Free Bewitched by Melissa Lynne Blue

eye. “Did she now?”
    Their eyes locked across the small room. Bonded. Penelope’s breath caught. Something in John’s eyes—warmth… tenderness… affection … shivered through her. And yet it was more than that. Stronger. Trapped in his eyes, a wealth of emotions stirred within her. She trembled again. Throat dry. What did it mean? Not even Colton had inspired such a powerful reaction , and she’d fancied herself in love with him.
    Love.
    Could this be… love?
    Impossible . She’ d only just met John. A nd yet… Once again s he sensed herself sinking deeper into the dark oblivion of his beautiful eyes. S he knew him on an intimate, soulful level . What she felt for John stemmed far deeper than anything she’d experienced with Colton. She blinked, drawing a sharp breath , reining in her thoughts . What did she know of intimacy? Memory of his betrayal just that afternoon— his being bribed to court her—flashed through her mind , s parking her back to reality. Penelope jerked her head to the side, severing the link of their eyes. Obviously she had no idea what real love entailed.
    “ L ady Penelope, ” Simon exclaimed, his youthful face glowing with excitement. “You’ll never believe what Lord John has done for us.”
    *               *               *
    An hour later, Mr. Jeffries was in the hands of the magistrate, and Simon had been returned to his family. Mrs. Carlson proved tearfully grateful for the f ood, better living arrangements, and the promise of medical care provided by the Duke of Havenward’ s personal physician. John and Penelope’s uncle also promised to be in touch about a job once Mrs. Carlson’s health improved.
    Outside the inn, John knelt to the boy’s eye level. “Remember, Simon, you can always ask Lord La ndon or me for help if you need it.”
    “I will, S ir.”
    “That’s a boy.” John ruffled the lad’s hair as he stood .
    Unexpected warmth suffused Penelope as she watched John interact so tenderly with the child. Confused, she spun away and hurried to her uncle’ s coach, reminding herself that John had no interest in finding a wife. Penelope knew this well. Kate had spoken with Mrs. Turner who knew every detail of the scandal surrounding John’s first marriage. Penelope had no desire to further entangle her emotions with another unattainable man.
    “Lady Penelope!” John’s call sent sharp tremors shooting through her.
    Penelope stopped short, not wishing to make a scene or heighten her uncle’s suspicions. She squeezed her eyes shut, drew a ragged breath and then turned to face John.
    “Penelope,” he repeated softly, expression gruff and troubled. A flicker of hope lit within her. “Could I beg a moment to apologize for my deplorable behavior? ” He hesitated. “ My intent was never to cause you harm.”
    Penelope sighed, disappointment settling in her breast. She didn’t know what she’d expected for hi m to say or do. Drop to a knee and profess to love her? Beg her hand in marriage? No. Penelope was quickly coming to realize just how fanciful the prospect of finding love was. The poets lied. Love was for a select few and the rest of mankind must simply make do. Humiliation set back in . How silly she’d been to believe in that love potion.
    “There is no need to concern yourself with my feelings, my lord. Thank you for helping Simon’s family.” She lifted her skirt s and turned to the waiting carriage. Briefly she hesitated, half turning back to him. “ I’ll ask you not to call on me again . Goodbye. ”
    *               *               *
    Fed up with lies and petty insecurities, John marched through the snow to Colton’s club. He could not banish Penelope’s broken expression from his mind. Whatever she claimed, he’d hurt her. Colton’s butler had informed John that the duke would likely dine at Townsends and then play cards late into the night . John was not inclined to wait for