Page 30 of Snowed In with the Runaway Bride

"Oh? I find it fascinating. We did not get much of it in Birmingham, even in winter."

"It's cold, it's wet, and it traps you wherever you happen to be if you're out in it when too much falls."

By her stillness, he knew his barb had landed, but he had not expected to feel her hurt as acutely as he did.

She sighed before saying, "Well. I'm sure it will soon be cleared and we can both be on our way. Ah, thank you, Mrs. Robson."

The innkeeper's wife placed two steaming plates in front of them, piled high with eggs, fried potatoes, and even a small scoop of preserved raspberries. Penny picked up her fork and dove in, putting away quantities of food that would shame a midshipman.

"It seems as though we shall be stuck here until St. Stephen’s Day." Hugo looked out the window at the heaped snow. "Perhaps even longer."

"It will almost certainly be longer," Penny said with terrible cheer. She took a sip of the hot tea Mrs. Robson had placed in front of her. “The snow can't last forever, though. And then you can be on your way back to the Admiralty to claim your command."

"Yes, of course." It was difficult not to stare at her. The bright spirit he had feared lost after her long illness was in full force this morning, dazzling him. Her anger added a sparkle to her hazel eyes and brought a slight flush to her cheek.

Judging by the looks the other men were shooting at her, he was not the only one dazzled. He glared around the room and they ducked their heads to admire Penny more discreetly.

She would have the crew of his ship in the palm of her hand within an hour of boarding it.

Ridiculous. He shook the thought from his head. Some Royal Navy captains brought their wives and even their families on board, but Hugo had always disapproved of the practice. How could a man concentrate on the job of keeping his crew safe when he had the constant distraction of a wife, and possibly children, on board? How could that man not want to put his family's safety above that of his crew?

No. It would be unfair to everyone. Especially Penny.

"...and we can start at any time," Penny said.

Hugo suddenly realized Penny had been speaking to Mrs. Robson while he was lost in his own reflections. He looked down at his empty plate, and across at hers, as the innkeeper’s wife removed them.

"I don't like to ask the men to do it," Mrs. Robson said. "They haven't any sense of style. You know how it is, Mrs. Dalston.”

"Indeed I do." Penny laughed.

Mrs. Dalston… Penny must have given the innkeepers his surname when she introduced herself as his wife.

He assured himself the flutter of his heart was merely worry someone would recognize the Duke of Kendal's family name.

"Darling," Penny said archly. She was addressing him, and Hugo swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat as she continued. "Mrs. Robson has asked us to gather some evergreens and holly so she can decorate the taproom for Christmas Eve."

"That's not until… ”

A corner of her mouth twitched up into a smirk as she looked steadily at him, one eyebrow quirked upward. God in Heaven, he’d already lost track of the days. It was, in fact, Christmas Eve.

The day Penny was to have married Oliver.

"We must gather them first thing this morning," Penny said, clearly oblivious to his shock. "So we have time to make them into garlands."

"And a kissing ball!" Mrs. Robson crowed. "Can't have a proper Christmas without a kissing ball."

Penny flushed bright red, and Mrs. Robson laughed as she walked away. "Newlyweds."

Hugo looked out the window again. There was sunlight, though it was weak, and the strong winds appeared to have subsided to a lighter breeze.

He sighed. "I suppose you expect me to walk up into the hills with you to find these evergreens and holly."

"I expect nothing of you, Hugo." Penny took a long draught of her tea. "I can certainly find them myself if need be. Or take the Robsons' oldest son. He seems like a sturdy lad."

Hugo rubbed his forehead. "How do you know so much about these people?"

"I asked, Hugo. I made conversation. You know, like polite people do?"