ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR
Prologue
"There is nothing I love more than…" Penelope hesitated a moment, trying to think of something that would impress Lord Debling, "…grass."
Unfortunately, he looked anything but impressed.
He was, however, extremely well-mannered and therefore enquired pleasantly, "What about grass do you so love, Miss Featherington?"
"Uh…" she began, then paused momentarily. Desperately, she tried to come up with a clever reply, now that he'd put her on the spot with Cressida and Eloise watching on. Unhappily, all she could manage was a woefully inadequate, "…how it's so…green."
"It is – quite green," Debling agreed dryly.
Penelope tried to smile confidently at the other two ladies, but even to her own ears she knew that she sounded ridiculous.
Their conversation about nature continued, although Penelope found herself adding very little of consequence. She really needed to read more about his interests if she was going to keep his regard from straying to Cressida. They seemed to be getting along rather well, much to her consternation.
The wind began to pick up around them and she shivered slightly at the sudden chill. She hadn't brought a shawl with her and regretted it wholeheartedly as another gust blew in across the lake.
Trying to ignore the cold, she turned her attention back to Lord Debling who had begun speaking about his forthcoming expedition. She was so determined to focus on what he was saying that it took her a moment to realise that Eloise and Cressida looked startled by something before suddenly running away.
Beside her, Debling turned, then quickly followed after the ladies leaving Penelope all alone.
Only just realising that there was a commotion going on behind her, she turned abruptly to see what was happening.
Colin Bridgerton.
That's what was happening.
In just his waistcoat.
Hair, windswept.
Arms, exposed.
Trousers – tight in all the right places as he grimaced and leaned back, pulling hard on a rope.
A rope…
A rope that was attached to the balloon that was heading rapidly her way.
Dear God, how had she not noticed?
"Heave!" she heard Colin yell.
That's why, she realised as she took a couple of faltering steps backwards. She stared at him a moment more, heart pounding as she noted his strong legs braced wide apart, taut backside and arms straining in effort. His handsome face was set in fierce determination as he shouted out the instruction again. It was a sight she would not soon forget, but a small, still functioning part of her brain reminded her that she needed to move.
Dragging her gaze from him, she turned to run but the balloon bore down on her quicker than she could flee. In her haste, she stumbled, almost falling to the ground. Somehow, she managed to stay on her feet but as she righted herself, she felt a sudden burst of pain explode in her head.
She staggered and fell to her knees. Vision blurring, she reached up and touched a hand to the back of her head then gasped when she caught sight of red on her fingers.
There was a loud rushing sound in her ears and she slumped forward onto the ground. Around her, she could vaguely hear voices ring out, calling her name.
"Miss Featherington."
"Pen!"
Gentle hands turned her over. She was well, she wanted to assure Colin, but it wasn't his face that swam hazily into view.
Eyes drifting shut, the last thing she saw was a concerned looking Lord Debling staring down at her as everything went black.