Oh.

Oh. Thank Merlin.

Penny smiled gratefully for the first time since entering the carriage and rushed after the servant, too conscious of the back of her gown to linger for a second longer.

Once changed into a dress finer than the one she had began the night in and a hasty note scribbled to her mother, Penny was escorted back to the parlor where Mr. Prewett stood. "Thank you for your hospitality. You saved me from quite the embarrassment."