His words and condition echoed with relentless persistence, associated with the little time she had. It was not a request made lightly, nor one any sensible lady would entertain, and yet Penelope didn't only find herself entertaining such, but had rather shown curiosity.
Coupled with that, Lord Philip had been the only one to step forward, the only gentleman willing to offer what she so desperately required. Time, cruel as ever, had narrowed her choices to almost nothing, leaving her utterly vulnerable.
Penelope had spent the entire hours of her night marked only by the slow passing of candlelight and the restless turning of her thoughts. While pride urged her to refuse, fear pleaded for her to flee the very notion but desperation spoke the loudest of all.
Four days.
That was all that remained, ticking loudly at the back of her mind like a bomb. She didn't have enough time any longer.
