Penelope Goes to Portsmouth Read Online Free Page A

and wheel shafts,’ he shouted. ‘Which one of you did this?’
    The cold voice of Lord Augustus dripped like iced water on the rage of the coachman. ‘My dear, dear fellow,’ he said. ‘You are surely not accusing one of us of sabotage.’
    ‘Someone did it,’ said the coachman, whirling this way and that.
    ‘Then you had better summon the law,’ remarked Lord Augustus equably, ‘while I escort the ladies back to the inn.’
    He held out one arm to Hannah and the other to Penelope. Miss Trenton muttered something and then walked behind them to the inn, followed by Mr Cato and the outside passengers.
    ‘It is a miracle,’ breathed Penelope.
    ‘The coach breaking down?’ Hannah began to wonder whether the fair Penelope had all her wits.
    ‘Yes, you see, it gives us time. ’
    ‘Time for what?’ demanded Hannah crossly.
    ‘Why, time to visit Lady Carsey and ask her whether she is sure that the footman stole the brooch.’
    ‘I do not see how a party of stage-coach passengers would be allowed further than her lodge-gates,’ said Hannah.
    Penelope’s eyes rounded on Lord Augustus like carriage lamps turning a corner. ‘But you could, my lord.’
    ‘I am a Fribble, Miss Wilkins,’ said Lord Augustus, leading her to the inn-table and drawing out a chair for her. ‘A lily of the field. I toil not, neither do I interest myself in the fate of footmen.’ He turned and walked stiffly from the inn. Penelope let out a cry of distress.
    ‘Wait here with Mr Cato and Miss Trenton,’ said Hannah. ‘I shall be back in a trice.’
    She found Lord Augustus standing in the coach-yard, studying the wreck of the coach through his quizzing-glass.
    ‘If you took that saw out of your top-boot, my lord,’ said Hannah quietly, ‘then you might be able to join us and sit at your ease.’
    He stood silently for a moment, and then gave a reluctant laugh. ‘I hope no one else has such sharp eyes. I shall go round to the tack-room and replace it if you will make sure no one follows me.’
    Hannah studied his retreating back thoughtfully. So the indolent Lord Augustus had moved himself enough to wreck the coach. Obviously he wanted to gain time to prove the footman’s innocence or guilt to Penelope’s satisfaction. Therefore, he must be interested in Penelope. He was obviously in need of funds and Penelope’s father was rich. Penelope’s father wanted his daughter to marry a lord. What could be more perfect? And Hannah was firmly convinced that behind the stiffening spine of every Fribble lay a pretty and spineless woman who needed protection. Hannah heaved a sigh. The meek shall inherit the best husbands. Women of character, brains, and independence were damned to spinsterhood unless they commanded a good dowry. Such was the way of the world.
    Lord Augustus ambled back. ‘Why did you do it?’ asked Hannah.
    ‘The food here is good,’ he said carelessly, ‘and I have a mind to stay the night in Esher.’
    ‘But, my lord, surely you wish to prove the footman innocent?’
    He laughed. ‘Why, you are a romantic, Miss Pym, with a hellish gleam of matchmaking in your fine eyes. I have no interest in that soufflé of a young lady in there.’
    ‘Do you mean to say,’ said Hannah angrily, ‘that you damaged the coach simply to prolong your stay here? I have a good mind to report you.’
    ‘Don’t,’ he said lazily. ‘They would bill me for the damage and my pockets are to let.’
    ‘Then if you want to keep my mouth shut, sirrah, Isuggest you busy yourself with an immediate visit to Lady Carsey.’
    ‘What a bully you are. Must I?’
    ‘Of course!’
    ‘So be it. But at least allow me a glass of brandy to fortify myself.’
    Hannah sat impatiently in the inn while Lord Augustus sipped his brandy and looked vaguely about him. Penelope had retired upstairs to an inn bedchamber to wash and change. ‘I told her she was going to needless expense renting a room,’ snapped Miss Trenton. ‘Waste of time prettifying