Page 10 of The Wallflower's Choice
James looked back to his friend, nodding fervently.
“Yes, of course. This evening? I am sure that she will be at Lord Frederickson’s ball.”
For the first time since the beginning of their conversation, Lord Kingshill smiled broadly, then slapped his knee with the palm of his hand.
“Excellent! Do you know, I am suddenly looking forward to this evening!”
Chuckling, James got up and went to refill Lord Kingshill’s brandy glass, as well as his own.
“Excellent. The sooner you are betrothed, the sooner we can return to enjoying this London Season… and all the other ones that will follow!”
“Lady Prudence, there you are.”Ignoring the startled look which spread across the young lady’s face, James cleared his throat and then bowed his head briefly, by way of greeting. “We must speak.”
Lady Prudence blinked.
“I – good evening, Lord Childers.” She bobbed a quick curtsey. “As you can see, you have caught me a little by surprise. I am soon expecting Miss Rockwell and–”
“That is not important. What I must ask you is–”
“Lord Childers!”
James came to a stop, looking back into Lady Prudence’s eyes and finding himself rather astonished at the fierce expression that had crossed her face. Not only had she interrupted him, but she was now narrowing her eyes at him, as though he were somehow in the wrong. Her cheeks were a little flushed and, as he looked at her, she folded her arms across her chest and then set her jaw.
“Have I done something to offend you?” he asked, speaking a good deal more slowly now, trying to understand the reason for her upset.
“Yes, you have.” Lady Prudence lifted her chin a notch and kept her narrowed gaze fixed to his. “You may well think that I, being a wallflower, will be more than contented to have you come to speak to me in such a forward manner, when I have no other company with me and am entirely alone, but I assure you, I am not. In case you have forgotten about the required propriety in this sort of situation, might I remind you that no gentleman should be found speaking to a lady when she is unchaperoned. I would appreciate it if you would show me a little more consideration.”
Still somewhat astonished by the audacity with which she spoke, it took James some moments to respond. He had not thought for a moment about propriety. Why should he? He had never had cause to do so, and certainly did not think to do so now. But if he refused, he considered, then Lady Prudence would not be at all willing to listen to him, and the potential arrangement between herself and Lord Kingshill might fail entirely.
James swallowed his pride and inclined his head.
“Of course. Forgive me.” His hands clenched hard as he bit back the question ringing around in his head - namely, why someone who was nothing more than a wallflower should have any concern over propriety! It was not as though society paid her the least bit of attention. “I shall wait until Miss Rockwell has joined you,” he added, taking a step back and then watching as she turned herself a little away from him, making it quite clear that they were no longer in conversation.
As he waited, James found himself considering the lady, watching her carefully, taking in her profile. She was, he considered, a little more thanpretty, even though that was whathe had said to Lord Kingshill. There was the gentle slope of her neck, the softness about her expression, her high cheeks, rosebud lips, and long, copper tresses that had been pulled to the top of her head and fell all the way to her shoulders. Absently, James found himself wondering just how long the lady’s hair might be once all the pins had been removed and just how soft it might feel, should he run his hands through it.
That thought stopped him short and he froze in place, his eyes still fixed to the lady. Whatever was he doing? He could not let himself think such things or even have any sort of interest in Lady Prudence, not if he was to place her beside Lord Kingshill! That would be disastrous for, as much as both he and Lord Kingshill were rogues, James knew for certain that Lord Kingshill would never evenconsidera lady whom James had previously held in his arms. Finding himself lost in his thoughts, James ran one hand over his chin, trying to remind himself to think practically about it all, only to sense a pair of eyes resting on him.
He frowned, straightened, and then saw Miss Rockwell and Lady Prudence standing together and looking at him, though there was still a sharpness in Lady Prudence’s gaze, and a heavy frown pulling at Miss Rockwell’s expression. Clearly, neither lady thought well of him.
“Good evening.” Recalling that Lady Prudence expected propriety, James bowed his head, first to Lady Prudence and then to Miss Rockwell. “I wonder, Lady Prudence, if I might speak with you for a moment?”
Lady Prudence’s expression did not change.
“You wish to introduce me to your friend, yes?”
“Yes, I do. You have not refused to consider the idea and so I thought that this evening, I might make the introductions. He is eager to meet you.”
The two ladies shared a glance, though James could not see into it to understand what it meant. Lady Prudence bit her lip and then, after a moment, sighed and shook her head.
“I do not know whether this is a wise thought, Lord Childers. You have not yet told me the name of this gentleman friend of yours, nor why he is so urgent in his desire to marry.”
James opened his mouth to explain, only to then frown and look away. There would be no purpose in revealing all of this to her if there was some dark reason behind her situation on why she was ,a wallflower. “Might I ask, Lady Prudence, if–”
“Good evening.”
Before James could finish his sentence, an older lady – whom he presumed was mother to one of the ladies – came to stand between them. She shot a look towards James and then turned to Lady Prudence.
“Mama, are you acquainted with Lord Childers?”
