Page 45 of The Wallflower's Choice
James put one hand to his heart and bowed.
“I thank you for permitting me to call on you – and for betrothing myself to your daughter without first speaking to you, I can only apologize.”
“It is quite understandable, given what has taken place,” came the reply. “Now, let us not stand together here in the hallway and converse! Please, come in.”
Feeling a little less concerned, now that Lord Lymington had spoken with consideration and understanding, James did as he was asked and followed the gentleman. The study was just as he might have expected, with a large wooden desk to one side, sitting in front of some bookshelves. Lord Lymington did not go to sit down at his desk, however, but instead, gestured for James to sit down in one of two overstuffed chairs to the other side of the room. James did so quickly, rather surprised when Lord Lymington offered him a glass of brandy. If the gentleman had brought him here to berate him, to rail at him for what had happened, then surely he would not be as generous as this!
“To your wedding!” Lord Lymington smiled, holding up his glass as James blinked in surprise before finally lifting his own to his lips. “Goodness, Lord Childers, I confess that I am rather surprised to see you so astonished. What sort of reception did you think that you would receive from me today?”
“In truth, Lord Lymington, I thought that you would likely show nothing but anger,” James admitted, seeing the gentleman smile. “I thought that you would be greatly upset that I had betrothed myself to Lady Prudence without even speaking to youfirst! I am a gentleman with a dreadful reputation – though I will admit that this is not something which ever troubled me before meeting your daughter – and to have one’s daughter betrothed to someone such as I cannot be pleasing.”
“It is certainly not what I had hoped for her, yes,” Lord Lymington admitted, “but my dear fellow, it is better than her being wed to Lord Kingshill! You know as well as I that Lord Kingshill had no interest in Prudence and would have made her nothing more than miserable for the rest of her days. With you, however, I can see that there is a hope that shewillbe happy and contented.” Tilting his head, he looked at James steadily. “You care for her, I think.”
A little embarrassed, James nodded but looked away.
“I do, Lord Lymington, though I am well aware that I do not deserve to have such a young lady as she on my arm. After all that I have done, and the disrespect that I have shown to so many, I do not think for a moment that I deserve to have your consent to my marrying Lady Prudence – nor hers either!”
“But you have it,” Lord Lymington said, quietly, his eyes suddenly grave. “I must ask you, however, to consider this matter with great seriousness, Lord Childers. She is my daughter, and I love her as any father loves his child. That does mean that I am concerned for her welfare, that I want what is best for her, so that I can see her happy and contented. I am entrusting her to you, Lord Childers, and that is a great responsibility. I do not think that Lord Kingshill would have taken that with any sort of seriousness, but I must hope thatyouwill.”
James quickly nodded.
“I do, and I will,” he promised, fervency in every word that he spoke as he moved to sit a little further forward in his chair. “Lord Lymington, I did not ever expect to care for any young lady in the way that I care for Lady Prudence. I thought that,when it came time for me to wed, I would do so reluctantly and unwillingly – and yet now, here I am finding myself utterly delighted at the prospect! I want to hasten the day that will bring Lady Prudence to me as my wife, and I swear to you, as I will swear to her, that I will take my responsibility as her husband with all seriousness. I will commit myself to her happiness, I will devote myself to her care. I will not turn my back on her, I will not turn again to the ways which have been so familiar to me and yet so hurtful to so many. I can assure you of that.”
It took a moment but, eventually, Lord Lymington smiled.
“That is excellent to hear,” he said, a small smile drifting across his face. “I believe, for the first time since we came to London, that my daughter has a real chance of happiness… and it seems that she shall have it with the worst rogue in all of London!”
James found himself laughing along with Lord Lymington though it came more from relief than genuine good humor. He had nothing to worry himself about, it seemed, for Lord Lymington was quite contented to see his daughter wed to James. The way that it had come about had been surprising indeed, but James was, as he had said, truly grateful to now find himself attached to Lady Prudence. She was so very wonderful, gracious, considerate, and kind, and his heart was slowly filling with an increased affection for her.
All he had to do now was tell her that.
Chapter Nineteen
“Ido not think that I can do this.”
“Of course you can.” Lady Lymington smiled and urged her gently forward, one hand to the small of her back. “He is your betrothed now. You must be seen in public.”
“But… but they have all been whispering about me,” Prudence answered, her voice trembling. “Mama, I am sure that Lord Childers must know of it by now.”
“And if he does, then all is well for you aregoingto wed regardless. He has assured you of that, has he not?”
Prudence nodded but still stayed back by the carriage, aware that Lord Childers was now looking towards her but finding it too difficult to take even the smallest step towards him.
“What will he think of me?”
“My dear.” With a sigh, Lady Lymington turned around to face her, grasping both of Prudence’s hands in hers. “Listen to me. The time for fear and upset is over. You have found yourself a match and though he is not the most excellent of gentlemen, he is a gentleman with a high title, with a good fortune, and with a promise that he shall reform himself. Do you think that you can consider that, rather than being fearful about your past?”Prudence swallowed tightly. “And I shall also remind you that he is a rogue,” her mother added, perhaps seeing that Prudence was still reluctant. “Or certainlywasa rogue! He has promised to reform himself, and I do believe that you can trust him in that, given what he has proven so far by his behavior. Yes, what you did was foolish and did bring you some consequences, but I am quite certain that it will not be severe enough for a rogue like him to not be able to forgive! And I am quite happy to remind him about such a thing, should there be any sort of concern.” Prudence laughed at this, feeling some of her tension fade. Perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps shecouldbring herself to trust Lord Childers and, even as she told him about her past, believe that it would not be severe enough for him to step away from her. “Go, now. He is waiting for you.”
Swallowing hard, Prudence began to move forward, her chest tight as she saw him smile. There was a kindness in his eyes that reached out to her heart, a tenderness warming his expression which pulled away even more of her worry.
“I am glad that you came to me,” he said, as she reached him. “I was afraid that you would stay by the carriage, and I would be without you for my walk through the park!”
Prudence flushed.
“I am sorry, I–”
“I am only teasing.” Lord Childers gave her a wry smile. “Perhaps I ought not to have said such a thing. I can understand your concern, my dear lady. Thetoncan be a monstrous beast, can it not? And this is our first time walking together since the news of our betrothal was made known.”
“Which was only two days ago, and yet I have heard that the gossip and the rumors have already been rushing around London.” Prudence squeezed her eyes closed for a moment. “My friend, Miss Rockwell, told me of it. Not so that I would feel terribly bad or afraid, however, simply so that I was aware of it.”
