by Oliver Queen
"Please Phillip, don't do this, I beg you." Jane's eyes turned pleading. "I am to blame for breaking our contract and I will gladly assume all repercussions. Just please, do not challenge my husband, I plead with you."
Phillip stared at her thoughtfully for a moment, then his gaze shifted to Penny who stood quietly. "Well Miss Inglewood?" he asked dryly, "Have you nothing to say?"
What more could he possibly want her to say? She wondered. Did he want her to plead for his mercy the way Jane was doing? Then he was dreaming for she would not so much as utter a plea to him in this matter. He had broken his promise to her and she had nothing further to say to him.
Keeping her voice cold and distant, she replied him. "No, I have nothing to say."
He frowned at her words, and she felt a stab of satisfaction that she had discomfited him at least. "How odd then, for in the last few days, you have always had something to say...an opinion or chastisement."
"You broke your word." she retorted, green eyes shooting daggers at him. "If you must have my opinion, that makes you less the man I thought you were."
An eyebrow rose in surprise at her vehemence. "Indeed? And what makes you say that, Miss Inglewood?"
"You dare ask me such a question? You lied to me Lord Farnsworth, do you recall that moment in your house when you promised you would not do any harm to my brother? Why then, pray tell, do you challenge him knowing fully well that some measure of harm will come to him if you two should fight?"
His jaw tightened in anger. "You dare accuse me of breaking my word? You have deceived me with your acts of innocence when in truth you are nothing but a seductress..."
The sound of flesh striking flesh reverberated throughout the room. The imprint of Penny's hand burned bright red where it had struck Phillip on the cheek. She took a step back, her palm hurting from the impact, but that ache was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
"How dare you call me names when I have done nothing but try to protect someone dear to me?" Despite her fury, her voice was quiet though it carried quite well in the shocked silence that followed. The bright red imprint of her fingers stood out against his cheek and she felt a measure of satisfaction knowing she had caused him some pain.
"I will have you know that I would rather submit to the most excruciating agony than ever agree to marry you." She continued, her tone cold with barely controlled anger. "Each moment I have spent in your company has been nothing but the deepest agony and I am glad my torment has finally been put to an end. You sicken me Lord Farnsworth, and I want nothing to do with you. But know this my dear lord duke, I will not stand idly by and watch you kill my brother, for though I am but a woman, I will make your life miserable if you do anything to cause him harm."
Out of breath but triumphant, she spun on her heels and stalked from the room. Let him mull over that, she thought to herself in satisfaction.
Phillip watched her exit the room, the urge to go after her strong within him but he resisted and instead idly reached up to feel the spot she had struck him before soundly denouncing him. Oddly enough, rather than feel anger towards her, he felt something quite different, something he had no wish to put to real thought. For the first time that morning, he felt his resentment and anger dissipate into nothingness and he cursed himself for allowing her opinion to hold sway over him.
"Well." Henry chuckled merrily, filled with admiration for the slight woman who had just soundly put the duke in his rightful place. "If I wasn't madly in love with her sister, I would have proposed right this moment. What an admirable woman!"
Edward shook his head slowly, still staring at the door his sister had just exited. "I have never seen or heard her behave like this." he murmured, a grin spreading across his lips. "Wonderful!"
"She is just as strong willed as her mother," Sir Inglewood said gruffly, his chest puffed with pride for his eldest daughter. He turned to Phillip, "You sir, are nothing but a mere scoundrel and I was gravely mistaken in assuming you a man with any honor. You have called my daughter names and threatened harm upon my son. Granted, my son wrongfully went about wooing your betrothed, but to seek to rob him of his life is an action that is as abominable as it is cowardly."
Edward laid a hand on his father's shoulder. "No Father, Lord Farnsworth is not to blame. I would seek some form of revenge if I were in his shoes." He looked to Phillip, his expression contrite. "I have wronged you gravely Your grace, I accept full responsibility for any action you wish to take against me. Even if it is a duel you desire, I accept your challenge."
"No Edward!" Jane gasped in horror, "He will surely kill you."
"I forbid it!" Turning to face his son, Sir Inglewood grasped Edward by the shoulders and shook him. "I will not have you lose your life to him."
"No Father, I will not change my mind! Lord Farnsworth, name the day and the place. I will honor it."
Lord Henry cleared his throat to gain attention. "Newbridge, this is all quite unnecessary. The lad has admitted to being in the wrong, please accept his apology and be done with it?"
"The lad has also accepted my challenge." Phillip replied, his stance unshaken. He nodded at Edward in agreement. "Very well Inglewood, shall we say three days from today? That will be ample time to return to England and get your affairs in order. I will alert you as to the venue as soon as I arrive in London."
"You bastard!" Jane burst out in fury, "You utterly despicable bastard!"
He smiled at her outburst, "Of course I am."
Penny leaned against the tree for support and shut her eyes, taking in deep breaths of air in an effort to calm herself. After leaving the room, she had found herself walking past the now busy courtyard and out into the countryside, the fresh breeze and still atmosphere calming her down.. Damn Phillip for his arrogance and pig headed logic. He had no right to challenge Edward...dear God, what on earth could she do to stop him? A wave of helpless fury washed over her. For she realized that despite her brave threats, there was precious little she could do to stop him should he insist on fighting Edward.
There was a flurry of movement behind her and she opened her eyes. A tiny bird had landed on a branch right above her head and was regarding her curiously as though trying to decide if she was harmless or not.
"Appearances can be deceiving little bird." she muttered to the bird, wincing when it spread its wings and took to the air once more. As she watched it fly away, her gaze landed on a lone figure coming towards her, his great coat billowing out behind him in the breeze.
She groaned and shut her eyes again. What did Phillip want now and how had he known where to find her? She wondered wearily. She had grown tired of his constant insults and no doubt he had come to lash out at her for slapping him. She could hear the crunch of boots approaching and tensed up, ready to do battle once more.
"Excuse me, but are you all right Miss?" Her eyes shot open in surprise and she found herself staring at the tall stranger standing only a few feet away. He was tall, even much taller than Phillip and well-built with a full head of red hair and the most intense gray eyes she had ever seen.
"Miss?" he repeated, taking a step closer, his face furrowed in concern. Penny realized she was staring and blushed deeply.
"Yes..yes, I am all right. I was just getting some air, thank you."
He relaxed and smiled in return. "Good, I noticed you leaving in a hurry at the inn and I wondered if you were all right, you seemed upset"
"No, I am quite fine sir." A particularly cold breeze washed over her and she shivered, realizing she was not quite dressed for the outdoors. "I should be getting back though."
He noticed her shiver and nodded in agreement. "Aye, it is quite cold this morn. May I have the pleasure of seeing you safely back?"
A stab of apprehension filled her. Even though her reputation may be soundly ruined, she had no desire to compound matters by being alone in the company of a strange gentleman regardless of his good intentions. "Thank you, but I am certain I can find my way back easily."
She smiled briefly and stepped around him, hurrying back the way she had come. Occasionally, she would steal a glance behind to see him still standing by the tree, watching her.
The minute she entered the inn, Jane accosted her, no doubt the girl had been waiting for her return. Jane grasped her arm, her face white with fear. "You have to stop him! Edward had agreed to duel with Lord Farnsworth. You must stop him before he gets himself killed. Please!"
Penny stared at Jane in astonishment. "Edward agreed to the duel? What on earth was he thinking?" She did not wait for a reply but hurried towards the room, her sister-in-law right on her heels. "Where is he now?"
"He is with your father. Sir Inglewood is trying to persuade him to rescind the agreement but Edward is being horribly stubborn. He says he has to do this but what happens if he is hurt? Phillip will surely kill him then. You have to do something!"
Edward had agreed to duel with Phillip? Penny thought in dismay, instinctively quickening her steps as horror threatened to overwhelm her. She had not considered that Edward would actually agree to the duel. "Where is Lord Farnsworth?"
"He left as soon as the agreement was concluded. Lord Henry went after him, I do not know where he has gone, but he can go to the devil for all I care."
The vehemence in her tone made Penny pause and she cast a thoughtful look at the young woman who stared back at her defiantly. She could hear raised voices coming from behind the closed door of the palour and lifting her skirts, she hurried inside.
"Edward, how could you?" she berated him angrily. "You have endangered your life unnecessarily. Have you no thought for your family? Your new wife?"
Edward's chin jutted in defiance. "I am defending my family by doing this. Lord Farnsworth will not cease to torment us if I do not stand up to him now."
"I forbid you to fight." Their father exploded, his face flushed in anger, "This madness must be stopped at once, you will rescind your agreement."
"I have already given my word. I will not go back on it."
"Edward, the duke is not a man to be trifled with." Her leg had begun to ache once more and she sank down onto a chair, massaging the sides of her head, "I have heard unpleasant stories about his dealings with people who have crossed him. This is a mistake."
"Please don't do this my love." Jane pleaded with her husband. "I do not want you to come to harm."
His expression softened and he drew her close and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I have to protect you somehow."
"Not like this, you will only cause me pain if you go through with this."
For the first time, Penny could see uncertainty take hold of Edward and she leaned forward eagerly. "If you die, think of how much grief your death would bring to Jane, and the rest of us, surely you don't want that?"
"There must be some way we can get the duke to change his mind." Jane looked to Penny for help, There must be something we can do."
Penny shut her eyes and thought for a moment. What could possibly make Phillip change his mind?
CHAPTER 21 STRANGER
Dinner was a silent affair with each person lost in thought, mechanically filling stomachs though minds were far away. Penny glanced around the little group seated in the new private rooms her father had secured earlier and was grateful that tonight at least she would not have to deal with Phillip and his surliness. Now if only he could be absent from her thoughts as he was physically, she would be content. But the looming danger of the duel weighed heavily in her mind as she pondered over and over what she could do to stop it.
The fleeting thought of disguising herself to take Edward's place crossed her mind but it was quickly discarded. That was the stuff of those Gothic romances Lucy was so fond of. For one thing, Edward towered over her by a good two feet, not to talk of her limp. Phillip would see through her ruse and a shudder passed through her as she imagined his reaction. All hell was sure to break lose and goodness knew what he would do afterward. Besides, she had no knowledge of gun fighting or swords for that matter and how on earth would she be able to convince Edward to let her take his place?
Perhaps she could fake her death? She wondered, idly stirring the contents of her plate. Surely that would be distract the men from their foolish intentions. No, that would not work, Phillip would more likely rejoice over her demise and she would never give him that pleasure.
She lifted her gaze to rest on her brother and his new wife. Edward looked troubled, though that did not seem to affect his appetite as he kept shoveling spoonfuls of food into his jaw. Jane kept giving him sidelong looks as though trying to reassure herself of something...what on earth was she thinking? Penny wondered.
If she had to be honest with herself, could Phillip be blamed for wanting revenge? He had been amiable about the matter up until the moment his former fiancee had been found. His honor had been dragged through the mud, and the scandal this marriage was bound to stir up among the ton...Edward and Jane had better be prepared to be cut off and shunned, Lord Rosebury was only a viscount and as such had little to no influence in the upper echelons of polite society. Phillip alone had the right to reverse that rejection and at the moment, that was next to an impossibility.
Jane caught her eye and smiled tentatively, her eyes betraying the troubled thoughts that roiled within. Penny returned the smile and lowered her gaze back to her plate. Her own thoughts returning to the duke and his challenge till her head ached from the maelstrom of worries clashing their way in her brain, and she felt flushed and weary. She sighed and pushed away her plate, the action drawing the attention of everyone.
Her father glanced down at her untouched meal in disapproval. "You should eat more daughter, you look malnourished, do you even eat at all?."
She grimaced and rose, setting her napkin down. "Of course I do Papa, I just do not have an appetite tonight. I wish to retire early if I may?"
Edward shot her a sharp look. "Are you all right Penny? You seem so pale."
Penny gripped the edge of her seat as a sudden bout of dizziness and nausea swept over her. Her limbs felt heavy and slow as though they were not hers and she realized she needed to get some rest. The past few days had been fraught with too much anxiety and excitement and now it was beginning to tell on her. A good night's sleep was what was needed.
She bit her lip and nodded, aware of her father's worried look resting on her. "I am all right, just very tired and sleepy, nothing a good night's rest can not cure."
"Shall I order a fresh pot of tea?" Jane offered, making an attempt to rise, but Penny beckoned her to remain seated.
"No, please do not exert yourself, I don't want any tea."
Edward still looked worried but he shrugged at her last words. "Then by all means do go and rest, but be sure to ask if you need anything, we will be close by."
Giving him a reassuring smile, she nodded and moved towards her room, each step leaving her suddenly weaker as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm her. Her fingers shook as she undid the buttons on her gown, the action almost impossible due to her rapidly blurring vision. She managed to slip out of the gown, crawling underneath the warmed sheets gratefully still clad in her stays and shift, the throbbing in her temples making every little movement excruciating. She pulled up the covers to her chin, frowning when she felt how hot her skin was to the touch. In a few minutes, she had sunk into a deep sleep.
"Penny? Penny?" A hand shook her awake. Penny groaned as the motion sent bolts of pain lancing through her skull and she attempted to bat away the intruder. God almighty, she was thirsty and why was the room so hot? It felt like someone had placed lumps of burning hot coal all over her body.
She felt a hand touch her forehead and a muffled expletive. "Ye god! Your skin is on fire! Do you have a fever?"
"Go away..." she murmured crossly, tossing away the covers in distaste. "Need to sleep."
Footsteps retreated from her bed and she sighed in relief, trying to ignore th
e rapid pounding of her head and burning flesh. Soon she had drifted into a feverish sleep once more. However, she was awakened once more by her father, his words seemingly boring into her subconscious in a blur. She was vaguely aware of a cool cloth being placed on her fore head, someone murmuring soothing words to her but all she really desired was the blessed oblivion of sleep.
Phillip downed his glass fifth glass of scotch, staring into the flames blazing in the grate. He twisted the empty glass in the fingers of one hand, the other tracing lines on his cheek. Even though the imprint had faded, he could still feel her touch as though it had been burned into his skin, an indelible mark upon him. His mouth twisted in a wry smile, the woman certainly dealt a powerful blow, he was forced to acknowledge, and of course he had had it coming.
Her words however haunted him. "You sicken me..." he repeated, eyes darkening as he recalled the look of contempt she had leveled at him while those cold words had dripped from her admittedly luscious and kissable mouth.
"You sicken me Lord Farnsworth..." he repeated once more, the words dripping with distaste and filling the quiet room broken only by the merry crackling of the fire. "You sicken me..."
He scowled and hurled the glass at the stone mantel piece, satisfaction flowing through him as the crystal shattered into tiny pieces. Damn the woman for irking him so, to kiss him so passionately at first, and in less than twenty four hours denounce his touch. He had a good mind to go find her and resume where they had left off. Let her dare say he sickened her then. Just thinking about how soft she had felt in his arms made him rock hard but the devil take it...he could not afford to dally with the sister of his current mortal enemy, desire be damned. He could find himself another suitable wife and an even more suitable mistress among the women whose lives revolved around overheated drawing rooms and evening dresses...certainly not Penelope Inglewood.