Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

W atching as Lord Childers walked away, Prudence looked back at Lord Kingshill's face, seeing the broad grin that spread across it and finding herself inwardly recoiling.

Lord Kingshill did not have a kind expression, nor was there any softness about his eyes. Instead, there was a hardness there, a glitter in the depths of his dark brown eyes which Prudence did not like in the least.

"Excellent, excellent indeed!" His eyes roved over her, and Prudence shivered lightly, appreciating Miss Rockwell's presence and support. "Now, Lady Prudence, since we have met, it may well be time for us to discuss what it is to take place between us!"

Prudence swallowed once, twice, and then a third time in an attempt to remove the ache from her throat.

"Indeed." Her chin lifted just a little as she fought to find more strength. "I hear that you are something of a rake, Lord Kingshill. I am sure that you are aware that such a reputation carries a great many shadows with it? Shadows which will cling to me, the moment that we announce our connection." To her very great surprise, Lord Kingshill only shrugged. Miss Rockwell caught her breath in obvious astonishment and then looked to Prudence who, in return, could only give her a small shake of her head. "You do know that your roguish reputation must begin to fade away, I am sure," Prudence continued when Lord Kingshill said nothing. "I have been assured by Lord Childers that–"

"You need not be concerned, Lady Prudence. I will do what I must to reform myself, I promise you." Waving one hand as if to dismiss her, Lord Kingshill took a small step closer. "So, we are to become betrothed, yes?"

Prudence blinked.

"I – I suppose that–"

"I think it would be best to have a courtship, albeit a very short one." Miss Rockwell glanced at Prudence, her eyes flashing a warning. "You do not want the ton to wonder why there is so sudden a betrothal between you. That might add all the more to the rumors which already pursue you, Lord Kingshill."

The gentleman frowned.

"Such rumors do not weigh heavily on me, I confess. I do not think that there is any need to delay."

"Ah, but they might cling to your heir," Miss Rockwell responded, quickly. "And I am certain that you do not want that to occur."

Lord Kingshill hesitated, then rubbed one hand over his chin, his eyes slanting back towards Miss Rockwell as though he did not much like what she had said.

"I suppose that is a consideration."

"Good. Then a courtship?" Miss Rockwell looked first to Prudence and then to Lord Kingshill again, her eyebrows lifted. "For a short while, of course."

"Very well." Lord Kingshill sighed and then looked at Prudence. "I presume that you will tell your parents about our intentions?"

Prudence's hands curled into fists as she fought to control her surprise.

"I – I had thought that you would wish to speak to my father yourself."

Lord Kingshill shook his head.

"No, no. There is too much to explain and I shall leave that to you to do. If your father refuses to give his permission, however, then we will be at an end anyway and that would mean a waste of my time and my efforts. No, Lady Prudence, I think it would be best if you spoke to your parents about this matter." Clearing his throat, he turned his head away and then, evidently spying someone, gave them a wave of his hand and, after a moment, glanced back at Prudence and Miss Rockwell. "I shall take my leave of you now. Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon," Prudence echoed, finding her heart aching as she watched Lord Kingshill walk away.

He was not at all as she had expected, for even a rogue could be charming and well-mannered! Was not Lord Childers all of those things? Lord Kingshill, on the other hand, was nothing more than a rude, inconsiderate fellow who appeared to be a little lazy. Why was he asking her to speak to her parents about their potential betrothal? It ought to fall on his shoulders rather than on Prudence's. What would her father think of her speaking to him in such a way? It made very little sense.

"Well?"

Prudence looked at her friend, seeing the doubt flickering in her eyes.

"I thought him rather rude," she admitted, tears beginning to burn. "I do not know what I expected, but I certainly did not expect this!"

"He was inconsiderate, thoughtless, and dismissive," Miss Rockwell stated, perhaps unaware of the pain that her words sparked in Prudence. "I am surprised that he was so unwilling to speak with your father and instead, asked you to do such a thing as that! It seems very strange to me that a gentleman would be so improper in what is an important matter!"

"I shall have to speak to my parents," Prudence murmured, reaching to pinch the bridge of her nose. "I do not know what they will say. My mother already warned me away from Lord Childers; I expect that she will say the same about Lord Kingshill."

"Though Lord Childers was not offering matrimony," Miss Rockwell added, her expression still heavy. "It may be different for Lord Kingshill."

"Yes, it may be," Prudence agreed, slowly uncurling her fingers, and stretching out her hands again. "I suppose all we can do is wait and see."

"I must speak to you, Mama."

Lady Lymington glanced over her shoulder as the maid set a pearl necklace around her neck.

"Good evening, Prudence. You are prepared, yes? We are to leave for Lord Venables' ball very soon and I do not want to keep your father waiting."

Prudence came a little further into the room, glancing at the maid and waiting for her mother to dismiss her. Lady Lymington said nothing, watching Prudence carefully and, when she rose, turned to glance at herself in the mirror before sending the maid away.

"What is the matter, Prudence?" she asked, coming to take one of Prudence's hands in her own, her eyes steady. "I understand that there is difficulty for you in this, but it must be done. We must continue to attend social occasions in the hope that society will begin to welcome you back again."

"It is not about society, Mama," Prudence answered, a knot tying itself in her stomach. "It is something a little more… personal."

Lady Lymington frowned.

"Has something happened to you?"

"Not in any dreadful manner, no," Prudence reassured her. "I have had a gentleman speaking with me. He wishes to move forward to courtship."

In an instant, everything about her mother's expression changed. Her eyes went wide, a huge smile spread across her face, and she squeezed Prudence's hand tightly.

"Really? A gentleman?"

Prudence nodded.

"Yes, Mama. Though there is a reason for his urgency so please do not think that this is as wonderful as it seems."

At once, Lady Lymington's face went white, her expression crumpling.

"Pray tell me that he has not sought to take advantage of you!"

"No, no, nothing like that. I am quite safe." Offering her mother a reassuring smile, Prudence pushed down her nervousness and continued to explain. "He is attempting to reform himself but, given that no young lady will wed him due to his reputation, he seeks out an immediate match."

"A rake?" Lady Lymington's voice was hoarse now, her fingers gripping Prudence's so tightly, it was a little painful. "You are being pursued by a rake?" Her eyes widened all the more. "Tell me it is not Lord Childers!"

"It is not. It is Lord Kingshill."

Her mother closed her eyes tightly and dragged in a shaking breath. "Oh, my dear!"

"But he is going to reform himself, Mama," Prudence protested, aware of the reluctance within her own heart. "At least, that is what he has said."

"And you believe him?" Lady Lymington released Prudence's hands, only to throw her own hands up in frustration. "How could you be so foolish? You cannot for a moment believe that there is any truth in that!"

Prudence swallowed hard, heat building behind her eyes.

"I have no other choices, Mama."

This gave Lady Lymington pause. Her hands fell to her sides, and she grew very still.

"Lord Childers was the one who brought us together," Prudence continued, quietly, "though I was not introduced to Lord Kingshill until recently. He wishes me to talk to my father about the arrangement. For the moment, we should like to court and–"

"There is nothing wrong with being a spinster." Lady Lymington hurried forward again, catching Prudence's hands. "I know it will be difficult but–"

"Both you and father believe it would be best for me to marry," Prudence interrupted, albeit speaking as gently as she could. "This gentleman, though he is a rogue, is to reform himself. He wishes to have an heir and therefore, though I confess to being uncertain about it all, I can see the benefits of such a marriage."

"But you cannot trust a rake's word," her mother said, fervently, her eyes searching Prudence's. "There is no promise that he will do as he says, no promise that he truly will return to gentlemanly ways."

Prudence nodded.

"I understand that, Mama, and I appreciate it a great deal – more than you can know. I do not look forward to marrying Lord Kingshill, for I do not think that he is a particularly kind or considerate gentleman, but I would still be wed, would I not? I would still have my own home and the chance of having children."

"I can see the pull of that, but your husband would be a scoundrel! That would bring you a great deal of pain. I should prefer to see evidence of it, such as I have seen in Lord Childers of late, before I permitted you to make any genuine, long-lasting commitment. I am sure that your father will feel the same."

A little surprised, Prudence looked back at her mother.

"You have seen something in Lord Childers?"

"I have," Lady Lymington answered, though she spoke slowly as though she was uncertain of why Prudence was asking such a thing. "Only of late, however. He has been taking a good deal of interest in you, has he not? He has been speaking with you, laughing with you, and has even danced with you on occasion. I have been concerned about his company as you know, but what I have seen of him, and even what society has been speaking of, seems to suggest that he has stepped back from that roguish way of living for a time – though I am not convinced by it."

A gentle heat began to rise in Prudence's chest, and she found her lips curving, though she tried her best to hide it from her mother. Why was it that hearing such things about Lord Childers made her heart sing in such a ridiculous way? Why was it that she found herself delighting in this news, thrilled to hear that her mother thought a little more highly of Lord Childers than she had done before? He was not the one she was to court, so why should she have any sort of interest in him?

"I will have to speak to your father about this, but I can assure you that he will not be in the least bit pleased," Lady Lymington stated, firmly. "However, whether or not he will agree, I cannot say." She shook her head and sighed. "How much I wish that this situation was different for you, my dear. If only you could be back in society just as you ought to be!"

A little surprised at the sympathy with which her mother spoke, Prudence shook her head.

"Mama, I deserve this. I was foolish, I was selfish, and I was unkind. I am glad that society does not know the true extent of my folly, but all the same, I am well aware that the consequences that I have brought upon myself are perfectly fair."

Her mother pressed her lips together for a few moments.

"I have been very harsh with you in this matter, have I not?" she said, her voice holding more gentleness within it than Prudence had heard in a long time. "I am sorry for that. I will do all that I can to support you, my dear, and if this is what you wish and if it is what you truly desire, I will not refuse you. Only do be careful, I beg of you. I would not want to see you brokenhearted and sorrowful."

Struggling against sudden tears, Prudence embraced her mother tightly, sensing a healing growing between them.

"Thank you, Mama," she murmured, softly. "I promise you, I will take the greatest care."