Page 40 of The Wallflower's Choice
“Let us go and find the lady,” James interrupted, silently praying that Lady Prudence would forgive the interruption and, thereafter, answer in the affirmative that yes, she would marry him rather than Lord Kingshill. “That way, this matter can be settled for good.”
Without waiting, he turned on his heel and began to stride across the room, his eyes searching desperately for the one lady he most wished to find. A glance over his shoulder told him that not only were Lord Kingshill and Lord Henstridge following, but so also was almost half the room! Chewing on the edge of his lip, James’ heart began to beat a little more furiously as he searched for Lady Prudence. They had not discussed betrothal, only courtship, but there was no time for such things now. Would she accept him? Would she be willing to marry him? And, most of all, would she truly believe every single word of devotion and promise that he made?
Chapter Seventeen
“Mama? Papa? I – I must speak with you.”
Prudence sat down quickly, hoping that by clasping her hands under the table, they would not see how she trembled. After her walk around the park earlier that morning and speaking with Lord Childers, she felt overwhelmed with thoughts. Although she had managed to sneak back into the house without being seen by anyone, she had not returned to her bed. Yes, she had changed back into her night things and taken the morning chocolate brought to her by her maid but all the while, she had done nothing but think of Lord Childers. Now, the moment had come for her to speak to her parents about what he proposed.
“Yes?” Her mother smiled at her, then gestured to the teapot. “Would you like to have a cup of tea before you begin? You have not eaten a single thing thus far and you must be thirsty, at least!”
Prudence shook her head.
“I am quite all right, I assure you. Might I begin?”
Her mother tilted her head, looking at her.
“This is a serious matter, yes?”
“Yes.”
“My dear.”
Reaching across, Lady Lymington touched her husband’s hand, causing him to look away from the newspaper he held in his hand and look instead at Prudence.
“There is something you wish to say, Prudence dear?” Lord Lymington smiled warmly. “What is it?” A faint flicker came into his eyes. “Is it that you hope now to remove your connection with Lord Kingshill? I confess that I would not find that a disappointment if you were to do so.”
“My dear!”
Lady Lymington hissed but Prudence smiled, feeling a little relieved that her father had spoken so.
“It does make this conversation a little easier, to know that you feel that way, Papa,” she said slowly, hearing her mother’s swift intake of breath. “Yes, I should like to end my connection to Lord Kingshill before it has even begun!”
Both of her parents glanced at each other though, much to Prudence’s relief, her father immediately began to smile.
“I am glad to hear it. That is not because I do not want you to be happy, but I am sure that Lord Kingshill is not at all the sort of gentleman you should be connecting yourself to.”
“I quite agree,” Prudence answered, though Lady Lymington looked a little sorrowful, her expression rather downcast. “However, I do not intend to become a spinster. That is not something I want for my future. Therefore, rather than stepping away from Lord Kingshill without any other possibilities laid out ahead of me, I have instead accepted an offer from another gentleman.”
At this, Lady Lymington let out a huge gasp, her fingers grasping the tablecloth in obvious astonishment. Prudence swallowed and said nothing, wondering if she ought to have accepted her mother’s offer of a cup of tea given that her mouth had become so dry. Her father was also evidently astonished,given the way that his eyes had rounded, though he merely cleared his throat in a rather gruff manner rather than say anything.
“You… you have received another offer?” Lady Lymington whispered, as Prudence nodded. “In place of Lord Kingshill? Areputablegentleman?”
Prudence winced.
“No, I would not say that.” Her mother’s shoulders dropped instantly. “Though he has promised that he will reform himself and, thus far, he has proven himself.”
Lord Lymington’s hand thumped hard on the table.
“You are speaking of the Marquess of Childers, are you not?”
A little surprised, Prudence nodded.
“I am,” she said, slowly. “How did you know?”
“From your description,” her father answered, rubbing one hand over his chin. “I spoke to him recently.”
“You… you did?”
