Page 33 of One Night of Temptation
“Be safe,” Hugh said as Tom exited through the back door.
Now, what to do in the interim? Unfortunately, Hugh could think of several ideas and not one of them was acceptable. As much as he’d enjoyed Pen’s company and dreaded the end of their adventure together, it was time to set things back to the way they were supposed to be: Pen in her fancy life and Hugh in his parish.
He went back to the vestry, where Pen shot him a guilty look. “I’m afraid I ate all the porridge,” she said.
He laughed. “I said you could.”
“I was hoping to demonstrate a modicum of restraint.”
If Hugh had learned anything in their time together, it was that restraint was not always easy, even when you thought you’d mastered it. “Tom has gone to fetch my gig. When he returns, we’ll be on our way.”
“Oh.” Her expression and tone reflected her disappointment. And was a mirror of his own. “How long will he be?”
“Not long,” Hugh said, slicing the bread. “We’ll have you back in the comfort of your own home in no time now.” Except he was fairly certain she wasn’t terribly comfortable there. As well as he thought he’d come to know her, he realized there was still plenty she hadn’t revealed. About her parents, about her potential husband, about why she’d felt so very desperate.
His desire to protect her persisted, not that he could rescue her from her parents. To do that, he’d have to marry her, and that wasn’t something they could do. He wasn’t even sure that was something she’dwantto do. The life of a rector’s wife was a far cry from what she was used to.
She picked up a slice of bread. “Then I shall relish the moments we have left. Perhaps you can tell me about the church.”
Yes, that would be a safe way to pass the time. And while he did that, he wouldn’t think about how these were the last minutes they’d spend together.
Chapter 9
Penelope thoroughly enjoyed her tour of the church and all the details Hugh shared about its history. Her favorite part, however, was holding his arm as they made their way around the building.
As they returned to the vestry, she realized their tour was over. Disappointment shadowed her happiness, and she had to force herself to remove her hand from his arm. “Thank you for the tour. I enjoyed it very much.”
“It’s not quite over,” he said. “Thirteen years ago, there was a robbery here in the vestry.”
She looked around the room. “What was stolen?”
“Everything of value—the sacramental plate as well as a golden chalice given to the church by Thomas Woodville—as dictated in his will—in 1716. Whoever stole everything had to have been prepared to carry it all out. The chalice weighed nearly three pounds on its own.”
“How awful,” she said. “Did they never catch the thieves or recover any of the items?”
Hugh shook his head. “We’ve replaced the sacramental items, of course, but I discourage expensive gifts.”
“Is that because of the dangers of St. Giles?”
“In part, and also because what point do they serve? Is an expensive gold chalice better than one of pewter that serves the same purpose?”
“You are exceedingly practical.” It was so very different from the extravagance her parents enjoyed and expected. She preferred Hugh’s simplicity.
“Can one be exceedingly practical?” he asked wryly.
She smiled. “Perhaps not. I do appreciate your sensibility.” She stopped herself before adding that it was very attractive. She’d come to believe that everything about him was attractive.
Tom strode into the vestry then, and it was like an icy breeze had blown into the room. Their time was up. Penelope suffered a moment of panic when she considered seeing her parents again.
It will be fine.She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and tried to focus on Hugh. His strength and capability, his very presence, was soothing.
What would happen when he was gone?
The panic returned, but she refused to surrender to it. Things were going to work out as they ought. She wasn’t going to marry Findon and she’d live in quiet, comfortable Lancashire.
While Hugh was here in London.
“The gig is out front,” Tom said. “I left it with Ned, who was, as usual, eager to help. And your clothing is in the other room.” He jabbed his thumb toward the room where they’d slept last night.
