Once Upon a Storm (Struck by Lightning Book 1) by Kimberly Cates

Author:Kimberly Cates [Cates, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oliver Heber Books
Published: 2023-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

By the time evening came, Penelope felt as if her nerves were ready to snap, the letter’s contents leaving her in a maelstrom of confusion and indecision. She’d begged off attending a musical evening at Mrs. Davies’ house, claiming a headache, and had nearly shoved Kitty out the door when her caring sister had offered to stay behind to keep her company. That was the last thing she needed. Simon was meant to be busy tonight as well. When last she’d seen him, she’d given him a sheaf of papers to go over at Everdene Hall, carefully marked pages that would require hours of concentration.

That was why the sound of someone rapping lightly on the window made her jump, and she set her plate of spice cake aside and pulled back the curtain to find Simon standing outside. He pointed to the rear of the house, and she hastened to the back door. She saw that he’d brought Brutus, the cavalry horse he was training. A patient fellow Simon had tied in the rear of the house, out of sight.

“What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

“I know I shouldn’t have come, with your family away, but I couldn’t resist stopping by on the chance you might be home. I have news that couldn’t wait.”

Pen looked over her shoulder, grateful to hear Clara whistling in the kitchen. She nibbled at her lower lip, aware of the risk they were taking.

“They should be gone for another hour,” she whispered. She held her finger to her lips to urge silence, and gestured for him to follow. When they reached the library, she quietly shut the door, feeling daring and a little bit wicked as she turned to look at him.

His shirt was rumpled, the first two buttons on his collar open. He’d donned his jacket again, though, his tousled dark hair tempting her to run her fingers through it to straighten it. He smelled of fresh air, sawdust, and horses.

He glanced at the spice cake as he sank down into a chair and his stomach growled.

“Go ahead and take this.” Pen passed him the plate of cake, then sat beside him. “You sound like you’re starving.”

“I should say that you needn’t go to the trouble of feeding me, but I’m too hungry to dissemble.” He took a bite, and closed his eyes savoring the cinnamon-laden treat.

The sweep of his inky lashes on his cheekbones gave a hint of what he’d look like in slumber, and she pictured far too clearly his head on a pillow. Her whole body felt too tender, her nerves raw after the letter from the Viscount.

“I’ve had two illuminating conversations since we last spoke,” Simon said, opening his eyes to look at her.

“Did you?” Her mouth went dry as she watched his tongue sweep a crumb from his full lower lip.

“The first was with Ruby Smith, who is every bit as clever and observant as you implied. You remember my complaint about the quality of my father’s wine cellar?” Simon didn’t wait for a response.

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