Page 14 of Snowed In with the Runaway Bride

Hugo cleared his throat. “I have been called back to the Admiralty and must leave for London today. I apologize, but I shall miss the wedding.”

Before Oliver could reply, the library door burst open and a woman rushed in, slamming the door behind herself and leaning against it for support. "She's gone!”

Oliver and Hugo leapt to their feet as one. For a moment, Hugo thought it was Penny, but as she turned to Oliver, he knew it was Philippa. Dread rose in his gut.

"What do you mean?" Oliver demanded.

Philippa Montgomery had clearly jumped straight from her bed with scarcely a moment to dress. Her light woolen gown was unpressed and her hair was still in a braid down her back.

"It's Penny. She's gone. She ran away."

"How do you know she ran away?” Oliver said in a voice so reasonable it made Hugo want to strike him. "Perhaps she only went for a walk."

“With a snowstorm coming?” Hugo said, and Oliver glared at him.

Philippa stomped her foot. "She's gone, I tell you. She took a traveling bag and her necessities. And... she left me a note."

Hugo extended his hand. "May I see it?"

"No."

He stared at her, astonished, and she tossed her head.

"It is a personal note meant for me." Color rose in Philippa's cheeks, and Hugo wondered what the note said. "But I assure you she said she was leaving."

Oliver rubbed his forehead. "This is a disaster. What are we going to do?"

Hugo was already at the library door, scarcely knowing how he had arrived there. Only knowing he needed to leave as quickly as possible. "I'll go after her. It's not safe for her to be out in a snowstorm."

"Are you sure?" Oliver's brow wrinkled. "I ought to be the one to do it since I'm the one she was to marry in a few days."

Was? What the devil did Oliver mean by that?

But Hugo had no time to argue. If he had to wait here to find out if Penny was safe, Hugo knew he would run mad. "You must see to your guests and play the host. No one will miss me."

Oliver sighed. “I suppose you're right. Thank you, Hugo."

With the barest nod to Philippa, Hugo strode from the library towards his room. All he needed was his bag and his greatcoat and he would be ready to ride out in hot pursuit of the runaway.

Whatever mad start had sent Penny away, it was not safe for her to be out on the open road by herself. Even without the snowstorm, there were carriage accidents and ill-intentioned men who could harm her.

Once he had her safe, Hugo swore, he would turn her over his knee and give her the spanking she deserved for frightening him so.

Like a brother, of course.

After creeping from the house before dawn, Penny had walked to the nearby village of Little Dufton to await the mail coach, the ache in her joints increasing with every step as the cold seeped through her cloak and dress. She tied her poke bonnet securely under her chin to conceal her face and hoped her sober cloak and dress would allow her to pass as a governess or parson’s wife, or someone equally dull and unremarkable.

The mail coach for Carlisle had arrived on time with an inside seat available, but the increasing light revealed how leaden the clouds were.

Two days ago, she might have welcomed the prospect of snow for Christmas.

Not any longer. At least, not until she was safely away.

As she settled into her seat across from a dozing older couple, the door opened again and three large men crowded on, bellowing in a manner far too loud for the early morning.

One of them spotted first her, and then the older woman, and snatched the hat from his head. “Pardon, missus. Miss. We’re that excited to be home in time for Christmas.”

Penny nodded briefly and looked out the window, ignoring the men as they crammed into the seats. They clearly had been drinking the night before, for they reeked of gin and unwashed bodies.