Page 12 of The Wallflower's Choice
“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 hadsoughtto ruin herself in order to wed a particulargentleman for, given that thetonwere 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 herhand 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 thetonhave 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 thetonwill 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 aboutyouthat 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.”
