Page 39 of The Wallflower's Choice
“You?” he asked, as James folded his arms over his chest, feeling a little irritated at his friend’s response. “You, the scoundrel, the rake, the rogue… you are to marry Lady Prudence in my place… and she has accepted you?” He laughed again, though there was a darkness to his tone. “I cannot believe that.”
“It is true,” James insisted, firmly. “I cannot bear the thought of you taking the lady as your wife and then treatingher as though she has no bearing upon your life, showing her no respect or consideration. My conscience will not permit it.” Taking a deep breath, he dropped his hands. “And though I said I would assist you in finding a young lady to marry and provide you with the heir that you require, I am afraid that I cannot do so now.”
“No?” Lord Kingshill’s lips twisted. “No doubt your newfound conscience will not permit you to do such a thing?”
“Precisely.” James drew himself up so he stood as tall as he could. “You may not believe me, you may mock and tease me, but I am determined to reform myself forhersake.”
“And what if I refuse?”
James blinked.
“Refuse what?”
“Refuse to step away. Refuse to stepback.”
Shrugging, James turned his face away.
“It does not matter,” he answered, quietly. “The lady will not marry you, Kingshill. Her father and mother have been informed of the change and they have consented.” He was not certain of this last statement as yet, but he spoke it with confidence regardless. He did not want to let Lord Kingshill have even the smallest amount of belief that Lady Prudence would be to him as he had previously anticipated. “That is all there is to it.”
Lord Kingshill scowled, his eyes growing dark, his jaw jutting forward.
“You devil! First you promise to find me what I require, swearing to me that you will be of the greatest assistance, only to then turn your back on me and steal what I have for yourself!”
“It was not deliberately done,” James answered, though Lord Kingshill’s voice grew louder, his anger becoming more evident by the minute.
“Now you expect me to turn away from Lady Prudence, simply becauseyouhave decided that you want her more thanI? And then, rather than attempt to make amends, you refuse to assist me any further! How dare you treat me in such a way?”
Seeing a few people around them begin to glance towards them, their eyes lit with curiosity, James began to back away, refusing to let any gossip come from this.
“I am sorry, my friend. Do excuse me.”
“Sorry? Is that all you can say?”
“Gentlemen!”
James held both hands up as Lord Henstridge, the gentleman hosting the ball, came towards them.
“Forgive my friend, Lord Henstridge. He is a little in his cups and–”
“I am sober enough to tell youall,” Lord Kingshill interrupted, his voice growing even louder, “that I am courting Lady Prudence!”
Fear clutched at James’ heart.
“You are mistaken!” he exclaimed, as a few of the other guests now gasped in shock at what was playing out before them. “I ambetrothedto Lady Prudence and soon intend to marry her!” This brought yet more exclamations from the crowd who all either looked to each other or looked to James, Lord Kingshill or Lord Henstridge himself. James lifted his chin, silently challenging his friend but Lord Kingshill only sneered. “Iam betrothed to Lady Prudence,” James said again, only for Lord Kingshill to slice the air with his hand.
“No,Iam the one betrothed to her!”
The crowd around them made so much noise at this remark that James was sure even the orchestra had stopped playing to listen to the conversation.
“There is only one way for us to sort this matter out, I believe,” Lord Henstridge said, slowly, looking just as confused as the other guests around him. “We must find Lady Prudence and speak with her, andthen,we will know the truth.”
“Lady Prudence?” One of the ladies near him touched James’ arm and, glancing at her, he nodded. The lady then exchanged a glance with her friend, her eyes wide with obvious surprise. “Goodness, I did not think that anyone would ever pursuethatparticular young lady after what she did!”
Fire tied itself around James’ heart as questions began to fill his mind about what such a thing could be, only to then remind himself of all the many thingshehad done that had burned his reputation into nothing but ashes and smoke.
“Her reputation is far better than mine, I assure you,” he said, turning and speaking directly to the lady, making her blush with embarrassment. “I care deeply for the lady and will be very glad when the wedding day is set.”
“Whenmywedding day is set, you mean!” Lord Kingshill cried, catching everyone’s attention. “You need not try to steal my betrothed from me, just as you have stolen coin and the like before!Iam to marry the lady and you–”
