Page 11 of The Wallflower's Choice
The moment Lady Prudence said his name, James saw the recognition ripple across her mother’s face. There was a pause and then, after a moment, the lady turned to look at James, a coolness in her expression.
“I am not acquainted with him, but I know of him, yes,” came the reply, though Lady Prudence did not appear to notice this coldness, quickly making the introductions. James bowed and then straightened, a hint of panic beginning to course through him. If Lady Lymington refused to let her daughter speak further with him, then the plan in its entirety would fall to the ground and shatter into a thousand pieces.
I cannot let that happen.
“Might I ask what a gentleman such as yourself is doing speaking with my daughter?” Lady Lymington asked, ice now shining in her eyes. “And at the back of the ballroom too?”
James put out his hands, attempting to demonstrate that he had no ill intent. “I came only to speak with both Lady Prudenceand Miss Rockwell,” he said, aware that Lady Lymington might consider him something of a threat to her daughter’s reputation. “And now, in fact, I came to see if either of them wished to stand up to dance.”
In a moment, everything changed. Lady Lymington blinked, her eyes then flared and she turned to her daughter, who was staring at James in sheer astonishment. With a quiet cough, James dropped his hands before looking to Miss Rockwell and then back to Lady Prudence.
“Well?” he asked, forcing a smile onto his face which he did not truly feel. “Shall I have the pleasure of standing up with either of you this evening? I should be truly honored to do so.”
Chapter Five
Prudence 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 willnothave 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 ofworry. “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 protectedfrom.”
“I understand.” Prudence chose not to argue, aware thatsheknew 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 thetonwould 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.
