Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

P rudence lingered within sight of the Grosvenor Gate, trying to look like she wasn't pacing. Duke was late. Maybe he wasn't coming. Maybe he had rethought their assignation. Maybe he decided he didn't want to take her to bed after all.

Her maid, Jane, had settled herself on a bench to the side and was eyeing her with curiosity. The girl had been hired through an agency and held no allegiance to Prudence. On the other hand, Jane didn't owe Aunt Honoria loyalty either.

Prudence joined Jane on the bench. "I suppose you're wondering what I'm doing."

Jane cleared her throat. "I'd guess it has something to do with why you were out by yourself last night. Do you have yourself a gentleman?"

"You knew I was gone?"

"Your aunt sent me to check on you before she retired for the evening."

Prudence clutched her throat, but as her head was still firmly attached to her body, Aunt Honoria had not been told the bed was stuffed with pillows. "You didn't tell her I was gone."

"No, miss."

"Thank you." Prudence gave her a half smile.

"To be fair, I was afraid I would get sacked if she knew."

"My absence wasn't your fault, and I certainly don't want you to get in trouble."

"Does that mean you won't be sneaking out again?" Jane asked dryly.

"Well… That remains to be seen." Prudence craned her head toward the entrance when she spotted a tall gentleman in a beaver hat. She sat up straighter, but slumped back when it wasn't Duke.

"I can't say that I blame you for seeking out a little fun. Your aunt is stricter than the matron of my orphanage." Although Jane spoke lightly, there was a deep-seated pain Prudence recognized.

"I lost my parents when I was young too. My aunts raised me."

They sat for a moment in a shared experience. Perhaps a true lady would not speak to a servant so familiarly, but Prudence was prepared to throw her reputation to the wind with Duke. One more infraction wouldn't make a difference.

A man walked briskly through the gate and scanned the area. Prudence stood as if she were a marionette at the universe's mercy. Duke spotted her, doffed his hat, and strode over. His hair was mussed, and his face flushed, but he was dressed in the finest breeches, Hoby boots, and a Weston jacket that hugged his muscular torso. He had forgone a neckcloth, and the strong column of his neck lent him a rough-hewn masculinity.

Jane stood and gave a low whistle. "I was going to ask if the risk is worth it, but I can see it is."

Prudence moved out of earshot when Duke approached to take her hand. A gallant brush against the back made her blush. "I was worried you weren't coming," she said.

"I got waylaid by Lord Benson. Do you know him?"

The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place his face. "I believe we've been introduced at one time."

"He helped me procure two invitations. It took most of the evening over the gaming table to apply the leverage I needed."

Relief mixed with excitement. She was going to attend a laughing gas party. They drew the curious, but they also drew actual scientists looking to gather information and data. After all, Sir Humphry Davy was a genius. And not just because he supported women's involvement in scientific discoveries.

"Why was Lord Benson reluctant?"

"Apparently, the parties can be scandalous, and wagging tongues are not welcome. I had to assure him of our discretion. Although as I was unable to give him your name, convincing him of such was difficult. We will be announced on arrival. I understand your reputation hangs in the balance, but no one will gossip about this gathering." The look he gave her invited confessions.

It was clear she would have to lie once more. "Mrs. Jones."

"Jynx Jones?" he asked.

The back of her neck prickled, and she said the first name that popped into her head. "Jane Jones."

It was the blandest name possible. Prudence hoped her maid would forgive the impertinence of borrowing her given name.

" Jane Jones ? That is your name?" It was obvious that Duke did not believe her.

"Indeed," she choked out, but forced herself to hold his gaze.

Finally he sighed, offered his arm, and they strolled down the graveled path. "Fine. Jane Jones it is, although I will continue to call you Jynx."

"That is what I prefer." At least her nickname felt more comfortable. "When is the party?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight?" She stopped and turned to him. "But I have another engagement. A musicale."

"More important than—" He looked toward where the real Jane had stopped a few feet away and dropped his voice. "Catching a killer?"

The musicale was at the Rushtons' town house and promised to be dull. The Rushtons' son was a prig who favored reciting Bible verses, and the daughter was tone-deaf and sanctimonious. Of course Mrs. Rushton and Aunt Honoria had become fast friends.

"Definitely not more important. I'll find a way to meet you."

He recited the address. It wasn't far from their town house. He huffed out a breath of relief. "Now that is settled, what do you say we have a stroll and enjoy the fine weather?"

Prue glanced around, but it was still early. The fashionable set had not yet descended to see and be seen. There was nothing scandalous about what they were doing. In fact, she even had a chaperone for this outing. "I would enjoy that."

Jane fell into step several paces behind them. Duke cast a look over his shoulder at her. "I was under the impression widows no longer needed a companion to safeguard their respectability."

"I suppose not, but bringing my maid along eases my aunt's worries."

"What happens once you marry? Will your aunt expect to follow you to your new home and act as controlling?" he asked.

Prue's focus was to avoid an unwanted marriage. She hadn't considered what would happen if she was forced into a union. Aunt Honoria would not go quietly back to America. She wanted to stay in England and ingratiate herself with society. In fact, Aunt Charity would probably join them and sever their America roots entirely.

The knot in her stomach, which had been growing daily under the pressure of the husband hunt, took on a new dread. "I think she will insist on coming with me."

Prue stumbled over a larger rock, and Duke took the opportunity to offer his arm. She gladly took it. For right here, right now, she wouldn't think that far into the future. She would only consider how the sun was dappling through the leaves and how strong and steady Duke felt by her side.

Anyway, she had more immediate problems than an unwanted husband. Someone might recognize her at the laughing gas party. Not only would her lies to Duke be revealed, her reputation would be at risk. On the other hand, how likely was it that the religious set Aunt Honoria favored would also be attending a laughing gas party?

It was a risk she would have to take if she was to identify a killer, experience science, and spend another evening in Duke's company. The latter of which, if she were being perfectly honest with herself, was more of a draw than justice or science. What was wrong with her? Were her morality and intellect so easily obscured by a handsome man she had longed for as long as she could remember? Apparently so.

She cleared her throat. "Do you think Sir Humphry himself will be in attendance?"

"I very much doubt it." He gave a sharp shake of his head. "In fact, we can't be sure our killer will show his face tonight either."

"It's the best chance we have." And the only chance she had of spending more time with Duke.

"Then we have a plan." They strolled in silence for a moment, and then he asked, "If you had the freedom, what would you do with your life? Where would you go?"

Women were rarely asked such questions, and she had to consider her answer. "I would travel and experience the places I've read about. Egypt. The Far East. South America. In between adventures, I would retreat to a cozy cottage in the country with my very own laboratory. All impossible."

Her rueful laugh petered out when she noticed his scowl.

"Nothing is impossible," he said.

"Spoken like a man with the world on a string. Once you assure yourself of your sister's well-being, you will be off to tour the world."

"That was the plan. I've been sidetracked by a murder." His charming half smile was back. "And a beautiful widow."

Her blush was immediate. She could question his sincerity or choose to believe him. She would do the later. "I've read travelogues from all over the world."

"So have I," he said with surprise in his voice.

She wouldn't mention their similar reading material had to do with the shared lending library they both had frequented.

Watching him pack up and leave New York to travel had filled her with both envy and devastation. He might never return. It had made the decision to travel to England easier. She had never in her wildest imaginings expected their paths to cross so far from home.

They spent the next quarter hour discussing their favorite books and the places he had already seen and planned to travel to next. The paths around them grew more crowded as the fashionable hour approached.

"I believe it is time to part ways," Prue said regretfully.

"But not for long," he said.

They made plans to meet outside at the town house of Mr. Reinhold, who was hosting the laughing gas party. As long as her aunt left for the musicale on time, Prue would make it. Outside Grosvenor Gate, they turned in different directions after exchanging a glance she could only qualify as longing.

Once he was out of sight, Jane stepped to her side, sending her a look both knowing and teasing. "I understand now why you feigned sickness and lied to your aunt. He is very handsome."

"He will travel on soon." Prue bit her bottom lip, wondering how far she could trust Jane. Making a decision, she said, "I am meeting him again this evening. Aunt Honoria must still attend the musicale. Will you help me?"

"If your aunt finds out, I would be tossed without a reference," Jane said darkly but with a thoughtful expression.

"That's not a no." A kernel of hope burst into excitement.

"The matron told me I read too many novels. I especially enjoy a good love story."

Prue made a choking sound. "This is not a love story. It's a?—"

What was it? Not love, but… something. A mystery or an adventure, perhaps. Whatever it was, they were in the final chapters. A sense of melancholy filled her, but she shook it off. She wouldn't grieve what she hadn't yet lost. There would be time for that afterward.

After Duke left, she would rail against the world and the box it tried to keep her in. Until then, she would escape even if it was only for a night.