Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

" I think I must meet her. It has been too long now since that idea first came to me."

James lifted an eyebrow.

"I do not think that any such idea came to you ," he remarked as they walked through the park, reminding James of the conversation he had enjoyed with Lady Prudence not too long ago. "I was the one who suggested it, was I not?"

Lord Kingshill chuckled, though the sound irritated James somewhat.

"Yes, I suppose that is true. I have you to thank for this arrangement, though," he continued, shooting James a hard look, "you have not yet introduced me to Lady Prudence. I had even thought that I should, mayhap, wander around the ballroom and speak to each and every wallflower in the hope of meeting her!"

"And you did not?"

His friend snorted.

"Of course I did not! I had other ladies that I was eager to spend time with and I could not simply set that aside in the hope of meeting Lady Prudence now, could I?" His eyes glittered as he chuckled and though James laughed, something about what his friend had said sank down into his soul and pulled his contentment from him. It was not as though Lord Kingshill had said anything wrong, or was at all insulting in his statement, but rather that James himself was rather unsettled by it. A memory of Lady Prudence came to mind, reminding him of just how shocked and upset she had been to realize that the gentleman she was to wed was nothing other than a rake.

"I did tell her about your reputation."

The smile shattered on Lord Kingshill's face.

"I beg your pardon?"

James shrugged.

"I had no choice. But once I reassured her that you, despite being a rogue, have every desire to be wed and will reform yourself, she appeared a little more contented."

"Reform?" Lord Kingshill scoffed at this at once, shaking his head furiously.

"You know very well that I will not reform myself. The very purpose of my seeking out a bride is simply so that I might then return to my rather enjoyable way of life, doing just as I please while, at the same time, ensuring that my responsibilities as the Marquess of Kingshill are met. That is why I must seek out someone such as Lady Prudence, someone who is willing to marry, but who also must marry, so that she can have no complaint about me."

James shook his head, a little concerned over what Lord Kingshill had just said.

"Lady Prudence is afraid that, should she betrothe herself to you, she will find herself wed to a scoundrel."

"Well, to my mind, there is no real concern." Lord Kingshill shrugged and then continued walking. "That is exactly my intention."

"But if you say such a thing to the lady herself, then I can promise you that she will turn her back. You may not even become betrothed!"

"Then I will say nothing which might force such a thing," Lord Kingshill stated, firmly. "Not until we are wed at least."

James said nothing to this response, all too caught up in a great sense of despair – not for his friend, but for Lady Prudence. He did not want her to be in the very sort of marriage that she feared, did not want her to struggle with a husband who cared nothing for her and pursued every other young lady instead.

But I was the one who suggested it.

This new sense of determination, this desire to aid Lady Prudence so that she might gain all that she wanted, flung itself out from James' heart and spread through him. He tried to speak, tried to tell his friend that he now should resolve to improve himself, and that he could no longer continue to pursue nothing more than pleasure and delight, but no words came to him. He could not say anything to Lord Kingshill now, not when he himself had been the one to suggest the idea in the first place! All the same, however, all he could see was the sadness on Lady Prudence's face, the fear lingering in her eyes. What was he to do? And why did he feel so strongly about it all?

"You are not listening to me."

James looked at Lord Kingshill.

"Forgive me. I was too caught up in my own thoughts."

"No doubt about the ladies you are pursuing at present," Lord Kingshill chuckled, as he looked at James. "Is there anyone in particular?"

James said nothing for a moment, smiling and nodding as two young ladies, walking arm in arm, passed them.

"I shall not reveal them to you," he said, after a moment, "for fear that you will–"

"Did you hear them speak?"

James frowned.

"The two young ladies?"

Lord Kingshill nodded, a sudden spark of excitement coming into his eyes.

"I could have sworn that one of them said, ‘Lady Prudence'." He stopped suddenly, putting one hand out to stop James from continuing to walk. "Pray, tell me if she is nearby. Look! Many others are beginning to gather in the park. Is she present?"

A roar of uncertainty filled James' heart, and he quickly shook his head.

"No, I do not think so."

"Are you sure? You did not even look!"

A little unsure of why he was suddenly so reluctant to permit his friend to meet Lady Prudence, James swallowed hard, lifted his gaze, and looked about the park. His heart slammed into his chest as his eyes suddenly caught hers and he snatched in a breath, garnering a look of surprise from his friend.

"She is here, then?"

Trying to throw away his sudden, strong emotions, James gestured to Lady Prudence with a lift of his chin.

"It seems as though you will have your desire answered this very afternoon!"

It is not as though I could never introduce them, he told himself, as Lord Kingshill rubbed his hands together in evident anticipation. That would be foolishness.

"Oh?" Lord Kingshill looked first to James and then out to where he was gazing. "You mean to say that she is Lady Prudence? The one standing with only another young lady beside her?"

"Yes, that is she. With the brown hair."

"My word."

With a frown, hearing the shock in Lord Kingshill's voice, James looked at his friend sharply.

"You do not mean to suggest that there is something wrong with her countenance, do you?"

"No, of course not! I confess that I did not expect her to be so fair!"

James said nothing, walking forward alongside his friend, finding that he was frowning without any real understanding as to why. With a clearing of his throat, he made certain that his countenance was calm, just as Lady Prudence glanced towards them – and then looked at them for a second time, her eyes widening just a little.

"Good afternoon, Lady Prudence." James inclined his head, looking then at Miss Rockwell who seemed to be ever present with Lady Prudence herself. "And to you also, Miss Rockwell."

"Good afternoon."

Bobbing a curtsey, Lady Prudence exchanged a glance with her friend and then turned to look at James, her gaze drifting towards Lord Kingshill. James, turning slightly, gestured to his friend, battling against the restraint within him. It was as if he quietly wanted to keep them separated from each other, though he had no real reason as to why that might be.

Foolishness, James reminded himself before, forcing a smile, he gave the introductions. Watching Lady Prudence as she looked again to Lord Kingshill, taking him in with those soft, green eyes of hers, James felt his eyebrows drop low over his brows again.

"Good afternoon, Miss Rockwell, Lady Prudence." Lord Kingshill bowed low. "It is a great honor to meet you."

"As it is to be introduced to you," came the quiet reply, though Miss Rockwell, James noticed, was frowning heavily. "Thank you, Lord Childers, for doing so."

James said nothing, giving her only a small nod as he then pulled his gaze away. There was much to be said between Lord Kingshill and Lady Prudence and he did not need to stand here and be a part of it. He had done as he had been asked. He had introduced Lord Kingshill to Lady Prudence and now, he need not spend even a moment longer in her company. Without so much as a word to either Lord Kingshill or to the two young ladies, James turned and began to walk away, his frown returning for what was the third time in only a few minutes.

I am free now, he told himself, firmly. Free to do as I please, knowing that soon, Lord Kingshill will be able to join me. Letting his gaze rove around the park, he took a deep breath and set his shoulders. Now all I need to do is find something… or someone to entertain me.