Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 12

Penelope stood for a few moments pondering what had just happened. She had shared a few kisses in her days since coming out into society. Each one was a chaste peck, never before had she experience such raw excitement. Her skin still tingled, remembering his touch, her hair stood on end. Deep inside she knew she should be outraged but Johnathan's forwardness, however she felt a slight thrill at the impropriety of it all. She liked Johnathan, not only was he kind for helping her when it didn't benefit himself, but he was definitely the most handsome man she had ever encountered.

Penelope was confused by her feelings, she did not want to settle down and marry, isn't that why she had come on this journey in the first place? Yet at the same time, she found her self drawn to her traveling companion in a way she had not expected. Shaking her head, she pushed her feelings aside, trying to clear her head. She had taken a risk coming with Johnathan, knowing nothing of him or his reputation, and she would not suly hers because of a silly infatuation. She was not a girl sneaking away from her chaperone to steal a moment with a beau, she was a woman looking to better her life, and she could not do that if she was chasing after a man.

Her stomach rumbled, a low growling, she rubbed a hand across it, remembering

her earlier hunger. It had all but disappeared the moment Johnathan touched his lips to hers. She walked over to the table, where the maid had placed the tray of food and drink. She lifted the ale mug to her mouth and swallowed several times hoping to quell her nerves, her stomach turning at the bitter taste. She looked over the lumpy meat pies, slightly disgusted, her stomach rumbling once again. Though this was not normal fare Penelope would have eaten at home, it was what was available. With a sigh of resignation, she gave a slight shrug before sitting down and digging in, her growing hunger pushing away thoughts of Johnathan’s kiss. Yet as hard as she tried she could not get the feeling of his lips against hers out of her mind.

The food was surprisingly tasty, despite its unappetizing appearance, and Penelope found herself practically inhaling the two pies. She placed her hand over her full belly once she had finished, sighing in content this time. Though after a moment or two she realized that the second pie she had eaten had most definitely been ordered for Johnathan and in her gluttony she had consumed it. She hastily pulled her hidden pockets from under her frock and pulled out a few coins, luckily Gilda had convinced her to hide what little money she possessed in case Johnathan had attempted to rob and leave her stranded. She rang for a maid and ordered more ale and food for Johnathan once he returned, though he had been gone an awful long time, so she had no clue as to when that would be.

Penelope yawned, suddenly exhausted. It seemed that the long walk to the inn and the excitment of her kiss with Johnathan had finally caught up to her. She made quick work of tidying the small dining table and climbed into the signular bed, she would nap shortly and then once Johnathan returned with the carriage and his men, they would leave. Hopefully, they reached their destination quickly, the sooner she was away from him, the sooner she would be able to forget the kiss that was still seared into her lips.