Page 55 of The Scoundrel and the Debutante
The man shrugged. “Nothing at all.” He smiled at Roan and sauntered away.
The man made Roan uncomfortable. He worried for Prudence. Still, he reasoned once they reached West Lee, they’d never see the man again. In the meantime, Roan wouldn’t allow the man’s overt curiosity to dampen his happiness.
They continued on, passing over old stone bridges, rolling past a castle ruin and disappearing into the shadows beneath a canopy of trees. A few pine trees began to appear in the mix of foliage as they wended north. The sun was sinking into the western horizon. Roan longed to be off that coach and be with Prudence while he could. He thought he was on the verge of expiring with impatience when at last they crested a hill and one of the coachmen shouted “Weslay! Weslay’s next!”
“Look there,” Prudence said, and pointed out the coach window. In the distance, a large house sat majestically on a hill, built of graying limestone and anchored by two square towers on either end. The house was so large that it boasted enough chimneys to warm the entire Hudson Valley in winter.
“Howston Hall,” said the gentleman next to Prudence. “It is the home of Viscount Penfors.”
Roan was startled.Thatwas the Penfors residence? That’s where Aurora had gone? “It’s enormous,” he muttered.
“Sixteen guest rooms,” the gentleman said, and at Roan’s look, he added, “his lordship is a friend of mine. I am rather familiar with the property.”
Thatwas unwelcome news. Prudence must have realized, too, they’d not be rid of him, as Roan felt her stiffen beside him.
The coach veered right and rolled into the picturesque village with its whitewashed cottages, a pair of churches with tall spires and a lovely center green, upon which some elderly gentlemen were lawn bowling in the late afternoon. All the passengers disembarked here; the team was taken out of its traces, and several men appeared to remove the luggage and then pull the carriage to a brick carriage house at the end of the high street.
The woman who had ridden in the coach bustled her children across a crowded street and disappeared into a path between two buildings. The two men who’d ridden up top disappeared into the inn. But the English gentleman lingered.
Of course he did.
“I shall inquire if there is transport to the hall, shall I?” Prudence asked, shaking out her skirts as she spoke.
“To the hall?” the gentleman asked, overhearing her. “I beg your pardon, I thought you were hastening to your poor father’s side.”
Prudence blinked. “We are. Wewill.But we should pay our respects to his lordship while we are so near.”
“Well, then! If you’re among his lordship’s guests for the weekend, there is no need for transport—I’ve already arranged a carriage.” He smiled at Roan. “You and your cousin are welcome to join me.”
“Oh no, we wouldn’t think of imposing,” Prudence said, and glanced at Roan from the corner of her eye. “We’ll manage well enough.”
“Impose! It’s a carriage, Miss...?”
“Thank you, but we might linger in the village. It’s lovely.” She clasped her hands and turned partially away from the gentleman, pretending to admire the village.
But the gentleman was not going to be swayed. “This is not Mayfair,” he said jovially. “There are not hacks on every street corner. You best seize your opportunity, and I am happy to be of service. That is...if you are certain you are not needed by your ailing father?” He smiled.
Roan didn’t know about Mayfair, but he could see the flush in Prudence’s neck and knew she did not want to get in a carriage with this man. He was also aware that the gentleman was probably correct—there were not many alternatives other than their feet. He stepped forward. “Her father is in good hands. We should like to pay a visit to his benefactor.”
“Oh, hisbenefactor,” the gentleman said, looking very amused now.
Roan wanted to plant his fist in the gentleman’s face. “Is there something you’d like to say, sir?”
“Only that I would be happy to take you up to the hall.”
Roan was uneasy with this turn of events. But he was also acutely aware that Aurora may be up on that hill now, preparing for supper. He swallowed his pride and misgivings—if Aurora was there, he had to reach her. “Who might we have the pleasure of thanking for this offer?”
“Lord Stanhope,” the gentleman said cheerfully, and Roan was certain he heard a tiny mewl of despair from Prudence. “And you are...?”
“Matheson,” Roan said.
Stanhope’s gaze slid to Prudence.
“We’ll just get our trunks,” Roan said.
“I’ll have the boy do it. If you’ll just tell me the names on your trunks?”
“They’re heavy,” Roan parried. “Cousin, will you come? You can carry the valise.” He put his hand on Prudence’s elbow and quickly moved her away from Stanhope.
