Page 30 of The Wallflower's Choice
“Did very well?” Prudence’s eyebrows rose. “Papa, I did nothing.”
He grinned at her.
“Precisely.”
“I – I do not understand what you mean.”
Lord Lymington tilted his head.
“I mean to say that, given the expectation, you did not appear to be nervous or even anxious when the announcement was not made. You seemed contented to return to the carriage.”
“Oh.” Prudence sat back down on the garden bench as her father took the one opposite her. “I did not see Lord Kingshill last evening, though I knew he was present.”
Her father nodded.
“And you did not feel upset at all when the announcement was forgotten?” Leaning forward in his chair, he clicked his tongue. “You were expecting him to announce the betrothal, were you not?”
Prudence sighed.
“I was, but it seems that he chose not to do so, though I do not know why.”
“That is what I wish to speak to you about, Prudence.” Her father smiled at her as though to take any sort of fear away. “That gentleman was in his cups, and was much too inebriated to speak with any clarity or any consideration. Therefore, when I note that another gentleman, Lord Childers, came to speak with you and, thereafter, came to your aid, I wonder what it is that you might think of him.”
“Of Lord Childers?”
Her father nodded.
“He is a scoundrel,” Prudence told him, wondering if her mother had already spoken to her father about this - was he was now coming to make certain that Prudence understood? “He is a friend of Lord Kingshill, and he was the one who made possible the arrangement between us.”
“And yet, be that as it may, it appears that he is rather concerned about this marriage and hopes and prays that all with go well.” He reached up one hand to rub his chin. “I confess, I find that rather surprising, for a gentleman such as he. But yet,I cannot help but believe that he is genuine, given all that he did to protect you last evening.”
Confused, Prudence’s breath swirled in her chest.
“Protect me?”
Her father nodded.
“I watched as he spoke at length with Lord Kingshill, and saw how utterly inebriated Lord Kingshill was. The more the evening went on, the more brandy he consumed and, though I fully expected him to make the announcement, he did not.”
“And he did not because of Lord Childers?”
Lord Lymington nodded.
“Precisely. Your friend took Lord Kingshill from the center of the room and pushed him back into the shadows.” He held up one hand, perhaps hearing what Prudence’s mind whispered. “You do not wish me to call him your friend, then. I shall call him an acquaintance instead.”
“I thank you,” Prudence mumbled, her face growing a little hot as she realized just how hard she found that to consider.
“He kept Lord Kingshill from making any sort of proclamation when he was so without sense,” her father continued, quietly. “He even made certain to place Lord Kingshill in his carriage so that he could not attempt to come back into the ballroom! I watched that happen and felt such a great appreciation, I could not help but speak to him.”
“You did?”
Her father nodded.
“I talked with him and made it clear that I was very grateful for his consideration of you and his recognition of what thetonwould have said, had they heard such a thing from the inebriated Lord Kingshill! He says that since he has arranged the match, he feels a responsibility and that he is now going to set his mind away from his own activities this Season until all is at an end between yourself and Lord Kingshill. Is thatnot remarkable?” Lord Lymington shook his head and chuckled. “From an upstanding gentleman, I might not be surprised, but for a rogue… it was most extraordinary to hear such words from his lips! And given what I witnessed, I had no reason to doubt him.”
A thrill ran up Prudence’s spine upon hearing all of this, only for her mother’s warnings to come back to her mind. She dared not let her father see all that she felt, for fear that he would question her further – asking questions which she did not have answers for.
“That is remarkable indeed, but he is still a scoundrel, Papa, as Mother has reminded me.”
