Page 37 of Snowed In with the Runaway Bride

“But I do, Penny. If nothing else, as a friend of nearly a decade.”

“Acquaintance, really.”

His lips quirked, but he persisted. “I ought not to have left you alone all night, but I needed to think.”

“It is no concern of mine, Captain.”

“I think you know it was.”

Somehow, her hand was in his, and she could not recall if he had taken it or if she had given it to him. He gazed up at her, his face a little below hers, and her breath caught at the warmth in his eyes.

“Yesterday was the day you were to have married my brother. For more than half my life, I knew you as my brother’s promised wife. I could not lay next to you knowing I was in his place.”

“It was never his place,” she blurted, and his eyes glowed at her, making her lean towards him before she realized it.

“It’s difficult to explain. But I hope you will give me the opportunity to do so later.”

“Well…” His hand was warm in hers despite the winter chill of the room, his eyes sincere. “I suppose… we can discuss it later.”

He half-smiled, and raised her hand to kiss the back of it before he stood. “Thank you, Penny.”

She nodded and ducked her head, suddenly feeling shy under his regard. There was no need to feel shy, though. This was Hugo. He was right, they had known each other for years.

But, somehow, this time together had made her see him in a new light. Had made them see each other in a new light.

Now Penny was the one who was uncertain what she wanted. All she knew was that the kiss he had placed on the back of her hand still seemed to linger even as she rubbed the spot where his lips had so briefly rested.

Hugo made his way to the front of the room as men shuffled into the taproom, travelers waylaid by the storm just like she and Hugo were. The youngest of Mrs. Robson’s brood nestled against his mother’s legs, eyes wide as he sucked his thumb and Hugo began reading the familiar words in a resonant voice.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed… ”

As Hugo read the Christmas gospel aloud, he added a little prayer for forgiveness for himself.

Because if he had realized anything while he washed and dressed after his carouse of the night before, it was that self-flagellation would be useless. The weight that had dropped from him when he had seen her that morning was that he had at last accepted that Penny would never be convinced to marry Oliver. Even if Oliver was still willing to go through with the wedding, Penny would never agree.

Which meant that, for the first time since they had met as children… they were both free.

The realization made him a little dizzy, but he gathered himself together. He must prepare himself for Penny to be horrified by his feelings. Disgusted. He had taken her by surprise with the kiss. She might have decided she wanted nothing more to do with him.

But as he raised his eyes to look at her while he read from the Gospel of Luke, he knew he wanted Penny to have a joyful Christmas Day. One without having to worry about the future that was looming over them. Everything else he wanted could wait.

Once he finished the reading, he closed the Bible. Everyone in the room stared at him and he shifted uncomfortably. He was a sea captain, not a minister. The extent of his experience was presiding over any necessary burials at sea.

At last, Robson stepped forward and cleared his throat. “And now, gents and ladies, with the formalities complete… what do you say we start the feast?”

The room exploded with cheers, and Robson grinned at the crowd, bowing and accepting his accolades. The door opened and a few of the younger men maneuvered a long table into the room, followed by a fussing Mrs. Robson carrying her youngest son. She directed them to set it up at the longest wall to be covered by tablecloths.

Then the food was carried in, starting with two roasted geese already carved into small portions so as to have enough to go around. Bread and other baked goods followed, including several dozen tiny mince pies for luck. It was an impromptu feast, but very welcome nonetheless.

As the others gathered at the serving table, Hugo saw Penny looking around and moved to her side. “Allow me to make a plate for us.”

She jumped a little and looked up at him, then at the chaos unfolding around the table as men elbowed each other out of the way while the Robson boys ducked beneath adult arms to grab what they could reach before their mother scolded them.

“I… ” After another pause, she nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

He escorted her to a seat and fought his way to the table, deftly maneuvering himself and his plate to get a helping of everything on offer, more than enough for two. He added two mince pies on top and ducked his way back to where Penny waited for him.

“Splendid!” she said as he set the plate down. “I did not have a proper breakfast this morning.”