Chapter 5

Chapter Five

P rudence did not understand what it was that Lord Childers was doing in offering her such a thing. To stand and talk openly with a wallflower was one thing, but to dance with her was quite another! Her heart quickened into a furious, wild rhythm, encouraging her to pull her dance card from her wrist and hand it to him, but one glance into her mother's face held her back.

"You wish to dance with myself and Lady Prudence?" Miss Rockwell shook her head. "I am afraid that I shall have to decline. I have made a promise to myself that I shall dance with no other gentlemen until my betrothed is returned to me."

"How very honorable," came the reply, though Lord Childers brown eyes soon swept back towards Prudence, making her skin prickle with sudden anticipation. "Then you, Lady Prudence? Might you be willing to stand up with me?"

Prudence did not know what to say. This had not been his real purpose in coming to speak with her, that she knew for certain. Mayhap, she considered, the presence of her mother had forced him to come up with an excuse – and this was the only one he could give her.

"Prudence, Lord Childers is a rogue." Prudence started in surprise at just how loud and clear her mother's voice was, her face heating furiously at just how boldly she spoke. "I will not forbid you from dancing with him, but I shall also make it quite plain that I shall be watching every step of the dance." Lady Lymington turned to face Lord Childers, and Prudence, her face still burning, dropped her gaze. "Lord Childers, I do not know what your intentions are for my daughter, nor what your purpose is in seeking her out, but I will not have you ruining her reputation."

Lord Childers nodded.

"I can understand your uncertainty over my presence, Lady Lymington. However, let me state that I have absolutely no intention of doing anything other than dance with Lady Prudence. I shall return her to you thereafter, I promise you."

Prudence wanted to say that she had not yet given him her dance card and had not even agreed to do so but, after a moment's pause, found her fingers tugging the ribbon from her wrist and, without daring to glance at her mother, she handed the dance card to him.

I have not danced for so long, she thought to herself, a sudden burst of joy exploding in her heart. How wonderful that shall be, even if I am accompanied by a rogue!

"The country dance, Lady Prudence?" Lord Childers smiled and then handed it back to her. "I shall come to find you for the dance, when it is time." He bowed and then smiled. "Good evening."

"Good evening," Prudence echoed, watching him walk away and, after only a few moments, hearing her mother's long, drawn-out sigh of evident frustration.

"That gentleman is not to be trusted, Prudence." Lady Lymington turned so that she might look straight into Prudence's eyes, her gaze steady, but her eyes holding flickers of worry. "I do not know what he thought to do by coming to speak with you, but I must have you promise me that you will not allow yourself to be drawn in to whatever scheme he has planned."

Prudence nodded.

"Of course, Mama, though I do not think that he has a scheme."

"Rogues like that always have a scheme," came the reply, her mother finally letting go of her hands. "I am doing my best to protect you, my dear, and Lord Childers is someone you must be protected from. "

"I understand." Prudence chose not to argue, aware that she knew the reason behind Lord Childers supposed interest in her, while her mother did not. "I will be very careful, Mama."

Lady Lymington nodded but said nothing more, her gaze returning to the retreating figure of Lord Childers and, after a moment, Prudence let herself watch him too. He was a handsome gentleman, she had to admit, with a charming smile, warm brown eyes, and a pleasantness about his manner that could make any young lady – Prudence included – fall for his charms, should she let herself do so.

But I will not, she told herself, a little perturbed that he should be known as something of a rogue. And I must pray that his friend, whoever that gentleman may be, will not turn out to be just as much of a scoundrel as Lord Childers!

"Are you enjoying the dance, Lady Prudence?"

Prudence took a moment to reply, stepping away from him for a time as the dance progressed only to return to his side once more.

"Yes, I am," she said, aware that the rest of the ton would have taken note of a wallflower stepping out with a rogue, finding herself a little concerned that their interaction would cause her reputation to be all the more damaged. "But I assume, Lord Childers, that you did not want truly to dance with me, did you? There was another reason for stepping out with me, was there not?"

Lord Childers grinned.

"Indeed, there was." The smile began to fade as a frown slowly began to cross his forehead. "I must ask you why you are a wallflower."

The shock of his question had Prudence stumbling, though he quickly caught her back into his arms and the dance continued. He did not apologize for what he had said, however, waiting for her to answer.

"Why are you asking me such a thing?" Prudence asked, a little breathless from her astonishment rather than from the dance. "What could possibly push you to ask me such a question as this?"

Lord Childers' eyebrows lifted just a little.

"Surely you can understand, Lady Prudence? My friend, the one I am to introduce you to tonight, is a little concerned to know if there is a reason behind your standing as a wallflower. Obviously, it is important to him, as a gentleman of quality, that he is pursuing a young lady who has no dark shadows in her past."

Prudence lifted her chin, her stomach twisting as her nervousness began to grow.

"I can assure you that I have not been ruined, if that is what you mean."

She was not about to tell him the truth, was not about to state that she had sought to ruin herself in order to wed a particular gentleman for, given that the ton were not truly aware of it, she did not see the need to tell him either.

"That is good." Lord Childers took her hand and, as the dance came to a stop, bowed over it. "You are not ruined, then, you have nothing which society might find questionable about your character and–"

"I am not going to ruin your friend's character or good standing by being associated with him," Prudence interrupted, finding herself more than a little frustrated at these questions. "That is the only reason you wanted to dance with me, then? You wanted to find out why I am standing as a wallflower rather than a young lady out in society?"

Lord Childers grinned at her.

"Yes, precisely. Though I do also enjoy dancing with a beautiful young lady such as yourself."

Prudence blinked, her frustration instantly fading as she looked into Lord Childers face and at the smile spreading upon it. In a second, she went from feeling a fizzing irritation and an upset over his question to feeling a gentle glowing warmth within her core. It was as though that simple smile, that warmth in his eyes, and the spark there within them had pushed away all of her frustration in a simple second.

A roguish gentleman indeed. Giving herself a slight shake, Prudence sniffed and then nodded in the direction of her mother as the heat within her dissipated.

"Shall we, Lord Childers? Now that you have learned that I am not a ruined young lady?"

"Please, Lady Prudence, I did not mean to insult you."

Prudence looked at him again, seeing a softness about his eyes which made her skin prickle.

"I am sure that you did not. This is a very strange situation, and I can see that you are doing your best to protect your friend." Ignoring the feeling of warmth that swept over her as he took her hand and set it on his arm, Prudence returned her gaze to her mother so that she would not have to even look at Lord Childers. "What is his name, if you please?" Glancing up, she saw him frown, his lip catching between his teeth for just a moment as he hesitated. "Surely there can be no reason for you to hide his name from me now? After all, you have been assured that I am not ruined and–"

"Lord Kingshill," Lord Childers interrupted, rather sharply. "He is Lord Kingshill, and I will introduce you to him just as soon as I am able. Now," he continued, beginning to march across the ballroom, half pulling her along with him, "let me take you to your mother and I shall return soon enough to make the introductions."

"I thank you," Prudence murmured, a little confused as to why Lord Childers was behaving in such a strange manner.

He now appeared to be frustrated by her question about Lord Kingshill, frowning with what might be irritation at her presence. Confused, Prudence chose to remain silent, finding herself relieved when she was once more standing with her mother.

"Good evening, Lady Prudence."

With a nod and without the smile that Prudence had come to expect, Lord Childers turned on his heel and strode away, seemingly determined to escape from her. All the more confused, Prudence frowned and tilted her head, watching him leave – though her mother's heavy sigh broke through her silent thoughts.

"I do not like to see you with that particular gentleman, Prudence."

"I know, Mama," Prudence answered, pulling her gaze away from him. "Though there is good in it, is there not?"

Lady Lymington looked at her sharply.

"Good?"

"Yes," Prudence answered, smiling. "For the ton have seen me dancing, have they not? So mayhap, I might be offered more dances."

After a few silent moments of consideration, Lady Lymington began to nod, a smile touching the corners of her mouth.

"I suppose so," she said, with a slight lift of her eyebrow. "Mayhap the ton will wonder what a roguish gentleman is doing dancing with a wallflower." Warming to the idea, her eyes began to sparkle with anticipation. "Mayhap they will ask each other what it is about you that has brought such a gentleman to your side! Yes, I can see what you mean, Prudence." With a smile of encouragement, she took Prudence's hand and pressed it lightly. "It may be that this roguish gentleman proves to be the very best thing to happen to you."