Her Devious Scoundrel

Chapter 9

The carriage swayed and rattled, gently waking Penelope from her fitful sleep. She sat slowly, rubbing a hand across her eyes and shaking her head clear. She glanced around the ornate carriage, momentarily forgetting where she was, until her eyes landed on Mr. Francis, his head tipped back, eyes closed. She felt odd, that she had slept so deeply with this strange man not five feet from her. She let her guard down in front of this man who could at any moment show her some more nefarious intentions. She reached down into her pocket at that though and clutched the small knife store there. Reassuring herself that she had a small protection should anything of the sort happen, while she might not be strong enough to stop the man, she most certainly could slow him down, perhaps giving herself just enough time to make a get away if need be.

She studied him for a moment, the slow rise and fall of his thick chest, down to his long muscular legs, she inhaled sharply, gooseflesh rising along her arms. What is it about this man, her physical reaction to him was unlike any thing she had ever experienced. Her eyes drifted back up the length of his body, and up into his piercing blue gaze, that held a glint of amusement. Startled she quickly looked away, her cheeks flaming red.

“Sleep well?” He questioned, stifling a yawn.

“Err… yes. You?” Penelope responded from behind her hand as she yawned as well.

“A well as can be, considering these uncomfortable benches.” He chuckled. “I believe we are about an hour drive from an inn, where we can stop and freshen ourselves, grab breakfast and then back on the road.”

“O-Oh, great! I appreciate you allowing me time to get some of my things from home before leaving. I don’t know what I would have done without –” before Penelope could finish her thought, the carriage lurched, throwing her off the bench and into Johnathan’s arms. A resounding c***k echoed through the darkness, the carriage tilted. Johnathan wrapped his arms around Penelope as they rolled, his back slamming into the lantern hooks near the carriage’s window.

“Are you okay?” He asked as he smoothed his hands over her, checking for injuries.

“I’m fine” She groaned, her hands splayed across his chest. Penelope lifted her head, realizing suddenly the precarious position in which her body was sprawled across his, she scrambled up awkwardly, slamming her head into the side of the bench.

“Ow!” She squealed, rubbing her temple awkwardly. Chuckling, Johnathan moved to his knees, feeling his hands around, looking for the door latch.

“My lord? My lady?” A voice called from the darkness outside, “Are you both okay in there?”

“Yes Brighton, we are fine.” Johnathan called out, pushing the door open before lifting himself through the opening that was now allowing a shower of water rain down on her head.

“Oh, thank the heavens! I feared the worst!” The driver went on as Johnathan lifted Penelope through the doorway, setting her gently on the ground. Johnathan hopped down from the carriage, stepping back to survey the damage.

Penelope let her gaze roam over the upturned carriage. It had turned on one side, and was currently sinking deeper into the mud of the rain soaked ground. The rear wheel was still spinning slowly, though half of it had broken off and was laying still on the ground. It looked as though the wheel had hit one of the many ruts in the road and simply crumbled under the pressure.

Penelope shivered in the cool, wet night air, huddling close between the broken wheels of the carriage, while Johnathan and the driver spoke of the damage in soft hushed tones. In the distance a horse whinnied, a snorted, painful, stilted sound. Johnathan looked up and out into the darkness, squinting as if searching for the horse that made the sound.

“Well sir, looks like Jaime’s leg is broken and both horses are gone. The one was definitely injured in the crash, he took off that way, while the other took off in that direction” the driver pointed into the distance, “No matter, we aren’t going to find either of them tonight, and this carriage isn’t going anywhere.”

“Damn!” Johnathan muttered, looking in Penelope's direction, “Well, the lady and I can’t stay here. If we keep walking south, we should eventually run into the inn. You stay here with Jaime and our things. Once, we reach the inn, I will hire a group to come back and fetch you.”

Johnathan turned back towards Penelope, her hair and dress soaked through, his eyes questioned her, as though asking if she would be willing to walk to the inn or insist on riding. Though she would have to walk either way, since neither the horses nor the carriage was an option any longer.

“What about your man? The one with the broken leg…” Penelope worried her lips, “We can’t leave him behind.”

“The horses are gone, and we have no way of transporting him to the inn. It is safer for him to remain here, and safely travel with the team I send back.” Penelope nodded, understanding the pain it would cause the man to try and travel without a horse.

“We have quite a walk ahead of us, are you sure you are prepared?” Johnathan searched her face, waiting for a complaint. Instead Penelope smiled.

 “Sounds like an adventure!” She said, practically beaming. Johnathan was stunned momentarily, her smile was brilliant, his heart thudded in his chest. She called his name, it sounded distant. He shook his head, realizing she was already off and quickly hurried to catch up.