Hugh had sent her one last gift along with a letter wishing her well in France.
He’d been slightly regretful but had quickly replaced her with less permanent arrangements.
But he’d never fallen in love.
He’d found it easy enough to live without a permanently attached female.
Upon this thought, he turned his attention back to Penelope. “Whyareyou here, Penelope?” Was she trying to ‘net’ him? The thought was preposterous, but so were her actions.
Penelope reached for her knitting and began moving the needles furiously. “Can you not simply accept that I am here to help you, Hugh? Must there be some ulterior motive you’ve concocted in your mind?”
These were not the sentiments of a woman on the hunt for a husband. She did not simper, nor hang on his every word. She was not flirtatious in any way. Except…
She had fluttered her eyelashes at him a few minutes ago. He’d thought it was because she’d discovered something but… Wait a minute.
“Did you find the contents of the safe?”
Penelope looked up at him then and bit her lip. “No, I was just teasing you.”
So, shehadbeen flirting with him! She was here to net a husband! Hugh jumped to his feet as if he’d suddenly found himself sitting beside a snake.
She’d turned her feminine wiles on him and he’d quite nearly succumbed.
To Penelope Crone!
Good God, in jest, he’d lain atop her—pressed his body down upon hers.
And enjoyed it.
He’d even thought for a moment that he might kiss her. Yes, by God, he’d been staring into her eyes and for an instant—a mere second, really—had wanted to know her in a different way.
But then she’d gotten offended by his question and shoved him onto the floor. Thank God for that!
He was in grave danger of losing his bachelor status. The Baron Riverton, Penelope’s father, must never discover that she was here with him alone.
If she was not going to depart, then he would have to. He would most likely be much safer in London, with his mother’s friend’s niece. At least in London, he knew how to play the game.
Sitting here with Penelope, he didn’t even know what game they were playing.
Chapter 7
Penelope covered her face with both hands after Hugh left the library. This wasn’t going at all as she’d planned. He was suspicious of her motives. She could see it in his eyes when he’d made some vague excuses and left her alone. She was handling this entire situation poorly. She never should have acted so quickly on her sudden compulsion to enter motherhood. Her actions had been entirely out of character. She was normally a very rational girl, logical—reasonable! How could she have done something so utterly stupid?
But no.
She mustn’t think this way.
She dropped her hands back into her lap and took a few deep steady breaths.
In, out.
In, out.
Slowly in.
Slowly out.
Much better. Her heart no longer raced, and the desire to burst into tears subsided. She opened her eyes and glanced around the room.
