Page 31 of One Night of Temptation
A moment later, she heard the door open. Hugh spoke quietly—so quietly she couldn’t hear what he said. Then she distinctly heard, “Let’s go into the vestry.”
When the sound of a door closing reached her ears, she peeked out from under the covers and saw an empty room. Pushing the bedclothes down, she stared at a crack in the corner of the ceiling. She felt like that inside—still together, but weakened. She closed her eyes to blot out the sight.
No.
She opened her eyes and threw off the covers before sitting up. She’d been cracked inside for as long as she could remember, but she wasn’t weak. Well, she had been in the past, but she refused to be anymore. That was why she’d executed this scheme. It hadn’t happened the way she’d envisioned—it had turned out far better.
And now it was time to end her adventure. It was time to return home and face the future.
Alone.
She wasn’t scared or sad. Why should she be? She’d alwaysbeenalone, at least emotionally. Now she would be alone physically—no parents, no husband, no expectations she didn’t want to meet.
Alone was good.
Chapter 8
Hugh had grabbed his coat, cravat, and boots before leaving Pen to dress by herself. At least, hehopedshe was dressing herself.
Scrubbing a hand over his face, he paced to the opposite side of the vestry. After a moment, he turned and looked at Tom, who stood patiently—and quietly—near the hearth.
“It has been an unusual night,” Hugh said, not quite knowing where to begin. He’d only told Tom that he needed to speak with him about an important matter.
“Was there someone in the bed?” Tom asked.
Hugh exhaled loudly. “Yes. A young woman I rescued from being kidnapped by Joseph Tully yesterday.”
Tom’s brow creased. “I thought you were making such positive progress with him.”
“I did too,” Hugh said. “Hopefully I will again, but it was a disappointment to find him engaging in such activity. And with the daughter of a marquess, no less.”
“A marquess?” Tom’s eyes widened. “How did he even manage that?”
“It’s a long story involving Maisie Evans, I believe, and Lady Penelope, daughter of the Marquess of Bramber.”
“I know that name,” Tom said. “She’s visited the church.”
Hugh nodded. “On those charity outings with those annoying Mayfair ladies.”
A brief smile dashed over Tom’s mouth. “I take it she does not annoy you.”
“No.” On the contrary, from the moment he’d stepped in to save her yesterday, he’d been utterly captivated. Why he hadn’t singled her out during one of her visits to his church would pick at his mind. “I need to take her home soon, and I need your help.”
“You rescued her yesterday, but you’re just now going to take her home?” Tom sounded dubious and confused, not that Hugh could blame him.
“I know it sounds odd, but there is a good reason I didn’t return her to Mayfair yesterday. I’ll explain the details later.”
“What do you need me to do?” Tom asked.
“First, we require food to break our fast. Will you run out and fetch some bread, and maybe a bowl of porridge from Mrs. Dilley? Second, I need my gig and a change of clothes.” It was bad enough he was delivering her home after she’d been gone overnight. He couldn’t show up at the Marquess of Bramber’s house looking as if he’d slept in his clothes. Next to the man’s daughter.
Tom nodded. “I’ll leave immediately.”
“Excellent, thank you.”
Tom started to turn back toward the room where Pen was now hopefully fully dressed, but altered his direction toward the morning chapel. “I’ll just go out through the church.”
“Smart,” Hugh said. “Come in the back when you return.” He took a deep breath. “Tom, I feel as though I should address my behavior.”
