Page 41 of The Wallflower's Choice
“I did, yes.” Lord Lymington smiled. “I thanked him for keeping the announcement away from thetonwhen Lord Kingshill was in his cups. I thought it would have been a most inappropriate time, and found myself rather surprised to see that another rake, such as he, was aware of the same thing. I did not expect that he would have cared about you in such a way, but it was clear to me that he did.”
“He has offered himself in place of Lord Kingshill,” Prudence told him, a little flushed now. “He has said that he will speak to Lord Kingshill, and I said that I would speak to both of you. I know that he is a rake, I understand that he is a scoundrel, but he has sworn to reform himself – and thus far, these last few weeks, hehasdone that.”
“Yes, he has.”
“You – you cannot be seriously considering this, Lymington!”
Prudence’s shoulders rounded and she dropped her head as her mother instantly began to shake her head, her distrust of the gentleman clear.
“I am considering it, yes,” Lord Lymington answered, mildly. “Lord Childers is a rogue, yes, but we have just agreed to Lord Kingshill, so why would we not accept him?”
Lady Lymington blinked and then threw up her hands.
“Because he is evenmorea scoundrel than Lord Kingshill! Do you not know of his reputation?”
“He cares for me.” Prudence closed her eyes the moment the words came out of her mouth, feeling her mother’s gaze shooting through her. She trembled a little as she spoke, but she forced herself to speak words of truth anyway. “And I believe that I care for him.” Silence met her words and, anxiety raking up her spine, Prudence opened her eyes and looked at her mother who was staring, wide-eyed, at Prudence.
“I believe him, Mama,” she continued, her voice catching. “He is a rogue, yes, but he has not done anything which would make me question his present determination to be devoted to me. The fact that he has spoken to me truthfully, confessing his initial motivations in arranging the match, and then explaining how his thinking has changed significantly since then, makes me believe that his words are genuine. I can see now that I would have nothing but misery should I marry Lord Kingshill, but with Lord Childers, do I not have a small hope of happiness?”
Lady Lymington closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath.
“You have a small chance, yes, but there is still so much danger. I was never hopeful that you would have any sort of happiness with Lord Kingshill, but I did not know if… well…” She shook her head, her voice breaking. “I want only the best for you, my dear. I care for you so very much, and I do not want you to have a life of misery.”
“I think that I have a better chance of happiness with Lord Childers than I would ever have had with Lord Kingshill.”
“I would agree,” Lord Lymington murmured, reaching out to take his wife’s hand. “Come, my dear, consider all that your daughter is saying, and all that Lord Childers has said to her. I will say that I too was rather surprised at his consideration of her, and it did make me question whether or not there was a chance that this very thing might occur.”
Hope filled Prudence’s heart.
“Then you will permit him to court me? Knowing that betrothal will soon follow?”
Lord Lymington smiled and nodded.
“Yes, my dear. Of course. The choice I will give to you, but I believe that the decision has already been made, yes?”
Prudence nodded, tears beginning to threaten, her voice hoarse.
“Yes, Papa. I thank you.” Her vision was a little blurred when she looked at her mother, who was now gripping her husband’s hand tightly. “Mama?”
Lady Lymington took a moment and then, with a wobbly smile, nodded.
“Yes, Prudence. If you are sure, then I will not hold back my consent, even though it is not needed.”
“Thank you.” Prudence rose from her chair and, coming across to her mother, went to embrace her. “I think that I will be happy, Mama. Even if I am married to a rogue.”
“Areformedrogue,” Lady Lymington stated, firmly, managing to smile. “I will make certain to speak to Lord Childers myself and make sure that he is fully aware of what my expectations are of him, as your husband!”
Laughing, Prudence went to embrace her father, her heart happier than it had been in some time.
“I am sure that he will take it very well, Mama. I thank you.”
“Let us hope that Lord Kingshill takes this news as well as we have!” Lord Lymington laughed, hugging her tightly. “What an excellent end to the Season this will be!”
“Prudence?”
Prudence smiled and made to greet Miss Rockwell, only to see her friend’s expression as she hurried towards her.
“Anna? What is wrong?”
