here due to morbid curiosity, after all it is not every day an earl marries a woman whose family is mired in scandal."

"You are holding up the line Newbridge, do move away?"

Phillip nodded and moved into the ballroom, his mood darkening even further as he realized the event must have drawn the entire ton. He turned away and made his way upstairs.

Penny rested her head against the cool marble wall of the veranda and took a deep breath, resisting the urge to wipe her sweaty palms on skirts of the delicate ivory gown. The merry sounds of the ballroom filtered through, making her even more nervous, the urge to retreat back to her room threatened.

She shut her eyes, forcing herself to calm down. She would have to face the condemnation of the ton sooner or later and better it be done now where they could hardly raise open condemnation. She took another deep breath then returned to the room, her resolve hardened. She slowly made her way along the main hallway, towards the stairs, careful to avoid getting the heel of her silver shoes caught against the lacy hem of her gown.

Rounding the first flight of stairs, she caught sight of a familiar head coming towards her and froze in shock. How was that possible? Lord Henry had assured her Phillip would not be attending the ball, so why was he here? More so, why was he coming up the stairs? Penny felt her heart begin to race and she fought the urge to turn tail and flee, a futile attempt given that he had already seen her. So she took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders, determined to be as cool and polite as possible.

Phillip had come to a halt upon seeing Penny and as she watched him, she saw the quick flare of surprise then admiration in his eyes as he took her in. She was well aware of how nice she looked thanks to the countess's administrations and for the first time, she felt wholly confident in his presence.

"Good evening Your grace. Quite a surprise to find you here." Penny inclined her head slightly, pleased at how cool the words sounded.

His lips twisted in a wry grin and he closed the distance between them, reaching for her gloved hand. Penny felt her heart slam painfully against her ribs at the contact, and she struggled to keep her emotions under control once more, even as she watched him study her hand for a moment before bringing it to his mouth.

"I take it you hoped I would not be here tonight?" Phillip asked, highly amused at her aloofness. "My apologies for disappointing you."

She shrugged, pulling her hand away from his grasp, careful to add a hint of nonchalance to her next words. "No need to apologize My lord, I was merely making an observation. Why should I be disappointed?" She had the immense satisfaction of seeing his eyes narrow in displeasure, even if only for a moment before it was quickly hidden to be replaced with a grin. Good, she thought, let him ponder over that. "If you'll excuse me, I need to join the others."

He stared at her for a few more minutes before stepping aside to allow her sweep past him. Her heart raced with joy at the small victory she had won over him.

"Penny!"

She froze at the sound of her name on his lips, her pulse speeding up once again. She turned to see him looking at her with an unreadable expression, his eyes dark with something she could not identify. "Yes?"

"You look beautiful tonight."

"Oh!" she muttered, shocked beyond any coherent thought. Then she gathered her wits about her and walked into the ballroom.

It seemed the ton was more than willing to forgive the Inglewoods, after all, they would soon be linked with one of the most prestigious and noble families by marriage. Nevertheless, there had been a few people who had still received Penny with cold indifference, not that she cared. She was more than content to sit quietly in a corner and observe the festivities, watching Lucy with Henry, smiling at the tenderness and affection that was oh so plain to see between them. She suddenly spotted a familiar figure making his way toward where she sat and gasped in surprise.