Page 21 of The Wallflower's Choice
Lord Kingshill hesitated, then rubbed one hand over his chin, his eyes slanting back towards Miss Rockwell as though he did not much like what she had said.
“I suppose that is a consideration.”
“Good. Then a courtship?” Miss Rockwell looked first to Prudence and then to Lord Kingshill again, her eyebrows lifted. “For a short while, of course.”
“Very well.” Lord Kingshill sighed and then looked at Prudence. “I presume that you will tell your parents about our intentions?”
Prudence’s hands curled into fists as she fought to control her surprise.
“I – I had thought that you would wish to speak to my father yourself.”
Lord Kingshill shook his head.
“No, no. There is too much to explain and I shall leave that to you to do. If your father refuses to give his permission, however, then we will be at an end anyway and that would mean a waste of my time and my efforts. No, Lady Prudence, I think it would be best if you spoke to your parents about this matter.” Clearing his throat, he turned his head away and then, evidently spying someone, gave them a wave of his hand and, after a moment, glanced back at Prudence and Miss Rockwell. “I shall take my leave of you now. Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon,” Prudence echoed, finding her heart aching as she watched Lord Kingshill walk away.
He was not at all as she had expected, for even a rogue could be charming and well-mannered! Was not Lord Childers all of those things? Lord Kingshill, on the other hand, was nothing more than a rude, inconsiderate fellow who appeared to be a little lazy. Why was he askingherto speak to her parents about their potential betrothal? It ought to fall on his shoulders rather than on Prudence’s. What would her father think of her speaking to him in such a way? It made very little sense.
“Well?”
Prudence looked at her friend, seeing the doubt flickering in her eyes.
“I thought him rather rude,” she admitted, tears beginning to burn. “I do not know what I expected, but I certainly did not expect this!”
“He was inconsiderate, thoughtless, and dismissive,” Miss Rockwell stated, perhaps unaware of the pain that her words sparked in Prudence. “I am surprised that he was so unwilling tospeak with your father and instead, asked you to do such a thing as that! It seems very strange to me that a gentleman would be so improper in what is an important matter!”
“I shall have to speak to my parents,” Prudence murmured, reaching to pinch the bridge of her nose. “I do not know what they will say. My mother already warned me away from Lord Childers; I expect that she will say the same about Lord Kingshill.”
“Though Lord Childers was not offering matrimony,” Miss Rockwell added, her expression still heavy. “It may be different for Lord Kingshill.”
“Yes, it may be,” Prudence agreed, slowly uncurling her fingers, and stretching out her hands again. “I suppose all we can do is wait and see.”
“I must speak to you, Mama.”
Lady Lymington glanced over her shoulder as the maid set a pearl necklace around her neck.
“Good evening, Prudence. You are prepared, yes? We are to leave for Lord Venables’ ball very soon and I do not want to keep your father waiting.”
Prudence came a little further into the room, glancing at the maid and waiting for her mother to dismiss her. Lady Lymington said nothing, watching Prudence carefully and, when she rose, turned to glance at herself in the mirror before sending the maid away.
“What is the matter, Prudence?” she asked, coming to take one of Prudence’s hands in her own, her eyes steady. “I understand that there is difficulty for you in this, but it must bedone. We must continue to attend social occasions in the hope that society will begin to welcome you back again.”
“It is not about society, Mama,” Prudence answered, a knot tying itself in her stomach. “It is something a little more… personal.”
Lady Lymington frowned.
“Has something happened to you?”
“Not in any dreadful manner, no,” Prudence reassured her. “I have had a gentleman speaking with me. He wishes to move forward to courtship.”
In an instant, everything about her mother’s expression changed. Her eyes went wide, a huge smile spread across her face, and she squeezed Prudence’s hand tightly.
“Really? A gentleman?”
Prudence nodded.
“Yes, Mama. Though there is a reason for his urgency so please do not think that this is as wonderful as it seems.”
